Bills & Legislation

STUDENT TEACHING STIPEND

Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Creates emergency rulemaking procedures for the student teaching stipend program. Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes a person to establish optional credit for periods of service as a student teacher under a specified provision of the Board of Higher Education Act. In provisions requiring an additional employer contribution for certain salary increases greater than 6%, provides that the System shall exclude any stipends paid to an eligible cooperating teacher under the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Creates the student teaching stipend program. Defines terms. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of Higher Education of all eligible students and eligible cooperating teachers who qualify for the stipend program. Creates requirements for the disbursement of stipend funds under the program. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student from participating in the stipend program or from receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Requires an eligible cooperating teacher who receives a stipend to complete specific training. Requires the Board to issue a report in collaboration with the State Board of Education evaluating the impact of the stipend program. Permits the Board to adopt emergency rules regarding the administration of the stipend program in certain circumstances subject to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Effective immediately.

Barbara HernandezDemocrat

$DHS-NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING

Appropriates $6,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for a grant to the Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago for costs associated with funding equitable mortgage lending, homeownership rehabilitation and development, and homebuyer subsidies and support. Effective July 1, 2025.

Nicholas K. SmithDemocrat

PROP TX-REVISIONS

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning appraisals, provides that the appraisals submitted by the owner and occupant of the property must be prepared for ad valorem purposes, must estimate the value of the property as of January 1 of the assessment year at issue, and must comply with all rules of the chief county assessment officer or the board of review concerning the submission of appraisals. Provides that, if the chief county assessment officer renders a decision lowering the assessed valuation of the property, the county shall reimburse the property owner for the cost of the appraisal.

Robert "Bob" RitaDemocrat

PROP TX-REFUNDS

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, subject to certain limitations, a claim for a refund resulting from certain orders of the circuit court or from a certificate of error shall not be allowed unless the claim is filed within 20 years from the date the right to a refund arose. Effective immediately.

Robert "Bob" RitaDemocrat

LOCAL GOVERNMENT-TECH

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

Dan SwansonRepublican

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE BENEFITS-TECH

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning downstate firefighters.

Dan SwansonRepublican

GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Regional Fire Protection Agency Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Dan SwansonRepublican

ETHICS COMM-INVESTIGATIONS

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that the Legislative Ethics Commission shall adopt no rule requiring the Legislative Inspector General to seek the Commission's advance approval before issuing a subpoena. Provides that any existing rule, as of the effective date of the amendatory Act, requiring the Legislative Inspectors General to seek the Commission's advanced approval before issuing a subpoena is void. Provides that within 60 days after receipt of a summary report and response from the ultimate jurisdictional authority or agency head, the Executive and Legislative Ethics Commissions shall make available to the public the report and response or a redacted version of the report and response (currently, report required to be made public only if it resulted in a suspension of at least 3 days or termination of employment). Removes language providing that the Legislative Inspector General needs the advanced approval of the Commission to issue subpoenas. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Ryan SpainRepublican

INC TX-DEDUCTION FOR TIPS

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax deduction for gratuities that are included in the taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income. Effective immediately.

Ryan SpainRepublican

GOV ETHICS-LOCAL GOVT LOBBYING

Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Specifies that, as used in the Act, "official" includes specified officials of a unit of local government. Modifies "lobby" and "lobbying", as used in the Act, to add illustrative examples and to provide that a person has not communicated for the ultimate purpose of influencing a State or local governmental action solely by submitting an application for a government permit or license or by responding to a government request for proposals or qualifications. Changes the definition "lobbyist", as used in the Act, to mean a natural person who, on behalf of any person other than himself or herself, or as any part of his or her duties as an employee of another, undertakes to influence or lobby for any executive, legislative, or administrative action for State government or a unit of local government, and includes illustrative examples of lobbyists.

Ryan SpainRepublican

ETHICS-LOBBYING RESTRICTION

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that an officer of the executive branch, a member of the General Assembly, a person whose appointment to office is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, or a person who is the head of a department, commission, board, division, bureau, authority, or other administrative unit within the government of the State who takes office after the effective date of the amendatory Act may not engage in activities at the State level that require registration under the Lobbyist Registration Act until 3 years after leaving office. Currently, officers of the executive branch and members of the General Assembly may not engage in activities at the State level that require registration under the Lobbyist Registration Act during the term of which he or she was elected or appointed until 6 months after leaving office. Effective immediately.

Ryan SpainRepublican

INC TX-EMERGENCY WORKERS

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026 and beginning before January 1, 2029, the amount of the credit for volunteer emergency workers shall be $1,000 per eligible individual (currently, $500 per eligible individual). Provides that the aggregate amount of volunteer emergency worker credits shall be $6,000,000 per year (currently, $5,000,000 per year). Effective immediately.

Brandun SchweizerRepublican

SCHOOL CODE-CHARTER SCHOOLS

Amends the School Code. Prohibits a charter from being granted to an organization that operates a private, parochial, or non-public school or child care facility. Provides that a charter school shall spend no less than 90% of its budget on direct-service costs for students. Removes provisions regarding the closure of charter schools, the use of unspent public funds, and the procedures for disposition of property and assets. Requires the governing body of a charter school that is the subject of a school action to work collaboratively with local school educators and families of students attending the charter school to ensure successful integration of affected students into new learning environments. Requires, for a charter school closure, the governing body of the charter school to ensure that all students of the charter school at the time of the closure will be guaranteed a seat at a receiving school and that all teachers of the charter school at the time of the closure will be guaranteed a job at a receiving school. Sets forth requirements for school transition plans. Requires the governing body of the charter school to designate at least 3 opportunities for public comment at a hearing or meeting on the proposed school action.

Kelly M. CassidyDemocrat

GAMING BOARD ID CARDS

Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Provides the Illinois Gaming Board shall: allow sworn law enforcement personnel employed by the Board who retire in good standing to keep their previously issued Board identification cards; or issue photographic identification cards to sworn law enforcement personnel employed by the Board who retire in good standing that indicate their separation from service and identify the person as having been employed by the Board as sworn law enforcement personnel. Provides that if a Board-issued identification card is lost or stolen, the Board shall immediately reissue a replacement identification card upon written request by the retired sworn law enforcement personnel. Effective immediately.

Debbie Meyers-MartinDemocrat

VEH CD-SPEED ENFORCE SYSTEMS

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Expands the provisions regarding automated speed enforcement systems in safety zones to include municipalities in the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Madison, McHenry, St. Clair, and Will (instead of just the City of Chicago). Provides that the net proceeds a municipality receives from civil penalties imposed under an automated speed enforcement system shall be expended or obligated by the municipality for, among other purposes, the remission of $5 from each civil penalty to the State Treasurer for deposit into the General Revenue Fund, which shall be remitted to the State Treasurer as determined by the State Treasurer. Provides that if an automated speed enforcement system is removed or rendered inoperable due to construction, then the Department of Transportation shall authorize the reinstallation or use of the automated speed enforcement system within 30 days after the construction is complete.

Robert "Bob" RitaDemocrat

MOTOR FUEL-VARIOUS

Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Repeals the definition of "supplier" and related provisions in the Motor Fuel Tax Law that establish various requirements for suppliers. Repeals a provision that prohibits a person other than a licensed distributor from acting as a supplier of special fuel within the State. Changes the definitions of "distributor" and "receiver".

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

REFUSAL WAIVE SERVICE SUMMONS

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Deletes provisions that a defendant may refuse to waive service of summons. Provides that if a defendant located within the United States fails, without good cause, to sign and return a waiver requested by a plaintiff located within the United States, the court must impose on the defendant (1) the expenses later incurred in making service and (2) the reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees, of any motion required to collect those service expenses.

Mary Beth CantyDemocrat

GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Firemen's Disciplinary Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Michael J. KellyDemocrat

GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Public Employee Disability Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Michael J. KellyDemocrat

EMPLOYMENT-TECH

Amends the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Michael J. KellyDemocrat

EMPLOYMENT-TECH

Amends the Line of Duty Compensation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Michael J. KellyDemocrat

INC TX-FOREIGN TAX

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that provisions concerning a credit for foreign taxes shall be applied without regard to provisions concerning distributions of investment partnership income to nonresident partners. Effective immediately.

Curtis J. Tarver, IIDemocrat

QUICK-TAKE WILL COUNTY

Amends the Eminent Domain Act. Provides that quick-take powers may be used for a period of no more than 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act by Will County for the acquisition of certain described property for the purpose of road construction. Repeals the new provisions 3 years after the effective date. Effective immediately.

Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.Democrat

SAFE GUN STORAGE-PEDIATRICIANS

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Public Health to ensure that pediatricians ask about the presence of guns in homes and distribute safe gun storage information to individuals with guns in a home with a child. Effective January 1, 2026.

Maura HirschauerDemocrat

IDPH-SAFE GUN STORAGE

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Public Health to ensure that safe gun storage information is available at all Secretary of State driver services facilities. Provides that the Department may use existing public or private programs to implement these provisions. Requires the Department to disseminate safe gun storage information on its website and in Department facilities. Effective January 1, 2026.

Maura HirschauerDemocrat

PERMANENT DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

Amends the Time Standardization Act. Provides that daylight saving time shall be the year-round standard time of the entire State. Makes other changes.

Brad HalbrookRepublican

RURAL HOSPITAL TASK FORCE

Creates the Rural Hospital Task Force Act. Establishes the Rural Hospital Task Force within the Department of Public Health for the purpose of investigating the current state of rural hospitals and providing recommendations to prevent further closures of rural hospitals and to potentially expand rural hospital services. Provides that the Task Force shall convene to conduct business on at least 4 separate days. Requires the Department of Public Health to provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Requires each agency and entity represented on the Task Force to share with the Task Force any data of the agency or entity necessary to achieve the purpose of the Task Force. Provides that all findings and recommendations made by the Task Force must be reported to the General Assembly before January 1, 2027. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved, and the Act is repealed, on January 1, 2027

Amy BrielDemocrat

VICTIMS-HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Deletes a provision that timely notice to a retail mercantile establishment that is a victim of retail theft, organized retail crime, financial institution fraud, or looting shall include 7 days' notice of any court proceedings. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that a law enforcement officer may not refuse to complete a written report as required by the Protective Orders Article of the Code on any ground. Provides that a law enforcement officer shall not discourage or attempt to discourage a victim from filing a police report concerning an incident of abuse. Provides for the vacation of a conviction (rather than only prostitution convictions) if the defendant was a victim of human trafficking. Provides that the determination of the motion shall be by a preponderance of the evidence. Provides that evidence demonstrating the defendant's status as a victim of trafficking at the time of the offense shall create a rebuttable presumption that the defendant was a victim of human trafficking at the time of the offense. Provides that, regardless of whether the court grants a motion to vacate the sentence, it may permit the defendant to file an expedited petition for expungement or sealing under the Criminal Identification Act to be heard whenever possible before the same judge to whom the motion to vacate his or her conviction was presented upon 30 days' notice to those entitled to notification of expungement or sealing proceedings. Amends the Sexual Assault Incident Procedure Act. Provides that a law enforcement officer shall not discourage or attempt to discourage a victim from filing a police report concerning sexual assault or sexual abuse. Amends the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 to make conforming changes.

Ann M. WilliamsDemocrat

KRATOM CONSUMER PROTECTION

Creates the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Provides that no person shall sell, offer for sale, provide, or distribute kratom leaf or a kratom product to a person under 21 years of age, with requirements for online age verification. Provides that no person shall sell, offer for sale, provide, or distribute a kratom product that contains certain chemical compositions. Provides that an individual, business, or other entity shall not produce, sell, or distribute a kratom product that is attractive to children. Provides that no person shall sell, offer for sale, provide, or distribute a kratom product that is adulterated with a dangerous non-kratom substance. Provides that no person shall offer for sale any kratom product that contains synthesized or semi-synthesized kratom alkaloids or kratom constituents. Requires federal compliance for kratom products and processors. Imposes a tax of 5% on the retail sale of kratom products. Requires quarterly returns for the tax. Provides that a person who knowingly files a false or incomplete return is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Provides for rulemaking and other powers for the Department of Revenue. Incorporates certain provisions of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act. Provides that any person who sells a kratom product in violation of this Act shall be subject to a civil penalty up to $5,000 for the first violation, and up to $10,000 for a second violation. Provides that, for a third violation and each subsequent violation, the person shall be fined a minimum of $10,000, up to a maximum of $20,000, and shall be prohibited from selling kratom products in this State for 3 years. Defines terms. Limits home rule powers. Repeals the Kratom Control Act.

Curtis J. Tarver, IIDemocrat

LOCAL GOVT RECALL ELECTION

Creates the Local Government Elected Official Recall Act. Provides that local officeholders who were elected during a general or consolidated election may be recalled under the Act. Establishes petition requirements for recall elections. Limits home rule powers.

Dan UgasteRepublican

EPA-FILING FEES

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that the filing fees for specified petitions shall be $250 (rather than $75).

Ann M. WilliamsDemocrat

REVENUE-TECH

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

Anthony DeLucaDemocrat

PEN CD-IMRF-FIRE/PARAMEDIC

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that if a full-time firefighter or firefighter/paramedic employed by a city, village, incorporated town, or township that meets certain requirements is not eligible to participate in a retirement fund created under the Downstate Firefighters Article of the Code, then he or she is eligible to participate, as a sheriff's law enforcement employee, under the IMRF Article of the Code. Specifies survivor and occupational disease disability benefits that are available to the qualifying firefighters. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.Democrat

PROP TX-VETERANS

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities and veterans of World War II, provides that, if the veteran has a permanent and total disability rating from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, then the property is exempt from taxation under the Code. Effective immediately.

Daniel DidechDemocrat

WORKERS COMP-PRESUMPTION

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Provides that the rebuttable presumption concerning specified conditions or impairments of health of an employee employed as a firefighter, emergency medical technician, emergency medical technician-intermediate, advanced emergency medical technician, or paramedic is intended to shift the burden of proof to the employing entity and any party attacking the presumption must establish by clear and convincing evidence an independent and non-work related cause for the condition or disability and prove that no aspect of the employment contributed to the condition. Provides that the rebuttable presumption relating to hearing loss cannot be overcome with evidence allegedly showing that the injured employee did not meet specified exposure thresholds.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

PEN CD-DNS FIRE-TIER 2

Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision that reduces the amount of the pension for a Tier 2 firefighter who retires with at least 10 years of creditable service before attaining age 55, provides that the pension of a Tier 2 firefighter who is retiring after attaining age 50 with 20 or more years of creditable service shall not be reduced. Makes a conforming change. Provides that each annual increase for Tier 2 firefighters shall be increased on the January 1 occurring either on or after the attainment of age 55 (instead of age 60) or the first anniversary of the pension start date, whichever is later, and shall be calculated at 3% of the originally granted pension (instead of calculated at the lesser of 3% or one-half the annual unadjusted percentage increase in the consumer price index-u for a 12-month period ending in September preceding each November 1). Provides that the changes shall apply without regard to whether a Tier 2 firefighter is in active service under the Article on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

EMPLOYEE CLASS-IRS GUIDELINES

Amends the Employee Classification Act. Provides that in making a determination of a worker's classification under this Act, the Department of Labor shall consider any guidance provided by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States Department of the Treasury.

Suzanne M. NessDemocrat

POW MIA RECOGNITION DAY

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the Governor shall annually designate by official proclamation the third Friday of September in each year as POW/MIA Recognition Day (rather than the third Friday of September in each year is designated as POW/MIA Recognition Day) to be observed in honor and remembrance of the men and women who, as POWs, have suffered captivity in foreign countries while in active service with the United States armed forces or who, as MIAs, have been recognized as missing in action in a time of war or during a period of hostilities (rather than who were recognized as POWs or MIAs in a time of war or during a period of hostilities). Provides that the Governor shall request, in the Governor's annual designation by official proclamation, that some portion of the third Friday of September be used for solemn contemplation on the plight of members of the United States armed forces who have been held prisoners of war and members of the United States armed forces who have been missing in action and the resolve of families and friends who continue to seek the fullest possible accounting for missing loved ones. Effective immediately.

Emanuel "Chris" WelchDemocrat

ELEC CD-EQUIPMENT/AUDITS

Creates the Illinois Election Integrity Act. Amends the Election Code. Requires that each election authority (i) conduct an election day audit of a random sample of 10% of votes cast and (ii) provide by contract or employment for the performance by one or more independent auditors of post-election parallel tabulations and audits. Provides for the scope of the audits and the resulting reports. Requires that optical scan technology and direct recording electronic voting systems meet certain federal and independent testing standards. Creates a voluntary tax checkoff for the Fund. With respect to early voting, requires that an election authority using only direct recording electronic voting systems have paper ballots available for voters wishing to use them. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Election Integrity Fund as a special fund in the State treasury.

Suzanne M. NessDemocrat

COUNTY ETHICS COMMISSION

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. In provisions requiring governmental entities to adopt ordinances or resolutions regulating specified ethical concerns, provides that a governmental entity may create an ethics commission to satisfy the requirements.

Suzanne M. NessDemocrat

WILDLIFE-OWNERSHIP

Amends the Wildlife Code. In provisions concerning special deer, turkey, and combination hunting licenses, provides that one or more of the following shall constitute evidence of land ownership: a current property tax bill for the property showing that the hunter is the owner of the property; a current income tax return filed with the Department of Revenue by the hunter showing that the hunter is the owner of the property; or a current Conservation Reserve Program credit award from the United States Department of Agriculture, naming the individual hunter as the credit awardee.

Christopher "C.D." DavidsmeyerRepublican

SCH CD-GUN INCIDENT REPORTING

Amends the School Code. Requires all school officials to immediately notify the office of the principal in the event that they: observe any person in possession of a firearm on school grounds; become aware of any person in possession of a firearm on school grounds; or become aware of any threat of gun violence on school grounds. If there is a report filed notifying a local law enforcement agency of any of such event, requires the principal to immediately notify the student's parent or guardian and, in coordination with the local law enforcement agency, to attempt to meet with the student's parent or guardian to ensure the student does not have access to a firearm. Effective immediately.

Christopher "C.D." DavidsmeyerRepublican

REPEAL ILLINOIS TRUST ACT

Repeals the Illinois TRUST Act. Makes corresponding changes in the Illinois Identification Card Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Effective immediately.

Christopher "C.D." DavidsmeyerRepublican

FOID&CCL-EXPIRATION DATE

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that a Firearm Owner's Identification Card shall expire on the cardholder's birthday occurring immediately after the 10-year period from the date of issuance. Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that a concealed carry license shall expire on the licensee's birthday occurring immediately after the 5-year period from the date of issuance.

Christopher "C.D." DavidsmeyerRepublican

ATHLETIC ORG-MILITARY CONFLICT

Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that an association or other entity that has, as one of its purposes, promoting, sponsoring, regulating, or in any manner providing for interscholastic athletics or any form of athletic competition among schools and students within the State shall exempt students who are unable to attend the required number of practices to participate in an interscholastic game, match, or other competition due to activities connected to military service from the practice requirement.

Christopher "C.D." DavidsmeyerRepublican

STATE FACILITIES-RESTORATION

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that each Department shall restore, within 18 months after closure, the site of a facility operated by the Department to its original condition before the facility was built if the facility is closed and no longer is maintained as a facility. Provides that the cost of the restoration of the site shall be paid by the Department that operated the facility.

Christopher "C.D." DavidsmeyerRepublican

PROP TX-TAX DISTRICT SURPLUS

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that no taxing district may hold more than 150% of the previous levy year's property tax collections in cash or cash-equivalent assets. Provides that excess amounts shall be refunded to taxpayers. Effective immediately.

Dan UgasteRepublican

MANUFACTURING-ENERGY-EXEMPTION

Amends the Gas Use Tax Law. Exempts certain business enterprises from taxation under the Act. Amends the Gas Revenue Tax Act. Provides that the definition of "gross receipts" does not include consideration received from certain business enterprises. Amends the Electricity Excise Tax Law. Provides that the tax under the Act is not imposed with respect to any use by the purchaser in the process of manufacturing or assembling tangible personal property for wholesale or for retail sale or lease. Effective immediately.

Dan UgasteRepublican

BOND AUTH-NO ROLLOVER

Amends the Bond Authorization Act. Provides that the authority of a public corporation to levy taxes in connection with the payment of bonds or other evidences of indebtedness ceases upon the maturity date of the bond or other evidence of indebtedness or upon the discharge of the debt, whichever comes first. Effective immediately.

Dan UgasteRepublican

INC TX-FIRST RESPONDER

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit in the amount of $500 for a taxpayer who serves as a full-time police officer, firefighter, or rescue worker during the taxable year. Effective immediately.

Dan UgasteRepublican