Bills & Legislation

THERAPIST ABUSE

Amends the Sexual Exploitation in Psychotherapy, Professional Health Services, and Professional Mental Health Services Act. Changes the long title of the Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Therapist Abuse Prevention and Accountability Act. Provides that a cause of action against a therapist or unlicensed health professional for abuse exists for a client or former client for injury caused by the abuse by the therapist or unlicensed health professional, if the abuse occurred: (1) during the period the client was receiving therapy from the therapist or health services from the unlicensed health professional or (2) within 2 years after the period the client received therapy from the therapist or health services from the unlicensed health professional. Provides that the consent of the client or former client is not a defense to a cause of action under this provision. Provides that a person is deemed incapable of consent when he or she is a person who is in a therapeutic relationship or has been in a therapeutic relationship within the previous 2 years with the therapist. Provides that a therapist must report any observed or suspected therapist abuse to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and to a local law enforcement agency. Provides that failure to report the abuse is subject to the criminal penalties provided in the Criminal Code of 2012 and disciplinary action by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Makes other changes. Defines terms. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to make conforming changes.

Darby A. Hills

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE RATES

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no insurance company that is authorized to do business in the State and that issues policies for personal multiperil property coverage, commonly known as homeowners insurance, shall use premiums collected from policyholders for executive employee compensation and bonuses, including, but not limited to, Chief Executive Officer stock buy-backs; any marketing materials, including, but not limited to, any print, radio, television, electronic, or digital advertisements; costs associated with lobbying; and contributions to State candidates for elected office, federal candidates for elected office, or political committees. Provides that, if an insurer that sells homeowner insurance policies in the State cancels or refuses to renew a policyholder's insurance policy or if, upon renewal, a policyholder's premium will increase by 10% or more, the insurer shall automatically provide a written notice to the policyholder disclosing the causes of any policy cancellation, non-renewal, or premium increase. Sets forth requirements for the content of the required notice. Provides that an insurer shall, within a reasonable time after providing notice to a policyholder, file electronically with the Department of Insurance a copy of the notice and any supporting documentation provided to the policyholder. Provides that, on or before July 1, 2026, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish a homeowners and renters insurance affordability assistance pilot program. Sets forth criteria for participating in the pilot program. Repeals the provisions concerning the pilot program on July 1, 2030.

Laura Fine

UNMASKED FEDERAL ENFORCEMENT

Creates the Unmasked Federal Enforcement Transparency Act. Provides that an officer, agent, employee, or contractor of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, or any other component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security engaged in immigration-related arrests, detentions, or field investigations in Illinois shall not wear a face covering or otherwise intentionally conceal the officer's or agent's face or identity while conducting or participating in an enforcement action in the State. Provides that a temporary face covering may be used only when the supervising officer documents, in writing, an immediate and specific safety threat that cannot be mitigated by other means. Provides that during an enforcement action, a covered federal officer or agent shall display: (1) a clearly visible name or unique identification number; and (2) a clearly visible insignia or marking identifying the officer's federal agency. Provides that use of unmarked uniforms or equipment that obscures agency affiliation is prohibited during public-facing enforcement activity. Provides that no State agency, unit of local government, or law enforcement officer shall materially assist, coordinate with, or provide resources to any enforcement action that violates these provisions. Provides that the Attorney General may receive and investigate complaints of violations of the Act, may issue subpoenas, and may bring a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction. Provides that no employee or contractor of a State or local governmental entity shall be retaliated against for reporting a violation of the Act to the Attorney General. Preempts home rule. Defines terms. Contains a severability provision. Effective immediately.

Willie Preston

ENERGY PRODUCTION ZONES ACT

Creates the Energy Production Zones Act. Defines terms. Provides that a project owner is not required to obtain a permit or any other land use or zoning approval from a local authority for the construction of an electric generation facility if: (1) the Illinois Commerce Commission grants the project owner a certificate under the Public Utilities Act for the construction, the Commission declines jurisdiction over the construction under the Public Utilities Act, or the electric generation facility files notice with the Commission to not use a certificate under the Public Utilities Act; (2) the electric generating facility will be located on a premise of land that is an energy production zone; and (3) the project owner complies with other provisions of the Act. Provides that no later than 270 days before beginning construction, a project owner shall provide notice of the construction to the local authority with planning authority for the premise of land on which the construction will occur. Sets forth requirements for the content of the notice. Provides that, no later than 60 days after a project owner's provision of notice, the project owner shall hold a public hearing in the unit of local government in which the electric generation facility will be located, during which the project owner shall provide information to the public and receive public comment regarding the electric generation facility and the construction of the electric generation facility. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Sue Rezin

HOME UTILITY RELIEF ACT

Creates the Home Utility Relief Act. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create, as soon as practicable, a Home Utility Rebate Program to provide rebates to households that use electricity and that have a median household income between 100% and 500% of the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Provides that eligible households shall receive the rebates as soon as practicable after implementation of the program. Requires the Department to, by rule, establish qualifications for program participation which may include requirements that apply under the Energy Assistance Act and other requirements. Provides that rebates provided under the program shall be funded through appropriations made from the Home Utility Rebate Relief Fund created under the Act. Requires the State Comptroller to direct and the State Treasurer to transfer $500,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Home Utility Rebate Relief Fund to provide rebates to qualifying households for State fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Provides that any funds left over at the end of the second month following the conclusion of payments to households in a fiscal year may be awarded to certain qualifying first-time small business owners as determined by the Department. Requires the Department to adopt emergency rules in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to implement the program. Amends the State Finance Act to include the Home Utility Rebate Relief Fund as a special fund. Effective immediately.

Sally J. Turner

DEPT AGR-WEBSITE

Amends the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish an online portal on the Department's website with links to certain federal and State agencies for the purposes of, among other things, providing assistance to users in navigating regulations, avoiding punitive enforcement actions, collaborating with experts, and obtaining information regarding funding opportunities. Requires the Department of Agriculture, in each year in which the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the United States Department of Agriculture releases its Census of Agriculture, to issue a report to the General Assembly regarding lost Illinois farmland.

Sally J. Turner

FINANCE AUTH-ENERGY STORAGE

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. In provisions regarding clean coal, coal, energy efficiency, PACE, and renewable energy project financing, adds provisions regarding energy storage project financing. Makes changes in provisions concerning project bond authorizations and financing limits. Makes conforming changes to related provisions regarding findings, definitions, creation of reserve funds, powers and duties of the Illinois Finance Authority, criteria for program participation, securitization of bonds issued by the Authority, and other related provisions.

Willie Preston

COUNTIES CD-ENERGY FACILITIES

Amends the Counties Code. Specifies that Grundy County or a municipality with planning jurisdiction may prohibit the siting or establish standards for the development and operation of a commercial wind energy facility, a commercial solar energy facility, or both, on any portion of the Brisbin Road commercial or industrial site under its planning jurisdiction. Defines "municipality with planning jurisdiction" and "Brisbin Road commercial or industrial site". Effective immediately.

Sue Rezin

AUTO INS-NONDRIVING FACTORS

Creates the Nondriving Factors in Insurance Rate-Setting Study Act. Requires the Department of Insurance to conduct a comprehensive study of the use of nondriving factors in the setting of automobile and homeowners insurance premiums in Illinois. By January 1, 2027, requires the Department of Insurance to prepare and submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2028. Effective immediately.

Michael E. Hastings

INS-RATE FAIRNESS & CONS PROT

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates the Insurance Rate Fairness and Consumer Protection Article. Provides that the Article may be cited as the Insurance Rate Fairness and Consumer Protection Law. Provides that rates shall not be excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, as specified. Provides that companies issuing policies within the applicability of the Article shall not incorporate catastrophe or extreme event losses from other states into the development of Illinois rates if fully credible loss experience is available within the State of Illinois. Effective immediately.

Michael E. Hastings

PERS CD-VETERAN PREFERENCE

Amends the Personnel Code. Provides that a veteran is qualified for a preference of 5 points if the veteran served in active service for a total consecutive or non-consecutive period of at least 3 years, including as a member of the Illinois National Guard in service to the State of Illinois and including for training or other purposes. Adds a definition.

Darby A. Hills

CHARLIE KIRK DAY

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Designates the tenth day of September of each year as Charlie Kirk Day.

Neil Anderson

DAY OF HEALING

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the tenth day of October of each year is designated as the Day of Healing and shall be observed throughout the State as a holiday for contemplation of and participation in activities that have a positive impact on the community. Amends the Election Code, the Illinois Procurement Code, the School Code, and the Promissory Note and Bank Holiday Act to include the Day of Healing as a holiday.

Willie Preston

EMERALD CITY TASK FORCE

Creates the Emerald City Task Force Act. Establishes the Emerald City Task Force in the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that the Task Force may consult with the Environmental Protection Agency. Lists the responsibilities of the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Lists the membership of the Task Force. Provides that fines collected under certain provisions of the Insect Pest and Plant Disease Act shall be paid into the Emerald City Fund, a special fund that is created in the State treasury, and, subject to appropriation, may be expended by and for the Emerald City Task Force in the fulfillment of its purposes, the carrying out of its responsibilities, and any other requirements as determined by the Task Force. Allows the Fund to accept donations from individuals, corporations, or other entities, including by means of corporate sponsorship related to the Emerald City Task Force. Provides that Task Force members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose. Grants the Department of Natural Resources rulemaking authority. Declares the purpose of the Act and purposes of the Task Force. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes to the State Finance Act and the Insect Pest and Plant Disease Act.

Adriane Johnson

INSURANCE RATE FAIRNESS

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates the Rates Article. Provides that the Article may be cited as the Insurance Rate Fairness and Consumer Protection Law. Sets forth provisions requiring insurers to receive prior approval for rate changes from the Department of Insurance on and after January 1, 2028. Provides that no insurer shall increase premiums by more than 10% per year for any policyholder without exceptional justification. Requires the Department to conduct market conduct examinations of insurers at least once every 3 years to ensure compliance with the Article. Establishes penalty and enforcement provisions for violations of the Article. Provides that the Department may adopt rules necessary to implement and enforce the requirements of the Article. Effective January 1, 2028.

Michael E. Hastings

INS-RENEWAL PREMIUM INCREASE

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no company shall impose renewal premium increases of more than 10% for policies of fire and extended coverage insurance to which specified provisions apply. In a provision prohibiting a company from making changes in deductibles or coverage for any policy forms applicable to certain lines of business unless the company provides a specified notice, adds delivery by electronic means as a method for providing that notice. Provides that no company may impose renewal premium increases of more than 10% for policies of automobile insurance to which specified provisions apply unless the company mails to the named insured written notice or delivers notice by electronic means of the change in premium or change in deductible or coverage at least 30 days prior to the renewal. Effective January 1, 2028.

Michael E. Hastings

LOCAL MASS TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT

Amends the Local Mass Transit District Act. Provides that the board of trustees of any local mass transit district may: (1) initiate transit-oriented developments and trail-oriented developments; (2) partner with public bodies, private entities, non-profit organizations, or institutions for the purpose of these developments; (3) acquire real property or facilities for the purpose of these developments; (4) own, maintain, design, construct, reconstruct, improve, repair, operate, or lease any facilities for the purpose of these developments; (5) use funds and property of these districts for the purpose of these developments; and (6) borrow money, issue bonds, apply for grants, and enter into lease agreements or intergovernmental agreements for the purpose of these developments.

Christopher Belt

$STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

Appropriates $32,196,800 from the General Revenue Fund to the State Board of Elections for operational expenses, grants, and reimbursements for the 2026 fiscal year. Appropriates $1,000,000 from the Elections Special Projects Fund to the State Board of Elections for operational expenses, grants, and reimbursements. Appropriates $3,511,000 from the Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund to the State Board of Elections for its ordinary and contingent expenses. Appropriates $11,661,100 from the Help Illinois Vote Fund to the State Board of Elections for implementation of the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Effective July 1, 2025.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$STATE TREASURER

Appropriates specified amounts from various funds to the State Treasurer for specified purposes. Effective July 1, 2025.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT AGENCIES

Appropriates from the General Revenue Fund to the Legislative Support Agencies for FY26 ordinary and contingent expenses.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$ATTORNEY GENERAL

AN ACT making appropriations to the Office of the Attorney General for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. Effective July 1, 2025.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$ JUDICIAL INQUIRY BOARD

Appropriates $847,900 from the General Revenue Fund to the Judicial Inquiry Board for its ordinary and contingent expenses.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$STATE COMPTROLLER

Makes various Fiscal Years 2026 appropriations to the Office of the State Comptroller. Effective July 1, 2025.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$SUPREME COURT-EXPENSES

Appropriates $628,298,600 to the Supreme Court for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the judicial system and various judicial programs. Effective July 1, 2025.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$SECRETARY OF STATE-FY26

Makes appropriations from various funds to the Office of the Secretary of State for its ordinary and contingent expenses in State fiscal year 2026. Effective July 1, 2025.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$OFFICE PRETRIAL SERVICES

Appropriates $60,549,700 from the General Revenue Fund to the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services for operational expenses, awards, grant, permanent improvements, and pretrial services reimbursements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. Makes other appropriations to the Office. Effective July 1, 2025.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

FINANCE-FUND TRANSFERS

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides for the transfer of certain moneys into the Audit Expense Fund. Effective immediately

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$COURTS COMMISSION-OCE

Appropriates $400,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Courts Commission for its ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2025.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$SUPREME COURT

Appropriates $4,500,000 from the Supreme Court Historic Preservation Fund to the Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission for Historic Preservation purposes. Appropriates $900,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission for deposit into the Supreme Court Historic Preservation Fund. Effective July 1, 2025.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$FY26 CAP

Makes appropriations and reappropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. Effective immediately.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$FY26 MI

Appropriations and Reappropriations for capital projects for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. Effective Immediately.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$STATE'S ATT APPELLATE PROSEC

Appropriates $36,365,100 to the Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor for its ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2025.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$DEPT AGR-ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN

Appropriates $2,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Agriculture to be used as a grant to an Illinois higher education institution's integrated bioprocessing research laboratory for the expansion of alternative protein research. Effective immediately.

Mattie Hunter

$AGING-FAMILY CAREGIVER

Appropriates $6,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department on Aging for distribution to Area Agencies on Aging for services provided under the Family Caregiver Act. Effective July 1, 2025.

Kimberly A. Lightford

$DECO-OFFICE OF TOURISM

Makes supplemental appropriations to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Effective July 1, 2025.

Sara Feigenholtz

DEPT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY

Creates the Department of Government Efficiency Act. Provides that the Department of Government Efficiency is created to oversee, audit, and recommend improvements to all State agencies' operations, budgets, and practices. Sets forth the membership and powers and duties of the Department, including the power to conduct mandatory annual audits in all State agencies, review and recommend repealing programs or expenditures that prioritize ideology over taxpayer benefits, establish clear key performance indicators for every State agency, consolidate overlapping programs and services, and implement technological solutions to improve transparency and streamline operations. Requires all State agencies to submit initial efficiency plans to the Department of Government Efficiency within 12 months after the Department's establishment. Sets forth provisions concerning findings of the General Assembly, the mission of the Department, implementation of the Act, and reporting. Effective immediately.

Andrew S. Chesney

$ILLINOIS POWER AGENCY

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Illinois Power Agency for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$AUDITOR GENERAL-OCE

Appropriates the sum of $8,620,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Auditor General to meet the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Office of the Auditor General. Appropriates $35,592,488 to the Auditor General from the Audit Expense Fund for administrative and operations expenses and audits, studies, investigations, and expenses related to actuarial services. Effective July 1, 2025.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$DNR-RIVER STUDY

Appropriates $1,500,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Natural Resources for a comprehensive study of the Kaskaskia River watershed in coordination with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Effective July 1, 2025.

Chapin Rose

VEH CD-SCHOOL-ACTIVITY BUS USE

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a multifunction school-activity bus may additionally be used for transportation to a college, university, student job site developed through a partnership with the school, a college or career fair, or an experience that the school determines will contribute to a student's college or career readiness. Amends the School Code to make conforming changes and to provide that a student in any of grades 7 through 12 (instead of grades 9 through 12) may be transported in a multifunction school-activity bus for specified purposes.

Laura M. Murphy

$DHS-2-1-1 SERVICES

Appropriates $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for Statewide 211. Effective July 1, 2025.

Doris Turner

$AG-CROP INS REB INIT

Appropriates $6,100,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Agriculture for costs associated with the Crop Insurance Rebate Initiative to provide incentives for at least 1,000,000 acres of eligible land. Effective July 1, 2025.

Laura Ellman

JOINT & SEVERAL TORT LIABILITY

Amends and reenacts provisions of the Civil Practice Article of the Code of Civil Procedure concerning actions on account of bodily injury or death or physical damage to property based on negligence or product liability based on strict tort liability. Provides that the court shall not instruct the jury of the consequence of any findings of fault of any plaintiff or defendant under specified provisions of the Code. Deletes language providing that the court shall instruct the jury in writing that the defendant shall be found not liable if the jury finds that the contributory fault of the plaintiff is more than 50% of the proximate cause of the injury or damage for which recovery is sought. In the Section concerning joint liability, deletes language providing that: any defendant whose fault is less than 25% of the total fault attributable to the plaintiff, the defendants sued by the plaintiff, and any third party defendant except the plaintiff's employer, is severally liable for non-medical damages; and any defendant whose fault is 25% or greater of the total fault attributable to the plaintiff, the defendants sued by the plaintiff, and any third party defendants except the plaintiff's employer, is jointly and severally liable for non-medical damages. Adds language providing that: any defendant whose fault is less than 25% of the proximate cause of the injury or damage for which recovery is sought by the plaintiff is severally liable for non-medical damages; and any defendant whose fault is 25% or greater of the proximate cause of the injury or damage for which recovery is sought by the plaintiff is jointly and severally liable for non-medical damages. Contains applicability provisions.

Jil Tracy

PUNITIVE DAMAGES-LEGAL MALPRAC

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that the prohibition on the recovery of punitive damages in a legal malpractice action includes damages sought as compensatory damages which were assessed against the legal malpractice plaintiff or failed to be obtained by the legal malpractice plaintiff.

Jil Tracy

$LEARN9-FACILITY RENOVATION

Appropriates $5,000,000 to the LEARN 9 Campus Waukegan for facility renovation. Effective July 1, 2025.

Adriane Johnson

$AG-WRB PRGM

Appropriates $2,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Office of the Attornery General for ordinary and contingent expenses and operational porgrams of the Workplace Rights Bureau. Effective July 1, 2025.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$DNR-DUCKS UNLIMITED

Appropriates $2,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Natural Resources for grants to Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to fund wetland protection, enhancement, and restoration projects in the State of Illinois, to fund education and outreach for media, volunteers, members, and the general public regarding waterfowl and wetlands conservation in the State of Illinois, and to cover reasonable cost for Ducks Unlimited plate advertising and administration of the wetland conservation projects and education program.

Patrick J. Joyce

$STATE APPELLATE DEFENDER

Appropriates $38,275,200 from the General Revenue Fund to the Office of the State Appellate Defender for its ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2025.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

$DHS GRANT-IL PRISON PROJECT

Appropriates $2,000,000 to the Department of Human Services for a grant to the Illinois Prison Project for the purposes of legal support, representation, and education for incarcerated persons in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Effective July 1, 2025.

Willie Preston

$DHS-CHICAGO SURVIVORS

Appropriates $4,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for a grant to Chicago Survivors for family and community services. Effective immediately.

Robert Peters