Bills & Legislation

INS CD-COST SHARING RESTRICT

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In a provision requiring policies of group accident and health insurance to provide coverage for certain examination and testing services provided to a victim of specified criminal offenses, prohibits the policy from imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement on the coverage provided, except to the extent that the coverage would disqualify a high-deductible health plan from eligibility for a health savings account under the Internal Revenue Code. Effective January 1, 2026.

MUNI CD-ZONING-VOTING

Amends the Zoning Division of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that all municipal executives, including mayors, village presidents, and chief executive officers, shall have the right to vote in all council or board decisions affecting the zoning of the municipality. In certain provisions concerning voting on zoning regulations, provides that adopting or changing a zoning ordinance requires the approval of a simple majority (rather than a two thirds majority) of the municipal executives, alderpersons, trustees, or board members.

REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN CHICAGO

Creates the Chicago Downtown Revitalization Task Force Act. Includes legislative findings. Creates the Chicago Downtown Revitalization Task Force. Includes provisions on Task Force membership, meetings, compensation, and administrative support. Requires the Task Force to (1) conduct an analysis of all taxes and economic incentives, monetary or otherwise, that impact downtown Chicago, including analyzing all taxes and incentives levied or administered directly by the State of Illinois as well as those authorized by State law but are implemented by units of local government, including the City of Chicago; (2) research and review trends impacting downtown Chicago, including, but not limited to, population growth, office occupancy rates, commercial office vacancy and valuation figures, retail sales, restaurant sales, hotel occupancy rates, and cultural event attendance; (3) examine national best practices in the area of post-pandemic revitalization of large urban centers and consider the applicability of such policies to downtown Chicago; (4) assess existing and potential industry clusters based on current and anticipated trends to consider policy solutions that may optimize the marketability and overall appeal of downtown Chicago to potential growth sectors; and (5) make recommendations regarding changes to existing policy or the implementation of new policies to enhance economic activity in and increase the overall vitality of downtown Chicago. Requires the Task Force to submit a report no later than 12 months after the effective date of the Act and periodically thereafter. Dissolves the Task Force 5 years after the effective date of the Act. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2032.

PERS CD-VA APPOINTMENTS

Amends the Personnel Code. Provides that certain provisions related to probationary separation, term appointments, and veterans hospital visits are subject to Jurisdiction B. Changes references to veterans hospital visits to references to veterans medical appointments. Provides that an employee who is also a veteran shall be permitted 4 days per year to receive medical care authorized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, at any type of health care provider or health care facility (rather than permitted 4 days per year to visit a veterans hospital or clinic), for examination or treatment (rather than for examination) of a military service-connected condition (rather than service-connected disability).

MUNI CD-COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the corporate authorities of a municipality may license and regulate all commercial operations within the municipality's boundaries, whether for profit or not for profit, but may not impose any tax upon its operations except as otherwise authorized by law.

HEROES WAY SIGN-VSO APPLICATON

Amends the Heroes Way Designation Program Act. Permits any federally chartered or state-chartered veterans service organization to apply for designation of an honorary road sign for any member of the United States Armed Forces who was killed in action, if no eligible family member is available to apply for designation of an honorary road sign.

VICTIM CENTERED APPROACH ACT

Creates the Victim Centered Approach Pilot Program Act. Provides that the Lake County State's Attorney shall develop a program to represent noncitizen victims of violent crimes in the filing of victim remedies before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Office administrative body. Provides that the Lake County State's Attorney shall use any funding provided to the pilot program to represent or give counsel to 50 noncitizen victims annually for the next 5 years who were victimized by violent crimes in Lake County. Provides that the to be eligible for assistance under the program, an individual must: (1) be a noncitizen victim, who has never been placed in removal proceedings; (2) have suffered a violent crime in Lake County; and (3) not be barred from the immigration remedies before the administrative body. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, in counties with a population of more than 500,000, a State's Attorney may act, without fee or appointment, as an attorney to a noncitizen victim in an immigration case only if the noncitizen victim was victimized within the county the State's Attorney serves and is located within the geographic boundaries of the county served by the State's Attorney.

LIBRARY SYSTEMS-STATE GRANTS

Amends the Illinois Library System Act. In provisions concerning State grants, provides that the grants shall include, among other things, planning and construction grants to library systems and public libraries that are members of a library system (rather than planning and construction grants to public libraries and library systems) and grants to improve or enhance security of libraries.

VEH CD-DRIVING PRIVILEGES

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows a person to request an informal hearing regarding a suspension, revocation, or denial of the issuance of a license, permit, registration, or certificate of title at a Secretary of State driver services facility. Provides that if a person is convicted of a specified offense and the use of alcohol or other drugs is stated as an element of the offense, the Secretary may issue to the person a restricted driving permit granting the privilege of driving a motor vehicle 6 days per week, 12 hours per day within a 200-mile radius of the person's residence for any legal purpose. In provisions regarding the mandatory revocation of a license or permit, the discretionary authority to suspend or revoke a license or permit, and the period of suspension, provides that some convictions may be based on a similar out-of-state offense or similar offense committed on a military installation. Allows the Secretary to grant an employment exception to the prohibition against driving a vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock device if the person is operating an occupational vehicle owned or leased by that person's employer when used solely for employment purposes. Makes other and conforming changes.

HLTH CARE PROVIDER WORKFORCE

Amends the Underserved Health Care Provider Workforce Act. Changes the definition of "designated shortage area" to mean an area designated as a medically underserved area or a health professional shortage area (rather than a physician shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a critical health manpower shortage area). Changes the term "eligible medical student" to "eligible student", and includes in the definition of that term a person who is studying optometry in an optometry college or institution located in Illinois and that a person may agree to practice full-time in a designated shortage area as an optometrist or anesthesiologist one year for each year he or she is a scholarship recipient. Includes a rural health center, a federally qualified health center, a federally qualified health center look alike, and an optometric office in the definition of "medical facility". Includes an optometrist in the definition of "eligible health care provider". Includes an obstetrician or gynecologist in the definition of "primary care physician". Includes loan repayment recipients in a provision regarding scholarship recipients who fail to fulfill specified obligations, and provides that the amounts paid by these scholarship or loan repayment recipients shall be deposited into the fund where the payment originated from (rather than the Community Health Center Care Fund). Repeals a different provision defining "primary care physician". Effective January 1, 2026.

EDUC-SCHOOL LIBRARY TASK FORCE

Amends the School Code. Requires the Illinois State Board of Education to create the Licensed School Librarian Task Force, which shall meet a minimum of 4 times and shall submit, no later than 12 months after the first convening of the Task Force, a final report to the Governor and the General Assembly containing recommendations, including, but not limited to, recommendations for how to ensure Illinois public elementary and secondary schools consider, budget appropriate resources for, and employ licensed school librarians in future academic years from available State and local resources. Effective immediately.

SCH CD/SOPPA-COVERED INFO

Amends the School Code. Provides that the vendor of an assessment administered by the State Board of Education for the purpose of student application to or admissions consideration by institutions of higher education under a contract entered into, amended, renewed, or extended on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act must not sell or commercially exploit in any way covered information, as defined in the Student Online Personal Protection Act, that the vendor has access to because of its status as the vendor. Amends the Student Online Personal Protection Act. Provides that any person aggrieved by an operator's violation of the Act shall have a right of action in a State circuit court or as a supplemental claim in federal district court against the operator.

MILITARY JUSTICE-OFFENSES

Amends the Illinois Code of Military Justice. In the definition of "military offenses", updates the proper names of the listed offenses. Makes a corresponding change to a substantive provision concerning the offense of conduct unbecoming an officer. Effective immediately.

INS-PRIOR AUTH HIV DRUG ACCESS

Amends the Prior Authorization Reform Act and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that a health insurance issuer, the fee-for-service medical assistance program, and a Medicaid managed care organization may not require prior authorization for the following prescription drug types and their therapeutic equivalents approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration: human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis medication or human immunodeficiency virus treatment medication. Effective January 1, 2027.

SUPP HOUSING PROJECT APPEALS

Amends the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeals Act. Permits the following persons to appeal a municipality's denial of a proposed supportive housing project, including a project to develop a permanent supportive housing apartment building or community integrated-living arrangement, for low-income persons with disabilities: (1) the affordable housing developer of the proposed project; (2) a person who would be eligible to apply for residency in the proposed project; and (3) the community group or supportive housing advocacy group advocating for the proposed project. Provides that if a municipality fails to respond to an appeal within 60 days of its receipt, the State Housing Appeals Board (Board) shall automatically reverse the municipality's decision to deny the proposed supportive housing project. Provides that if the municipality timely responds to the appeal, it must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the proposed supportive housing project would be detrimental to the fair operation and interest of the municipality or would place an unreasonable and disproportionate financial burden on the municipality or on municipal services. Requires the Board to reverse the municipality's decision to deny the proposed supportive housing project if the Board determines that the municipality has not met this burden.

LOCAL GOVT-ADMIN ADJUDICATIONS

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Limits home rule powers in provisions allowing a county or municipality to provide by ordinance for a system of administrative adjudication for ordinance or code violations.

VEH CD-SPEED CAMERA REVENUE

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Establishes that a municipality that operates an automated speed enforcement system shall set aside 10% of the net proceeds from each system that generates more than $500,000 in revenue for the respective school district or park district in the safety zone in which the automated speed enforcement system is located. Provides that the set aside proceeds may be allocated for any purpose designated by the school district or park district. Set forth home rule provisions.

HIGHER ED-INCARCERATED STUDENT

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Removes a provision specifically excluding academic programs for incarcerated students from the definition of "institution of higher learning", "qualified institution", and "institution". In provisions concerning the AIM HIGH Grant Program, removes the grant eligibility requirement that an applicant not be incarcerated.

FIREFIGHTER PAID FAMILY LEAVE

Creates the Firefighter Paid Family Leave Act. Provides that a firefighter shall receive 6 weeks of paid family leave that may be used: (1) for the birth of a child in order to care for the child; (2) to care for a newly adopted child under 18 years of age, a newly placed foster child under 18 years of age, or a newly adopted or placed foster child older than 18 years of age if the child is incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability; and (3) to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Provides that an employer shall compensate a firefighter granted leave under the Act at the firefighter's regular rate of pay, paid at the same interval the firefighter was paid while working, for those regular work hours during which the firefighter is absent from work. Sets forth provisions concerning employment protection and maintenance of benefits; prohibited acts, limitations of the Act; waiver of leave under the Act; and collective bargaining agreements. Limits home rule. Provides that the Department of Labor may adopt any rules necessary to implement the Act. Effective immediately.

MARRIAGE LICENSE VIDEO APPEAR

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Requires county clerks to establish a process within 6 months or sooner after the effective date of the amendatory Act to allow a party or parties to appear by using an electronic communication device to participate in any video conferencing application in which the party or parties may be seen and heard by the county clerk in real time.

MEDICAID-MATERNAL HLTH-DOULAS

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires hospitals and birthing centers to adopt and maintain written policies and procedures authorizing a patient enrolled in the medical assistance program to select an Illinois Medicaid certified and enrolled doula of the patient's choice to accompany the patient within the facility's premises for the purposes of providing support before, during, and after labor and childbirth, and during the patient's entire postpartum stay. Provides that the doula shall be considered part of the patient's care team and shall not be counted as a support person or against any guest quota. Requires hospitals and birthing centers to provide a written copy of their policies and procedures to maternity patients, the facilities' maternity health care providers, and any other person at the patient's request. Requires publication of the written policies on each facility's website. Contains provisions concerning hospital and birthing center liaisons and doulas certification acknowledgment requirements. Permits the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department of Public Health to establish standing recommendations to meet Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requirements and ensure access to preventive services, including Medicaid-covered maternal and reproductive health supports and services.

TELE SOLICITATION-AUTO DIALER

Amends the Telephone Solicitations Act. Provides that no person shall solicit the sale of goods or services in the State through automatic dialing, the use of an auto dialer, or the use of a computer program designed to mimic a human operator, unless the person being contacted has expressly consented to be contacted in this manner. Provides that, if a person has previously consented to be contacted in the manner otherwise prohibited, the consent shall only be valid for a period of one year and the person shall be allowed to withdraw that consent at any time in the same manner that the consent was given. Provides that a person to whom consent has been given shall not sell, give, transfer, or assign that consent to another person. Provides for exemptions to the provision. Provides that any customer who is subject to a violation of the provision may bring an action for damages of $500 per violation, plus costs and reasonable attorney's fees. Makes a change to the definition of "emergency telephone number".

BD HIGHER ED-MEDICAL RESIDENCY

Amends the Comprehensive Healthcare Workforce Planning Act. Requires the State Healthcare Workforce Council to coordinate the State's health workforce education and training to develop a health workforce that meets the State's health care needs. Requires the Council to work with graduate medical education and training programs, health professions, and consumer representatives to address specified issues. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to establish a program to provide: (1) funding for medical residency positions that are not funded by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or other established funding source; (2) technical assistance for entities that wish to establish a residency program; and (3) startup funding for entities that wish to establish a residency program. Sets forth provisions concerning the application process and priority. Requires the Board to establish an application process for an entity seeking funding. Provides that the State Healthcare Workforce Council shall provide information annually to the Board related to workforce shortages to assist in the development of the application and shall be responsible for reviewing applications and making recommendations to the Board regarding funding recipients. Creates the Medical Residency Education Fund to expand graduate medical education opportunities in the State and maximize the delivery of medical care and physician services to specific areas of the State where there is a recognized unmet priority need for medical care and physician services. Makes other changes. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act.

FRENCH HERITAGE MONTH

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Designates the month of March of each year as French Heritage Month to be observed throughout the State as a month set apart to promote the study of French language and the culture of French-speaking people.

EV REBATE-APPLICATIONS

Amends the Electric Vehicle Rebate Act. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026, the rules adopted under the Act shall cause the Agency to establish one rebate application cycle for each State fiscal year, shall cause each rebate application cycle to have a duration of one State fiscal year, and shall cause the Agency to accept rebate applications and issue rebates under the Act throughout each rebate application cycle.

FINANCE-INFORMATION TECH

Amends the Statute on Statutes. Provides that any reference to the term "electronic data processing" in any statute of the State, any rule adopted by an administrative agency of the State, or any appropriations Act of the State includes information technology as defined in a specified provision of the State Finance Act. Amends the State Finance Act. Replaces the term "electronic data processing" with "information technology". Provides that, upon written approval by the Office of the Comptroller, a State agency may submit electronic travel vouchers under procedures and controls prescribed by the Comptroller. Effective immediately.

AUTO DEALERS-WARRANTY DISCLOSE

Amends the Motor Vehicle Franchise Act. Provides that a motor vehicle dealer shall provide a consumer with a complete list of all items subject to repair under any warranty agreement that covers a motor vehicle before completing the sale of that motor vehicle. Provides that the disclosure shall include a description of any fees or other charges that the customer will have to pay upon any warranty repair work being performed under the warranty agreement.

BODY CAMERAS-AUXILIARY OFFICER

Amends the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act. Provides that an auxiliary officer is a law enforcement officer for purposes of the Act. Amends the Law Enforcement Camera Grant Act. Specifies that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board must make grants to units of local government in Illinois and Illinois public universities for, among other things, purchasing or leasing officer-worn body cameras and associated technology for auxiliary officers and training auxiliary officers. Defines "auxiliary officer" for purposes of both Acts.

TRANSPORTATION-TECH

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

STATE GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Executive Reorganization Implementation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the State Records Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

GOV ACCOUNT AUDIT-TOWNSHIPS

Amends the Governmental Account Audit Act. Modifies the audit procedures for governmental units under the Act for the governmental units fiscal years 2027 and after, including: (1) modifying the definitions of "audit report" and "report", and adds a definition for "annual financial report"; (2) requiring the governing body of each governmental unit to conduct an audit every 2 years (rather than annually) of the accounts of the unit to be made by an auditor or auditors, and modifying the requirements of the audits; (3) allowing an exception for a governmental unit receiving revenue of less than $1,400,000 for any fiscal year, with the amount to increase or decrease by a percentage equal to the Consumer Price Index-U as reported on January 1 of each year, to provide a 4-year audit report and annual financial report or annual financial report under specified requirements (rather than a governmental unit receiving revenue of less than $850,000 for any fiscal year providing a 4-year audit report and annual financial report or annual financial report under specified requirements); and (4) modifying the requirements for signing, copying, and filing completed reports. Amends the Township Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

JOINT SELF-INSURANCE

Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Provides that any intergovernmental joint self-insurance pool providing health benefits under a specified provision of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act shall not be included under the definition of "health care plan". Effective immediately.

CONSERVATION-OPEN SPACE FUND

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, moneys in the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund may not be appropriated, assigned, or transferred to another State fund. Effective immediately.

REVENUE-VARIOUS

Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Court of Claims for its FY26 ordinary and contingent expenses.

DECENNIAL COMMITTEES-EXCEPTION

Amends the Decennial Committees on Local Government Efficiency Act. Provides that the term "governmental unit" does not include a fire protection districts established under the Fire Protection District Act.

DHS-EMERGENCY HOUSING PGRAM

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that unless otherwise required by State law or federal requirements, a service provider shall not be subject to a matching funds requirement in order to be eligible to receive funds from the Department for the Emergency and Transitional Housing Program or the Supportive Housing Program. Provides that, when making funding determinations, the Department of Human services retains discretion to take into consideration the ability of a service provider to leverage other funding sources, as well as other factors that may demonstrate fiscal solvency of the service provider and that the service provider is not solely reliant on State funds for the provision of services. Effective immediately.

SCH CD-SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

Amends the Regional Superintendent of Schools Article of the School Code. Allows the State Superintendent of Education to designate a regional office of education or intermediate service center as a learning partner in any iteration of the statewide system of support so that services are provided to schools that are identified for school improvement under (i) the accountability system and (ii) the definition for Targeted, Comprehensive, or Intensive. Provides that the status of learning partner may be revoked at the State Superintendent's sole discretion. Effective July 1, 2025.

DCFS-YOUTH IN CARE-MENTAL HLTH

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that all youth in care shall be assigned a mental health provider to manage their mental health care needs. Requires a youth's mental health provider to visit the youth and conduct a well-being assessment within 30 days after the youth is removed from his or her home and placed in the temporary custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that additional follow-up visits and well-being checks shall be scheduled and conducted until the youth is no longer under the custody or guardianship of the Department. Provides that any mental health care services provided to the youth shall be in addition to any care or services the youth receives from his or her primary care provider. Grants the Department rulemaking authority.

VETERANS' SERVICES TASK FORCE

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Recreates the Veterans' Service-Related Ailments Task Force repealed by Public Act 102-417 and renames it the Veterans' Services Task Force. Requires the Veterans' Services Task Force to meet at least twice a year and at any other times it deems necessary. Requires the Task Force to submit a report of its findings and recommendations regarding veterans' service-related ailments not recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and other specified matters, to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2026. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved on December 31, 2027. Effective immediately.

SCH-PROFESSIONAL REVIEW PANEL

Amends the School Code. In a provision concerning evidence-based funding for student success, allows the Professional Review Panel to study, at the discretion of the chairperson, any proposed legislation by the General Assembly impacting the provision or the distribution of Tier funds through the evidence-based funding formula or the adequacy targets of organizational units funded through the evidence-based funding formula.

CMS-PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. In provisions regarding the management of State buildings, grants the Department of Central Management Services the power to manage, operate, maintain, and preserve from waste real properties (rather than only real properties transferred to the Department under a specified provision). Authorizes the Department of Central Management Services to grant easements and accept easements with respect to the affected properties, on such terms and conditions that in the judgment of the Director of Central Management Services are in the best interests of the State. Removes the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago from the list of properties managed by the Department of Central Management Services. Adds 115 South LaSalle Street in Chicago to the list of properties managed by the Department of Central Management Services. Makes conforming changes.

SCH CD-SELECTIVE ADMISSIONS

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board of a school district with 275,000 students or more shall prohibit any school of the district that has selective admission requirements from requiring a student in a pre-kindergarten program of the district to take a standardized test in order to be admitted to that school. Effective immediately.

MUNI CD-ZONING LIMITS

Amends the Zoning Division of the Illinois Municipal Code. Removes a provision giving the corporate authorities in each municipality the power to classify, to regulate, and to restrict the use of property on the basis of family relationship. Provides that the powers enumerated in provisions relating to zoning powers of a municipality may not be used in any way that violates or otherwise contradicts any other applicable State or federal law, including the federal Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Prohibits a municipality from adopting zoning regulations that prohibit 2 or more individuals who are not related by blood from living together in the same residence. Provides that a municipality may not adopt zoning regulations that prohibit the creation of a community-integrated living arrangement or housing for a community-integrated living arrangement. Limits home rule powers.

ARPUR-DATE CHANGE

Amends the State Property Control Act. In a provision concerning submission of an Annual Real Property Utilization Report, changes the due date for the Report from July 31 to August 31 of each year.

Nicholas K. SmithDemocrat

CONSUMER FRAUD-SOCIAL CLUBS

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that a social club shall not charge a member who is delinquent or in poor standing with the club for the time the member is not allowed in the club or is unable to access the club's services. Provides that a contract that violates the provision is void and unenforceable. Provides that the provision shall not apply to any contract entered into prior to the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that a violation constitutes an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act. Effective immediately.

DNR-OSLAD ACCESSIBILITY

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall prioritize projects that incorporate construction, materials, designs, products, or technologies that increase accessibility and usability beyond the highest standards established under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or federal regulations promulgated under that Act. Requires the Department to adopt rules to establish this priority within its grant application review process under the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Effective immediately.