Bills & Legislation

PUBLIC EXPRESSION PROTECTION

Creates the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act. Applies the Act to a civil cause of action, including an action in federal court under its supplemental or diversity jurisdiction, against a person based on the person's: (i) communication in a legislative, executive, judicial, administrative, or other governmental proceeding; (ii) communication on an issue under consideration or review in any of these proceedings; or (iii) exercise of a right guaranteed by the United States Constitution or the Illinois Constitution on a matter of public concern. Provides that the Act does not apply to a cause of action asserted: (i) against a governmental unit or an employee or agent of a governmental unit acting or purporting to act in an official capacity; (ii) by a governmental unit or an employee or agent of a governmental unit acting in an official capacity to enforce a law to protect against an imminent threat to public health or safety; or (iii) against a person primarily engaged in the business of selling or leasing goods or services if the cause of action arises out of a communication related to the person's sale or lease of the goods or services. Creates a procedure for a special motion for expedited relief for a party being sued for issues covered by the Act to dismiss or strike the action in whole or in part within 60 days of being sued. Requires the court to rule on a special motion for expedited relief within 60 days after a hearing, and the court must conduct a hearing not later than 60 days after the filing of such a motion unless it continues it for discovery under the Act or for other good cause. Makes other changes. Makes a conforming change in the Citizen Participation Act. Effective immediately.

Daniel Didech

LIQUOR-DIRECT SHIPPING

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Uniform Alcohol Direct-Shipping Compliance Act. Provides for the registration of third-party providers that ship wine to residents of this State on behalf of winery shippers. With regard to third-party providers, sets forth provisions concerning registration applications; recordkeeping; reporting; and suspending, revoking, or refusing to issue or renew a registration. Provides that a carrier may not deliver to a consumer a package known by the carrier to contain wine unless the consignor is a licensed winery shipper or registered third-party provider and the carrier has verified that license or registration for the current license period. Requires winery shippers, third-party providers, and carriers to file with the Illinois Liquor Control Commission a monthly report containing specified information concerning wine shipments. Provides that the State Commission may suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew a license to manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic liquor issued by the State Commission if the State Commission finds, after notice and an opportunity for an evidentiary hearing, that the person holding the license has shipped alcoholic liquor into another state in violation of that state's law. Makes other changes. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to make a conforming change. Effective January 1, 2027.

Daniel Didech

EMPLOYMENT-TECH

Amends the Collective Bargaining Freedom Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Jay Hoffman

TWSHP CD-SERVICE ON SCHOOL BD

Amends the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act. Authorizes a supervisor or trustee of a township with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants, during the term of office for which the supervisor or trustee is elected, to hold the office of school board member for a school district. Amends the Township Code. Provides that a township board may not direct a distribution to be made from the township's general fund to a school district if a supervisor or trustee of the township is concurrently serving as a school board member of that school district. Effective immediately.

Gregg Johnson

THERAPEUTIC RECREATION PROGRAM

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, to submit the necessary application to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to amend the State's home and community-based services waiver programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities to provide coverage under the Home-Based Services Program for any therapeutic recreation programs offered by park districts, health clubs, and community colleges.

MUNICIPALITIES-AUDITS

Amends the Illinois Municipal Auditing Law of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that certain provisions concerning audit requirements shall become inoperable in fiscal year 2026. Provides that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, if a municipality has a population of 1,000 or more, then the municipality shall file annually with the Comptroller an audit report and annual financial report. Provides that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, a municipality with a population of less than 1,000 shall file annually with the Comptroller an annual financial report. Provides that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, a municipality with a population of less than 1,000 that owns or operates public utilities or has bonded debt shall file an audit report once every 4 years unless the latest audit report filed with the Comptroller contains an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion. Provides that, if the audit report contains an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, then the municipality shall file an audit report annually until the audit report shows no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion. Provides that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, municipalities shall submit completed audit reports and annual financial reports within 180 days after the close of such fiscal year, unless an extension is granted by the Comptroller in writing.

PROPERTY-GENDER NEUTRAL

Amends the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act, the Conveyances Act, the Joint Tenancy Act, and the Rights of Married Persons Act. Inserts gender neutral descriptions showing marital status.

CHICAGO MAYOR RECALL ELECTION

Amends the Revised Cities and Villages Act of 1941. Establishes a procedure for a special recall election to recall the Mayor of Chicago and the election of a successor mayor at a special successor election or special runoff election. Effective immediately.

La Shawn K. Ford

INS CD-MENTAL HEALTH PARITY

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Establishes reimbursement rates for mental health and substance use disorder treatment services for all group or individual policies of accident and health insurance or managed care plans that are amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 or for any contracted third party administering the behavioral health benefits for the insurer. Requires a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026 or any contracted third party administering the behavioral health benefits for the insurer to cover certain medically necessary mental health and substance use disorder treatment services. Provides that, if the Department of Insurance determines that an insurer or a contracted third party administering the behavioral health benefits for the insurer has violated a provision concerning mental health and substance use parity, the Department shall by order assess a civil penalty of $1,000 for each violation. Excludes certain health care plans serving Medicaid populations who are enrolled under the Illinois Public Aid Code or under the Children's Health Insurance Program Act from provisions concerning mental health and substance use parity. Requires the Department to review the impact of the proposed mental health and substance abuse mandate on network adequacy for mental health and substance use disorder treatment and access to affordable mental health and substance use care. Permits the Department to examine out-of-network utilization and out-of-pocket costs for insureds for mental health and substance use treatment and services for all plans to compare with in-network utilization. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, and the School Code to require coverage under those provisions. Effective immediately.

LIQUOR-FROZEN DESSERTS

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that "alcoholic liquor" does not include frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor. Provides that "frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor" means ice cream or other frozen desserts that are made with liquor, wine, beer, cider, or any combination thereof and that contain more than 0.5% but not more than 5% of alcohol by volume. Provides that no person shall sell a package of frozen desserts that contains more than 5% alcohol by volume. Provides that no person shall sell, give, or deliver frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor to a person under the age of 21. Provides that a person under the age of 21 may not purchase, possess, or consume frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor. Provides that no person shall sell a package of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor for consumption off the premises or for consumption on the premises unless it contains specified notices and warnings. Provides that no manufacturer or distributor of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor shall sell the product to a person intending to sell at retail individual servings of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor or packages of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor for consumption off the premises, unless, with each shipment, the manufacturer or distributor provides a written notice that frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor may be sold at retail only if the retailer complies with specified requirements and provides a written copy of those requirements. Provides that frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor are subject to all applicable food safety laws, rules, standards, and requirements, including, but not limited to, the provisions of the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to make a conforming change.

Katie Stuart

SCH CD-SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAN

Amends the School Code. Provides that, after January 1, 2027, a school district may not procure disposable food service containers that are composed in whole or in part from polystyrene foam for use at any school and instead shall offer only compostable foodware or recyclable foodware for use at the school. Provides that, after January 1, 2028 or at the renewal of its next contract, whichever occurs later, no vendor contracted through a school district may provide a school with disposable food service containers that are composed in whole or in part from polystyrene foam at any site owned or leased by the school district and instead shall offer only compostable foodware or recyclable foodware for use at sites owned or leased by the school district.

Terra Costa Howard

DOC&DJJ-TRANSFER REQUEST

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a committed person may make a request to be transferred to another institution or facility every 6 months. Provides that a committed person, or the committed person's parent or guardian, may make a request to be transferred to another institution or facility of the Department of Juvenile Justice at any time.

RECYCLING-BEVERAGE CONTAINER

Creates the Illinois Container Fee and Deposit Act. Provides for a deposit value of 10 cents to be paid by consumers on each beverage container sold in the State by a dealer for consumption. Provides that, upon the return to a dealer or person operating a redemption center, the dealer or redemption center shall pay the value of the deposit back to the consumer as a refund. Sets forth requirements for administration of the program. Provides certain exemptions to the program. Requires that the refund value be clearly indicated on all beverage containers sold in the State. Provides for the Environmental Protection Agency to certify redemption centers. Prohibits snap-top beverage containers. Provides that persons violating the Act shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. Prohibits the manufacture of certain beverage containers. Prohibits the disposal of beverage containers at sanitary landfills. Provides that deposits not passed on to the consumer through bottle redemption shall be distributed as follows: 75% to the Agency for environmental and conservation-related programs and 25% to each distributor in proportion to the number of beverage containers sold by each distributor in the State. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois Container Fee and Deposit Fund. Effective immediately.

Maurice A. West, II

PREVAILING WAGE-PUBLIC WORKS

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Makes formatting changes to the definition of "public works".

Jay Hoffman

PROP TAX-CHARITABLE REHAB

Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section regarding property tax exemptions for charitable purposes, provides that property held by a charitable organization for the purpose of constructing or rehabilitating residences for eventual transfer to qualified low-income families through sale, lease, or contract for deed is exempt from property tax as a charitable purpose. Provides that the exemption commences on the day title to the property is transferred to the organization and continues to the end of the levy year in which the organization transfers title to the property to a qualified low-income family. Effective immediately.

Maurice A. West, II

PROP TX-SENIOR FREEZE

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable years 2026 and thereafter, the maximum income limitation for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption is $85,000 for all qualified property. Effective immediately.

Jed Davis

INC TX-NEW BUSINESSES

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction for 100% of the income of a qualified new business. Provides that the term "qualified new business' means a business that has its principal place of business in the State and first begins operating in the State during the taxable year. Effective immediately.

Jed Davis

CRIM CD-THEFT-LABOR-SERVICES

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. In the offense of theft of labor or services or use of property, provides that the notification of failure to return the vehicle, equipment, or other personal property may be made through electronic means, including email, text, or email and text. Provides that if the notification is made by electronic means, the return must be made within 24 hours after notification. Provides that the offense includes placing the vehicle, equipment, or any other personal property for sale during the rental period or thereafter. Provides that the court may order that a person convicted of the offense to reimburse the victims or the victims' representatives for court filing costs, attorney's fees, and such other related costs.

Jed Davis

CD CORR-VOLUNTEER SERVICES

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that as soon as possible after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Corrections shall amend applicable administrative rules and policies in respect to restriction or termination of volunteer services to provide the following: (1) the Department shall provide the volunteer individual or group the reasons in specific detail in writing for any disapproval, restriction, or termination of volunteer services within 30 days of the action; (2) notices of the disapproval, restriction, or termination of volunteer services shall include detailed information and instruction on the process to appeal any disapproval, restriction, or termination; and (3) the individual or group shall have 90 days to appeal any action of disapproval, restriction, or termination of volunteer service. Effective immediately.

Jed Davis

CD CORR-REHAB&ED PROGRAMS

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that on and after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Corrections shall make available to each person within the Department's custody all rehabilitative and educational programs and services available to committed persons within that committed person's facility if the committed person is otherwise qualified for those programs and services, notwithstanding the committed person's projected release date. Effective immediately.

Jed Davis

SCH CD-CHILD PLACEMENT

Amends the Children With Disabilities Article of the School Code. Allows parents or guardians to use audio recording devices during meetings with their child's individualized education program team regarding the child's placement or progress in an individualized education program. Effective immediately.

Jed Davis

FIREFIGHTER-AGE RESTRICTION

Amends the Municipal Code and the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that no person under the age of 18 (rather than 21) shall be eligible for employment as a firefighter.

Jed Davis

PROP TAX-HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, provides that the term "household" does not include an exempt family member who uses the residence as his or her principal place of residence for less than 12 months during the taxable year and that the term "household income" does not include the income of an exempt family member if the exempt family member used the residence as his or her principal place of residence for less than 12 months during the calendar year preceding the taxable year. Provides that the term "exempt family member" means the applicant's son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter and the spouse of the applicant's son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter. Effective immediately.

Jed Davis

HEALTH CARE-ACCESS TO RECORDS

Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Creates the right of each patient to request access to and be provided with an electronic record of the patient's health information free of charge. Provides that, if a request pursuant to this right is made by a patient or the patient's representative and the records are readily producible in an electronic format, the health care provider shall provide the patient or the patient's representative with access to the requested records in an electronic format.

Jed Davis

URBAN PROBLEMS-TECH

Amends the Urban Community Conservation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Emanuel "Chris" Welch

MILITARY SERVICE-TECH

Amends the Veterans' Employment Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Emanuel "Chris" Welch

MILITARY SERVICE-TECH

Amends the War on Terrorism Compensation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Emanuel "Chris" Welch

MILITARY SERVICE-TECH

Amends the Military Veterans Assistance Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Emanuel "Chris" Welch

MILITARY SERVICE-TECH

Amends the Veteran Service Organizations State Charter Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Emanuel "Chris" Welch

MILITARY SERVICE-TECH

Amends the Veterans Preference in Private Employment Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Emanuel "Chris" Welch

MILITARY SERVICE-TECH

Amends the Service Member Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Emanuel "Chris" Welch

MILITARY SERVICE-TECH

Amends the Illinois Service Member Civil Relief Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Emanuel "Chris" Welch

MILITARY SERVICE-TECH

Amends the Housing for Veterans with Disabilities Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Emanuel "Chris" Welch

MILITARY SERVICE-TECH

Amends the Viet Nam Veterans Compensation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Emanuel "Chris" Welch

MILITARY SERVICE-TECH

Amends the Veterans' Employment Representative Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Emanuel "Chris" Welch

WAREHOUSES-TECH

Amends the Grain Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the purpose of the Code.

Emanuel "Chris" Welch

WAREHOUSES-TECH

Amends the Grain Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the purpose of the Code.

Emanuel "Chris" Welch

WILDLIFE-TECH

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

Emanuel "Chris" Welch

WILDLIFE-TECH

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

Emanuel "Chris" Welch

DHFS-PERSONAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish and administer a Seniors Deserve Dignity Program that provides monthly supplemental personal needs payments to persons residing in supportive living facilities who receive medical assistance and a personal needs allowance as specified in the Illinois Administrative Code. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2025, a qualifying person shall receive a monthly supplemental personal needs payment in the amount of $30 so that the person's total monthly personal needs allowance is no less than $120. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026, a qualifying person shall receive a monthly supplemental personal needs payment in the amount of $60 so that the person's total monthly personal needs allowance is no less than $150. Requires a qualifying person's monthly supplemental personal needs payment amount to be adjusted for inflation beginning July 1, 2027 and every July 1 thereafter. Provides that the monthly supplemental personal needs payments shall not be considered income for purposes of determining eligibility or the amount of assistance for any public aid benefit provided under State law. Grants the Department rulemaking authority. Effective July 1, 2025.

John M. Cabello

POWER AGENCY-AGGREGATION

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Removes language allowing the corporate authorities, township board, or county board to operate the aggregation program as an opt-out program for residential and small commercial retail customers.

John M. Cabello

INS-PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a pharmacy benefit manager or an affiliate acting on the pharmacy benefit manager's behalf is prohibited from steering a covered individual. Defines "steer". Effective July 1, 2025.

John M. Cabello

LIQUOR-DRINKING AGE W/ PARENT

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Changes the age at which a person may possess and consume alcoholic liquor to the age of 18 (instead of 21) so long as a parent or guardian is present, including at licensed establishments. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Video Gaming Act and the Innkeeper Protection Act to make conforming changes.

John M. Cabello

UTIL-RATES/CHARGES-JOB LOSSES

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission, in any determination of rates or charges that differs from any rates or charges proposed by the utility, shall make a separate finding of the expected job losses, if any, that would occur due to the Commission's finding.

John M. Cabello

PARK DIST CD-RESCUE TRAPPING

Amends the Park District Code. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a park district police officer, code enforcement officer, or any official or employee of a park district with the authority to issue citations may not ticket an individual or group or arrest an individual for setting live traps to capture animals with the intention of rescuing those animals. Effective immediately.

John M. Cabello

POLICE BASIC TRAINING SCHEDULE

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall adopt rules to establish an annual basic training program schedule that provides for the monthly enrollment of recruits into basic training schools. Effective immediately.

John M. Cabello

FINANCE-CANNABIS PROCEEDS

Amends the State Finance Act. Increases the percentage of moneys that are transferred from the Cannabis Regulation Fund to the Local Government Distributive Fund. Provides that moneys allocated to counties under those provisions shall be directed to a fund under the control of the Sheriff. Effective July 1, 2025.

John M. Cabello

LOCAL CLOSED-DOOR TAX INCREASE

Creates the Prohibition of Closed-Door Tax Increases Act. Provides that a unit of local government may not increase a levied tax without authorization by referendum of the electors of the unit of local government. Provides that a referendum to increase a levied tax must include a sunset clause on which the tax increase authorized by the referendum measure shall expire. Provides that, if an increase in a levied tax is intended to generate a cash flow to service a debt, the increase must sunset no later than the date that the debt is scheduled to be paid off, and, if an increase in a levied tax is intended to generate a cash flow that will be spent for purposes other than debt service, the increase must sunset no later than 10 years after the date on which the tax increase begins. Provides that, to the extent the Act conflicts with any other provision of law, the Act controls. Provides that nothing in the Act infringes upon the right of a unit of local government to impose or increase nontax fines or fees. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall adopt rules to enforce the Act. Limits concurrent exercise of home rule taxing powers.

John M. Cabello