Bills & Legislation

INC TX-STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax deduction for any amounts paid by the taxpayer's employer on behalf of the taxpayer as part of an educational assistance program. Creates an income tax deduction for any amounts paid by the taxpayer on behalf of an employee of the taxpayer as part of an educational assistance program. Provides that the deductions are limited to the first $5,250 of such assistance so furnished to any individual. Effective immediately.

Katie Stuart

PEN CD-IMRF SLEP-EMT

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes sheriff's law enforcement employee (SLEP) status for a person who is not eligible to participate in a downstate firefighter fund and is employed on a full-time basis by a participating municipality to perform duties as a paramedic, emergency medical technician (EMT), emergency medical technician-intermediate (EMT-I), or advanced emergency medical technician (A-EMT); but only if the governing authority of that municipality has approved sheriff's law enforcement employee status for such employees by adoption of an affirmative resolution. Provides that the resolution must specify that SLEP status shall be applicable to such employment occurring on or after the adoption of the resolution and that the resolution shall be irrevocable. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Katie Stuart

RESTRICT COVENANT MODIFY FEE

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county recorder may not impose a fee for filing a restrictive covenant modification to an unlawful restrictive covenant (currently a county recorder may impose a fee for filing a restrictive covenant modification to an unlawful restrictive covenant in an amount not to exceed $10). Provides that a county recorder may not charge a fee for any copies of records necessary for filing a restrictive covenant modification to an unlawful restrictive covenant.

CT OF CLAIMS TERMS-FEES-RULES

Amends Court of Claims Act. Provides that judges appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate under the Act shall hold office for a term of 6 years and until their successors are appointed and qualified. Provides that each judge shall receive an annual salary as set by the Compensation Review Board. Authorizes the court to hold sessions and take evidence remotely as it deems necessary to expedite the business of the court. Authorizes the court to adopt administrative rules to provide for remote or electronic filing of a claim or other motion, participation in any capacity before the court, taking of evidence or testimony, conducting any business of the court, or payment of any fees to the court. Authorizes the court to adopt rules determining the form and manner of all filing fees and other charges due the court. Provides that all claims arising under the Act must filed within 5 years (instead of one year) of the crime on which a claim is based under the Crime Victims Compensation Act.

INS CD-DEPENDENT PARENTS

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Excludes student health insurance coverage from a provision requiring group or individual policies of accident and health insurance that provide dependent coverage to make that dependent coverage available to the parent or stepparent of the insured if certain conditions are met. Effective immediately.

CRIM CD-DOMESTIC ASSAULT

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of domestic assault. Provides that a person commits the offense when, without lawful authority, he or she knowingly engages in conduct that places any family or household member in reasonable apprehension of great bodily harm, or permanent disability or disfigurement. Provides that if the defendant is arrested for domestic assault, upon release of the defendant from custody pending trial, the court, at the preliminary examination, shall order that the defendant refrain from contact or communication with the victim of the domestic assault and refrain from entering or remaining at the victim's residence for a minimum of 72 consecutive hours. Provides that domestic assault is a Class A misdemeanor. Defines "family or household member".

Dave Vella

DCEO-BID CREDIT-MANUFACTURING

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall create and administer a bid credit program to provide economic incentives, through bid credits, for small and medium-sized manufacturers. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Dave Vella

HEALTH CARE LIC FEE WAIVER

Amends the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act, the Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Nurse Practice Act, the Pharmacy Practice Act, and the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987. Provides that, during State fiscal years 2025 and 2026, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall allow individuals in rural counties a one-time waiver of fees imposed under specific provisions in each Act. Effective immediately.

Amy Briel

TOBACCO ESCROW-VIOLATIONS

Amends the Tobacco Products Manufacturers' Escrow Enforcement Act of 2003. Provides that, upon a distributor's failure to submit certain information, the Attorney General may send a notice of violation to the distributor and provide 10 days to cure the violation. Provides that, if the distributor does not cure the violation, the Attorney General may notify the Director of Revenue of the violation, and, upon receiving the Attorney General's notice, the Director of Revenue shall revoke the distributor's license. Amends the Tobacco Product Manufacturers' Escrow Act. Provides that a tobacco product manufacturer that elects to place funds into escrow may make an irrevocable assignment of its interest in the funds to the benefit of the State.

SCHOOL SAFETY OFFICERS

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall approve a course for school safety officers (a retired law enforcement officer who has been hired by a school district to perform security services). Sets forth training and certification requirements. Provides that an applicant for employment as a school safety officer must authorize an investigation to determine if the applicant has been convicted of any criminal offense that disqualifies the person as a school safety officer. Amends the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act. Exempts school safety officers from the Act if a school board does not require officer-worn body cameras. Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, a school may employ a school safety officer. Requires a school safety officer applicant to provide the school district a certificate of completion or approved waiver issued by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board. Provides that a school safety officer shall wear a uniform that clearly identifies the officer as a school safety officer. Provides that a school safety officer may detain a person when the officer has reasonable suspicion to believe that an offense, other than an ordinance violation, is being committed. Provides that a school safety officer may carry a firearm as long as the officer is certified under specified provisions of the Peace Officer and Probation Officer Firearm Training Act. Adds references to school safety officers throughout the Code. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that that the provisions concerning the unlawful use of weapons as those provisions pertain to firearms do not apply to or affect the carrying or possession of firearms by a qualified current or retired law enforcement officer qualified under the laws of the State or under the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act in specified properties, including schools. Effective immediately.

Dennis Tipsword

LOCAL OFFICE VACANCY-ELECTION

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code, the Park District Code, the Illinois Local Library Act, and the School Code. In provisions concerning vacancies in certain elected offices, requires that, if a vacancy occurs in a specified office with at least 32 months remaining in the term of the office and at least 141 days before the next election for that office, then the vacancy shall be filled in that election. Provides that, if a vacancy occurs in a specified office with less than 32 months remaining in the term of the office or less than 141 days before the next election for that office, then the vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the term by the person that was appointed to the office to fill the vacancy. In provisions concerning vacancies in offices with 2-year terms, requires that, if a vacancy occurs in a specified office at least 141 days before the next election for that office, then the vacancy shall be filled in that election.

Daniel Didech

DHS-TEEN REACH-TECH ASSISTANCE

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. In provisions concerning the Teen Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring, and Hope (Teen REACH) Grant Program, provides that any technical assistance provided to a statewide provider of services under the Teen REACH Grant Program shall be delivered directly by the Department of Human Services and shall not be delegated or outsourced to a third-party organization.

Maurice A. West, II

PERSONNEL CD-MERIT STANDARD

Amends the Personnel Code. Provides that, if requirements exist under federal law, regulation, or rule for administration of programs by methods relating to the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on a merit basis on January 1, 2025, those requirements shall remain in place for the purpose of administration of those programs by the State. Effective immediately.

HEALTH FACILITY-OUTDOOR ACCESS

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act and the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013. Provides that residents of nursing home facilities have the right to outdoor access. Provides that residents of nursing home facilities and consumers served by mental health rehabilitation facilities shall be free to enter and leave the facilities as they choose. Provides that a facility may suspend this right only if the resident's or consumer's physician examines the resident or consumer and determines that leaving the facility would pose a danger to other residents or consumers or an immediate and substantial danger to the resident's or consumer's safety and well-being, which shall be explained to the resident or consumer and documented in the resident's or consumer's medical chart.

Anna Moeller

$ISAC-HUMAN SERVICE LOAN REPAY

Appropriates $7,500,000 to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program. Effective July 1, 2025.

Lindsey LaPointe

LIBRARY TRUSTEE-CARD REQUIRED

Amends the Trustees Article of the Illinois Local Library Act. Provides that a candidate for the position of library trustee must have a valid library card for the library.

Anne Stava

LIABILITY-UNSOLICITED IMAGES

Creates the Civil Liability for Unsolicited Intimate Images Act. Provides that any person 18 years of age or older who knowingly and intentionally transmits obscene material by computer or other electronic means to the computer or electronic communication device of another person 18 years of age or older commits a trespass and is liable to the recipient of the obscene material for actual damages or $500, whichever is greater, in addition to reasonable attorney's fees and costs, if the person who receives the obscene material has not consented to the receipt of the obscene material or has expressly forbidden the receipt of the obscene material and if a reasonable person who receives the obscene material would suffer emotional distress as a result of the receipt of the obscene material. Authorizes the court to enjoin and restrain the defendant from committing such further acts. Provides that "obscene material" means material, including, but not limited to, images depicting a person engaging in an act of sexual intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, sexual penetration, or masturbation, or depicting the exposed genitals or anus of any person, taken as a whole, that to the average person, applying contemporary statewide standards, appeals to the prurient interest, that, taken as a whole, depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and that, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. Provides that the Act does not apply to (i) any Internet service provider, mobile data provider, or operator of an online or mobile application, to the extent that such entity is transmitting, routing, or providing connections for electronic communications initiated by or at the direction of another, (ii) any service that transmits material, including an on-demand, subscription, or advertising-supported service, (iii) a health care provider that transmits material for a legitimate medical purpose, or (iv) any transmission of commercial email. Provides that venue for an action under the Act may lie in the jurisdiction where the obscene material is transmitted from or where the obscene material is received or possessed by the plaintiff.

PARK COMMISSIONER ELECTIONS

Amends the Park District Code. Provides that no candidate for the office of park commissioner in any General Park District shall be required to file more than 300 petition signatures from qualified voters of the district.

Anne Stava

LIBRARIES-BIDDING THRESHOLD

Amends the Illinois Local Library Act and the Public Library District Act of 1991. Requires competitive bidding for contracts in excess of $35,000 (rather than $25,000) for specified improvements and equipment purchases. Effective immediately.

Laura Faver Dias

LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES ACT

Creates the Homeowners' Little Free Library Act. Provides that an association shall not prohibit any resident or owner from operating a little free library on the resident's or owner's property so long as the area is maintained, the little free library does not extend over or onto neighboring properties, public or common sidewalks, pathways, streets or other public or common areas or elements, and does not interfere with traffic or utilities. Provides that an association may adopt reasonable rules and regulations governing a little free library that do not impair a little free library's maintenance and care or impose height restrictions. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Laura Faver Dias

EMPLOYMENT&ACCOMODATION-WEIGHT

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for an employer, employment agency, or labor organization to take certain employment-related actions on the basis of an individual's weight and size. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for the owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent, or employee of a place of public accommodation, because of the weight and size of any person, directly or indirectly, to refuse, withhold from, or deny to any individual any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, or privileges of the place of public accommodation.

Laura Faver Dias

OMA-IMRF BENEFITS POSTING

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that, within 6 business days after an employer participating in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund approves a budget, that employer must post on its website the total compensation package for each employee having a total compensation package that exceeds $125,000 (rather than $75,000) per year. Provides that, at least 6 days before an employer participating in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund approves an employee's total compensation package that is equal to or in excess of $200,000 (rather than $150,000) per year, the employer must post on its website the total compensation package for that employee. Effective January 1, 2026.

Laura Faver Dias

PESTICIDE-NOTICE-SCHOOLS

Amends the Illinois Pesticide Act. Requires certified pesticide applicators to give written or email notice 72 hours prior to application of pesticide to schools and parks within half of a mile from the site of application. Provides other notice requirements. Defines terms.

Will Guzzardi

FACILITY-TRANSFER & DISCHARGE

Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act. Makes changes to assessments for admission to establishments and service plan requirements. Requires an establishment to notify the resident and the resident's representative when there is a significant change in the resident's condition that affects the establishment's ability to meet the resident's needs. Prohibits an establishment from terminating or reducing any service without the consent of the resident or the resident's representative for the purpose of making it more difficult or impossible for the resident to remain in the establishment. Adds new requirements for establishments and the Department of Public Health regarding the involuntary termination of residency. Provides that a resident has the right to not be unlawfully transferred or discharged. Makes other changes. Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Prohibits a resident from being transferred or discharged in violation of the Act. Provides that a resident has the right not to be unlawfully transferred or discharged. Provides for the assessment of a $2,500 fine for a facility that fails to comply with an order to readmit a resident who wishes to return to the facility and is appropriate for that level of care and services provided. Requires a facility that complies with an order to readmit a resident that has been deemed to have been unlawfully discharged to notify the Department within 10 business days after the resident has been readmitted to the facility. Provides that a facility may involuntarily transfer or discharge a resident because the facility is unable to meet the medical needs of the resident, as documented in the resident's clinical record by the resident's physician. Provides that the Department maintains jurisdiction over the transfer or discharge irrespective of the timing of the notice and discharge. Provides that if the Department determines that a transfer or discharge is not authorized, then the Department shall issue a written decision stating that the transfer or discharge is denied. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

OPERATING ROOM SAFETY ACT

Creates the Operating Room Patient Safety Act. Provides that each surgical technologist hired or contracted by a health care facility on or after January 1, 2027 shall meet specified educational, certification, or experiential requirements. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits an individual from performing surgical technology services if the individual is acting within the scope of the individual's license or registration or is a student or intern under the direct supervision of a licensed health care provider.

SCH CD-ALTERNATIVE SCH-FUNDING

Amends the Safe Schools Law of the School Code. In provisions concerning funding, provides that in any fiscal year in which the State funding allocation is at or above $22,730,000, each alternative school program shall receive $100,000 for that fiscal year (instead of receiving funding in the amount of $30,000), plus an amount based on the ratio of an educational service region's or the Chicago public school system's average student enrollment (instead of best 3 months' average daily attendance in grades pre-kindergarten through 12) to the statewide totals of these amounts. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

William "Will" Davis

PLASTIC DISPOSABLE FOODWARE

Amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Provides that a full-service restaurant or quick-service restaurant shall not provide single-use plastic disposable foodware items to a consumer ordering or purchasing dine-in food unless requested by the consumer and that plastic drinking straws must be provided when specifically requested. Provides that single-use plastic disposable foodware items that are provided may not be packaged in plastic. Provides that a food dispensing establishment or takeout food delivery service must provide options for a customer to request disposable foodware items separate from the customer's order, with certain requirements. Provides that a full-service restaurant or quick-service restaurant offering condiments may use dispensers rather than prepackaged disposable condiment packets. Provides that a full-service restaurant or quick-service restaurant must post a sign indicating that single-use plastic disposable foodware will be made available upon request or at a self serve station. Provides that a full-service restaurant or quick-service restaurant may make single-use plastic straws available to customers ordering or purchasing dine-in food by making available dispensers or certain other means if a sign is posted encouraging the reduction of the use single-use plastics. Provides for a civil penalty of $25, after a first notice of violation, for each day a full-service restaurant or quick-service restaurant is in violation, paid to the Department of Public Health. Defines terms. Effective January 1, 2026.

INC TX-BEGINNING FARMER

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for an owner of an agricultural asset who sells or rents the agricultural asset to a beginning farmer. Sets forth the amount of the credit. Provides that the amount of the credit awarded with respect to any single sale or lease agreement shall not exceed $50,000 in any taxable year. Provides that the taxpayer shall apply to the Department of Agriculture for credits under the program. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025 and beginning before January 1, 2030, the Department of Agriculture may not approve more than $5,000,000 in credits under the program in any taxable year. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2030, the Department of Agriculture may not approve more than $10,000,000 in credits under the program in any taxable year. Effective immediately.

Dan Swanson

OHARE DRIVER SAFE-DEFINITIONS

Amends the O'Hare Driver Safety Act. Defines "Department" as the Illinois Department of Transportation. In a provision prohibition stopping or standing within one-half mile of O'Hare International Airport, provides that "traffic route" refers to all routes within the defined radii, including routes that are under the jurisdiction or partial jurisdiction of the Department. Effective immediately.

DCEO-VETERANS PILOT PROGRAM

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department shall establish and implement a Veterans' Economic Center pilot program for the purposes of assisting veterans in finding employment and addressing the problem of veteran homelessness. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that a taxpayer who receives a credit under the Act for a taxable year ending on or before December 31, 2027 pursuant an Agreement entered into on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act may apply only 98% of that credit amount against his or her State income tax liability in any taxable year. Provides that the remaining 2% of the total credit amount awarded shall be transferred from the General Revenue Fund into the Veterans' Economic Center Fund. Provides that moneys in the Veterans' Economic Center Fund shall be used by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to administer the Veterans' Economic Center pilot program. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Veterans' Economic Center Fund. Effective immediately.

Camille Y. Lilly

MEDICAID-CHOLINE SUPPLEMENTS

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that no later than July 1, 2025, over-the-counter choline dietary supplements for pregnant persons shall be covered under the medical assistance program. Effective immediately.

Robyn Gabel

IL RACING BOARD-VARIOUS

Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Provides that the Illinois Racing Board may appoint the Director of Mutuels to serve as the State director for inter-track wagering and simulcast wagering by inter-track wagering licensees and inter-track wagering location licensees. Provides that the pari-mutuel tax imposed at all pari-mutuel wagering facilities and on advance deposit wagering shall be remitted to the Board (rather than the Department of Revenue). Provides that the Board shall distribute contributed funds to a charitable organization on a schedule determined by the Board, based on the charitable organization's estimated expenditures related to the grant (rather than by December 31 of each year). Provides that any funds not expended by the grantee in a grant year shall be distributed to the charitable organization or charitable organizations selected in the next grant year after the funds are recovered. Repeals provisions authorizing the Board to make daily temporary deposits of certain fees and provisions requiring the Board and the Department of Agriculture to establish a program to conduct drug testing on horses at county fairs. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

EMPLOYMENT-TECH

Creates the Employment Rights and Remedies Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

EMPLOYMENT-TECH

Amends the Labor Dispute Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

HEALTH-TECH

Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

HEALTH-TECH

Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

HEALTH-TECH

Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

ELECTIONS-TECH

Amends the Election Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

EMPLOYMENT-TECH

Amends the Labor Dispute Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

SAFETY-TECH

Amends the Hazardous Materials Emergency Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the findings.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

BUSINESS-TECH

Amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

STATE GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

STATE GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Illinois Main Street Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

TRANSPORTATION-TECH

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

EMPLOYMENT-TECH

Amends the Labor Dispute Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

TRANSPORTATION-TECH

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

EMPLOYMENT-TECH

Amends the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

REVENUE-TECH

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.