Bills & Legislation

CAMPUS FREE SPEECH ACT

Creates the Campus Free Speech Act. Requires the governing board of each public university and community college to develop and adopt a policy on free expression; sets forth what the policy must contain. Requires the Board of Higher Education to create a Committee on Free Expression to issue an annual report. Requires public institutions of higher education to include in their freshman orientation programs a section describing to all students the policies and rules regarding free expression that are consistent with the Act. Contains provisions concerning rules, construction of the Act, and enforcement.

Chris BalkemaRepublican

SAFETY-TECH

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Chris BalkemaRepublican

SCH CD-EDUCATOR TESTING

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning educator testing, provides that the State Board of Education and the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board are required to approve more than one assessment, not from the same source, and each teacher preparation program in the State may use any evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness that aligns to current State teaching standards. Effective July 1, 2025.

Chris BalkemaRepublican

SURVEYING-SMALL CONTRACTS

Amends the Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying Qualifications Based Selection Act. Provides that certain provisions concerning public notice, evaluations, and selection procedures do not apply to architectural, engineering, and land surveying contracts with an estimated basic professional services fee of less than $75,000 (currently, $25,000).

Cristina CastroDemocrat

PROCUREMENT-DESIGN-BUILD

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that certain provisions concerning design-bid-build construction apply to contracts in excess of $500,000 (currently, $250,000).

Cristina CastroDemocrat

LIQUOR-DELIVERY TO RETAILER

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that a distributor of wine or spirits shall deliver to any retailer within any geographic area in which that distributor has been granted by a wholesaler the right to sell its trademark, brand, or name at least once every 2 weeks if the retailer agrees to purchase at least $200 of wine or spirits from the distributor every 2 weeks. Removes language setting forth a $50 minimum purchase of wine or spirits for a retailer located in a county with a population of less than 3,000,000 that is not adjacent to a county with a population of at least 3,000,000 inhabitants. Makes a conforming change.

Cristina CastroDemocrat

LIQUOR-COOPERATIVE PURCHASING

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Creates a cooperative agent license. Provides that a cooperative agent license shall allow the holder to act on behalf of a cooperative purchase group. Establishes a fee for licensure as a cooperative agent. Provides that a licensee with a combined on-premises and off-premises license may make purchases for on-premises use only through an on-premises cooperative purchase group and may make purchases for off-premises use only through an off-premises cooperative purchase group. Provides that cooperative purchase groups, cooperative agents, and the cooperative agents' owners, officers, principals, employees, and their spouse may not: (1) receive cash or anything of value from a retail licensee, importing distributor, distributor, non-resident dealer, or manufacturer as part of a cooperative purchasing agreement; (2) be employed by, consult for, or have an ownership interest in any business or enterprise that provides marketing services or activities on behalf of manufacturers, non-resident dealers, foreign importers, importing distributors, or distributors; or (3) accept things of value from, or provide marketing services or activities on behalf of, manufacturers, non-resident dealers, foreign importers, importing distributors, and distributors. Makes conforming and other changes. Provides that it is the duty of every cooperative agent and cooperative purchase group to make books and records available upon reasonable notice for the purpose of investigation and control by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission or any local liquor commission having jurisdiction over a licensee member of a cooperative purchase group. Makes changes concerning the surety bond a cooperative purchase group is required to retain. Changes references from "cooperative purchasing group" to "cooperative purchase group" to conform to the defined term.

Cristina CastroDemocrat

SCH CD-PHONE/SOCIAL MEDIA USE

Amends the School Code. Provides that, no later than August 1, 2025, all school boards shall adopt a policy that: (1) prohibits a student from using personal wireless communication devices during instructional time; and (2) prevents student access to social media platforms through the use of Internet access provided by a school district. Allows a school board to prohibit student use of personal wireless communication devices during instructional time through any method it deems appropriate. Requires a school board to create exceptions to the policy for students to use wireless communication devices for certain reasons, and allows a school board to create other exceptions. Requires a school board to impose appropriate discipline or other sanctions against any student who violates these provisions. Requires a school district to post the policy publicly on its website. Allows the State Board of Education to adopt any rules that are necessary for the administration of the provisions. Effective immediately.

Cristina CastroDemocrat

NUCLEAR POWER CERTIFICATE

Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions regarding a certificate of public convenience and necessity, makes changes to the limitations on the construction of a nuclear power reactor. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, construction may commence on an advanced nuclear reactor (rather than a new nuclear power reactor with a nameplate capacity of 300 megawatts of electricity or less) within the State under specified conditions. Defines "advanced nuclear reactor". Makes other changes.

Patrick J. JoyceDemocrat

METHAMPHETAMINE PRECURSORS

Amends the Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act. Provides that each targeted methamphetamine precursor package shall contain no more than 3,600 (rather than 3,000) milligrams of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, their salts or optical isomers, or salts of optical isomers. Deletes a provision which specifies that no retail distributor operating a pharmacy, and no pharmacist or pharmacy technician, shall knowingly distribute to a single person more than 2 targeted packages in a single retail transaction. Amends the Methamphetamine Precursor Tracking Act. Provides that, on and after October 1, 2025, any manufacturer of products containing methamphetamine precursors sold in or brought into the State must, on a monthly basis, pay fees to the Central Repository. Provides that the Central Repository shall be responsible for setting the fee levels required. Provides that at the request of the Illinois State Police, manufacturers required to pay fees shall be required to provide written documentation demonstrating that they have paid such fees. Provides that the sale of methamphetamine precursors in or brought into the State by a manufacturer who has failed to pay fees required by the provision is guilty of a petty offense and subject to a fine of $500 for a first offense; $1,000 for a second offense occurring within 3 years of the first offense; and $5,000 for a third or subsequent offense occurring within 3 years of the prior offenses. Effective immediately.

Mike PorfirioDemocrat

YOUTH IN CARE-BIRTH RECORDS

Amends the Vital Records Act. Provides that the State Registrar of Vital Records, in conjunction with the Department of Children and Family Services, shall establish standards and procedures for youth in care, former youth in care, and the legal guardians of youth in care to request the birth record of the youth in care when the applicant does not have all of the information necessary to complete the application for a new certificate of birth, a search for a birth record, or a certified copy of a birth record.

Lakesia CollinsDemocrat

EDGE WITHHOLDING-STEEL

Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that certain taxpayers that are primarily engaged in the recycling and melting of steel products and in the manufacturing of new steel wire and rod products may elect to claim the credit under the Act against their withholding tax liability instead of their income tax liability. Effective immediately.

David KoehlerDemocrat

STUDENT TEACHING STIPEND

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

David KoehlerDemocrat

NATL RESOURCES & AG LEGACY ACT

Creates the Natural Resources and Agricultural Legacy Act. Establishes the Illinois Natural Resources and Agricultural Legacy Fund as a special fund in the State treasury to be managed by the Department of Natural Resources for the purpose of making grants to qualified easement holders for (1) the purchase of conservation easements on qualified land; (2) the costs of acquisition related to the purchase of conservation easements approved by the program; and (3) the costs of ecological management and maintenance activities. Requires the Department to adopt rules to implement the Act. Establishes the Legacy Act Technical Advisory Committee in the Department. Contains legislative findings. Defines terms. Repeals the Local Legacy Act. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Illinois Natural Resources and Agricultural Legacy Fund as a special fund in the State treasury.

David KoehlerDemocrat

FAMILY MEMBER HUNTING PERMITS

Amends the Wildlife Code. Allows nonresidents who are immediate family members of landowners and who qualify for special deer, turkey, and combination hunting licenses under the Act to obtain deer, turkey, and combination permits for the regular resident permit fee for hunting on that property after providing acceptable verification to the Department of Natural Resources. Defines "immediate family member".

Steve McClureRepublican

TRUST ACT-SCHOOLS

Amends the Illinois TRUST Act. Adds schools and school employees to provisions regarding law enforcement agencies and law enforcement officials. Defines "school".

Karina VillaDemocrat

DISABILITIES CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Creates the Criminal Justice Special Advocates Program for People with Disabilities Act. Provides that subject to appropriation for this purpose, the Department of Human Services shall establish a 3-year, 5-county pilot program to provide a minimum of one criminal justice special advocate in each selected county to serve the advocacy and support needs of an individual with an intellectual disability or a developmental disability involved in the criminal justice system of the county. Contains provisions concerning the selection of counties; the qualifications and duties of criminal justice special advocates; and Department evaluation and reporting requirements.

Steve StadelmanDemocrat

SCH RECORDS-DISCLOSURE

Amends the Illinois School Student Records Act. Provides that "Student Permanent Record" includes a summary of performance for students that received special-education services. Provides that student records or information contained therein may be released, transferred, disclosed, or other disseminated to the Department of Human Services for the sole purpose of assessing or evaluating the student's eligibility for Medicaid waiver benefits consistent with rules adopted by the Department of Human Services.

David KoehlerDemocrat

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.

Donald P. DeWitteRepublican

WATER COMMISSION-CONSTRUCTION

Amends the Water Commission Act of 1985. Provides that a commission may not receive more than $10,000 per year in compensation (currently a commission may not receive more than $10,000 per year in compensation except that no commissioner who is a member of the governing board or an officer or employee of the county or any unit of local government within the county may receive any compensation for serving as a commissioner). Allows a commission to use alternate project delivery methods, establish goals or requirements for the procurement of goods and services and for construction contracts, and accept assignment of municipal waterworks system contracts or other public improvement contracts. Gives commissions the authority to enter into design-build contracts and use a design-build delivery system. Includes definitions and requirements for the design-build delivery system. Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a water commission may construct water transmission and distribution lines within a radius of 50 miles (rather than 25 miles) outside the corporate limits of member municipalities for the purpose of furnishing water to any additional entities which contract with the commission for a supply of water.

Donald P. DeWitteRepublican

USE/OCC TX-PURCHASING

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that an exemption for tangible personal property purchased from an Illinois retailer by a taxpayer engaged in centralized purchasing activities in Illinois who will, upon receipt of the property in Illinois, temporarily store the property in Illinois for specified purposes applies from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2031. Effective immediately.

Donald P. DeWitteRepublican

VEH CD-DUI-THC-TESTING

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person shall not drive or be in actual physical control of any vehicle within this State while the person has, within 2 hours of driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle, a free tetrahydrocannabinol concentration in the person's whole blood or another bodily substance, excluding urine, of 5 nanograms or more per milliliter in whole blood or 10 nanograms or more per milliliter in another bodily substance, excluding urine (currently, this provision does not specify whether the concentration is a free concentration). Makes technical changes.

Julie A. MorrisonDemocrat

PROP TX-TAXING DIST NOTICE

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a copy of the complaint shall also be served on each taxing district in which the property is located at least 90 days prior to the board of review hearing on the complaint. Effective immediately.

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

HIGHER ED-DEFINED CONTRIBUTION

Amends the University Employees Custodial Accounts Act. Provides that the governing board of any public institution of higher education shall require that the defined contribution plan recordkeeper agree that, in performing services with respect to the defined contribution plan, the recordkeeper: (i) will not use information received as a result of providing services with respect to the defined contribution plan or the participants in the defined contribution plan to solicit the participants in the defined contribution plan for the purpose of cross-selling nonplan products and services, unless in response to a request by a participant in the defined contribution plan or a request by the governing board of the public institution of higher education or its authorized delegate (rather than a request by a participant); and (ii) will not promote, recommend, endorse, or solicit participants in the defined contribution plan to purchase any financial products or services outside of the defined contribution plan, except that links to parts of the recordkeeper's or the recordkeeper's affiliate's (rather than the recordkeeper's) website that are generally available to the public, are about commercial products, and may be encountered by a participant in the regular course of navigating the recordkeeper's or the recordkeeper's affiliate's (rather than the recordkeeper's) website will not constitute a violation. Makes related changes. Effective immediately.

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

PEN CD-CHI POLICE/FIRE-WIDOW

Amends the Chicago Police and Chicago Firefighter Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a widow's annuity shall be equal to 66 2/3%(instead of 50%) of the retirement annuity the deceased policeman or fireman was receiving at the time of death or 66 2/3% (instead of 50%) of the retirement annuity the policeman or fireman would have been eligible for if the policeman or fireman retired from service on the day before the policeman's or fireman's death. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

PEN CD-CTPF-HEALTH INS COSTS

Provides that the total payments under a provision concerning the Board providing partial reimbursement of health insurance costs may not exceed $100,000,000 (instead of $65,000,000) in any year. Provides that the amount shall annually thereafter be increased by the annual unadjusted percentage increase (but not less than zero) in the consumer price index for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1, including all previous adjustments. Defines "consumer price index".

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

PEN CD-SURS-SURVIVORS BENEFITS

Amends the State Universities Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a survivors insurance beneficiary or the personal representative of the estate of a deceased survivors insurance beneficiary or the personal representative of a survivors insurance beneficiary who is under a legal disability may waive the right to receive survivorship benefits, provided written notice of the waiver is given by the beneficiary or representative to the Board of Trustees within 6 months after the System notified that person of the benefits payable upon the death (instead of 6 months after the death) of the participant or annuitant and before any payment is made pursuant to an application filed by such person. Effective immediately.

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

PEN CD-SURS-EARNINGS

Amends the State Universities Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In provisions concerning the determination of the final rate of earnings for Tier 2 members, provides that, for an employee who is paid on an hourly basis or who receives an annual salary in installments during 12 months of each academic year, the average annual earnings is obtained by dividing by 8 the total earnings of the employee during the 96 consecutive months in which the total earnings were the highest within the last 120 months prior to termination or the average annual earnings during the 8 consecutive academic years of service within the 10 years of service prior to termination in which the employee's earnings were the highest, whichever is greater (instead of only the average annual earnings obtained by dividing by 8 the total earnings of the employee during the 96 consecutive months in which the total earnings were the highest within the last 120 months prior to termination). Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act are corrections and clarifications of existing law and are intended to be retroactive to January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-1490). Effective immediately.

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

PEN CD-STATE SYS-FUNDING

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Creates the State-Funded Retirement Systems Council to appoint and oversee the Pension Funding Trustee and to monitor and verify State funding to the State-Funded Retirement Systems. Creates the Office of Pension Trustee. Sets forth duties of the Council and Trustee. Provides that the State pledges that the State will not limit or alter certain rights of the Council, the State-Funded Retirement Systems, the Pension Funding Trustee, or the Auditor General under the amendatory Act; alter the method of calculating the minimum required contribution by the State to any State-Funded Retirement System in such a manner as results in a diminution in the contribution amount to a State-Funded Retirement System before the total assets of that System are equal to 100% of the total actuarial liabilities of that System; or use the proceeds of certain income tax surcharges for anything other than certain purposes. Waives sovereign immunity for purposes of the State-Funded Retirement Systems Council. Beginning State Fiscal Year 2026, sets forth a minimum contribution formula for the State-funded retirement systems equal to the sum of the Base Contribution plus the Benefit Change Contribution Amount. Makes conforming and other changes. Provides for transfers from the Budget Stabilization Act from the proceeds of the income tax surcharge under the amendatory Act. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Establishes a surcharge for taxable years 2026 through 2034 for all individuals, trusts, and estates equal to 0.5% of the taxpayer's net income and 0.7% of the net income of all corporations. Makes conforming changes in the Court of Claims Act. Effective immediately.

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

FILM TX CREDIT-SPENDING

Amends the Film Production Services Tax Credit Act of 2008. Provides that accredited productions shall be considered Category 1 productions or Category 2 productions. Provides that a Category 1 production is an accredited production that meets the following criteria: (1) at least 75% of all principal filming or taping days of the accredited production that occur at any soundstage facility within or without Illinois occur at a qualified production facility; and (2) at least 20% of the total expenditures for the accredited production are for (i) tangible property that will be used at a qualified production facility or for the use of the qualified production facility; (ii) the performance of services at a qualified production facility; or (iii) any combination of (i) and (ii). Makes changes concerning the amount of the credit. Makes changes concerning the number of nonresident employees whose wages may be considered Illinois labor expenditures. Makes changes concerning the definition of "qualified production facility". Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make changes concerning withholdings for loan out company employees. Effective immediately.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.Democrat

JUDICIAL PRIVACY-ADMIN JUDGES

Amends the Judicial Privacy Act. Adds administrative law judges to the definition of judicial officer in the Judicial Privacy Act.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.Democrat

INCLUSIVE VENTURE INVESTMENT

Creates the Inclusive Venture Investment Act. Provides that the State Treasurer shall create a Direct Matching Funds Program. Provides that the purpose of the program shall be to leverage State-managed funds for investments in minority-owned venture capital firms, minority-owned financial managers, and minority-led startups. Sets forth provisions for investment requirements and incentives; administration; transparency and reporting; oversight and compliance; confidentiality; and rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2026.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.Democrat

VEH CD-LICENSE/PERMIT FEES

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Increases the fee for an original instruction permit issued to persons who do not hold or have not previously held an Illinois instruction permit or driver's license from $20 to $40. Provides that $32 (rather than $16) of the $40 (rather than $20) fee for an original driver's license shall be paid into the Drivers Education Fund.

Ram VillivalamDemocrat

CONCEALED CARRY-FOREST PSRV

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits a forest preserve district from prohibiting persons from carrying a firearm into any botanic garden, swimming pool, grounds of a swimming pool, athletic venue, picnic grove, nature center, grounds of a nature center, pavilion, grounds of a pavilion, golf course, driving range, adventure course, grounds of an adventure course, zipline building, grounds of a zipline, equestrian center, grounds of an equestrian center, exercise venue, grounds of an exercise venue, or any public or private gathering or special event conducted on property that requires the issuance of a permit. Exempts a forest preserve district from the posting of a sign that states that the carrying of firearms is prohibited. Deletes language providing that a licensee under the Act shall not knowingly carry a firearm on any real property under the control of the Cook County Forest Preserve District. Defines "grounds".

Ram VillivalamDemocrat

INSURANCE FOR CARE PROVIDERS

Creates the Liability Insurance for Child Care Providers Act. Directs the Department of Children and Family Services, in consultation with stakeholders, including licensed child care providers, business owners, insurance providers, and others, to conduct a study to investigate (1) the existing regulations under the Child Care Licensing Act; (2) the availability and affordability of liability insurance for licensed child care providers; (3) the impact of regulatory actions and citations issued by licensing representatives on the ability of child care providers to obtain or maintain adequate liability insurance coverage; and (4) best practices in other states for balancing regulation and insurance requirements to promote safe and sustainable child care programs. Requires the Department to conduct a systematic review of its administrative rules and procedures as necessary to reform the child care licensing regulatory system to prioritize collaboration and educational support over punitive measures. Directs the Department to investigate specified actions that could be taken to improve the affordability of insurance for child care providers. Effective immediately.

Ram VillivalamDemocrat

DHFS-PACE-RATE REFORM

Amends the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Act. Provides that to ensure that organizations contracted to implement the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) program meet the needs of PACE participants, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reform the rate-setting methodology for the PACE program by establishing a blended rate structure based on a 30% Home and Community-Based Services and 70% Skilled Nursing Facility case-mix which is a more accurate proportion of the comparable population expected to reside in an institution or the community if not enrolled in PACE. Requires the blended rate structure to more accurately reflect the comprehensive nature of care provided by PACE organizations and address the unique needs of PACE participants as a higher risk/acuity population with expected higher costs and frailty than comparable populations. Provides that when developing rates under the blended rate structure, the Department must consider not only the standard cost experiences of PACE participants but also the unique characteristics and specific care needs of the PACE population as well as any additional State plan services or populations that are not included in the State's Medicaid managed care contracts but are required under the PACE program.

Ram VillivalamDemocrat

REVENUE-ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Creates the Electric Vehicle Charging Fee Act. Provides that a fee is imposed on the privilege of engaging in business as an electric vehicle power provider in this State. Provides that, from January 1, 2026 through January 1, 2027, the rate of fee shall be $0.06 per kilowatt hour of electric vehicle power. Provides that the rate of fee shall be increased on January 1 of each year by the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index. Amends the Public-Private Partnerships for Transportation Act. Creates a dynamic wireless electric vehicle charging pilot program. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to provide for emergency rulemaking. Effective January 1, 2026.

Ram VillivalamDemocrat

FACILITATING PROSTITUTION

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits the offense of trafficking in persons when the person knowingly: (1) maintains by any means, or attempts to recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide, obtain, advertise or maintain by any means, another person, intending or knowing that the person will be subjected to prostitution or a commercial sex act; or (2) recruits, entices, harbors, transports, provides, obtains, advertises, or maintains by any means, or attempts to recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide, obtain, advertise or maintain by any means, another person, intending or knowing that the person will be subjected to prostitution or a commercial sex act as a result of coercion. Provides that in determining sentences for human trafficking within statutory maximums, the sentencing court may provide for substantially increased sentences in cases involving more than 5 (rather than 10) victims. Changes the name of the offense of promoting prostitution to promoting or facilitating prostitution. Provides that a person commits the offense if the person: (1) owns, manages, or operates an interactive computer service or conspires or attempts to do so, with the intent to promote or facilitate the prostitution of another person; or (2) owns, manages, or operates an interactive computer service or conspires or attempts to do so, with the intent to promote or facilitate the prostitution of another person; and (A) promotes or facilitates the prostitution of 5 or more persons; or (B) acts in reckless disregard of the fact that such conduct contributed to sex trafficking in violation of the trafficking in persons law. Defines "interactive computer service". Amends various other Acts to make conforming changes.

Willie PrestonDemocrat

PROP TX-SENIOR FREEZE

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, provides that, for taxable years 2026 and thereafter, the maximum income limitation is $85,000 (currently, $65,000). Effective immediately.

Willie PrestonDemocrat

ANNUAL HOSPITAL REPORT

Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act. Provides that the State Board shall require each health care facility to submit an annual report of all capital expenditures (previously all capital expenditures in excess of 200,000). Provides that, if a hospital reports zero capital expenditures, there still must be included in the report a section detailing the hospital's total purchasing budget that encompasses all goods and services purchased by the hospital in the preceding fiscal year.

Willie PrestonDemocrat

VIDEO GAMING-LOCAL SHARE

Amends the Video Gaming Act. Provides that the tax collected under the Act from terminal income generated in municipalities with a population greater than or equal to 2,000,000 shall be deposited into the Capital Projects Fund and into the Local Government with Greater than 2,000,000 Residents Video Gaming Distributive Fund (rather than deposited into the Capital Projects Fund and into the Local Government Video Gaming Distributive Fund). Makes conforming changes. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Local Government with Greater than 2,000,000 Residents Video Gaming Distributive Fund. Effective immediately.

Willie PrestonDemocrat

SCH CD-BLACK ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. In the provisions requiring the State Board of Education to develop and make available training opportunities for educators, provides that the training may include the creation of an online portal to train educators in teaching Black English language learners and Black English as a second language. Provides that the portal shall aid educators in teaching students accustomed to using the African American English vernacular, teach about the history and development of African American English vernacular, and include evidence-based methods in teaching literacy to these students accustomed to African American English vernacular. Effective immediately.

Willie PrestonDemocrat

PUBLIC LABOR-REMEDIES

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Provides that the Illinois Labor Relations Board or the panel having jurisdiction shall determine whether a violation of the Act was serious enough that the Board or panel is unable to order a make-whole remedy. Describes potential reasons for such a determination. Provides that, if the Board makes a determination that the violation frustrated the purposes of the Act, the Board shall include the availability of interest arbitration in its order and, upon request of the charging party, the parties must participate in the impasse arbitration procedures.

Graciela GuzmánDemocrat

PUBLIC LABOR RELATIONS-RELIEF

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Provides that the Illinois Labor Relations Board or the relevant panel having jurisdiction may order make-whole relief, including, but not limited to, consequential damages and front pay for injuries suffered by employees or a labor organization as a result of an unfair labor practice. Provides that, in determining appropriate relief for a violation of provisions concerning refusal to bargain in good faith with a labor organization that is serious enough to have frustrated the purposes of the Act and that may have undermined or significantly impacted the collective bargaining process, the Board shall take into consideration factors that normally determine the outcome of collective bargaining when such bargaining has been conducted in good faith. Provides that employers who commit unfair labor practices under certain provisions in the Act shall also be subject to damages in an amount equal to any monetary make-whole relief ordered by the Board unless the employer can show it acted in good faith and had reasonable grounds to believe it was acting in compliance with this Act.

Graciela GuzmánDemocrat

INC TX-EDUCATION EXPENSE

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the education expense credit shall be 50% of the qualified education expenses incurred by a custodian on behalf of a qualifying pupil. Provides that, for tax years ending on or after December 31, 2025, the education expense credit shall be no more than $2,000 per child for a maximum of $6,000 per family. Provides that no taxpayer may claim an education expense credit if the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds 400% of the federal poverty level. Makes changes concerning the definition of "qualified education expense". Effective immediately.

Ram VillivalamDemocrat

ETHICS-REVOLVING DOOR

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that an employer shall not knowingly offer employment, compensation, or fees for services to a person if that person is prohibited by the Act's revolving door prohibitions from accepting employment, compensation, or fees for services from that employer. Grants the Executive Ethics Commission and the Legislative Ethics Commission jurisdiction over employers who make offers of employment, compensation, or fees for services in violation of this prohibition. Authorizes an ethics commission to impose a penalty of up to 3 times the total annual compensation that was offered in violation of this prohibition.

Jil TracyRepublican

RENEWABLE ENERGY PROCUREMENT

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. In provisions concerning the renewable portfolio standard for the Planning and Procurement Bureau, provides that, to ensure the successful development of new renewable energy projects supported through competitive procurements, for certain procurements, the Agency shall propose a process for post-award renegotiation of contract terms through its long-term renewable resources plan. Provides that such proposal shall allow for bilateral negotiation between the Agency and a winning bidder regarding contract terms, other than strike price and terms that impact strike price, that are not required under the Act. Provides that post-award renegotiation of competitively bid renewable energy credit prices shall be allowed only in cases where it is necessary to ensure the successful development of the underlying new renewable energy project based on circumstances that were unforeseeable at the time of the procurement event. Provides that, if, following the processes in the long-term renewable resources plan, the Agency and the winning bidder reach an agreement on amended terms or the winning bidder is entitled to a change in price, then, upon petition by the winning bidder or current seller, the Commission shall issue an order directing the utility counterparty to execute a form amendment drafted by the Agency with the revised terms or the new strike price. Provides that the Agency shall provide the amendment to the utility within 15 business days after the Commission's order and the utility buyer shall execute the amendment no more than 7 calendar days after delivery by the Agency. Provides that the Agency shall develop the form amendment following comments by interested parties. Effective immediately.

Bill CunninghamDemocrat

RECYCLING REFUND ACT-TECH

Creates the Extended Producer Responsibility and Recycling Refund Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Laura M. MurphyDemocrat

ILLINOIS FLAG ACT OF 2025-TECH

Creates the Illinois Flag Act of 2025. Contains only a short title provision.

Doris TurnerDemocrat

VEH CD-SEAT SAFETY BELTS

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the failure to wear a seat safety belt or the misuse of a seat safety belt by a driver or passenger of a motor vehicle may be considered evidence of negligence and may diminish any recovery from damages, but shall not limit the liability of an insurer.

Laura M. MurphyDemocrat