New Year; New Congress; New Illinois General Assembly

In January, the 119th Congress and the 104th Illinois General Assembly were inaugurated, marking the beginning of new opportunities and challenges for lawmakers at both the federal and state levels.

In Illinois, 2025 marks the start of a two-year legislative session. While Democrats maintain a supermajority in both chambers and the four caucus leaders remain unchanged, Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) emphasized the importance of bipartisanship, stating that political dynamics should not hinder cooperation. Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch echoed this sentiment, urging legislators to be inspired by their roles as community leaders and to focus on building a better state.

As legislators settle into their responsibilities, they face critical questions about how to address the state’s most pressing challenges; a budget deficit, unfunded pension debt, investing in education, holding the line on government spending, and addressing the growing exodus of residents seeking better opportunities in states with lower taxes and more pro-business environments.  In anticipation of tension with the new Administration in Washington, D.C., the supermajority in Illinois may also introduce legislation to strengthen the state’s progressive social ideals.

On the federal stage, the 119th Congress convenes with 100 senators and 435 representatives taking office. The political landscape in Washington is expected to be challenging, with partisan divides posing obstacles to legislative progress. However, these challenges also underscore the need for constructive dialogue and cooperation among lawmakers.

AAFP and IAFP Strategic Priorities and Policy Impact

As we embark on this new legislative cycle, our strategic priorities must center on improving health care and strengthening family medicine’s role. At both the federal and state levels, our advocacy efforts will focus on:

• Conveying the importance of primary care: Ensuring that policymakers understand the foundational role primary care plays in improving population health and reducing costs. Engaging stakeholders with evidence of the value, investment, and payment necessary to sustain family medicine.
• Improve practice environments: Advocating for streamlined processes to allow physicians to focus on patient care with less paperwork. This includes reporting requirements that support the physician and practice first.
• Promoting professional well-being: Advocating for initiatives that reduce administrative burdens, minimize continuing medical education (CME) legislative mandates, and address burnout to improve the professional satisfaction of family physicians.
• Increasing and sustaining the primary care workforce: Promoting initiatives to address physician shortages and support the next generation of family physicians. Ultimately, it leads to enhanced care delivery and access for patients.
• Collaboration and Engagement: Achieving these goals requires thoughtful engagement and partnership with like-minded entities. Building coalitions and leveraging established policy expertise will strengthen our collective voice and amplify our impact. By aligning our efforts with broader health care initiatives, we can ensure that family medicine has a voice in policy discussions.

Political Ramifications and Opportunities: While the political landscape presents both opportunities and risks, it is essential to focus on long-term outcomes. Bipartisanship and shared responsibility will be key to navigating challenges and advancing policies that benefit patients and providers alike. For family medicine, this moment offers a chance to reinforce its vital role in achieving a healthier future.

In closing, Illinois House Speaker Welch aptly noted, this is a time to inspire and lead—not to tear others down—and to work together in pursuit of a healthier, stronger society. By fostering collaboration, leveraging resources, and prioritizing impactful policies, lawmakers and advocates should seize the opportunities of this new year to make a lasting impact.