SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — They only have four days.

Lawmakers will have one more opportunity to get some 2024 proposals across the finish line during a lame duck session. With inauguration for the new General Assembly scheduled for Wednesday, they will have until then before the clock resets on all unfinished ideas. Here are just a few ideas they could broach.

Clean Energy policies

On Friday, Senator Bill Cunningham filed a new group of clean energy policies. The bill would create some avenues to improve clean energy storage, while also helping build out the grid.

“There’s a couple of flashing warning lights on the dashboard right now that we have to take action on, and incentivizing the use of battery storage for energy can be a really big part of that,” Cunningham (D-Chicago) said.

Without changes like these, Cunningham warns of some big spikes in utility costs down the road. He points to increased energy usage by data centers as a reason the storage incentives are needed.

“My proposals would probably mean a very small increase in what ratepayers pay. You know, we’re talking about maybe 20 cents, 50 cents a month on the front end, but on the back end there will be much larger savings,” Cunningham said.

Tier 2 pension reform

Lawmakers could also turn to pension reform.

Governor JB Pritzker wants to make sure that tier 2 pensions meet federal social security standards.

“It’s clear that that it needs to be dealt with because otherwise you created a whole other liability for the state,” Pritzker said in November.

But a coalition of labor groups want to see much bigger changes, and bring tier two up alongside tier one benefits. A bill filed in November has the backing of a wide range of labor unions, including state workers, teachers, and police and fire departments.

Tier 2 pensions were created in 2010 as a more affordable alternative to the very generous tier 1 package, and switching back would be a huge financial commitment for a state looking to dig its way out of a coming fiscal hole.

Carbon Sequestration

A bill that would prevent carbon sequestration projects under the Mahomet aquifer is still floating around. The sponsor in the senate, Champaign Democrat Paul Faraci, said in November the last time they were in Springfield he’s planning to make this a collaborative process.

“Our job, and I think many would agree, is to listen to the voices of people who have something to say about an issue,” Faraci said. “And so this is to me, this is a prime example of the process working, which is good.”

The state passed first-of-their-kind regulations on carbon sequestration projects last spring, but did not include any exemptions for the critical drinking water source in Central Illinois. Faraci’s bill got a committee hearing in November during Veto Session, but it was tabled without a vote.

Delta 8 regulations

Lawmakers could also vote on a package of reforms for hemp-derived THC products.

The products do not fall under the same regulations as marijuana. In fact, the hemp-derived products are federally legal, unlike the former. They have gotten huge criticism in the capitol though because of lax packaging standards, and their availability to children.

Pritzker announced his support for a bill that made it out of the Senate last Spring but stalled in the House. It would not only create clear packaging standards, but it would also require these products be sold only at licensed dispensaries, and not at places like gas stations where they are available now.

“This regulatory gray area has created a loophole that put Illinois consumers of all ages, but particularly children, in danger while an underground market flourished—the exact opposite of what Illinois has done by regulating our cannabis industry,” said Governor JB Pritzker in a December statement.

But hemp businesses view it as more of an outright ban.

“HB 4293 is not regulation — it’s a full-scale ban that wipes out nearly all federally legal hemp-derived products, including CBD lotions, shampoos, and pet care items,” the Hemp Business Association said.

Budget Deficit Looming

Hanging over discussion in the capitol the next 6 months will be a projected $3.2 billion budget deficit. Republicans are already focusing on the shortage in revenue — and calling on Pritzker to keep spending down in the new year.

“We need to look at where we are actually spending money because we have to focus on Illinois taxpayers, their tax dollars,” Senator John Curran (R-Lemont) said.

But Democrats are maintaining confidence that they can navigate the state through a tough fiscal year.

“We’ll go back to the table and we’ll look at what’s working and what’s not,” Chief Budgeteer in the Senate Elgie Simms (D-Chicago) said during veto session. “And we’ll will do what’s in the best, what will pass a budget that’s balanced and that’s in the best interest of the people of the state of Illinois.”