Bills & Legislation

JUV CT-EXCLUDED JURISDICTION

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Repeals a provision excluding certain minors accused of committing specified crimes from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. Effective immediately.

Kevin John Olickal

ALGORITHMICS PROHIBITED-RENT

Creates the Prohibition of Algorithmics in Rent Act. Provides that in setting the amount of rent to be charged to a tenant for the occupancy of a residential premises, including determining any change in the amount of rent to be charged for the renewed occupancy of a residential premises, a landlord shall not employ, use, or rely upon, or cause another person to employ, use, or rely upon, an algorithmic device that uses, incorporates, or was trained with nonpublic competitor data. Defines "algorithmic device" to mean a device that uses one or more algorithms to perform calculations of data, including data concerning local or statewide rent amounts being charged to tenants by landlords, for the purpose of advising a landlord concerning the amount of rent that the landlord may consider charging a tenant. Provides that this definition does not include (i) any report published periodically, but no more frequently than monthly, by a trade association that receives renter data and publishes it in an aggregated and anonymous manner; or (ii) a product used for the purpose of establishing rent or income limits in accordance with the affordable housing program guidelines of a local government, the State, the federal government, or other political subdivision. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a corresponding change. Provides that any person who violates the Prohibition of Algorithmics in Rent Act commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

Lilian Jiménez

ISOLATED CONFINEMENT RESTRICT

Creates the Isolated Confinement Restriction Act. Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Nelson Mandela Act. Provides that a committed person may not be in isolated confinement for more than 10 consecutive days. Provides that a committed person may not be in isolated confinement for more than 10 days in any 180-day period. Provides that the provision of basic needs and services, such as nutritious food, clean water, hygiene supplies, clothing, bedding and mattress, religious materials, legal materials, access to grievance forms, and access to medical and mental health, shall not be restricted as a form of punishment or discipline for committed persons in isolated confinement. Provides that a committed person in protective custody may opt out of that status by providing informed, voluntary, written refusal of that status. Provides that a committed person shall not be placed in isolated confinement if the committed person: (1) is 21 years of age or younger; (2) is 55 years of age or older; (3) has a disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; or (4) is pregnant or postpartum. Provides that nothing in the Act is intended to restrict any rights or privileges a committed person may have under any other statute, rule, or regulation. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Kevin John Olickal

BILL OF RIGHTS-HOMELESS

Amends the Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act. Prohibits the State or a unit of local government from creating or enforcing policies or ordinances imposing fines or criminal penalties against people experiencing unsheltered homelessness for occupying or engaging in life-sustaining activities on public property. Provides exceptions to maintain access to property or address risks to public health and safety. Creates a necessity defense for charges alleging violation of laws criminalizing life-sustaining activities while the individual was experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Defines terms. Limits the exercise of concurrent home rule powers.

Kevin John Olickal

STUDENT INVESTMENT ACCOUNT

Amends the Student Investment Account Act. Allows the State Treasurer to originate, guarantee, acquire, and service refinance loans; invest in, and enter into contracts with, institutions that provide refinance loans; deposit funds with financial institutions that provide refinance loans; establish specific criteria governing the eligibility of entities to participate in the making of refinance loans; charge and collect premiums for insurance on refinance loans; and deduct from a State employee's salary, wages, commissions, and bonuses the recovery of a refinance loan debt. Removes language allowing the State Treasurer to: enter into income share agreements with participants, facilitate income share agreements between participants and eligible income share agreement providers, and perform other acts as may be necessary or desirable in connection with income share agreements; enter into contracts and guarantee agreements as necessary to operate the Student Investment Account with income share agreement providers or qualified income share agreement organizations; establish specific criteria governing the eligibility of entities to participate in the making of income share agreements; pay income share agreement providers or qualified income share agreement organizations an administrative fee in connection with services provided pursuant to the Student Investment Account; charge and collect premiums for insurance on income share agreements; and deduct from a State employee's salary, wages, commissions, and bonuses the recovery of an income share agreement. Allows (rather than requires) the State Treasurer to establish fees to cover the costs of administration, recordkeeping, marketing, and investment management related to the Student Investment Account. Removes language allowing moneys in the Student Investment Account Assistance Fund to be used to provide assistance to income share agreement participants. Makes conforming changes.

FACILITY FEE TRANSPARENCY

Creates the Health Care Facility Fee Transparency Act. Sets forth provisions concerning notice requirements for a hospital or health system that charges a facility fee using a current procedural terminology evaluation code or assessment and management code for outpatient services provided at a hospital-based facility where a professional fee is also expected to be charged. Provides notice requirements for hospital-based facilities created or acquired through a business transaction. Establishes limitations on facility fees. Sets forth provisions concerning facility fee billing statements, reporting of facility fees charged by each hospital and health system, and enforcement of the Act by the Department of Public Health. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice if, from the date of the transaction, a hospital, health system, or hospital-based facility does not wait at least 30 days after the written notice has been mailed to the patient or a copy of the notice has been filed with the Department of Public Health to collect a facility fee for services provided at a hospital-based facility.

ABLE ACCOUNT CONTRIBUTIONS

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Treasurer may make a matching contribution of $50 to an ABLE account opened on or after January 1, 2026 for a beneficiary who is a resident of Illinois. Provides that the matching contribution shall be limited to one contribution per beneficiary and shall not be treated differently from any other contributions to the account. Provides that if there are insufficient funds available, the State Treasurer may reduce the matching contribution amount or forgo contributions. Provides that the Illinois ABLE Matching Contribution Fund shall be the official repository of all contributions, appropriated funds, interest, and dividend payments, gifts, or other financial assets received by the State Treasurer in connection with matching contributions to ABLE accounts. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Illinois ABLE Matching Contribution Fund.

HIGHR ED-ELECTION JUDGE CREDIT

Creates the Educational Credit for Election Judges Act. Provides that each institution of higher education may adopt a policy regarding its awarding of academic credit or a non-credit alternative for election judges. Provides that the policy may apply to any individual who has been an election judge while enrolled in the institution of higher education. Amends the Election Code. Provides that if an election judge receives academic credit, the judge may not receive any other compensation under the Election Code.

Nicolle Grasse

HLTH CARE FACILITY FEE ACT

Creates the Health Care Facility Fee Transparency Act. Defines terms. Requires hospitals or health care systems to provide transparency, including written notices and proper signage, regarding facility fees, with certain requirements. Provides that a failure to comply with these requirements constitutes an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Adds the Health Care Facility Fee Transparency Act to the list of other Acts that constitute a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

Janet Yang Rohr

SECURE CHOICE PROGRAM-IRAS

Amends the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act. Provides that the accounts established under the Secure Choice Savings Program shall be IRAs, into which enrollees contribute funds that are invested in investment options established by the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Board. Provides that a separate account shall be established for each enrollee and the accounts shall be owned by the enrollee. Provides that the savings accounts established under the Program shall be portable and allow for an enrollee to make contributions from multiple employers into a single account. Provides that an enrollee in the Program may have both a Roth IRA and a Traditional IRA through the Program. Provides that the Board shall have the duty to assess the feasibility of agreements with other governmental entities, including other states and their agencies and instrumentalities, to achieve greater economies of scale through shared resources and to enter into those agreements if determined to be beneficial. Provides that an employer who fails without reasonable cause to enroll an employee in the Program within the time provided and fails to remit their contributions (rather than fails without reasonable cause to enroll an employee in the Program within the time provided) shall be subject to a penalty. Makes changes in provisions concerning employer and employee information packets. Effective immediately.

Gregg Johnson

IHDA-HOUSING HARDSHIP PROGRAM

Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Requires the Illinois Housing Development Authority to establish and administer a Housing Hardship Program to provide up to 3 months of emergency rental or mortgage assistance or up to $1,600 per month for 3 months, whichever is less, to eligible applicants who demonstrate a hardship or other extenuating circumstances that place them at risk of eviction or foreclosure. Lists certain financial hardships that qualify for assistance under the program. Provides that applicants may apply for assistance once every 2 years regardless of household income. Requires applicants to submit a financial affidavit supported by banking statements and other documentary evidence as prescribed by the Authority. Requires the Authority to provide assistance to eligible applicants based upon the following factors in order of priority: (1) Whether the applicant has never previously received housing or public assistance from any other State or federal program. (2) If the applicant has previously received housing or public assistance, the number of times the applicant received such assistance. (3) The severity of the applicant's declared hardship or circumstances. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Housing Hardship Program Fund.

Debbie Meyers-Martin

NON-PROFIT INVESTMENT POOL

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Provides that the State Treasurer may establish and administer a non-profit investment pool and an electronic payment processing program to supplement and enhance investment opportunities and secure electronic payment options otherwise available to not-for-profit corporations in the State. Provides that the Treasurer may receive funds paid into the pool for the purpose of holding and investing those funds. Provides for surety bonds payable to not-for-profit corporations who participate in the pool. Provides that the Treasurer shall adopt rules for the efficient administration of the pool.

$CORRECTIONS OMBUDSPERSON

Appropriates $1,500,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Office of the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson for the Office’s ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2025.

Kevin John Olickal

INS-REPLACE MISSING TEETH

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code, the Dental Care Patient Protection Act, and the Dental Service Plan Act. Provides that no insurer, dental service plan corporation, professional service corporation, insurance network leasing company, company offering a managed care dental plan, company offering a point-of-service plan, or any company that amends, delivers, issues, or renews an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance that provides dental insurance in this State may deny coverage for replacement of teeth to any insured on the basis of those teeth having been extracted or otherwise lost prior to the person becoming covered under the plan.

Kevin John Olickal

PROP TX-TAX DEEDS

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that tax deeds issued to the county as trustee shall be recorded by the county and shall not require a municipal transfer stamp or be subject to any municipal real estate transfer taxes, requirements, or certifications prior to recording.

Kevin John Olickal

ELEC CD-CURBSIDE VOTING

Amends the Election Code. Provides that election authorities shall establish curbside voting (currently, may establish curbside voting) for individuals to cast a ballot during early voting and on election day (currently, during early voting or on election day).

Nabeela Syed

HEALTH CARE AVAILABILITY

Creates the Health Care Availability and Access Board Act. Establishes the Health Care Availability and Access Board to protect State residents, State and local governments, commercial health plans, health care providers, pharmacies licensed in the State, and other stakeholders within the health care system from the high costs of prescription drug products. Contains provisions concerning Board membership and terms; staff for the Board; Board meetings; circumstances under which Board members must recuse themselves; and other matters. Provides that the Board shall perform the following actions in open session: (i) deliberations on whether to subject a prescription drug product to a cost review; and (ii) any vote on whether to impose an upper payment limit on purchases, payments, and payor reimbursements of prescription drug products in the State. Permits the Board to adopt rules to implement the Act and to enter into a contract with a qualified, independent third party for any service necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the Board. Creates the Health Care Availability and Access Stakeholder Council to provide stakeholder input to assist the Board in making decisions as required by the Act. Contains provisions concerning Council membership, member terms, and other matters. Provides that the Board shall adopt the federal Medicare Maximum Fair Price as the upper payment limit for a prescription drug product intended for use by individuals in the State. Prohibits the Board from creating an upper payment limit that is different from the Medicare Maximum Fair Price for the prescription drug product that has a Medicare Maximum Fair Price. Requires the Board to implement an upper payment limit that is the same as the Medicare Maximum Fair Price no sooner than the Medicare implementation date. Provides that Medicare Part C and D plans are not required to reimburse at the upper payment limit. Provides that the Attorney General may enforce the Act and may pursue any available remedy under State law when enforcing the Act. Effective 180 days after becoming law.

Nabeela Syed

ELEC CD-VOTE BY MAIL APPLICANT

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the application for a vote by mail ballot for a single election shall include an option to apply for permanent vote by mail status in a form consistent with an application for permanent vote by mail status.

Nabeela Syed

ELEC CD-UNIVERSITY VOTE HOURS

Amends the Election Code. In provisions concerning public university voting, provides that each appropriate election authority must conduct voting, grace period registration, and grace period voting from the 6th day before a general primary or general election through the day before (currently the 4th day before) a general primary or general election from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Provides that the voting required by the provision must be conducted on the day of a general primary or general election from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Nabeela Syed

TEMPORARY FIREARM STORAGE ACT

Creates the Temporary Firearm Storage Act. Requires all law enforcement agencies to establish temporary firearm storage programs. Provides that a law enforcement agency may only store a firearm if the owner of the firearm fills out an application stating (i) that the owner of the firearm is requesting the law enforcement agency to hold the firearm on the owner's behalf, (ii) the length of time the firearm will be held by the law enforcement agency, and (iii) that the owner of the firearm agrees that the firearm shall be turned over to the law enforcement agency if the owner of the firearm does not retrieve the firearm by the agreed upon time. Requires law enforcement agencies to send notice to the owner of a firearm before a storage agreement expires. Provides that, if a law enforcement agency has a public-facing website, then it must describe its temporary firearm storage program on the website. Allows an individual or business that has a Federal Firearms License and is certified by the Illinois State Police under the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act to establish a temporary firearm storage program. Provides that a law enforcement agency may not use a firearm stored under a temporary firearm storage program for any purpose without a warrant. Provides that neither a law enforcement agency nor a private entity that establishes a temporary firearm storage program shall be held liable for damage to a firearm stored under a temporary firearm storage program. Provides that a firearm may not be stored in a temporary firearm storage program without a safe storage mechanism. Effective one year after becoming law.

Janet Yang Rohr

PUBLIC FUNDS-ONLINE INFO

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Makes formatting changes. Amends the Accountability for the Investment of Public Funds Act. Provides that each State agency shall make available on the Internet, and update at least monthly, no later than the end of each month (rather than by the 15th of the month), sufficient information concerning the investment of any public funds held by that State agency to identify specified information. Effective immediately.

INS-BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall not impose any prior authorization or utilization management controls on covered behavioral health services. Makes conforming changes to the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Insurance and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish a process for receiving complaints from providers and covered individuals for violations of the mandate. Grants the Department of Insurance and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services the authority to issue cease and desist orders and administrative fines. Amends the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall adopt rules consistent with the Act. Provisions amending the Prior Authorization Reform Act are effective immediately.

Nabeela Syed

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

Amends the Counties Code. Requires the county board in counties with a population of more than 100,000 to hire a county administrator. Provides that the county administrator shall advise, assist, act as agent for, and be responsible to the county board for the proper and efficient administration of the county.

Suzanne M. Ness

INC TX-IGROW CHECKOFF

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates the Illinois Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship Fund checkoff. Provides that, through the checkoff, taxpayers may contribute to the Illinois Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Tech Scholarship Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the purpose of awarding iGROW Tech scholarships. Effective immediately.

Janet Yang Rohr

REDUCING BARRIERS TO START ACT

Creates the Reducing Barriers to Start Act. Beginning January 1, 2026, this State shall encourage the elimination of all first-year business fees relating to any license or registration for any new business or person establishing a new business, including home-based businesses, whose principal place of business is in this State.

Kyle Moore

MULTI-COUNTY VET ASSISTANCE

Amends the Military Veterans Assistance Act. Expands the Act to allow for the formation of multi-county Veterans Assistance Commissions. Provides that veteran service organizations located in 2 or more adjacent counties having a population of 60,000 or less may enter into an agreement to come together and jointly form a multi-county Veterans Assistance Commission to serve the adjacent counties in accordance with the Act. Provides that a multi-county Veterans Assistance Commission may also be formed under an agreement between an existing county Veterans Assistance Commission and a veteran service organization located in an adjacent county that is without a veterans assistance commission and has a population of 60,000 or less. Requires an agreement to form and maintain a multi-county Veterans Assistance Commission to set forth: (i) the distribution of funding with respect to each member county; (ii) the location of the Commission's office; (iii) the type of services provided; (iv) the superintendent selection or appointment process; (v) Commission rules and policies; and (vi) the composition of delegates and alternates on the Commission. Provides that multi-county Veterans Assistance Commissions shall have the same powers and duties under the Act as Veterans Assistance Commissions that serve one county. Makes corresponding changes in the Counties Code, the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Drug Court Treatment Act, the Veterans and Servicemembers Court Treatment Act, and the Mental Health Court Treatment Act. Effective immediately.

VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY WORKERS

Amends the Volunteer Emergency Worker Job Protection Act. Provides that employment protections for volunteer emergency workers apply to volunteer emergency workers participating in required training, including a prohibition on termination and penalizing (rather than only termination). Provides that the employer may not require the employee to take vacation time or other compensatory time in order to respond to an emergency or participate in training. Provides that the Act does not apply to any employer that is a municipality with a population of 15,000 or more (currently 7,500 or more). Makes conforming changes.

PATIENT RIGHTS-NEXT OF KIN

Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Provides that every health care facility in this State shall permit the next of kin of a patient who is on life support to remain with the patient, at the patient's bedside, irrespective of regular hours of visitation. Provides that health care facilities may institute reasonable policies, including reasonable requirements that promote the health, safety, and welfare of the next of kin, the patient, and the employees and other patients of the health care facility without revoking the basic right afforded to the next of kin of a patient who is on life support. Defines "next of kin".

Mary Beth Canty

GAS STATIONS NEAR SCHOOLS

Amends the Gasoline Storage Act. Provides that, beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act, no person shall construct or install a gas station, a motor fuel dispensary, or a motor fuel storage tank on or within 300 feet of school grounds. Provides that the Office of the State Fire Marshal shall adopt rules that implement these provisions and conform with the requirements of the Act. Defines terms.

Mary Beth Canty

HOLIDAY DESIGNATION-CALENDARS

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the name of each federal holiday and State holiday designated on a unit of local government's calendar must match the name of the federal holiday and State holiday as designated by the State. Defines "federal holiday" and "State holiday". Limits home rule powers. Amends the School Code. In a provision concerning legal holidays, requires the name of each federal and State holiday as specified in that provision to be the name of the holiday that is designated on a school district's calendar for the school term. Effective immediately.

Anthony DeLuca

PENCD-DWNST POL&FIRE-FINANCING

Amends the Downstate Police and Downstate Firefighter Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the annual employer contribution shall include an amount sufficient to bring the total assets of the pension fund up to 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the pension fund by the end of municipal fiscal year 2050 (instead of 2040). Makes a conforming change. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Laura Faver Dias

ED-WAIVER PROCESS TASK FORCE

Amends the School Code. Creates the Waiver Process Task Force. Sets forth provisions concerning membership, meetings, and support services. Provides that the purposes of the Task Force are to examine the current waiver response process and make recommendations on a more equitable and fair waiver response at the elementary and secondary school levels in this State; develop and use metrics to access the viability of waiver requests and the impact of such requests on students in kindergarten through grade 12; promote training and professional development on creating waiver requests that include accountability measures for teachers and other community stakeholders across this State; identify and seek local, State, and national resources to support an equitable and fair waiver process; and complete such other strategies as may be identified by the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on how waivers should be requested, how waivers should be reviewed for approval, and how to demonstrate the ability to fulfill accountability measures proposed in requested waivers. Requires the Task Force to file a report with the Governor and the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2025. Effective immediately.

Sharon Chung

ILLINOIS NATIVE LANDSCAPES ACT

Creates the Protecting Illinois Native Landscapes Act. Provides that a unit of local government may not enact or enforce an ordinance or resolution that prohibits or unreasonably restricts an owner, authorized agent, or authorized occupant of privately owned residential land or a premises from allowing Illinois native species to voluntarily grow within the landscape or to install and maintain Illinois native species within a managed native landscape. Provides that native landscaping that may not be prohibited includes small or large areas of native landscaping in the front, back, or side yard or in areas that do not fit a standard definition of yard, such as areas on farms, rural properties, corporate campuses, school campuses, and large estates. Excludes from the scope of the Act an ordinance or resolution of a unit of local government that prohibits plants, trees, or other landscaping from interfering with public transportation, vehicular traffic, or driveway or entrance road sight lines or from crossing sidewalks or property boundaries. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers.

Laura Faver Dias

INS CD-ALZHEIMER'S TREATMENT

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 shall provide coverage for all medically necessary diagnostic testing and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments or medications prescribed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease or another related dementia, in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration label, as determined by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. Provides that coverage of U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments or medications prescribed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease or another related dementia shall not be subject to step therapy. Amends the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act to require coverage under those provisions. Effective immediately.

Mary Gill

INC TX-SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a credit for certain small businesses in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 10% of the property taxes paid by the qualified small business during the taxable year for eligible real property or (ii) $1,500. Effective immediately.

Debbie Meyers-Martin

SERVICE MEMBER EMPLOYMENT-COMP

Amends the Service Member Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. In a provision concerning differential compensation, changes the definition of "work days" to mean the actual number of shifts (rather than days) the employee would have worked during the period of military leave but for the service member's military obligation. Further provides that work days are tabulated without regard for the number of hours in a shift (rather than work day), regardless if the shift extends into the next day. Removes a provision providing that work hours that extend into the next calendar day count as 2 work days.

MEDICAID-TRANSPORTATION SRVCS

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning non-emergency transportation services for medical assistance recipients, removes a requirement that facilities complete a Physician Certification Statement prior to ordering non-emergency transportation services for a patient. Instead, requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to develop, subject to federal approval, a Uniform Non-Emergency Transportation Certification Form (form) for non-emergency transportation. Provides that the form shall be the only form used by and required of all facilities, physicians, transportation providers, and transportation brokers whenever a patient or person covered by the medical assistance program is being transported from a facility or personal residence and requires non-emergency transportation. Makes corresponding changes to the Nursing Home Care Act and the Hospital Licensing Act. Further amends the Medical Assistance Article with a provision authorizing transportation brokers to use a network of independent driver providers for the delivery of covered transportation services. Provides that transportation brokers and participating independent driver providers shall be subject to the same driver credentialing and licensing standards and provider registration requirements as transportation network companies (TNC) and TNC drivers enrolled in the Impact Medicaid Program Advanced Cloud Technology system. With respect to the Department's Business Enterprise Program requirements for Medicaid managed care organizations (MCO), requires each MCO to submit only one Letter of Intent that consolidates and sets forth all pending transportation services from all BEP-certified transportation providers contracted with the MCO. Requires the Department to permit a MCO's transportation broker to attest to the accuracy of all claims for services provided by a contracted transportation provider.

Dagmara Avelar

JOLIET ARSENAL AUTHORITY

Amends the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority Act. Provides that the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority shall be abolished upon the last to occur of the following: (1) expiration of the 35-year (rather than 30-year) period that begins on the effective date of the Act; or (2) one year after all revenue bonds, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness of the Authority have been fully paid and discharged or otherwise provided for. Provides that, upon the abolition of the Authority, all of its rights and property shall pass to and be vested in Will County (rather than the State).

THERAPIST/COUNSELOR LICENSURE

Amends the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act, the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act, the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act, the Music Therapy Licensing and Practice Act, and the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act. Allows an applicant for licensure under those Acts to temporarily practice under supervision while the applicant's application for licensure is pending under specified circumstances. Removes good moral character standards as qualification requirements for the licensing of social workers and music therapists. Creates procedures for placing a license on inactive status for social workers and professional counselors. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation must allow reasonable exam accommodations for licensed marriage and family therapists and clinical psychologists whose primary language is not English if a test in the therapist's or psychologist's primary language is not available.

SCH CD-SPEC ED-PARENTAL NOTICE

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that a school shall provide written notice to the parents or guardian of a child with disabilities that the parents or guardian have the right to have an individualized education program (IEP) advocate present at any meeting regarding the child's current or prospective individualized education program and that the parents or guardian have the right to ask for an IEP facilitator for the child's IEP. Provides that the school may provide the written notification as a part of other provided documentation, including, but not limited to, admission and enrollment documents.

TWP OPEN SPACES-LEASE OR SALE

Amends the Township Open Space Article of the Township Code. Reduces the acreage that constitutes open land or open space under the Article to 25 acres (currently, 50 acres). Provides, in the definition of "open space purposes", that development includes development for agricultural purposes. Provides that, after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a township board may lease open space that is a part of the township's open space program for a period not longer than 25 years from the date of the lease to an individual, a nonprofit organization, the federal government, a state government, or a local government for specified purposes consistent with open space purposes. Provides that, upon expiration of a lease of land that was leased after the effective date of the amendatory Act, title to all structures on the leased land shall be vested in the township. Provides that leased open space may be used for agricultural purposes. Provides that a township board may lease open space for open space purposes and buildings and facilities on the open space to an individual, a nonprofit organization, the federal government, a state government, or a local government. Provides that the township board may not sell, convey, donate, or otherwise dispose of open space without referendum approval by the majority of the voters of the township at a regular election, and provides that the board may certify the question of disposition of property to the appropriate election authority only if the board approves the question by at least a two-thirds majority of the board members. Provides that, if a township dissolves or is consolidated or merged or the boundaries of the township are altered, any affected open space shall continue to be used for open space purposes unless the open space is disposed of is approved by a two-thirds vote of the board of the unit of local government in control of that open space and after referendum of the voters of the unit of local government.

SCH CD-PROF ED LICENSE RENEW

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Requires an approved provider of professional development activities for the renewal of a Professional Educator License to ensure that professional development related to English language arts is aligned with the comprehensive literacy plan for the State developed by the State Board of Education. Effective immediately.

INC TX-CAREGIVERS

Creates the Caring for Caregivers Act. Provides that a taxpayer who is a family caregiver and who incurs eligible expenditures during the taxable year for the care and support of an eligible family member may apply to the Department of Revenue for an income tax credit. Provides that the credit shall be equal to 50% of the eligible expenditures incurred during the taxable year by the family caregiver for the care and support of an eligible family member, subject to certain specified limitations. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2026.

Suzanne M. Ness

EPA-MICROFIBER FILTER

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2030, no person shall sell or offer for sale in the State a new washing machine for residential, commercial, or State use unless the washing machine: (1) contains a microfiber filtration system with a mesh size of not greater than 100 micrometers; and (2) bears a conspicuous label that is visible to the consumer, in the form of a sticker or any other label type, that includes a specified statement. Provides that a person or entity who violates this prohibition shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for a first violation and not to exceed $30,000 for each subsequent violation.

Daniel Didech

STATE PROP TRANSFER TO MUNI

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, if a Public Act transfers State real property to a municipality for nominal consideration and the Public Act requires the property to be used for "public purposes" without defining that term, "public purposes" means any lawful purposes when used in a Public Act with an effective date prior to, on, or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Makes conforming changes to a Division heading.

Nicholas K. Smith

SMALL BUSINESS INCENTIVES

Creates the Small Business Economic Incentive Act. Provides that at least 50% of the dollar value of all economic incentives awarded to businesses by the State or by any State agency on or after January 1, 2026 shall be awarded to businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees. Effective January 1, 2026.

Kimberly Du Buclet

PEACE OFFICER&FIREARMS-ETRACE

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that upon recovering a firearm that was (i) unlawfully possessed, (ii) used for any unlawful purpose, (iii) recovered from the scene of a crime, (iv) reasonably believed to have been used or associated with the commission of a crime, or (v) acquired by the law enforcement agency as an abandoned, lost, or discarded firearm, a law enforcement agency shall use the best available information, including a firearms trace (deletes when necessary), to determine how and from whom the person gained possession of the firearm and to determine prior ownership of the firearm. Provides that law enforcement shall use the National Tracing Center of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' eTrace platform or successor platform in complying with this provision. Provides that law enforcement shall participate in the National Tracing Center of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' eTrace platform or successor platform's collective data sharing program for the purpose of sharing firearm trace reports among all law enforcement agencies in this State on a reciprocal basis. Defines "peace officer" for the purpose of the investigation of specified offenses shall include investigators of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Effective immediately.