Bills & Legislation

VIDEO GAMING TERMINAL PAYOUTS

Amends the Video Gaming Act. Makes changes to defined terms. Provides that each licensed establishment, licensed truck stop establishment, licensed large truck stop establishment, licensed fraternal establishment, and licensed veterans establishment at which video gaming terminals are available shall have a payout device approved by the Board. Removes provisions requiring a player to turn in the player's ticket to the appropriate person at those establishments. Provides that no cash award for the maximum wager on any individual hand shall exceed the W-2G reporting requirements set by the Internal Revenue Service (instead of $1,199). Requires cash awards to be awarded in denominations rounded to the nearest 5 cent credit.

Bill CunninghamDemocrat

DISTRICT ENERGY STORAGE

Creates the District Energy and Thermal Energy Storage Parity Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission, in consultation with Environmental Protection Agency, shall establish an optional certification process for Qualified District Energy Infrastructure. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a grant program to support certain projects. Provides that, within 180 days after the effective date of the Act, the Commission shall initiate a docketed proceeding to develop standardized thermal service agreement templates, suitable for developer financing and underwriting, and minimum requirements for customer rate stabilization options. Provides that a developer shall obtain a District Energy Feasibility Assessment from a qualified preparer for certain projects. Sets forth requirements for the content of the District Energy Feasibility Assessment. Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department to develop and make available to units of local government a municipal alignment toolkit to facilitate the development and expansion of district energy systems. Requires the Department to establish and administer a district energy expansion program to support the development expansion, modernization, and decarbonization of district energy systems in the State. Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that the Authority may provide loans, credit enhancements, interest rate buydowns, loan loss reserves, or other financial assistance for the development, construction, expansion, or operation of the Qualified Energy Infrastructure and Dispatchable Thermal Energy Storage. Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Creates the Thermal Energy Storage Credit procurement program. Sets forth requirements for the program. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Sets forth provisions concerning district energy evaluation in State procurements. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning exemptions. Amends the Property Tax Code. Defines "commercial energy storage system". Amends the Public Utilities Act. Sets forth provisions concerning district energy enabling measures and heat recovery incentives. Makes other changes.

Bill CunninghamDemocrat

EPA-ORPHAN UST CLEANUP

Amends the Petroleum Underground Storage Tanks Title of the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that a municipality or county may, to the same extent as an owner or operator, conduct tank removal, abandonment, site investigation, and corrective action with respect to a petroleum orphan underground storage tank in accordance with the requirements of the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program, except that a municipality or county does not have to elect to proceed as an owner and the costs shall be eligible for payment from the Underground Storage Tank Fund. Defines "orphan underground storage tank". Makes conforming and other changes in provisions regarding the Underground Storage Tank Fund.

Sara FeigenholtzDemocrat

ELECTRONIC TRANSACT-GOVERNMENT

Amends the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. Removes language providing that a governmental agency of the State is not required to use or permit the use of electronic records or electronic signatures. Provides that the State Board of Elections is exempt from the requirement to accept electronic records and signatures. Makes other changes.

Christopher BeltDemocrat

DFPR-HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. In conjunction with applications for health care professional licensure and renewals, requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall require applicants to provide practice information that include areas of practice specialty, addresses of all current practice locations, hours spent at each practice location on direct outpatient care, the applicant's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number if applicable, and anticipated date of retirement. Provides that the Department shall share the information with authorized personnel at the Department of Public Health. Specifies that the data is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. Defines "health care professional". Provides that data published in conjunction with applications for health care professional licensure shall not identify a health care professional's name or any other data that leads to identification.

Christopher BeltDemocrat

TRANSFER CARE SPECIALISTS

Amends the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing Code. Provides that "funeral establishment", "funeral chapel", "funeral home", or "mortuary", when used in reference to transfer care specialists, means a building or a separate portion of a building having a specific street address or location devoted to activities relating to the shelter, care, custody and preparation of a deceased human body that contains facilities for funeral and wake services and operates from a fixed place of business. Defines "general supervision", "immediate and direct supervision", and "transfer care specialist". Requires a funeral establishment, funeral chapel, funeral home, or mortuary to operate from a fixed place of business. Creates the Transfer Care Specialists Article under the Code. Sets forth provisions concerning license requirements; address of record and email address of record; license qualifications; applications; the issuance and display of transfer care specialist licenses; renewal, reinstatement, and restoration of a license; the applicability of the Article; and rulemaking authority of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. In provisions concerning practicing without a license, provides that the practice of removing a deceased human body from its place of death, institution, or other location as a transfer care specialist by any person who has not been issued a license by the Department, whose license has been suspended or revoked, or whose license has not been renewed is hereby declared to be inimical to the public welfare and to constitute a public nuisance. In provisions concerning grounds for discipline, provides that engaging in practice as a transfer care specialist without a license is a Class A misdemeanor. Makes other changes.

Ram VillivalamDemocrat

SCH CD-FOREIGN LANGUAGE REQ

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. With respect to the requirement that, beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, successfully complete 2 years of foreign language courses, requires a high school to offer 2 years of foreign-language course credit to any student who either (i) successfully passes a standardized test of language proficiency for a language other than English at the level required for the State Seal of Biliteracy or (ii) presents an official transcript demonstrating completion of 2 years of high-school equivalency in which the language of instruction was in a language other than English.

Kimberly A. LightfordDemocrat

LOTTERY-VARIOUS

Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. Removes language providing that the Department of the Lottery shall publish each January in the Illinois Register a list of all game-specific rules, play instructions, directives, operations manuals, brochures, or other game-specific publications issued by the Department during the previous year and instructions concerning how the public may obtain copies of these materials from the Department. Removes language regarding the selection of a private manager for the total management of the Lottery. Removes language providing that moneys in the Department's account shall be deposited by the Department into the Public Treasurers' Investment Pool. Provides that the Department shall make an effort to more directly inform players of the odds of winning prizes by publishing the information for all games on the Department's public website (rather than by requiring all ticket agents to display a placard stating the odds of winning for each game offered by that agent). Requires the Department to make written play instructions available on the Department's public website or by the Department by request (rather than to all players through sales agents licensed to sell game tickets or shares). Allows the Department (rather than the State Treasurer) to contract with any person or corporation to perform financial functions. Allows the State Treasurer to act as an agent of the Department to perform the financial functions. Removes language providing that moneys in the Department's account for paying validated prizes shall be deposited in the Public Treasurer's Investment Pool. Repeals a provision related to a specialty retailers license. Makes other and conforming changes.

Bill CunninghamDemocrat

UTILITY-INTERCONNECTION RULES

Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions concerning the recovery of costs associated with the provision of delivery and other services, provide that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall, within 180 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, initiate and complete a rulemaking proceeding to revise 83 Ill. Adm. Code 466 and 83 Ill. Adm. Code 467 to address barriers to timely and cost-effective interconnections for distributed generation facilities with a nameplate capacity of at least 40 kilowatts but no greater than 2 megawatts, including stand-alone solar photovoltaic systems, battery energy storage, hybrid gas-electric systems, and renewable natural gas integrations. Requires the revisions to include certain factors. Provides that the Commission shall coordinate the revisions with a Future of Gas proceeding pursuant to the final Order of the Commission in Docket No. 24-0158 to ensure compatibility with gas decarbonization pathways and to prioritize market-driven distributed resources that enhance reliability and affordability. Provides that the revised rules shall take effect no later than July 1, 2026. Effective immediately.

Terri BryantRepublican

PROP TX-SENIOR FREEZE

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning in taxable year 2029, the maximum income limitation for the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption shall be increased each year by the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index. Effective immediately.

Sue RezinRepublican

BORDER COMMUNITY ZONES

Creates the Border Community Act. Provides that a municipality may, by ordinance, apply to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to be certified as a border community if all or part of the territory of the municipality is located within 10 miles of the border between Illinois and another state and the municipality meets other stated criteria. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to provide that an investment credit available to a River Edge Redevelopment Zone is also available within a border community. Creates a border community construction jobs credit. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to provide an exemption for building materials to be incorporated into real property in a border community. Amends the Property Tax Code to create a property tax abatement for property located in a border community.

Paul FaraciDemocrat

SCH CD-BULLYING ACCOUNTABILITY

Amends the School Code. Sets forth measures to be taken when an offense of bullying occurs and is reported to a public school, including a charter school, depending on the severity of the bullying offense, including hearing requirements, compulsory, school-based, restorative-justice requirements, community service requirements, and counseling requirements for minor offenders; hearing requirements, administrative fee requirements, and education session requirements for parents or guardians of minor offenders; and victim support. Requires the State Board of Education to annually report to the School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey of the National Center for Education Statistics any incidents of bullying, the number of hearings relating to incidents of bullying, restorative-justice program outcomes, disciplinary actions, and follow-up metrics by demographics. Requires the State Board to conduct an annual audit of schools that participate in the restorative measures to determine anti-bullying metrics for the report. Makes other changes.

Willie PrestonDemocrat

$DCEO-BCOE

Appropriates $2,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to Black Contractors, Owners, and Executives to expand the organization statewide to help black business owners grow their businesses. Effective July 1, 2026.

Willie PrestonDemocrat

EDUC-ATTACKS ON SCH PERSONNEL

Amends the School Code. Provides that beginning July 1, 2026, each school district shall determine a plan for responding to all incidents of battery committed by students against teachers and other school personnel, which shall include reporting and documentation procedures, student safety plans, behavioral intervention plans, and remedies for injured teachers and school personnel. Effective immediately.

Willie PrestonDemocrat

COMM COLLEGE-BA DEGREE PRORGAM

Amends the Public Community College Act. Allows the board of trustees of a community college district to establish and offer a baccalaureate degree program and confer a bachelor's degree if specified conditions are met. Requires the board of trustees to demonstrate that the community college district has the expertise, the resources, and sufficient student demand to offer a baccalaureate degree. Sets forth the application requirements. Prohibits a community college district from using semester credit hours generated in a baccalaureate degree program for certain grants. Sets forth limitations on community college districts for establishing baccalaureate programs. Requires a community college district that offers a baccalaureate degree program to submit an annual report to the Illinois Community College Board. Requires the Illinois Community College Board and the Board of Higher Education to conduct a statewide evaluation of all baccalaureate degree programs established under the amendatory Act and report the results of the evaluation on or before 5 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act, in addition to being made publicly available online. Effective immediately.

Michael W. HalpinDemocrat

JACKSON CNTY-CONSERVANCY DIST

Amends the River Conservancy Districts Act. Provides that a trustee on a board representing a river conservancy district that embraces Jackson County may be removed for incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office by the appropriate appointing presiding officer or officers, without the advice and consent of the corporate authorities, by filing a written order of removal with the appropriate county or municipal clerk or clerks.

Terri BryantRepublican

MUNI CD-REMOVE WASTE CONTAINER

Amends the Streets and Public Ways Article of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the corporate authorities of each municipality may remove from streets, ditches, and other municipal property containers placed by motorists on streets, ditches, or other municipal property for the purpose of containing human waste.

Terri BryantRepublican

TWP CD-AUDIT

Amends the Township Code. In provisions concerning the audits of townships that receive revenue of less than $850,000 during any fiscal year, provides that, in addition to the other audit requirements imposed by law, the township boards shall have the accounts and all records of the township thoroughly audited by a certified public accountant or subjected to a financial statement review (rather than only by a certified public accountant) within 6 months after (i) the end of each term of office of the township supervisor and (ii) a vacancy occurs in the office of township supervisor. Makes conforming changes.

Terri BryantRepublican

SOLAR ENERGY-VARIOUS

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. In provisions concerning colocation of photovoltaic community renewable generation projects, changes references from "community renewable generation project" to "photovoltaic community renewable generation project" and "community solar projects" to "photovoltaic community renewable generation projects". Requires a project labor agreement for the new construction of certain facilities related to community-driven community solar projects. In a provision applying prevailing wage requirements to facilities for which a renewable energy credit delivery contract is signed, removes an exception for multi-family residential buildings with aggregate geothermal system tonnage, including colocated projects, of no more than 29 tons. Amends the Energy Transition Act. Provides that the Department of Corrections and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall jointly develop activities to support the recruitment of eligible candidates to the Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program. Provides that the activities shall include coordinating on sharing with community-based providers the contact information of persons preparing to be released into the community, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, if the person preparing to be released consents to the person's contact information being shared. Makes other changes.

Steve StadelmanDemocrat

VIDEO GAMING-VARIOUS

Amends the Video Gaming Act. Provides that each licensed establishment, licensed truck stop establishment, licensed large truck stop establishment, licensed fraternal establishment, or licensed veterans establishment at which video gaming terminals are available shall have a payout device approved by the Illinois Gaming Board. Provides that no cash award for the maximum wager on any individual hand shall exceed the W-2G reporting requirements set by the Internal Revenue Service (rather than $1,199). Provides that cash awards shall be awarded in denominations rounded to the nearest 5 cent credit, with rounding conducted upward or downward as applicable. Sets forth circumstances under which a sales agent or broker may not be compensated. Provides, with exceptions, that a terminal operator shall not enter into any contract or agreement for the sharing, splitting, or payment of net terminal income with any other person. Sets forth prohibitions for sales agents and brokers in relation to current or potential licensed establishments, licensed truck stop establishments, licensed large truck stop establishments, licensed fraternal establishments, and licensed veterans establishments. Provides that no current or potential licensed establishments, licensed truck stop establishments, licensed large truck stop establishments, licensed fraternal establishments, and licensed veterans establishments shall accept anything of value from a terminal operator or sales agent and broker, as any incentive or inducement to locate video gaming terminals in that establishment and licensed establishments, licensed truck stop establishments, licensed large truck stop establishments, licensed fraternal establishments, and licensed veterans establishments. Provides that no public officer may be granted a license under the Act. Sets forth investigation provisions. Makes other changes.

Bill CunninghamDemocrat

LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Restructures the rules and standards of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board for basic training schools. Provides that the Board shall be responsible for establishing basic curriculum for law enforcement officers, county correctional officers, and court security officers. Provides that the Board shall certify in-service courses to be delivered by Mobile Training Units, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Executive Institute, and other providers. Provides that the curriculum for probationary law enforcement officers shall include courses concerning foundations of law enforcement, human behaviors, investigations, fundamentals of criminal law, law enforcement patrol, law enforcement officer tactics, and officer wellness. Requires the Board to establish minimum basic training requirements that probationary county corrections officers and probationary court security officers must satisfactorily complete before the probationary county corrections officers and probationary court security officers are eligible for permanent employment as county corrections officers or probationary court security officers. Provides that the Board shall adopt rules and minimum standards for the 30 hours of in-service trainings that officers must complete every 3 years. Provides that, annually, a law enforcement officer must satisfactorily complete trainings in law updates, firearm requalification, and officer wellness and mental health. Requires notice of the inactivation to be provided by the Board to the current and prior employer. Provides that a person hired to serve as a court security officer must obtain from the Board a certificate (i) attesting to the officer's successful completion of the training course; (ii) attesting to the officer's satisfactory completion of a training program of similar content and number of hours that has been found acceptable by the Board under the provisions of this Act; or (iii) attesting to the Board's determination that the training course is unnecessary because of the person's extensive prior law enforcement experience.

Willie PrestonDemocrat

LAND CONSERVATION ACT

Creates the Agricultural Land Conservation Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2027, a Farmland Conversion Fee of $275 per acre shall be paid by the buyer or lessee of a transaction for any agricultural land that will be removed from production for the specific purpose of developing an industrial park, a commercial area, a single-family or multi-family dwelling or for being put to any other use that removes the agricultural land from production. Provides that the fee shall be collected by the Department of Agricultural. Provides for the creation of the Farmland Conversion Fee Fund as a special fund in the State Treasury. Provides that all Farmland Conversion Fees collected by the Department of Agriculture shall be contributed to the Fund. Further provides that moneys in the Fund may be exclusively used for the following purposes: (i) supporting education and programs that support healthy soil clean water, and climate-smart agricultural practices; (ii) supporting operations funding for soil and water conservation districts; (iii) covering costs associated with administering the Act; (iv) any other purposes that the Department of Agriculture determines are consistent with the purposes of the Act. Provides that, before expending moneys for any other purposes, the Department of Agriculture shall, subject to the availability of moneys in the Fund, ensure that during each State fiscal year, $10,000,000 is distributed to soil and water conservation districts, for the purpose of supporting their operations funding. Provides that $500,000 shall be distributed to the Department of Agriculture for the purposes of collecting fees and administering the program created under the Act. Provides for penalties. Effective immediately.

David KoehlerDemocrat

END TEAR GAS EXPOSURES ACT

Creates the Building Remedies to End Abusive Tear Gas and Harmful Exposures Act. Establishes the Chemical Agent Review Board within the Department of Public Health, and sets forth the Board's membership and duties. Prohibits deployment or possession of lachrymatory agents in the State, except for limited purposes. Requires the Department to adopt rules for approval of pepper spray formulations, including safety standards, testing protocols, and restrictions on delivery mechanisms. Directs the Department to maintain a public database of approved formulations and adverse event reports. Provides for reporting of chemical irritant deployments other than for personal self-defense. Creates a private right of action and enforcement authority for the Attorney General and certain organizations, with remedies including damages, civil penalties, and injunctive relief. Establishes the Illinois Human Rights Enforcement Fund. Includes home rule limitation and severability provisions and transition and compliance periods. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Robert PetersDemocrat

SOCIAL MEDIA AGE RESTRICTION

Creates the Social Media Age Restriction Act. Provides that an operator of a social media platform shall take reasonable steps, including the implementation of an age assurance system, to prevent a child from creating or maintaining an account on the social media platform. Provides that an operator may enter into an agreement with application distribution services or device manufacturers to allow for user information to be shared for age assurance purposes. Provides that the provision does not apply to a parent or guardian who allows a child to use an account held by the parent or guardian. Sets forth provisions concerning a 30-day cure period and civil penalties. Provides that an operator shall have 180 days after the effective date of the Act to comply with the requirements of the Act. Effective immediately.

Sue RezinRepublican

ANIMAL WELFARE-BREEDERS

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Defines "professional breeder". Provides that an animal shelter shall not accept a dog or cat from an animal shelter licensed under the Act or an out-of-state animal control facility, rescue group, or animal shelter that is duly licensed in their state or is a not-for-profit organization unless it obtains documentation attesting that the dog or cat was not obtained through compensation or payment made to a cat breeder, dog breeder, dog dealer, or dog broker. Provides that an animal shelter shall not obtain a dog or cat by any means other than owner surrender, transfer from an animal control facility, an order by law enforcement, a court order, or an animal shelter in compliance with provisions concerning reporting of animals. Provides that a pet shop operator or dog dealer (rather than just a pet shop operator) may offer for sale a dog or cat only if the dog or cat is obtained from an animal control facility, animal shelter, or professional breeder (rather than just an animal control facility or an animal shelter) located in-state or out-of-state, that is in compliance with provisions concerning animal control facilities and animal shelters supplying to pet shop operators and requirements of professional dog breeders. Removes provisions concerning the requirement that a pet shop operator shall keep a record of each dog or cat offered for sale. Sets forth requirements for professional dog breeders. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation's obligations under certain amendatory provisions are subject to appropriation.

Willie PrestonDemocrat

CANNABIS-VARIOUS

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Allows the Department of Professional Regulation to disclose to the Office of the Executive Inspector General confidential information collected during investigations. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Specifies that "prescription and nonprescription medicines and drugs" includes, in the specified circumstances, cannabis. Redefines "adult use cannabis" for purposes of these tax Acts. Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Limits the authority to tax cannabis. Amends the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act. Changes the name of the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program to the Opioid Alternative Patient Program. Deletes a provision that provided for the repeal of that program and a provision that granted emergency rulemaking powers for purposes of the program. Makes changes to various definitions and causes some definitions to become inoperative. Authorizes the Department of Public Health to enter into intergovernmental agreements. Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Makes changes to various definitions. Removes certain references and repeals certain provisions related to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act. Provides for mergers of certain licenses and medical patient prioritization. Provides for Adult Use Dispensing Organization licensee relocation. Provides for rescission of a conditional license. Makes changes to provisions regarding Adult Use Dispensing Organization Licenses. Adds to requirements for Responsible Vendor Program Training modules. Adds new prohibitions and exceptions to provisions regarding changes to a dispensing organization. Requires prioritizing qualifying patients, provisional patients, and dedicated caregivers. Adds certain State agencies and local health officials to provisions regarding investigations. Makes changes to provisions regarding Cultivation Center Licenses. Authorizes the Department and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to develop and implement an integrated system to issue an agent identification card. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Kimberly A. LightfordDemocrat

FREESTANDING EMERGENCY CENTERS

Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall issue an annual Freestanding Emergency Center license to a facility if the facility complies with specified requirements, except that: (i) the Freestanding Emergency Center may be located in a municipality with a population greater than 50,000 inhabitants and (ii) the Freestanding Emergency Center may, if operated as provider-based under specified federal regulations, describe itself or hold itself out to the general public as a hospital emergency department in its advertising and marketing activities.

Adriane JohnsonDemocrat

IEMA-SMALL BUSINESS GRANT

Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Authorizes the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security to make grants to small businesses for eligible security improvements that assist the small business in preventing, preparing for, or responding to threats, attacks, or acts of terrorism. Provides that a small business eligible for a grant under the program must meet certain requirements. Creates the IEMA At-Risk Small Business Security Grant Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security is authorized to use moneys appropriated from the Fund to make grants to small businesses for target hardening activities, security personnel, and physical security enhancements and for the payment of administrative expenses associated with the Illinois At-Risk Small Business Security Grant Program, except that, beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act, the Agency shall not award grants under the specified Section to those entities whose primary purpose is to provide medical or mental health services. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.

Ram VillivalamDemocrat

TNC SERVICE-TRANSPORT OF GOODS

Amends the Transportation Network Providers Act. Applies the Act to transportation network company services that provide the transportation of goods, including goods from a retail store, warehouse, fulfillment center, or restaurant. Changes the term "passenger" to "customer". Removes the repeal date of the Act.

Erica HarrissRepublican

CTY CD-SOLAR SURETY BONDS

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county board may not allow a person to construct a commercial solar energy facility within the county unless the person has purchased a surety bond from the Environmental Protection Agency or the county that is sufficient to pay for the deconstruction of the commercial solar energy facility and any environmental damage caused by the construction and operation of the commercial solar energy facility.

Erica HarrissRepublican

ILLINOIS PEDIATRIC CANCER FUND

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Illinois Pediatric Cancer Fund. Provides that the Fund is a special fund in the State Treasury that may be used to provide grants to certain eligible people, institutions, and organizations for the purpose of conducting pediatric cancer research, prevention, and treatment. Provides that the Fund shall consist of moneys appropriated by the General Assembly and collected from any donations or other source for the benefit of the Fund. Provides limitations for the distribution of the Fund. Provides that the unspent portions of the Fund shall remain in the Fund and may not revert to any other fund of the State. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall submit a report to the General Assembly concerning the administration of the Fund. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules to implement a pediatric cancer grant program under the provision.

Erica HarrissRepublican

NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST

Amends the Natural Resource Restoration Trust Fund Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall establish the Natural Resource Restoration Trust Grant Program to make grants to applicants for the restoration or replacement of injured or damaged natural resources resulting from claims pursued under the laws of the United States, the laws of this State, other statutory laws, or common law. Provides that the following entities may apply for grants under the Act: (i) units of local government; (ii) soil and water conservation districts; (iii) area-wide agencies, including counties, regional planning agencies, or both; (iv) nonprofit organizations; (iv) public or private institutes of higher education; (v) port authorities; and (vi) federally recognized tribes. Provides that the Department shall issue grants if (i) the requested grant complies with the purpose for which the Department was to provide funds and is subject to the requirements of all applicable court orders and (ii) the grant complies with the criteria established by administrative rule for the issuance of the grant. Provides that grants shall not be awarded to a grantee that is responsible for the pollution event that is the subject or basis for the issuance of the grant. Effective July 1, 2027.

Erica HarrissRepublican

ICC-LANDFILL FEES

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to establish a process for the review of disposal fees, fuel surcharges, and other fees imposed by the owners and operators of sanitary landfills for the disposal of solid waste to ensure that the fees are just and reasonable. The Commission shall adopt any rules necessary to administer the provisions of this Section.

Erica HarrissRepublican

DRAINAGE COMMISSIONER PAY

Amends the Illinois Drainage Code. Provides that each commissioner of a drainage district shall receive for the commissioner's services either (i) a sum not to exceed $30 per day for each day the commissioner is actually engaged in the business of the commissioner's office or (ii) a fixed monthly payment in an amount that is set by the county board and that does not exceed $30 multiplied by the number of business days in the applicable month (rather than a sum not to exceed $30 per day for each day the commissioner is actually engaged in the business of the commissioner's office).

Erica HarrissRepublican

CD CORR-PAY INCARCERATION COST

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections and the Code of Civil Procedure. Restores language (which was deleted by Public Act 101-235) providing that committed persons shall be responsible to reimburse the Department of Corrections for the expenses incurred by their incarceration at a rate to be determined by the Department. Effective immediately.

Erica HarrissRepublican

INC TX-WELCOME HOME CREDIT

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates the Welcome Home Illinois tax credit. Provides that each taxpayer who is a first-time homebuyer of a principal residence in the State during the taxable year is entitled to an income tax credit in an amount equal to $500. Effective immediately.

Erica HarrissRepublican

SCH CD-WIRELESS COMM DEVICE

Amends the School Code. Requires, on or before the 2027-2028 school year, each school board to adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that limits the use of wireless communication devices by students during instructional time to the greatest extent possible. Provides that the wireless communication device policy shall be developed in consultation with the parent-teacher advisory committee. Establishes exceptions for wireless communication device use during instructional time. Requires each school board to review its wireless communication device policy in consultation with the parent-teacher advisory committee at least once every 3 years and make any necessary and appropriate revisions to the policy. Provides that a school district shall publicly post the policy on its website. Provides that, if the school district does not operate a website, then the school district shall provide a copy of the policy to the parents or guardians of every student enrolled in the school district. Effective immediately.

Erica HarrissRepublican

DIGNITY FOR ABORTED CHILDREN

Creates the Dignity for Aborted Children Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any State law or administrative rule to the contrary, any physician after performing an abortion shall provide the patient with an informed consent form, provided by the Department of Public Health, offering the patient specified options for disposal of the human fetal tissue from the abortion. Provides that it is unlawful for any physician, after performing an abortion in which the patient elects to release the human fetal tissue to the physician, to fail to provide for the final disposition of the human fetal tissue through interment or cremation, consistent with State law regarding the disposal of human remains, not later than 7 days after the date on which the abortion procedure was performed. Requires physicians who perform abortions and persons, not including patients, to whom human fetal tissue is transferred to submit annual reports to the Department containing specified information. Contains provisions specifying civil penalties, criminal designations, and consideration of action by the Illinois State Medical Board. Provides that a patient upon whom an abortion is performed or attempted in violation of the Act may not be prosecuted under the Act or for a conspiracy to violate the Act. Provides that the Department shall submit to the General Assembly an annual report on the number of abortions, procedure type, and method of disposal of human fetal tissue under the Act.

Terri BryantRepublican

FAIR LENDING-TRANSIT-HOUSING

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, in consultation with the Sangamon County Board and the City of Springfield, to conduct a study on the lending practices and borrower outcomes within Sangamon County and analyze any information collected in connection with that study. Provides that the study shall encompass all financial institutions and lending entities licensed or regulated by the Department that operate within Sangamon County or are municipally authorized by the City of Springfield. Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the specified entities, to conduct a countywide transit equity analysis study and analyze any information collected in connection with that study. Amends the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act. Requires the Illinois Housing Development Authority, in consultation with the Sangamon County Board and the City of Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development, to conduct a countywide housing and community revitalization study and analyze any information collected in connection with that study. Establishes reporting requirements related to each study under each of the relevant Acts. Sets a repeal date of December 31, 2029 for the provisions concerning each study under each of those Acts.

Doris TurnerDemocrat

FOOD WASTE&COMPOSTING

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Repeals the definition of "food scrap"; adds definitions for "anaerobic digestion", "biogas", "digestate", "food waste", "organic material", and "organic waste"; and updates the definitions of "compost" and "composting". In provisions regarding pollution control facilities, includes a new exemption for portions of sites or facilities used for composting or anaerobic digestion of organic waste that meet specified siting, setback, floodplain, and operational requirements. In provisions regarding prohibited acts, establishes permitting requirements for organic waste composting operations and organic waste anaerobic digesters, and creates exemptions for small-scale and certain farm-based composting operations that meet volume limits, setback distances, and other environmental safeguards. Provides that anaerobic digesters using only non-waste feedstock are exempt from solid waste permitting and clarifies that digested material returned to the economic mainstream is not regulated as waste. Authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to recommend, and the Pollution Control Board to adopt, performance standards for organic waste compost facilities and testing procedures for end-product compost, and requires a Technical Advisory Committee with balanced stakeholder representation. Specifies that standards apply to compost offered for sale or use and exempts on-site residential composting. Makes conforming changes throughout to integrate new definitions and regulatory requirements.

Adriane JohnsonDemocrat

OUTDOOR LIGHTING CONTROL

Amends the Responsible Outdoor Lighting Control Act. Provides that all new luminaires purchased or installed after June 30, 2032, must have a correlated color temperature less than or equal to 2,700 Kelvin. Provides that the act does not apply if it is necessary to use uplighting for statuary lighting and historical façade lighting. In cases where uplighting is the only viable solution for these items, the lighting should have a color corrected temperature of no more than 2,700 degrees Kelvin, must be minimized to no more than 25% above ANSI/IES standards, must exceed an illuminance of one lux as measured at ground level both horizontally and vertically at the property boundary, and must be extinguished every night no later than 12:00 a.m. Provides that, after January 1, 2027, any new placement or replacement of uplighting of State historic statuary and State historical façade lighting shall be approved by the State Historic Preservation Office. Makes other changes.

Adriane JohnsonDemocrat

SWITCH NETWORK SALVAGE

Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions concerning a Large Electing Provider's transition to IP-based networks and service, provides that a Large Electing Provider shall provide telecommunications service, including telecommunications service over traditional circuit switched networks, to existing business and residential end-use customers until at least December 31, 2031. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2032, a Large Electing Provider shall start the process of returning the salvage value of traditional circuit switched networks to the people of the State. Requires a Large Electing Provider to complete the salvage of the Large Electing Provider's traditional circuit switched networks by January 1, 2038. Provides that the Large Electing Provider shall document and report to the Department of Public Health and the Illinois Commerce Commission, on a quarterly basis, all activities related to the salvage of the Large Electing Provider's traditional circuit switch networks, including, but not limited to, the total realized salvage value, a per-mile salvage value, the geographic location of all salvages, and the value of such salvages. Provides that, if a Large Electing Provider retires a traditional circuit switch network, the Large Electing Provider shall, beginning on December 1, 2032 and annually thereafter, transfer the salvage value of the retired networks to the Lead Service Line Replacement Fund for the sole purpose of providing grants to municipal and private water utilities to replace lead service lines. Effective immediately.

Graciela GuzmánDemocrat

PROHIBIT FED VOUCHER PROGRAM

Creates the Prohibition on Federal Voucher Program Participation Act. Prohibits the State from opting in to, participating in, implementing, administrating, or otherwise cooperating with any federal voucher, education savings account, or similar program established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Effective immediately.

Graciela GuzmánDemocrat

FOREST/RIVER DIST-BIDS

Amends the Cook County Forest Preserve District Act and the River Conservancy Districts Act. Makes changes to the competitive bidding thresholds for contracts entered into by River Conservancy Districts or the Cook County Forest Preserve District for supplies, materials, or work. Changes the bid threshold to $60,000 for contracts related to supplies or materials, $30,000 for contracts involving work, or a lower amount for any contract for supplies, materials, or work, if required by board policy. Effective immediately.

Graciela GuzmánDemocrat

HIGHER ED-PROPOSED INSTRUCTION

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that the Board of Higher Education, in approving or disapproving a public institution of higher education's proposal for a new unit of instruction, research, or public service or in approving modifications, must take into account the unique student demographics and needs of the particular institution.

Graciela GuzmánDemocrat

UTILITY-COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that, prior to approving or directing any decarbonization pathway, pilot program, infrastructure investment, or regulatory mandate related to the natural gas distribution system, the Commission shall conduct a comprehensive, independent cost-benefit analysis that evaluates: (i) life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions; (ii) cumulative energy system costs, including any stranded asset risks estimated at no less than $80,000,000,000 by 2050 under high-electrification scenarios; (iii) ratepayer bill impacts for all customer classes, with a focus on low-income and non-migrating customers; (iv) system reliability and safety under State standards; (v) equity impacts, including cost shifts to vulnerable populations; (vi) workforce and job impacts; and (vii) the extent to which competitive market mechanisms, such as private investment, third-party financing, and supplier competition, can achieve equivalent or superior outcomes at lower costs. Provides that the Commission shall not approve a decarbonization pathway, pilot program, infrastructure investment, or regulatory mandate unless the pathway, program, investment, or mandate demonstrates net benefits under the cost-benefit analysis without prioritizing an approach where regulated solutions increase costs without proportional benefits. Provides that the Commission shall use transparent, market-based data from sources such as PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM), Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO), and Chicago Citygate and coordinate with applicable biennial long-term gas infrastructure plans.

Seth LewisRepublican

$DCEO-HYDROPONICS

Appropriates the amount of $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for grants for the establishment of hydroponic agriculture facilities in existing vacant commercial buildings. Effective July 1, 2026.

Seth LewisRepublican

DCEO-HYDROPONIC GRANT PROGRAM

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall, subject to appropriation, establish the Hydroponic Initiative Grant Program to help increase access to and the availability of healthy food in areas designated as food deserts in the State and assist areas with significant levels of vacant developed commercial space, as determined by the Department, by providing grants to persons for the establishment of hydroponic agriculture facilities within vacant developed commercial space. Authorizes the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to grant awards for market or site feasibility studies, for purchases of ownership of vacant developed commercial space, for capital improvements, planning, renovations, durable and non-durable equipment purchases, or other costs as determined by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Allows for rulemaking by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Seth LewisRepublican

ICC REAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that, subject to the provisions of the Public Contract Fraud Act, the Illinois Commerce Commission is authorized during fiscal years 2027 and 2028 to acquire real property located in Springfield, as necessary to carry out the duties vested in the Commission. Provides that real property may be acquired subject to any third-party interests in the property that do not prevent the Commission from beneficially using the property. Provides that the Executive Director of the Commission may enter into contracts relating to construction, reconstruction, or renovation projects for any buildings or lands acquired by the Commission, and contracts to equip, lease, repair, operate, and maintain real property as appropriate to carry out the duties of the Executive Director. Provides that the Executive Director, on behalf of the Commission, may enter into agreements for the purpose of exercising the Commission's authority. Provides that the exercise of the authority vested in the Commission to acquire property under the provision is subject to appropriation. Effective immediately.

Doris TurnerDemocrat

GAS APPLIANCE LABELING

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that no person shall sell, attempt to sell, or offer to sell to a consumer in the State a non-externally vented natural gas appliance that is manufactured on or after January 1, 2027 unless a label on the gas appliance bears a specified warning message. Provides that the Attorney General may adopt rules setting forth additional requirements for the placement and formatting of the label. Provides that a person who violates the provision commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.

Omar AquinoDemocrat