IllinoisSB3731104th General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET

FIRST 2026 GENERAL REVISORY

Sponsored By: Bill Cunningham (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Creates the First 2026 General Revisory Act. Combines multiple versions of Sections amended by more than one Public Act. Renumbers Sections of various Acts to eliminate duplication. Corrects obsolete cross-references and technical errors. Makes stylistic changes. Effective immediately.

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176 provisions identified: 100 benefits, 16 costs, 60 mixed.

Dependent coverage opens to qualifying parents

Beginning January 1, 2026, affected policies with dependent coverage must offer it to an insured person's qualifying parent or stepparent. The parent must meet the federal tax-law definition of a qualifying relative and live within the plan's service area. The rule applies when policies are issued, amended, delivered, or renewed on or after that date. Specified specialized, student, Medicare supplement, hospital-only, accident-only, and specified-disease policies are excluded. The law does not set the cost of adding a parent.

More payments for relative caregiver homes

Certified relative caregiver homes caring for children placed by Illinois DCFS qualify for foster care maintenance payments. Payments must at least match those paid to licensed foster family homes. Beginning July 1, 2025, relative homes without certification or foster licensing also qualify when DCFS places a child there. Their payments must equal at least 90% of payments to licensed foster homes and certified relative caregiver homes.

Patients gain ground ambulance billing protections

Group and individual health policies amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 must cover emergency and urgent ground ambulances. Urgent rides must be medically necessary, determined by a health professional, and required within 12 hours after certification. For covered out-of-network rides, patients owe only in-network cost sharing, with no additional provider bill. Upon reasonable demand, insurers pay the applicable local-government rate. For providers outside local-government jurisdiction, payment is the lowest of the negotiated rate, 85% of billed charges, or the filed average gross charge rate.

Stronger care and placement help for children

Illinois child welfare officials must accept children committed to their care after findings of abuse, neglect, or dependency. Commitments for addiction, truancy requiring supervision, or a need for authoritative intervention require Department approval. Officials must plan early for permanent homes and document efforts to prevent removal, reunite families, and place children with relatives. When missing resources mainly block an emergency relative placement, officials must help the relative obtain them. Rules defining diligent efforts and needed supports were due July 1, 2025; child health and safety remain paramount.

Adoptions cannot stall over family location

Child welfare officials cannot deny or delay an adoption placement just because an approved family lives outside the handling region. The same protection applies when an approved family lives outside Illinois.

Easier IDs after state custody

People conditionally released or discharged from Illinois Department of Human Services custody can get an Illinois ID with required documents. Those lacking usual identity papers can get a 90-day card with state verification and proof of Illinois residence. The verification form must be completed within 30 days before applying. Staff can bring applicants to a licensing office to get the temporary card starting 14 days before release.

Faster record petitions after cases end

Participants in problem-solving courts or pre-plea or post-plea diversion can file expungement petitions 61 days before expected dismissal or later. Courts must grant eligible petitions after successful completion and dismissal. For arrests or charges from January 1, 2018, onward, eligible records can be sealed immediately after acquittal or dismissal with prejudice. That petition must be filed the same day, during the same hearing; offense exclusions still apply. Courts must explain this immediate-sealing right and process.

Identification access after leaving correctional custody

The Secretary of State must issue identification cards to eligible people leaving correctional custody who provide required identity and residency information. Some people released without a standard card can get a nonrenewable card valid for 90 days. This requires a correctional verification form completed no more than 30 days before applying. A standard card requires follow-up documents. The temporary process excludes specified identity-match cases and people eligible for, but lacking, a Social Security number.

More paths to clear criminal records

You can seek expungement of arrest records and charges filed without an arrest after several eligible case outcomes. These include acquittal, dismissal, release without charges, and convictions later overturned or vacated. Successful supervision or qualified probation also qualifies, though supervision has offense exclusions. Minor traffic convictions and supervision do not count against eligibility to clear or seal other records.

Pardons and certificates allow record relief

A Governor’s pardon specifically allowing expungement lets you petition to clear arrest records and seal related court and state police records. A Prisoner Review Board certificate can authorize petitions for sealing or for arrest-record expungement with related records sealed. You must file a verified petition with an authorized judge. Later sharing remains limited to listed authorities and purposes, including specified later criminal proceedings.

Qualifying records must be cleared

Police must automatically expunge qualifying cannabis and drug-paraphernalia civil violation records on or before January 1 and July 1 each year. Records must contain a final satisfactory disposition. Court clerks must clear qualifying court records by court order or automatically on those same dates without an order. Separately, courts must expunge a conviction set aside through direct review or a later legal challenge when clear and convincing evidence establishes factual innocence.

Trafficking survivors can seek record relief

After completing your last sentence, you can seek to overturn and expunge or immediately seal a trafficking-related criminal record. Your involvement in the offense must have resulted from human trafficking under Illinois law or severe trafficking under federal law. If eligibility is challenged, you must show that this link is more likely true than not.

Mobile IDs get fee and privacy protections

Installing the app used to display a mobile ID cannot cost more than $6. The mobile ID system cannot require holders to display or hand over their device as a condition of accepting the credential. Showing a mobile ID does not authorize access to other device data or apps. Officers must promptly return devices presented for verification; physical-card surrender laws do not apply to the device itself. Holders must still provide a physical card when law requires it and an officer requests it.

Optional mobile identification gets privacy safeguards

The Secretary of State can issue mobile identification to people eligible for a physical credential. It must match current state records and meet applicable standards. Mobile identification is optional and does not replace a physical credential when the law requires one. Verification must protect data, request only necessary information, and limit tracking and storage. Anyone keeping data must get explicit consent for those data elements and disclose their use and retention period.

Behavioral care payments cover credentialing gaps

The rule applies to policies and plans amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027. Insurers and contracted behavioral health administrators must pay contracted rates for qualifying mental health and substance use care before a provider's contract starts. Care must be medically necessary and occur after the provider submits a completed contract application. Providers submit claims after the contract starts and must notify patients that the services may receive in-network treatment.

Behavioral health providers get payment floors

Beginning January 1, 2027, affected plans and contracted benefit administrators must meet payment floors for covered, in-network behavioral health care. The rule covers mental health and substance use services delivered by Illinois providers and facilities. Floors use Illinois medical and surgical payment data, the applicable benchmark, service codes, payment categories, and adjustments. If a federal benchmark falls, the prior year's floor stays in place.

Disability employment supports get rate increase process

State health and human services agencies had to file a waiver amendment by January 1, 2025. It seeks higher provider rates for Supported Employment - Small Group Supports in the adult developmental disability waiver. Higher payments require federal approval. The law does not state the increase amount.

Extra support for demanding child care

Illinois must run a special family preservation program for families caring for children diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder. Intact, relative, foster, and adoptive families qualify when they face extreme caregiving hardship. The Department must find that services are needed to protect the child's health and safety. Services and the number of families served depend on the money the Department sets aside each year. The Department must also publicize the program.

Grants help adoptive parents and guardians

Illinois child welfare officials may give financial and education grants to adoptive parents or subsidized guardians of hard-to-place children. Eligible children include older children and children with disabilities who came directly from care or an eligible prior adoption. Prior-adoption eligibility covers dissolved adoptions following termination of parental rights or the adoptive parents' deaths. Guardians may also receive help when children were in care for the 12 months immediately before appointment. Special-purpose grants cannot exceed comparable Department service costs, and financial assistance is protected from collection for debts or judgments.

Health plans must maintain usable networks

Health plans must demonstrate provider-to-patient ratios and meet travel, distance, and appointment-wait standards, including applicable federal standards. Beginning January 1, 2026, each in-network hospital must have at least one preferred radiologist, pathologist, anesthesiologist, and emergency room doctor. The Department can require additional hospital specialties. Insurers must report material network changes within 15 business days and submit revised network filings. The Director can fine an insurer $5,000 for each day its revised filing is late.

Medicaid adds two required health benefits

Illinois Medical Assistance must include coverage required by Insurance Code Sections 356z.84 and 356z.85. Enrollees gain access to those required benefits. This provision does not describe the services, give benefit amounts, or state an effective date.

Mobility equipment users gain repair protections

Beginning January 1, 2027, plans covering complex rehabilitation equipment generally cannot demand prior approval, medical records, or proof of continued need for necessary repairs to consumer-owned equipment. Exceptions cover warranty repairs, costs above 75% of replacement cost, and equipment at or within one year of its five-year useful-life end. Medicaid managed care cannot require those steps for repairs under $1,500 and must decide approval requests of $1,500 or more within seven days. Affected plans issued, amended, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 must also cover rental equipment during repairs, following repair rules. For wheelchair items not covered at initial issue, suppliers pay repair costs later found medically unnecessary; owners and insurers are protected.

More help for relative caregivers

Illinois child welfare officials must adopt relative caregiver support rules by July 1, 2025. The program can prepay or repay reasonable home safety costs and provide emergency funds for extreme hardship from adding foster youth. The law sets no payment amount. Kinship navigation services can provide relatives and certified relative caregivers with information, referrals, and support. The Department must include these services in applicable state plans, seek federal aid, and post progress updates every six months until funding approval.

Patients gain anesthesia time-limit protection

Beginning January 1, 2026, affected health policies and managed care plans must cover medically necessary anesthesia for covered procedures. Coverage applies regardless of how long the anesthesia lasts. Insurers cannot deny payment solely because care exceeds a preset time limit. The rule applies to policies amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after that date.

Patients gain behavioral health access standards

Outpatient mental health and substance use care must be within 30 minutes or 30 miles in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties. Elsewhere in Illinois, the limits are 60 minutes or 60 miles. Initial appointments must be available within 10 business days and follow-ups within 20; inpatient and residential care must be within 60 minutes or 60 miles statewide. Stricter federal standards control, and protected voluntary choices of later appointments do not count against insurers. When no in-network provider meets these standards, plans must allow treatment at the in-network benefit level.

Patients gain broader behavioral health coverage

Beginning January 1, 2027, affected plans and behavioral health administrators must cover all medically necessary same-day mental health and substance use services. This includes inpatient and outpatient care from the same or different providers. Coverage includes trainees seeking clinical state licensure and fully licensed group-practice providers with completed network applications pending. Both groups must be supervised by qualifying fully licensed providers; applicants need participating supervisors in the same practice, and both must bill under supervisors' rendering provider numbers. Plans must also cover medically necessary 60-minute psychotherapy billed as CPT 90837, without tougher paperwork or more frequent audits than other psychotherapy codes.

Patients gain network and advocacy protections

The insurance Director can stop plan sales or renewals in a county with an inadequate provider network. This applies when no statutory exception exists and the insurer lacks a process to meet behavioral health access requirements. Insurers violating the order may face a $5,000 penalty per policy. A later inadequacy finding after a material network change does not, by itself, end existing coverage before its policy period expires. Insurers also cannot stop preferred providers from discussing treatment options or advocating for patients during coverage reviews, complaints, and appeals.

Patients gain protection from surprise bills

Covered patients pay no more than in-network cost sharing for emergency care from out-of-network providers or emergency facilities. Cost sharing uses the law's recognized amount, and bills above that share are barred. At in-network facilities, the same limits cover out-of-network ancillary services and unforeseen urgent needs. Other covered non-emergency services receive these protections unless federal notice-and-consent requirements are met. Out-of-network neonatal intensive care billed as emergency services also cannot cost patients more than in-network care.

Patients get protections when networks fail

Plans must grant in-network-cost exceptions when appropriate network care is unavailable because of provider shortages, unreasonable travel or delay, or protected conscience objections. Patients must check the directory and call the plan and provider; deliberate out-of-network choices and specified HMO cases are excluded, subject to notification rules. Emergency care receives the same benefit level inside or outside the network. Without an approved exception, an inadequate county network for a provider type requires in-network benefits and repayment of wrongly processed claims. Insurers generally pay providers directly for specified emergency, facility-based non-emergency, and ambulance services and send patients written benefit explanations; certain non-emergency notice-and-consent cases are excluded.

Plans add testing and therapy coverage

Beginning January 1, 2027, affected plans must cover chromosome or related hormone tests to diagnose Klinefelter syndrome. They must cover medically necessary peripheral artery disease screening for people at risk under American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines. Coverage also includes medically necessary therapy using horse movement, including hippotherapy. Medically necessary laser hair removal is covered when prescribed as treatment under accepted medical standards. Testing and screening rules apply to policies amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027; horse-movement and laser-treatment rules apply after that date.

Plans cover dementia tests and treatments

Beginning January 1, 2027, affected plans must cover medically necessary tests and FDA-approved treatments to slow Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. The rule applies when policies are amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after that date. A physician must prescribe treatment consistent with the FDA label. Plans cannot require patients to try other treatments first. Managed care plans under contract with Illinois Healthcare and Family Services are excluded.

Public employee plans add required coverage

State employee and municipal self-insured health plans must add coverage required by Insurance Code Sections 356z.79 and 356z.81 through 356z.85. Covered school employee plans must include Sections 356z.77 and 356z.79 through 356z.85. The municipal version incorporating Public Act 104-446 also requires compliance with Section 370c.4. These provisions extend coverage requirements to the named employee plans, but do not specify services, benefit amounts, or premium changes.

Statewide services help keep families together

Illinois child welfare services must be available statewide, including counseling, day care, emergency help, and caregiver support. The Department must provide transportation for services it offers or refers families to receive. Family preservation services must help children stay safely home, reunite families, or maintain adoptions and subsidized guardianships. Families qualify after an indicated abuse or neglect report, subject to child safety and placement-goal limits; courts can order available services not provided promptly. Specified services before an investigation ends or after an unfounded report are voluntary, and accepting them cannot affect the investigation.

Support for adoptive parents and guardians

Illinois child welfare officials must maintain accessible support services for eligible adoptive families and subsidized guardianships. Children must be under 18 and have been in Department custody or guardianship immediately before adoption or guardianship. The Department's toll-free number must respond within one business day. Service information must be publicized and updated annually. Electronic information requests must be available by July 1, 2026.

Travel refunds for behavioral health patients

For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, qualifying behavioral health network exceptions include reasonable food, lodging, and travel reimbursement. Food and lodging use federal per diem rates; vehicle travel uses the current IRS mileage rate. Insurers must explain eligibility and claims and can require filing within 60 days after the last care date. Policies providing Illinois Public Aid Code medical assistance or Children's Health Insurance Program benefits are excluded. Insurers can deny costs for care both outside Illinois and over 100 miles away unless no qualifying provider is available within those limits within 10 business days.

Youth without placements get individual plans

Illinois child welfare officials must create an individual service plan when no suitable program or facility is available for a youth in care. This applies when no licensed private facility has a suitable program or agrees to accept the youth. The department can develop the plan itself or purchase services within its legal authority.

Longer early intervention for some children

Beginning August 15, 2025, eligible children can keep early intervention services after turning three until the next school year begins. Their birthdays must fall between May 1 and August 31. They must have received early intervention before age three and qualify for early childhood special education. They must also have an individualized education program.

Public works mechanics gain wage protections

Mechanics doing covered public works jobs receive Illinois prevailing-wage protections. Covered work includes equipment maintenance, repair, assembly, and disassembly performed on public works. The mechanic must work for a public body or under a public works contract. The provision does not set a specific wage rate.

Transition help for disabled foster youth

Children with qualifying disabilities who receive residential and educational services from DCFS qualify for school transition services. Services are available from age 14½ through age 21, inclusive. Eligibility applies regardless of the child's residential-service arrangement. The disability must qualify under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004.

Stronger response to trafficking victims

For conduct on or after January 1, 2026, listed trafficking and servitude crimes against minors have no prosecution deadline. The victim must have been under 18 when the crime happened. Required police training on sexual assault and abuse must also include screening victims for human trafficking. The state training board conducts or approves these programs, and agencies provide the training to officers.

Crisis callers gain mobile response access

Appropriate mobile response services must be available for mental or behavioral health emergencies. Access cannot depend on whether the first contact comes through 9-8-8, 9-1-1, or emergency services dispatched through 9-1-1.

Public schools get detailed funding targets

Illinois school funding targets count specified staffing costs, with salaries adjusted for regional differences. Per-student amounts include $40 for gifted programs, $125 for professional development, $190 for materials, $25 for assessments, and $285.50 for technology. Prior-year Tier 1 and Tier 2 units get another $285.50 technology allowance beginning in 2018–2019. Targets include $100, $200, and $675 for elementary, middle, and high school activities; $1,038 for maintenance; and $742 for central offices. Benefits count at 30% of specified salaries; these targets guide district and approved laboratory-school funding, not household payments or guaranteed appropriations.

School formula funds special education staffing

Illinois adds special education investments to its school funding formula. The enrollment base combines pre-kindergarten children with disabilities and all students in kindergarten through grade 12. Using average K–12 teacher salaries, the formula funds one teacher and one instructional assistant per 141 students. It also funds one psychologist per 1,000 students in that enrollment base. The law sets no total funding amount or direct family payment.

School funding targets students needing support

The school funding formula adds resources based on low-income and English learner student counts, using average K–12 teacher salaries. Each count supports one intervention teacher and one student support worker per 125 students, plus extended-day and summer teachers per 120. English learner funding also includes one core teacher per 100 students. The low-income count covers Medicaid, CHIP, TANF, or SNAP eligibility as of July 1 of the prior fiscal year, but excludes children eligible for child welfare services. It uses the higher of the previous school year's count or the prior three-year average.

Child placements require safety background checks

Before final foster, adoptive, or relative placement approval, child welfare officials must complete criminal and child-abuse registry checks. Out-of-state registry checks cover caregivers and other household adults who lived elsewhere during the previous 5 years. Listed felonies bar approval, including child abuse, spousal abuse, crimes against children, and specified violent crimes. Nonlicensed relatives also face a bar for felony assault, battery, or drug offenses within the past 5 years. The Department can waive that relative-caregiver bar after a full household and placement safety review.

Court debt need not block sealing

Courts cannot deny sealing just because you owe legal financial obligations. Unpaid victim restitution remains an exception unless converted to a civil judgment; sealing does not erase any debt. On motion, courts can release sealed records needed to show the related criminal-case debt for collection. Court clerks can also access sealed records for collection. Records released by court order must be sealed again immediately after collection.

Temporary child custody has examination deadlines

The Department of Children and Family Services can take temporary custody with required written consent or when no parent, guardian, or custodian can be found. When a child is home without a responsible caretaker, a Department representative can stay instead of removing the child. Juvenile Court Act procedures must follow within 12 hours. The Department must schedule a medical exam for every child taken into custody. After a qualifying signed request to surrender custody, it has 10 days to file a juvenile petition or return the child.

Utility bill increases can be phased

With state commission approval, a utility can phase a multi-year rate increase into no more than two steps. At least 50% must take effect first, and the full increase must take effect within 12 months. Customers later repay the deferred amount plus carrying costs based on the utility's weighted average cost of capital. Repayment comes through a bill surcharge starting within 12 months after the second step. That surcharge can last no more than 24 months.

Short-term substitutes get limited teaching access

Applications are available July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2028 with an associate's degree or 60 regionally accredited college credits. The short-term substitute license lasts five years and requires training. Holders cannot teach more than 15 consecutive days for one teacher. They generally cannot cover absences lasting six or more days, except during a Governor-declared public health emergency disaster. Applicants with suspended or revoked Professional Educator Licenses or Educator Licenses with Stipulations are ineligible.

Substitute teachers face qualification and assignment rules

Applicants qualify with a bachelor's degree or higher, or 90 credits while enrolled in an approved Illinois educator preparation program. The substitute license lasts five years and works in every Illinois county. Assignments generally cannot exceed 90 school days for one teacher per school year; Article 34 districts are exempt. A 120-day limit applies to substitutes holding specified educator licenses and applied during the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 school years. Emergency vacancies require notice within five business days; extensions require written requests, active recruitment, position-specific training, and written approval. Applicants with suspended or revoked Professional Educator Licenses or Educator Licenses with Stipulations are ineligible.

Teacher assessment waiver leads to pilot

Covered Illinois teacher candidates do not need to pass a teacher performance assessment through August 31, 2026. Illinois colleges offering educator preparation programs must join a state pilot from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2029. The assessment requirement returns September 1, 2029, with exceptions. Candidates who completed student teaching or met a student-teaching exception before September 1, 2028 remain exempt.

Teaching credentials gain paths and limits

Applicants with at least 8,000 hours of related work experience can qualify for a provisional career and technical teaching endorsement. The school board and regional education office must confirm in writing that no qualified teacher is available and issuance is necessary. This endorsement lasts until June 30 following five years from issuance and can be renewed. It permits career and technical substitute teaching and carries Professional Educator License rights. A separate provisional in-state endorsement lasts one full fiscal year after issuance and cannot be renewed.

Athletes divide taxable pay by workdays

Nonresident professional team members assign part of their team pay to Illinois for income tax purposes. Illinois-source pay equals annual team compensation multiplied by Illinois duty days divided by total duty days everywhere. Travel days without a team event count toward total duty days, but not Illinois duty days.

Illinois workdays determine taxable employee pay

For tax years ending on or after December 31, 2020, this sourcing rule applies after more than 30 Illinois workdays. Employees must perform nonincidental services in Illinois. The Illinois-source share equals covered annual pay multiplied by Illinois workdays divided by total workdays. Qualifying disaster-response days do not count. Those days must fall within the defined disaster period and solely answer a request from Illinois government, a local government, or an Illinois business.

Transit boards face stronger oversight

Transit Service Boards must publish monthly staffing, scheduled and delivered service, and safety data each fiscal year. Boards and the Authority must seek public input and create and publish safety-investment measures if none exist. After adopting its annual budget and two-year financial plan, the Authority must certify publication. Without certification, specified state grants reimbursing free and reduced fares are withheld. Boards can undertake capital improvements only when listed in the five-year capital program.

Electric bills get annual cost reviews

Illinois reviews utilities' actual costs and investments against approved revenue needs, including carrying costs; utilities must prove costs are reasonable. Customers can receive refunds or pay added amounts through adjustments starting the next calendar year. Cost recovery generally cannot exceed 105% of the approved amount. Exceptions cover specified storms, new business, interest and tax changes, relocations, pension costs, amortization, timing changes, and approved plan changes. Utilities can also seek revenue changes for events beyond their control, with evidence addressing plan effects; commission decisions are due within 180 days.

Electric rate plans allow and limit costs

Multi-year electric rates can cover reasonable, prudent service costs, including forecast investments and operating expenses, but cannot charge twice. A common-equity share up to 50% is deemed reasonable; higher shares need Illinois Commerce Commission approval. Rates can cover incentive pay based on operating results, but not net income or an affiliate's earnings per share. Specified excess property-related deferred taxes included in rates on January 1, 2023, must be spread out by December 31, 2027. Another law can override that tax deadline.

Electric utility rewards depend on performance

Illinois must establish performance-based oversight for electric utilities serving more than 500,000 customers. Generally, no more than eight measures cover reliability, affordability, demand response, supplier diversity, grid connections, and customer service. Annual targets run over four to ten years, with reliability gains shared equitably with communities facing environmental and investment burdens. Rewards or penalties change utility equity returns by 40 basis points, adjustable by 20 either way within a 20-to-60-point range. Annual reviews produce next-year bill adjustments; utilities can seek target relief with substantial evidence of qualifying obstacles beyond their control.

Road funds supply transit money

Beginning with the fiscal year starting July 1, 2024, the Road Fund supplies the first $150 million of specified annual transit transfers. This replaces money otherwise coming from the General Revenue Fund. In that first fiscal year only, another $75 million comes from the Road Fund and $50 million from the Underground Storage Tank Fund. Any remaining balance uses the otherwise required funding sources. Transfers require Revenue Department certification and a Comptroller order.

Temporary rules divide transit revenue

Until state administration of the increased tax starts or January 1, 2027, the Authority keeps 15% of specified revenue and distributes 85%. For geographically allocated revenue, Chicago's distributed share goes to the Chicago Transit Authority. Outside Chicago in Cook County, shares are 30% for Chicago transit, 55% for commuter rail, and 15% for suburban buses. In DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties, shares are 70% for commuter rail and 30% for suburban buses. Separately, specified State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund transfers use the same 15% retention, with the remaining 85% divided by prior-calendar-year board shares.

Businesses divide income under sourcing rules

Income earned solely in Illinois is allocated to Illinois. For tax years ending on or after December 31, 1998, multistate businesses divide income using legally weighted property, payroll, and sales factors. Covered intangible-property receipts are sourced where the property is used, excluding receipts governed by the separate statutory rule. They enter the sales factor only when they exceed 50% of gross receipts in the current year and each prior two years. A unitary business group applies that test to the group's combined receipts.

Agencies face deadlines for record relief

Agencies generally must carry out covered expungement orders within 60 days after receiving them. Unless stayed, sealing orders must be followed within 60 days even during a motion or appeal. During review, records covered by expungement orders must be sealed, while destruction can wait for the review’s outcome. Covered state police records have limited access, and unauthorized inquiries must receive the response used when no record exists.

Child placement plans face closer review

Courts must choose permanency goals based on the child's best interests, consult the child appropriately, and explain choices and rejected goals in writing. Continuing foster care requires state custody and guardianship, unsuitable alternative goals, and documented compelling reasons. The child must have lived with the caregiver for at least one year, and the caregiver must offer a stable permanent home. Tasks a child must finish before returning home must address conditions that caused or could cause abuse or neglect findings. When evidence shows services are not reasonably suited to the goal, courts must order a revised plan, filed and served within 45 days.

Children get timely placement hearings

A child's first permanency hearing must occur within 12 months of temporary custody, even before adjudication or disposition is complete. After both parents' rights end and an adoption-consent guardian is appointed, the first hearing is due within 30 days. Later hearings occur at least every six months, and late reports cannot delay them. Reviews continue after the goal is achieved if the child remains in substitute care, except for the stated stable permanent-placement exception. Children in state child-welfare custody under an Article V order also receive transition-to-adulthood reviews.

Families get notice before placement moves

When changed circumstances require removing a child from a court-ordered placement, the Department must notify case parties in writing. Notice is due at least 10 days before a move needed to protect the child's health, safety, or best interests. If staying poses imminent harm, notice is due immediately after the move instead.

Families receive plans before hearings

Beginning July 1, 2025, agencies must give hearing parties a service plan prepared within the past six months. Parties must receive it at least 14 days before the permanency hearing, along with required information missing from the plan. Required information includes family-finding efforts, relative engagement, and independent-living services for children age 16 or older. When the specified earlier placement goals are unsuitable and against the child's best interests, agencies must document guardianship, adoption, and permanent-caregiver discussions.

Free deer permits for qualifying landowners

Bona fide equity shareholders, members, or partners can qualify for a free landowner deer permit. They must meet the ownership requirement involving at least 20 acres in an Illinois county with identified chronic wasting disease. Hunting must stay on the related corporation’s, company’s, or partnership’s land.

Free identification cards for disabled residents

Illinois residents meeting the law’s disability definition can apply for a disability identification card or renewal without a fee. The card can document disability when state law requires proof. It does not create eligibility for benefits otherwise unavailable to someone with the same disability.

Officials can protect home addresses

Public officials covered by the Public Official Safety and Privacy Act can use a work address on their driver's license. They must choose this option when applying, instead of using a home or mailing address.

Sexual offense victims can protect records

Victims of qualifying sexual offenses resulting in conviction can ask the county State’s Attorney to seek sealing of trial records. The State’s Attorney files a verified petition. This process does not seal arresting-agency or Illinois State Police records. Courts can still allow public inspection for good cause.

Victims gain notice of imprisonment

Crime victims have an express right to notice when the accused is imprisoned. This adds to notices about conviction, sentencing, and release.

Free discount cards for older residents

Illinois residents age 60 or older can apply for a senior discount card or renewal without a card fee. The Secretary of State may issue these cards. Applications must be available in every county, including senior centers, nutrition sites, and Area Agencies on Aging. The law does not set discount amounts or require businesses to offer a particular discount.

Identity theft victims can correct records

People whose identities were used without permission in an arrest or conviction can ask a court to correct official records. They must file a verified petition with the chief judge in the circuit where the arrest occurred. The court may remove the victim's name and replace it with the offender's name, if known. Clerk records are sealed unless a later court order allows access for good cause.

Included gym programs count as basics

Fitness center programs count as basic fitness services when included in a membership fee or package. Optional fitness services and services unrelated to fitness remain excluded. The change clarifies which included programs fall within the law's basic-service rules.

Youth in care get annual credit checks

Illinois child welfare officials must check children's credit histories every year, starting at age 12, while under Department guardianship. They must check for signs that someone misused a child's personal information for financial gain. Suspected past or ongoing misuse must be reported to appropriate law enforcement, a State's Attorney, or the Attorney General.

Assault survivors gain transportation voucher coverage

Beginning January 1, 2026, sexual assault services vouchers can pay for available taxi or rideshare trips after assault-related services. Covered destinations are the hospital where the survivor first arrived, the survivor's home, or a survivor services shelter. Hospitals may arrange rides with the survivor's written consent.

Broader services for imprisoned trafficking survivors

Illinois broadens what counts as specialized services for certain people in Department of Corrections care. They must show signs of past trafficking or child sexual exploitation that put them at risk of trafficking. Services can address either psychological or physical needs. Providers must be Department employees or contractors with victim-centered, trauma-informed training.

Nearby owners and renters can enforce ordinances

Qualifying owners and tenants can sue to enforce an added category of municipal land-use ordinances. They must own or rent property within 1,200 feet of the property at issue. They must also show that their person or property will be substantially affected. The right to sue does not guarantee a remedy or financial award.

Assessment refunds for eligible licensed teachers

Licensed teachers can apply for a refund of teacher performance assessment costs. Applicants must hold a Professional Educator License and have worked at least one school year in a Tier 1 district. Applications go to the State Board of Education. Refunds depend on an available state appropriation, and the law sets no refund amount.

Caregivers get children's special education information

DCFS must share a child's individualized education program information when placing a child who receives special education. Covered placements include adoptive, licensed foster, group, institutional, relative, and certified relative caregiver homes. Licensed child welfare agencies must also share this information for certified relative, licensed foster family, and adoption-only home placements. This information requirement does not itself expand services or provide payments.

Colleges cannot require unpaid student teaching

Illinois colleges cannot require preservice teachers to complete student teaching without pay. Paid early childhood student teaching can count for credit when the preparation program approves it and its requirements are met. The law does not require colleges to pay every student teacher.

Easier licensing paths for school support

The State Board must create rules for a paraprofessional competency test. Applicants who pass can qualify for a paraprofessional educator endorsement without meeting its higher education requirements. They must still meet the endorsement's remaining requirements. Applicants seeking short-term school support personnel approval, as defined by rule, need not take the content-area test before approval.

School drivers gain small-bus permit options

Illinois may issue restricted school bus permits covering qualifying first-division vehicles or multifunction school activity buses. The activity bus must be designed for no more than 15 people, including the driver. The vehicle must serve curriculum-related activities. Applicants must meet school bus permit application and screening requirements.

State police graduates skip duplicate exams

Successful completion of the Illinois State Police Academy satisfies specified minimum police training standards. State Police officers who finish the academy are exempt from the State Comprehensive Examination and Equivalency Examination. A commission or certificate issued to the officer must show completion.

Therapists can receive licensing emails

Marriage and family therapy applicants and licensees can receive official notices by email at their address of record. This includes notices in later proceedings. Personal delivery and mail remain allowed.

Caterers gain liquor inventory flexibility

Caterer retailers can move liquor to and from off-site events and receive direct deliveries there. Liquor service must accompany prepared meals, not mainly snacks. Distributors can offer credit or refunds for unused, salable beer when an act of God alone cancels an event. The beer must have been delivered directly to the event, be likely to spoil if moved back, and no liquor can have been transferred from the caterer’s premises. Any return-delivery charge must be genuine and paid before transfer.

Chicago casino applicants must disclose plans

The applicant for the specified Chicago casino license must present its proposal publicly and prepare a summary for a public website. The city or county authority must confirm these steps before sending its certification to the Illinois Gaming Board. The disclosure requirements do not decide whether the board grants the license.

Deadlines help identify human remains

Officials holding human remains must immediately notify the county coroner or medical examiner, who must take charge at the scene. Fingerprints must reach local, state, and federal databases within 7 days of recovery; unmatched prints reach NamUs within 60 days. Inconclusive identification requires a dental exam within 45 days, then DNA submission to an accredited laboratory within 90 days. Authorized analysis of markedly decomposed or skeletal remains is due within 60 days from recovery and preparation. National crime database records are due within 5 days of discovery, or after the anthropology report for decomposed or skeletal remains. Historic or prehistoric remains need no such record; records otherwise remain indefinitely unless cleared or canceled, with updates required after identification. If remains stay unidentified, available case information must reach NamUs within 60 days of discovery.

Missing veterans gain high risk consideration

Police must immediately assess whether a reported missing person is high-risk. That assessment includes veterans and active-duty Armed Forces, National Guard, or reserve members believed to have a service-related health condition. Both physical and mental health conditions count.

More tracking of missing people

Police must try to submit voluntarily obtained family DNA samples within 90 days of a missing-person report. Accredited labs must upload appropriate DNA profiles to state and national systems after analysis and required entry steps. Cases must enter the FBI's Violent Criminal Apprehension Program after 60 days missing when federal reporting requirements are met. Agencies must use trained database entry and send prompt statewide, regional, and officer notices. Amber Alerts and Endangered Missing Person Advisories apply when their respective criteria are met.

Reentry programs get online voting information

Illinois must compile voter and civic education information for reentry programs electronically. The information must appear on the corrections and juvenile justice departments' websites and corrections community advisory council websites.

Sentencing courts must weigh parent caregiving

Sentencing courts must strongly consider avoiding disruptions to care for infants, preschoolers, and school-age children. This applies to pregnant defendants or parents when their absence would harm a child’s well-being. The law does not guarantee a different sentence.

Statewide child welfare services and referrals

The Department of Children and Family Services must maintain tax-supported services available equally to children who need them throughout Illinois. It must also extend and seek to improve voluntary services statewide. Department and grantee staff must receive training to screen children and adults for substance use disorders. Training must cover referrals for assessment at appropriately licensed treatment organizations and can be arranged through contracts. No funding amount is stated.

Statewide standards for trafficking survivor services

The Department of Human Services must submit a statewide trafficking identification and response plan by December 31, 2025. Service standards are due July 1, 2026, and a standard provider training curriculum is due October 1, 2026. Survivors, providers, agencies, and experts must help shape the work. Standards must center victims, account for trauma, and align with federal victim-service standards. Services address survivors regardless of immigration or legal status.

Unidentified remains get continued investigation

Officials must promptly seek identification and collect photos, X-rays, fingerprints, and DNA-suitable tissue when possible. Unidentified remains cannot be disposed of or materially changed before key identification evidence is collected, and cannot be cremated. Cases must stay under active investigation until identification, even when leads run out or relatives' expected lifetimes end. Historic or prehistoric skeletal remains are exempt from the reasonable-identification-efforts rule. When an anthropologist finds such remains are over 100 years old, the Department of Natural Resources takes jurisdiction.

More phone systems face emergency rules

The law expands which business and organizational phone systems fall under applicable 9-1-1 rules. It includes networked, internet-based, and cloud systems. It also includes outbound-only systems that allow 9-1-1 calls but prevent dispatchers from calling the caller directly.

Nursing title protections cover more initials

People without a valid nursing license cannot use “R.P.N.” to indicate they practice as registered professional nurses. The law adds those initials to the protected nursing titles. A violation remains a Class A misdemeanor.

Mental health providers get application deadlines

Beginning January 1, 2027, affected plans and behavioral health administrators must complete contracting, including credential checks, within 60 days of a complete application. This deadline does not guarantee a provider or facility a contract. For plans amended, delivered, issued, or renewed from that date, applicants can request credentialing policies and procedures. Insurers and administrators must also post required nonproprietary application materials, checklists, and network contact information online.

More public health education resources

Subject to funding, Illinois must run a hepatitis campaign with plain-language materials for health providers, military members, and others at increased risk. Materials must cover diagnosis, treatment, and prevention and include federal and other expert recommendations. The health department may also publish information about nonopioid pain treatments and their advantages and disadvantages. It must educate providers about amniotic fluid embolism and post information about the condition online.

State plans stronger safety-net hospital systems

Illinois's Department of Public Health must plan health-care strategy under the Governor's Office and with other appropriate state offices. The planning must identify ways to strengthen safety-net hospitals and other health-care systems for long-term stability. The law sets no funding amount or completion date for this work.

Statewide referral system helps residents find services

The law directs the lead entity to design, build, support, coordinate, and evaluate a statewide 2-1-1 referral system. State assistance can support shared resource databases, access to agency information, and grants to approved providers. Grants can support setup, ongoing service, evaluation, and around-the-clock service every day. No funding amount is stated.

Local property acquisition powers expire

Specific quick-take authority for described land, including Randall Road property in Kane County, ends August 1, 2027. Specific acquisition authority for listed 143rd Street parcels in Will County ends December 12, 2028. That is three years after Public Act 104-442 took effect. The law also repeals three Eminent Domain Act sections: 15-5-46, 15-5-47, and 15-5-48. The supplied text does not explain those three sections, so their separate effects are unclear.

Credential pilot supports disability service workers

Illinois must run a direct support professional credential pilot for three years beginning in fiscal year 2025. It supports worker recruitment, retention, and training, along with safer services for people with developmental disabilities. Participating providers must be licensed or certified by the state's developmental disabilities division or Department of Public Health. The law sets no funding amount, worker payment, or wage increase.

Families can see school spending plans

Each Illinois school unit must submit a spending plan to the State Board of Education by October 31 each year. Plans must explain spending for low-income students, English learners, and special education. They must describe support for student growth and state education goals, and name stakeholder groups involved. Plans must be part of district budgets where applicable. The State Board must post plan data through an online tool by December 31, 2025, and update it annually.

School bullying rules cover digital replicas

Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, cyberbullying includes certain unauthorized digital replicas. The replica must be posted or shared electronically without the depicted person's consent. The conduct must cause, or reasonably be expected to cause, an effect listed in the bullying definition. Covered schools must reflect this broader definition in their bullying-prevention policies.

Police fund gains revenue source

The State Police Operations Assistance Fund receives revenue under Section 8 of the Illinois False Claims Act. The law adds this funding source without stating how much money it provides.

Rock Island can seek trade zones

The Rock Island Regional Port District can seek federal approval to establish, operate, maintain, and lease foreign trade zones and sub-zones. Federal approval, geographic limits, and distance restrictions near existing zones still apply. The law does not itself create a zone or provide household payments.

Transit authority gets stronger financial oversight

The transit authority must employ staff to review budgets, financial practices, service performance, and progress toward its strategic plan. Staff must report progress to the board and public and recommend service changes. Covered transit and planning agencies must provide requested transportation information. Funded agencies must allow records review and respond within 30 days unless the executive director allows more time. Service Boards must also provide real-time, read-only access to financial information, including audits and reports.

University airport receives transit fund money

The law requires a one-time $5 million transfer from the Downstate Transit Improvement Fund. The recipient is an airport operated under the University of Illinois Airport Act.

Customers gain utility investment disclosures

Utilities proposing multi-year rates must disclose four-year investment plans, including project locations, needs, and expected benefits when known. Major-project thresholds are $2 million above 3 million customers and $500,000 for the 500,000-to-3-million customer group. Quarterly investment reports are due within 90 days, with public posting within seven days and specified thresholds based on customer count. Annual performance reports are due February 15 and must include an independent review selected by competitive bidding under a commission-approved contract. Significant incorrect differences from the independent review require a commission order to fix data processes within 60 days.

Monthly state transfers support transit funding

The state must make monthly transfers to the Public Transportation Fund after required revenue certification. Transfers generally equal 25% of specified net revenues and deposits, plus 5% of other specified revenues and deposits. When covered transit bonds or notes are outstanding, monthly Road Fund transfers also support certified assistance and debt service. Those transfers follow annual caps and continue until certified amounts are paid. These are transit funding rules, not direct household payments.

Road fund interest supports transit construction

Interest earned from July 1, 2026, on the Road Fund and State Construction Account Fund goes to transit construction. Northern Illinois's Transit Capital Improvement Fund receives 90%. The Downstate Mass Transportation Capital Improvement Fund receives 10%. The allocation begins in fiscal year 2027 and supports construction improvements.

Transit authority keeps temporary deficit payment relief

The transit Authority is exempt from required deficit payments to the State for fiscal years 2021 through 2026. Normally, payments to the Road Fund apply when system-generated revenue falls below 50% of defined costs. The exemption ends June 30, 2026. The law does not state how much money the Authority keeps or change household fares.

More health plans face coverage requirements

Health maintenance organizations must follow additional Insurance Code Sections 356z.79 and 356z.81 through 356z.85. Limited health service organizations must follow Sections 356z.81 and 356z.83 through 356z.85. Health services plan corporations and related persons must follow Sections 356z.79, 356z.81, and 356z.83 through 356z.85. These provisions extend insurance requirements across plan types, but do not describe the requirements or quantify their effects on members.

Some hospitals qualify for assessment relief

Beginning January 1, 2025, federal spending-limit cuts to specified hospital payments trigger an equal percentage cut to the $362 assessment rate. Beginning in 2026, Illinois can seek lower assessments for nonprofit, freestanding cancer hospitals while the assessment remains in effect. Hospitals must contract to serve members of at least 50% of state-contracted managed care organizations. Federal approval allows rates at 25%–50% of other hospitals' rates, unless federal statistical tests require different, budget-neutral rates. The waiver request cannot risk continuation of the assessment or authorized payments.

Five communities get longer redevelopment timelines

The law extends completion deadlines for specified tax increment financing redevelopment areas in five communities. The areas were established by ordinances dated December 2, 1986, in Aurora and December 31, 1986, in Milan. The others date to September 8, 1994, in West Frankfort; December 23, 1986, in Libertyville; and December 22, 1986, in Hoffman Estates. The supplied provision does not state the new deadlines.

Schools receive defined minimum funding baselines

For 2018–2019 onward, school funding baselines include prior-year Evidence-Based Funding, the prior baseline, and specified Public Act 100-21 payments. The 2017–2018 calculation includes a $13.12 million summer-school appropriation level. Glenwood Academy's baseline is $952,014. Special 2022–2023 recalculations address specified Article 34 enrollment errors and fiscal year 2022 property tax relief grants. These are school funding baselines, not household payments.

Criminal record relief has firm limits

Record relief excludes specified sexual offenses, impaired driving, reckless driving, assault, battery, animal cruelty, and sex-offender registration offenses. Statutory exceptions remain, including certain misdemeanor reckless-driving offenses committed before age 25 with no other listed driving convictions. Minor traffic records generally cannot be sealed, but arrest records ending without charges have an exception. Expungement generally requires waiting 2 years after successful supervision; listed vehicle and criminal offenses require 5 years. Qualified probation requires 5 years after satisfactory completion.

Guardians must update court case plans

Guardians and custodians appointed by an Illinois court under the covered law must file updated case plans every 6 months. The updates go to the court.

Child welfare workers face fingerprint checks

Covered child welfare employees and applicants must submit fingerprints for Illinois and federal background checks. The rule also covers listed people whose work connects unlicensed providers with Department clients or records. Illinois State Police charges cannot exceed the actual cost of a check.

Liquor brokers face licensing and reporting

Covered liquor brokers must obtain licenses to solicit Illinois retailers or arrange covered commission-based shipments to out-of-state consumers. Retailers cannot buy or receive liquor offered by unlicensed brokers. Licensed brokers must promptly report accepted retailer transactions to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. Exclusions cover specified distributor and manufacturer-employee activity and wine activity separately authorized by law. People subject to the specified separate registration requirement cannot hold broker licenses.

Small-business refinancing loses explicit loan eligibility

The law removes wording expressly listing some debt refinancing as eligible for Build Illinois small-business loans. This affects the program for minority-, veteran-, female-, or disability-owned businesses. The removed wording covered debt from an unaffiliated lender when proceeds did not fund an extraordinary dividend or other distribution. The change does not expressly ban refinancing.

Broader grounds for narcotics forfeiture

A Class 1 felony can now count toward a qualifying pattern under the Narcotics Profit Forfeiture Act. A pattern still requires at least two narcotics acts within five years of each other. At least one act must follow that Act's effective date, and one must be punishable as a Class X, 1, or 2 felony. This expands the grounds for forfeiture proceedings.

Expert safety meetings can close

Public bodies can close meetings of independent expert teams operating under the Developmental Disability and Mental Health Safety Act or Brian's Law. The public does not have a right to attend those closed meetings.

Public access limits for end-of-life records

Information protected from disclosure by the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act is also exempt from public-records requests. Members of the public cannot inspect or copy that protected information through Illinois freedom-of-information requests. This does not change eligibility for care or benefits.

Tank testers must report results

The State Fire Marshal must require people and businesses testing someone else's underground tank to report the results. The rule also covers testing of tank piping and cathodic corrosion protection. Corporations are expressly included.

State need not repay specified mandate costs

The State does not have to reimburse costs of carrying out mandates created by Public Acts 104-65 or 104-284. Responsible agencies and local governments may have to cover those costs without required state repayment. This rule does not create a new household payment duty.

Electric utilities face filing deadlines and fees

Electric utilities serving more than 500,000 Illinois retail customers must file a rate case or multi-year rate plan. The initial deadline was January 20, 2023. Multi-year plans require another filing at least 300 days before expiration, then every four years. Switching filing options is limited to four-year intervals. A utility filing a multi-year plan must pay $300,000 when the Chief Clerk accepts it; that one-time fee is recoverable through rates.

Merchants face narrower digital asset exemption

Merchants keep a digital asset exemption when using those assets to buy or sell goods or services in ordinary business. The exemption does not cover buying or selling digital assets themselves. That trading activity is not shielded by the merchant exemption under Illinois digital asset consumer protection law.

Hospital payments fall to protect federal funding

Beginning January 1, 2023, Illinois must lower specified hospital payment rates when an assessment adjustment threatens its federal funding share. The same percentage cut applies across all hospital classes covered by the rule. The cut cannot exceed what is needed to maximize federal reimbursement.

Charter schools face another statutory requirement

The law adds School Code Section 22-106 to the provisions that apply to charter schools. Section 22-105 remains listed separately. The supplied provision does not explain the added section's duties or identify a household cost.

Unrecognized schools can lose state funding

Districts lose Evidence-Based Funding eligibility for a school year if they fail to maintain school as legally required or a recognized school. If only some attendance centers lack recognition, the district's claim falls in proportion to their enrollment. Losing recognition later does not cancel payments due on a claim filed while the school was recognized.

Winery shippers must pay Illinois taxes

Licensed winery shippers must pay Illinois liquor gallonage tax on wine sold and shipped to people in Illinois. Those not required to register under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act must register under the Use Tax Act. They must collect and remit use tax. Failure to register or pay required taxes can lead to license revocation.

Record clearing fees include a waiver

State police and court clerks can charge record-relief processing fees, limited by the processing costs stated in law. Clerks put $10 from the total petition filing fee into a court operations fund. The expungement fee is waived when your petition concerns the same record previously sealed under this law.

Record petitions require tests, except cannabis

Certain felony sealing petitions and felony expungement petitions after qualified probation require proof of a recent drug test. The test must be taken within 30 days before filing and show no illegal substances. However, courts cannot deny expungement or sealing because a test from that period shows cannabis.

Faster Illinois identification service costs extra

The Secretary of State may offer faster Illinois identification card service for an added fee of up to $75. The actual fee is set by rule. The office may decline the service when that day's requests exceed its processing capacity. It must refund the added fee when it declines the service.

Local projects get faster property acquisition

The law allows faster compulsory acquisition of specified property for four local road and water projects. Elmhurst's authority covers two NXE Properties parcels for North York Road for two years after July 19, 2024. Deer Park's covers a permanent drinking-water easement at 20820 N. Rand Road for one year after March 21, 2025. Kane County's intersection-project authority lasts 12 months after the amendatory act's effective date; that section is repealed August 1, 2027. Will County's authority covers listed parcels for 143rd Street construction for two years after the amendatory act's effective date.

Educator exams add literacy and inclusion

By July 1, 2026, the grades 1–6 elementary teacher test must add bilingualism, biliteracy, oral language, foundational literacy, and age-appropriate advanced comprehension. It must include a reliable language-and-literacy subscore, but candidates need no particular score on that subscore. The State Board must publish program-level testing and passing counts for that portion. By July 1, 2027, revised teaching and administration exams must begin adding special education instruction, reading, subject-area reading, and English learner strategies. Chief school business official endorsements are excluded from that broader exam change.

Beer showcases get time-limited sales permits

Eligible licensees can transfer specified beer to permitted showcase locations and sell it for on-site or off-site consumption, not resale. Class 3 brewers can transfer only beer they make. Sales to people without liquor licenses are capped at 96 fluid ounces per person. Permits cover no more than 15 days per location in any 12 months. Applicants need local approval, maximum-limit liquor liability insurance, and compliance with the law's showcase rules.

Brewers and distillers get capped warehouses

Warehouse permits let Class 1 brewers store up to 930,000 gallons of their own tax-determined beer. Class 2 brewers can store up to 3,720,000 gallons. Class 1 and Class 2 craft distillers can store up to 500,000 gallons of spirits they made. These permitted warehouses cannot sell to people without liquor licenses.

Brewers gain options with production limits

Brew pubs wholly owned and operated by one licensee can pool their annual production limits of 155,000 gallons per location. Brew pubs also have a 155,000-gallon annual off-site retail sales limit, and those sales must be in person. Class 2 brewers can hold up to 3 Illinois brew pub licenses, with combined annual production capped at 3,720,000 gallons. The covered brewers and pubs cannot sell their manufactured beer to retail licensees. Class 2 brewers cannot affiliate with manufacturers exceeding that production cap or making other alcoholic liquor.

Child welfare contractors get bonded advances

Illinois child welfare officials may advance up to two months of operating costs for new initiatives under approved service contracts. Contractors must post an equal surety bond. Advances are deducted from future bills over the shorter of the contract term or remaining budget year. No advance is allowed after an agency has operated for two consecutive budget years. Specified local public child care payments and youth service grants are excluded from these advance-disbursement rules.

Craft distillers get restricted tasting permits

Class 1 and Class 2 craft distillers can obtain permits to move inventory to approved tasting premises and offer samples. They need local approval and maximum-limit liquor liability insurance. Liquor moved under the permit cannot be sold or resold.

Direct winery shipments bring reporting duties

Licensed wineries can ship wine they made directly to Illinois residents age 21 or older for personal use, not resale. Applicants must provide manufacturer-license information, shipping locations, appointed providers, and consent to Illinois jurisdiction. Wineries are responsible for appointed non-carrier providers' acts and omissions. Those providers must report shipments by February 1 annually, answer requested reports within 30 days, and retain inspectable records for three years unless earlier destruction is authorized. Violations are Class C misdemeanors, with each continuing day a separate offense.

Distilling pubs get sales with limits

Distilling pubs can produce up to 5,000 gallons of spirits annually and make specified distributor and consumer sales. In-person sales for off-site use are capped at 5,000 gallons annually; pubs can also serve liquor bought from distributors. Pubs cannot sell their own spirits to retail licensees. Class 2 craft distillers can hold up to three pub licenses, with combined annual spirits production capped at 100,000 gallons. They cannot affiliate with manufacturers exceeding 100,000 gallons of spirits annually or making other alcoholic liquor. Transfers to wholly owned pubs are capped at 5,000 gallons annually and 80 miles, without increasing the pub's production limit. Transfers require advance notice, records, and annual reports.

Liquor auctions require advance event licenses

An auction liquor license allows wine and spirits auctions in Illinois for use, consumption, or resale by an Illinois liquor licensee. Organizers must obtain a separate license for each auction at least 14 days beforehand.

Retailers get limited event liquor permits

A special permit lets Illinois retailers move inventory, receive direct deliveries, and sell liquor at an approved event location. Sales are for use or consumption, not resale, with a maximum of 15 days per location in any 12 months. Retailers need local approval and maximum-limit liquor liability insurance. Unused, salable beer can qualify for credit or refund only if no liquor came from the retailer's licensed premises. The beer must risk spoilage if returned there, and bona fide distributor return-delivery charges must be paid before transfer.

Utility contracts support diverse subcontractors

Winning bidders on utility program contracts over $1 million must mentor or develop at least one diverse subcontracting partner. The partnership must cover a core project component. A structured, measured plan must build the subcontractor's capabilities. The request for proposals must account for the relationship's time and cost.

Civil rights changes get start date

Specified Human Rights Act changes made by Public Act 104-425 apply to charges pending or filed on or after January 1, 2026. The supplied text does not describe those underlying changes or establish whether they help or burden either party.

Fine revenue shifts to police operations

Beginning September 1, 2026, fines awarded to the state treasury under the Act go to the State Police Operations Assistance Fund. They no longer go to the Drug Traffic Prevention Fund. Amounts distributed to the Secretary of State still go to its Evidence Fund. The shift changes where fine money goes, not the stated fine amounts.

Permanent plates for emergency chiefs

Starting with the 2027 registration year, qualifying emergency medical services chief vehicles can receive permanent plates for a one-time $8 fee. A municipality or fire protection district must own the vehicle. It must be operated by or for the chief and qualify for emergency medical services chief plates.

State police face required training

Illinois State Police must provide specialist training for covered investigations, crash reconstruction, juvenile matters, peer support, police dogs, and Safe2Help. Officers must finish relevant training before covered assignments; homicide training waivers depend solely on prior training and experience. Annual training includes cultural diversity and firearms restraining orders. Use-of-force and other specified training occurs at least every three years, and domestic-violence psychology training every five years. Other courses are required at least once, while cadets must finish required training before becoming officers.

Towns face financial reporting rules

Beginning in fiscal year 2027, towns with at least 1,000 residents must file yearly audits and financial reports with the Comptroller. Smaller towns must file yearly financial reports. Smaller towns with a public utility or bonded debt must also file audits every four years. Those audits become annual while the latest audit has an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion. Reports are due within 180 days after year-end unless the Comptroller grants a written extension.

Rail safety rules limit report access

Beginning June 1, 2026, rail carriers, including the Northern Illinois Transit Authority's Commuter Rail Division, must equip locomotives with bells and horns or whistles. They must sound warnings from at least 1,320 feet before public highway crossings until reaching the highway. Exceptions cover Commission-approved waivers after a safety hearing and authorized permanent automated warning devices meeting statutory timing requirements. Carriers must report fatal accidents involving their equipment, track, or property by the fastest means, followed by written reports. These reports are confidential and inadmissible in accident proceedings; the Commission can investigate and issue temporary safety orders.

Dental board drops one qualification

The state dentistry board no longer needs a dentist member with a moderate-sedation permit. It still needs at least one dentist member permitted to provide deep sedation and general anesthesia.

Health networks face review with exceptions

Before issuing, delivering, or renewing a network plan, insurers must file provider, service-area, enrollment, and access information for review. Filings must include a website and toll-free number for current provider lists and plan information. Insurers can request exceptions to provider ratios, travel limits, or appointment wait standards for provider shortages, local care patterns, or other legally allowed reasons. Requests must include required travel, provider contact, or local supporting data. This exception process does not apply to mental health and substance use access requirements.

Child care agencies handle background checks

The Departments of Children and Family Services and Early Childhood administer background checks for child care providers under their authority. Checks cover license applicants and other covered people, including employees and volunteers. The agencies can collect fingerprints, request criminal histories, and handle investigation information as the law allows.

Teachers gain defined equity committee seats

The State Superintendent must appoint at least two educators to the State Education Equity Committee. Each must represent a different statewide professional teachers' organization, alongside members from separately listed groups. Appointees must reflect Illinois's racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity as much as possible.

Transit budgets gain flexibility and safeguards

For fiscal years beginning January 1, 2026, and ending by December 31, 2027, the Northern Illinois Transit Authority’s usual administrative-expense cap does not apply. That cap otherwise allows the prior year’s maximum plus 5%; no replacement cap is set. Additional State Assistance and Additional Financial Assistance cannot secure bonds or be directed elsewhere for bond payments. Beginning January 1, 2027, the Authority must share funding estimates and its proposed budget, consider Service Board recommendations, and adopt budgets by supermajority vote. It must hold at least 3 Cook County hearings and 1 in every other metropolitan-region county; Service Boards must adopt recommendations by majority vote.

Ambulance rates become public, with provider fees

Beginning October 1, 2026, nonparticipating ground ambulance providers must report average gross charges and other required information each year. The Illinois Department of Public Health must publish submitted rates by January 1, 2027, and every January 1 afterward. The Department can charge providers a fee no greater than its administrative costs.

Transit authority must meet savings targets

Starting with the budget year beginning October 1, 2026, the Northern Illinois Transit Authority must achieve annual net savings of $46.9 million. Required savings include $10 million from service delivery, $20.1 million from labor optimization, and $16.8 million from property-related costs. The savings must come through service efficiencies. The law does not specify fare or service changes.

Payment businesses face revised state rules

Illinois broadens stored value to cover issuer claims accepted as payment, without requiring electronic records or cash redemption. Loyalty, rewards, and promotional instruments not sold to the public are excluded from payment-instrument and stored-value definitions. Online or phone payroll-processing requests count as Illinois transactions when the requester's IRS mailing address is in Illinois. The state can suspend or revoke a money transmitter's license for failing to pay a qualifying business-related judgment. The deadline is 30 days after the judgment becomes final or a stay of execution ends.

Hospitals face higher outpatient assessment rates

Beginning January 1, 2025, the outpatient hospital assessment remains 1.525% of outpatient gross revenue until federal approval and state implementation. It then rises to 3.273%, reduced by the same percentage as any payment cut required by federal spending limits. Illinois can bill the increase retroactively for months from January 1, 2025, through federal approval. The bill is due no earlier than 17 calendar days after implementation and no later than December 31, 2025. Revenue generally uses specified 2015 Medicare cost reports; another available source is allowed when that report is unavailable.

Hospitals face revised assessments and refunds

Beginning January 1, 2025, hospital assessments use 2015 Medicare cost reports from the system file for the quarter ending March 31, 2017. Later adjustments are excluded; officials may use another source, including hospital records, if the report is missing. Beginning January 1, 2023, officials calculate assessment adjustments semiannually or annually using the preceding six months of specified payments and assessments. Hospitals receive at least 30 days' notice of added amounts owed or refunds, usually applied in monthly installments. If no assessment is owed the next year, the balance is paid in a lump sum.

New school funds favor highest-need tiers

New state school funds are divided among four tiers based on how fully each unit's funding meets its needs. Tier 1 receives 50%, Tier 2 receives 49%, Tier 3 receives 0.9%, and Tier 4 receives 0.1%. Funding gaps and allocation rates also shape payments. Tier 2 allocations must provide at least as much per student as the highest-funded Tier 3 unit.

Recovering school districts gain ongoing funding

Qualifying school units can add approved intervention money to their funding baseline each year. They need four school years under specified state control or qualifying status, plus a prior-year Tier 1 or 2 designation. They must show progress and stability in governance, academics, and finances, supported by a five-year financial and strategic plan. The Legislature must approve the reported amount or take no action within 40 calendar days. Units report annually for four funded years; inadequate progress or missing financial information can trigger a Financial Oversight Panel.

Regional school funding follows student enrollment

Regional office and intermediate service center programs established after June 5, 2019 receive an initial funding baseline. It equals first-year average enrollment times the prior-year per-student funding of the lowest-funded similar program type. Programs with zero enrollment receive no baseline funds for that program the next fiscal year. Those funds are redistributed to other eligible education units.

School funding calculations account for pension costs

The law subtracts specified remaining school-board pension contributions from a school unit's Adjusted Local Capacity Target. That target is part of the state's Evidence-Based Funding calculation. The applicable Illinois teachers' retirement system or Chicago teachers' pension fund must certify the amount to the State Board of Education. The funding result varies by school unit; the provision does not establish a direct household payment.

School funding calculations use revised capacity

School local-capacity ratios use a 9/13 adjustment for K–8 units and 4/13 for grades 9–12; other grades get comparable adjustments. Local-capacity percentages use weighted percentiles capped at 90%; laboratory schools and regional or intermediate-center alternative programs use 10%. The local-capacity target equals the adequacy target times the capacity ratio. Capacity equals that target when actual receipts are no higher; otherwise, it adds excess receipts multiplied by the capacity percentage. Each year, the Superintendent updates per-student targets for gifted services, materials, tests, activities, upkeep, and central offices using expense studies and recent financial reports.

School funding uses revised property values

School funding property values add back specified homestead and low-income exemptions and adjust for tax abatements. Abatement adjustments use 3.00% for K–12, 2.30% for K–8, and 1.05% for grades 9–12. Tax increment financing areas use the lower of initial or current assessed value until redevelopment costs are paid; hybrid districts use the lower adjusted elementary or high-school value. Adjusted values generally use three-year averages, with a prior-year option after a decline of at least 10% between the two latest years. Special rules cover the first three years after reorganization, consolidation, or annexation. Property-tax-cap calculations use prior values and an extension ratio, with adjustments for approved rate increases, inflation, property changes, and recovered redevelopment value; these rules do not directly change household tax bills.

Special education funds stay with services

School units must spend state funding attributed to special education only on special education facilities and services. The Superintendent calculates each share, and units must follow State Board spending-verification procedures. When a district leaves a special education cooperative, its share of the cooperative's funding baseline can follow it. The withdrawal agreement must state the amount, and the State Board must receive notice and a copy.

State job rule references expand

For state jobs under Central Management Services' merit-based hiring and tenure authority, referenced Personnel Code rules now extend through Section 8b.21. The supplied text does not explain the added rule's effects on workers' rights, duties, or pay.

Liquor suppliers face sales channel limits

Foreign importers can import non-bulk liquor from abroad but must buy only from Illinois-licensed non-resident dealers. Their Illinois sales are limited to licensed importing distributors. Non-resident dealers can ship and warehouse liquor from outside Illinois, selling only to licensed foreign importers and importing distributors. Both groups must register each proposed brand during the license period and follow the stated brand and manufacturer rules. Non-resident dealers cannot also hold distributor or importing-distributor licenses.

Financial firms change investment income sourcing

Financial organizations use a receipts-based method for tax years ending on or after December 31, 2024. The Illinois share of investment and trading income uses specified Illinois receipts divided by total receipts excluding investment and trading income. This replaces the earlier method based on income assigned to fixed business locations. The resulting tax effect depends on each organization's receipts.

Telecom taxes follow customer service addresses

Telecommunications and mobile service receipts generally count toward Illinois when the customer's service address is in Illinois. The rule applies to tax years ending on or after December 31, 2008. The law's listed exceptions still apply. This determines the Illinois share of telecommunications businesses' income, not a new charge on customer bills.

Vehicle incentives include hybrids, exclude bicycles

The REV Illinois Act's electric-vehicle definition includes hybrid-electric vehicles and excludes electric bicycles. This changes the scope of vehicle-related eligibility for manufacturers and related businesses under the program. This provision does not state a particular credit amount.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Bill Cunningham
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Robyn Gabel
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 188 • No: 0

House vote • 5/31/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 115 • No: 0

House vote • 5/6/2026

Do Pass / Short Debate State Government Administration Committee;

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/16/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 57 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

Do Pass State Government;

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0852
8/21/2026Senate
Effective Date August 21, 2026
8/21/2026Senate
Governor Approved
8/21/2026Senate
Sent to the Governor
6/29/2026Senate
Passed Both Houses
5/31/2026Senate
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 115-000-000
5/31/2026House
Third Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 31, 2026
5/22/2026House
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
5/21/2026House
Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
5/19/2026House
Second Reading - Short Debate
5/19/2026House
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
5/7/2026House
Do Pass / Short Debate State Government Administration Committee; 009-000-000
5/6/2026House
Assigned to State Government Administration Committee
4/27/2026House
Referred to Rules Committee
4/27/2026House
First Reading
4/27/2026House
Chief House Sponsor Rep. Robyn Gabel
4/24/2026House
Arrived in House
4/17/2026House
Third Reading - Passed; 057-000-000
4/16/2026Senate
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading ** April 15, 2026
4/14/2026Senate
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 24, 2026
3/12/2026Senate
Second Reading
3/12/2026Senate
Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 10, 2026
3/5/2026Senate
Do Pass State Government; 007-000-000
3/5/2026Senate
Assigned to State Government
2/24/2026Senate
Referred to Assignments
2/5/2026Senate

Bill Text

Engrossed
PDF
Enrolled
PDF
Introduced
PDF

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