Bills & Legislation

AUTO INS-RIGHT TO APPRAISAL

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that every automobile insurance policy issued, renewed, or delivered in Illinois that includes first-party coverage for physical damage shall contain a provision granting either the insured or the insurer the right to invoke appraisal in the event of a dispute over (i) the actual cash value or amount of a loss, including repairable or total loss amounts; or (ii) the value of a settlement offer made to a third-party claimant. Sets forth provisions concerning the selection of appraisers; appointment of an umpire in the event of a disagreement between appraisers; issuance of the award following the appraisal; the binding effect of an agreement between appraisers or one appraiser and the umpire; cost allocation and consumer protections; the right of appraisal for third-party claimants; and enforcement and penalties. Creates the Automotive Appraisal Standards Advisory Board to provide guidance on rulemaking, enforcement priorities, and best practices. Sets forth membership provisions and provides that the Board shall meet no less than quarterly and may issue nonbinding recommendations to the Department of Insurance regarding updates to rules and emerging trends impacting fair claim resolution. Requires the Department to publish meeting summaries and any formal recommendations on its public website. Provides that the Department may adopt rules necessary to implement and enforce provisions concerning the right to appraisal. Effective 90 days after becoming law.

EDUC-HOMELESS CHILD-PREVENTION

Amends the Education for Homeless Children Act. Allows a school district to provide for an extended motel stay for a child who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Effective immediately.

JUV CT-SUBSEQ FIREARM OFFENSE

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that the court shall require a minor to participate in restorative justice programs, such as social service programs for high-risk youth, cognitive behavioral therapy, including family engagement and mentoring, and comply with referral recommendations if the minor: (1) has previously been placed on probation for an offense that involves the possession or discharge of a firearm not causing any injury; and (2) is convicted of a subsequent offense involving the possession or discharge of a firearm not causing any injury.

CONSUMER RIGHT TO RETURN

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice for a retail establishment to not accept the return of a product by a consumer or only offer store credit to the consumer in exchange for the return of a product if the consumer purchased the product at that retail establishment and the product is unopened and unused.

SCH CD-DEACTIVATE SCH-CONTRACT

Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. Provides that the length of a contract between a deactivating school district that is seeking to send its students to more than one district and the receiving district shall be for 4 (rather than 2) school years, but the districts may renew the contract for a length of time that is mutually agreed upon by the districts (rather than for additional one-year or 2-year periods).

TOWNSHIP CD-POLICE PROTECTION

Amends the Township Code. When the electors in a township in a county with a population of 1,000,000 or more authorize the township board to contract with one or more municipalities in the township or with the county within which the township is located to furnish police protection in the unincorporated area of the township, requires using funds levied under the provisions to furnish the police protection. Provides that a township board's authority to declare the unincorporated area of the township a special police district is to provide and maintain police protection in the unincorporated area of the township. Allows the township board to use the special police district funds levied under the provisions for public safety but prohibits use of those funds for the purchase of red light cameras, speed cameras, or automatic license plate readers. Effective immediately.

MEDICAL-SIMULATOR TRAINING

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that the rules adopted by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation concerning continuing education shall require that the educational requirements include simulation training.

BENEFITS EXCHANGE EASY ENROLL

Amends the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Law. Provides that the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange shall allow a special enrollment period for an uninsured taxpayer and the uninsured taxpayer's qualified dependents, if applicable, if the uninsured taxpayer requested health insurance benefit information through the easy enrollment program under the Illinois Income Tax Act and the uninsured taxpayer and the uninsured taxpayer's qualified dependents, if applicable, are eligible to enroll in a qualified health plan through the Exchange. Establishes notification requirements for the Exchange. Provides that the uninsured taxpayer and the uninsured taxpayer's dependents shall have 60 days from the date of the letter to select and enroll in a qualified health plan. Provides that coverage shall be effective the first day of the month that follows the plan selection. Grants the Department of Insurance and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services rulemaking authority to implement an easy enrollment special enrollment period. Effective immediately.

SCH CD-SUSPENSION/EXPULSION

Amends the School Code. Provides that early childhood programs receiving State funds shall restrict suspensions. Provides that the decision to suspend a student in preschool for 3 or more days may only be made by the superintendent of the school district, director of an early childhood program, or their equivalent and that the length of the suspension for any student in preschool may not be longer than the number of days required by the school district or early childhood program to develop and implement a behavior intervention plan or safety plan. Prohibits a student in kindergarten through grade 2 from being expelled unless otherwise required by federal or State law. Provides that the decision to suspend a student in kindergarten through grade 2 for 3 or more days may only be made by the superintendent of the school district and that the length of the suspension for any student in kindergarten through grade 2 may not be longer than the number of days required by the school district to develop and implement a behavior intervention plan or safety plan. Provides that a student who is suspended in excess of 20 school days may be immediately transferred to an alternative program. Provides that a student shall not be denied transfer because of the suspension, except in cases in which such transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students or staff in the alternative program. Makes other changes.

INSURANCE-PROVIDER PANELS

Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Sets forth requirements for carriers that offer a provider panel. Requires notice of the development of a provider panel to be filed with Department of Public Health prior to establishment. Provides that a carrier that uses a provider panel shall establish procedure for notifying an enrollee of the termination of a health care provider. Sets forth provisions permitting, under certain circumstances, a health care provider to continue to render health care services following termination from the carrier's provider panel. Requires a carrier to provide a list of members in the carrier's provider panel. Establishes notice requirements for benefit reductions and termination of health care providers from the carrier's provider panel. Requires any carrier requiring preauthorization for medical treatment to have personnel available to provide preauthorization at all times when the preauthorization is required. Provides that no contract between a health care provider and a carrier shall include provisions that require a health care provider to deny covered services that the provider knows to be medically necessary and appropriate that are provided with respect to a specific enrollee or group of enrollees with similar medical conditions. Sets forth prohibited provisions in a contract between a carrier and a health care provider. Defines terms. Makes other and conforming changes.

INSURANCE-VARIOUS

Amends the Burn Victims Relief Act. Dissolves the George Bailey Memorial Fund on June 30, 2025, or as soon thereafter as practical, and assigns any future deposits due to that Fund to the General Revenue Fund. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Requires every company licensed to do business in this State that is transacting the kind or kinds of business under Class 1, 2, or 3, as defined in the Code, to establish a customer affairs and information department to respond to policyholder inquiries and complaints. In provisions concerning kinds of agreements requiring approval, provides that the Director of Insurance has the right to request additional filing review and approval of all contracts that contribute to the statutory threshold trigger. Removes provisions concerning a working group related to the treatment and coverage of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders. Makes other changes. Amends the Dental Care Patient Protection Act. Makes changes concerning preemption of provisions. Amends the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Provides that health maintenance organizations are subject to provisions of the Illinois Insurance Code requiring coverage for certain at-home pregnancy tests and certain medically necessary treatments to address a major injury to the jaw. Amends the Network Adequacy and Transparency Act to make technical and combining changes to conform the changes made by Public Act 103-777 and 103-650. Amends the Limited Health Service Organization Act to make conforming changes. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Changes the definition of "insurance company". Effective immediately, except that certain changes to the Illinois Insurance Code are effective January 1, 2026 and certain other changes to the Illinois Insurance Code are effective 60 days after becoming law.

PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Defines "reportable misconduct" as specified sexual and violent misconduct. Requires health professionals and health institutions to report reportable misconduct to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Sets forth provisions concerning time lines for reporting, contents of the report, and confidentiality. Permits the Department to adopt rules to implement, administer, and enforce the reporting requirements, including, but not limited to, rules that define terms and are necessary and appropriate to interpret and implement provisions concerning health professionals and health institutions. Provides that a law enforcement agency shall make a report to the Department within 30 days after opening an investigation into, making an arrest of, or bringing charges of a felony or Class A misdemeanor violation against a person who is licensed or registered by the Department. Provides that the State's Attorney shall report to the Department within 5 days after the conviction for a felony or Class A misdemeanor of a person who is licensed or registered by the Department. Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Adds reporting requirements for specified serious incidents or events. Creates the Sexual Assault Survivors Fund. Makes changes in provisions concerning the posting of information; reports to the Department; penalties for failure to comply with the Act; and patient protection from abuse. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Amends the Illinois Adverse Health Care Events Reporting Law of 2005. Makes changes in provisions concerning the establishment of a reporting system. Amends various Acts pertaining to health professionals and health institutions. Adds the failure to report reportable misconduct to the causes that allow the Department to take disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the Department with regard to a license. Makes conforming and other changes.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILLING ACT

Creates the Local Government Billing Act. Provides that the corporate authorities of a unit of local government shall bill for any utility service, including previously unbilled service, within 12 months (for residential customers) or 24 months (for non-residential customers) after the provision of the utility service. Provides exceptions to the time limits for billing when the customer prevented the utility from accurately reading the meter. Provides that the corporate authorities shall not intentionally delay billing beyond the normal billing cycle, shall label amounts attributed to previously unbilled service as such, shall prorate previously unbilled service amounts to reflect varying rates during the unbilled time, and shall provide the customer with a payment arrangement option for previously unbilled service amounts. Provides that customers may be billed for unpaid amounts that were billed to a customer before the effective date of the Act for service that was supplied to the customer before January 1, 2026. Provides that customers may be billed for unpaid amounts if the customer was notified that there is an unpaid amount before the effective date of the Act for service that was supplied to the customer before January 1, 2026. Provides that there is no time limit for the corporate authorities of a unit of local government to collect previously unbilled service attributed to tampering, theft of service, fraud, or the customer preventing the utility's recorded efforts to obtain an accurate reading of the meter.

PEN CD-MWRD-VARIOUS

Amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that an ordinary disability benefit shall be allowed only if the employee is examined, at least annually, by a licensed health care professional appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. In the definition of "salary", provides that, for a member on a disability benefit, salary is the salary on which the disability benefit is based. Provides that the Board has the power to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses to testify before the Board and to compel the production of documents and records upon any matter concerning the Fund, including in conjunction with specified matters. Sets forth provisions concerning fees of witnesses for attendance and travel and compliance with a subpoena.

COURT OF CLAIMS-AWARDS

Amends the Court of Claims Act. Provides that the Court of Claims has exclusive jurisdiction to hear all claims against the State for time unjustly served in State prisons, in county jails, in county juvenile detention facilities, or in Illinois Youth Centers, on parole or probation, or registered as a sex offender if the person was unjustly convicted or adjudicated a delinquent and received a pardon from the Governor on the ground of innocence of the crime for which the person was convicted or adjudicated a delinquent or the person received a certificate of innocence. Removes language providing the amount of the award the court may give for a successful claim. Provides instead that the court shall make an award of $50,000 per year during which the person was wrongfully incarcerated and $25,000 for each year during which the person was wrongfully on parole or probation or required to register as a sex offender. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act apply to claims pending or filed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Allows any person who is convicted or adjudicated a delinquent and then serves any part of a sentence of incarceration in a State prison, in a county jail, in a county juvenile detention facility, or in a Illinois Youth Center, on parole or probation, or registered as a sex offender (rather than convicted and subsequently imprisoned) for one or more felonies by the State that the person did not commit may file a petition for certificate of innocence. Requires the court to make an award of reasonable attorney's fees, costs, and expenses after awarding a certificate of innocence. Provides that any person seeking a certificate of innocence based on the dismissal of a juvenile delinquency petition or an acquittal that occurred before the effective date of the amendatory Act shall file a petition within 4 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act, and any person seeking a certificate of innocence based on the dismissal of a juvenile delinquency petition or an acquittal that occurred on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall file a petition within 2 years after the dismissal or acquittal. Effective immediately.

COMPLEX REHAB TECH ACT

Creates the Complex Wheelchair Right to Repair Act. Provides that, for complex wheelchairs and parts for complex wheelchairs sold or used in the State, an original equipment manufacturer shall make available to an independent repair provider, solely for the purpose of repairing complex wheelchairs, on fair and reasonable terms, any documentation, parts, service access methods, and tools, including, but not limited to, any updates to information, firmware, or embedded software that is needed for purposes of repair of complex wheelchairs and training courses and materials on the operation, inspection, diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of complex wheelchairs. Provides that a violation of any of the provisions of the Act is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides for penalties. Provides that nothing in the Act shall require an original equipment manufacturer to divulge a trade secret to an independent repair provider. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Prohibits a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026 from requiring a qualified complex rehabilitation technology supplier to obtain any form of prior authorization or any medical documentation to complete repairs for consumer-owned complex rehab technology. Requires coverage for time and labor expenses; travel allowance; and maintenance and repair of a consumer's backup power wheelchair or a rental wheelchair. Provides coverage for preventive maintenance. Amends various Acts to require coverage under those provisions. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change. Effective January 1, 2026.

DNR-VARIOUS

Amends the Wildlife Code. In prohibitions against fraud in connection with any license, permit, or tag, deletes provisions that the Department of Natural Resources shall suspend the privileges of any person found guilty of violating these prohibitions for a period of not less than one year. In provisions regarding the Apprentice Hunter License Program, deletes provisions requiring the Apprentice Hunter License to be a nonrenewable license. In provisions regarding a certificate of competency, deletes provisions allowing a person born on or after January 1, 1980, to be exempt from requirements for a certificate of competency if the person has a hunting license issued in another State. In provisions regarding penalties, deletes provisions requiring the Department to suspend for a period of not less than one year the privileges of any person found guilty of violating specific provisions in the Act. Deletes provisions limiting some suspensions to 5 years. Requires the Department to suspend the privileges of a person for a violation of certain provisions in the Act for a period of one year. Makes technical and other changes. Amends the Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act. In provisions regarding snowmobile inspections, provides that an officer may (rather than must) issue a summons. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Makes changes in provisions concerning jurisdiction and expungement.

HUMAN RIGHTS ACT-REAL ESTATE

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Prohibits a landlord from imposing a move-in fee. Provides that a landlord may not demand any charge for the processing, reviewing, or accepting of an application, or demand any other payment, fee, or charge before or at the beginning of the tenancy. Exempts entrance fees charged by nursing homes or similar institutions. Prohibits a landlord from renaming a fee or charge to avoid application of these provisions. Limits fees for the late payment of rent in certain situations. Provides that any provision of a lease, rental agreement, contract, or any similar document purporting to waive or limit these provisions is void and unenforceable as against public policy. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that State policy is that access to housing is a fundamental human right in preventing discrimination based on familial status or source of income in real estate transactions. Changes the definition of "source of income"by stating that the definition prohibits a person engaged in a real estate transaction from requiring a credit check before approving another person in the process of renting real property or requiring a move-in fee in lieu of a security deposit or in addition to a security deposit.

EVICTION OF MINORS

Amends the Eviction Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Requires dismissal of a complaint in its entirety against all defendants if the complaint names a defendant who is a minor at the time of filing or was a minor at the time that the lease agreement at issue was entered. Provides that such an action shall be immediately sealed. Provides that, in addition to any other remedies available to the minor, a minor named as a defendant in violation of the Act is entitled to reasonable attorney's fees, actual damages, and liquidated damages in the amount of $1,000. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits a party from refiling an action against any defendants who otherwise may be properly named. Provides that, upon dismissing the case, the court may not waive any fees associated with refiling the action against defendants otherwise properly named.

INS CD-PET INSURANCE

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates the Pet Insurance Article of the Code. Defines terms. Requires a pet insurer to disclose coverage exclusions, limitations, waiting periods, and other information. Provides that pet insurance applicants shall have the right to examine and return the policy, certificate, or rider to the company or an agent or insurance producer of the company within 30 days of its receipt and to have the premium refunded if, after examination of the policy, certificate, or rider, the applicant is not satisfied for any reason. Provides that a pet insurer may issue policies that exclude coverage on the basis of one or more preexisting conditions with appropriate disclosure to the consumer. Provides that a pet insurer may issue policies that impose waiting periods upon effectuation of the policy that do not exceed 30 days for illnesses or orthopedic conditions not resulting from an accident. Prohibits waiting periods for accidents. Provides that no pet insurer or insurance producer shall market a wellness program as pet insurance. Sets forth provisions concerning wellness programs sold by a pet insurer or insurance producer.

UNI DIRECT ADMISSION PROGRAM

Creates the Public University Direct Admission Program Act. Provides that, beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, the Board of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Illinois Community College Board, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and the State Board of Education, shall establish and administer a direct admission program. Requires each public university in the direct admission program to identify and provide its grade point average standards for general admission for first time admission and for transfer students to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission by March 1 of each year. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026 and each July 1 thereafter, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall use data collected from school districts to determine which students meet the standards for general admission and provide the data to the Board of Higher Education. Provides that, beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, the Board of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and the State Board of Education, shall develop, in consultation with the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a preselection outreach campaign to encourage qualifying State high school juniors and seniors to apply to the University of Illinois at Chicago or the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Requires the Board of Higher Education to submit a report on the direct admission program and the preselection outreach campaign to the Governor and General Assembly by August 1, 2029 and each August 1 thereafter. Amends the School Code. Requires a school board to provide access to high school student directory information and each student's email address and grade point average to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and each public institution of higher education for the purpose of informing students of educational and career opportunities.

SCH CD-STUDENT TEACHERS-SALARY

Amends the School Code. Provides that no institution of higher education shall establish or maintain any policy which requires student teaching for preservice teachers to be unpaid. Effective immediately.

EPINEPHRINE DELIVERY DEVICE

Amends various Acts to change references from "epinephrine auto-injector" or "epinephrine injector" to "FDA approved epinephrine delivery device or product". Changes the name of the Epinephrine Injector Act to the FDA Approved Epinephrine Delivery Device or Product Act.

COSMETOLOGY/BARBER-APPRENTICES

Amends the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985. Provides that all apprentices shall be employed under an apprenticeship agreement between the sponsoring salon or shop and the apprentice that is approved by the Department of Labor. Provides requirements for the completion of an apprenticeship program, including training hours and supplemental instruction. Provides that an apprentice shall only provide licensed services under the supervision of a cosmetologist, barber, esthetician, or nail technician with an active license and for the scope of services for which the supervising licensed professional is licensed to practice. Requires apprentices to be trained in all branches of practical work and related supplemental instruction for the scope of practice for the license the apprentice seeks to obtain. Defines "apprentice". Provides that a person is qualified for a license as a barber if the person has graduated from a school of barbering or school of cosmetology approved by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or completed an apprenticeship under the Act (rather than only if the person has graduated from a school). Provides that the Department shall prescribe reasonable rules for the registration of apprentices.

BANKING-VARIOUS

Amends the Illinois Banking Act. Makes changes to the membership of the State Banking Board of Illinois. Provides that a bank may borrow or incur an obligation and pledge assets to secure deposits. Provides that a bank may provide data processing services to a person for profit. Provides that a bank may invest in financial futures or options transactions. Provides that the board of directors of a bank may provide by resolution that stockholders may attend, participate in, act in, and vote at any annual meeting or special meeting through the use of a conference telephone or interactive technology if specified conditions are satisfied. Provides that a person who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement or false entry with intent to deceive any person or persons authorized to examine into the affairs of the bank or the subsidiary or holding company of that bank, the branch of an out-of-state bank with intent to deceive the Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate or his administrative officers in the performance of their duties under the Act shall be subject to civil penalties imposed by the Commissioner (rather than be guilty of a Class 3 felony). Provides that the Board may authorize the transfer of funds from the Bank and Trust Company Fund. Amends the Savings Bank Act. Provides that the board of directors of a savings bank may provide by resolution that members or stockholders may attend, participate in, act in, and vote at any annual meeting or special meeting through the use of a conference telephone or interactive technology if specified conditions are satisfied. Provides that a savings bank may loan funds through the purchase of fixed rate annuity contracts. Provides that a savings bank may accept deposits made by a minor and may open an account in the name of the minor, and the rules and regulations of the savings bank with respect to each deposit and account shall be as binding upon the minor as if the minor were of full age and legal capacity. Makes changes to various provisions concerning notice to allow for electronic notice. Makes other changes. Amends the Illinois Credit Union Act. Does not prohibit the furnishing of financial records of a deceased member to a public administrator of any county or other governmental jurisdiction for the purpose of facilitating burial of the customer. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

ABLE ACCOUNT PROGRAM INFO

Amends the School Code. Provides that beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, a school district shall provide informational materials about the Illinois Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account program (rather than the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account program) annually to the parent or guardian of a student who has a section 504 Plan under the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, using the same distribution methods employed for other communications related to the student's section 504 Plan. Removes language providing that a school may transmit the informational material to a parent or guardian in the same manner as other documents and information related to an Individualized Education Program meeting are provided to the parent or guardian. Amends the Department of Early Childhood Act and the Early Intervention Services System Act. In provisions requiring individualized family service plans for children receiving early intervention services, provides that during the initial development of an individual family service plan and at each review meeting of the service plan, the regional intake offices shall provide the parent or guardian with informational materials about the Illinois (ABLE) account program. Requires the informational materials to include an overview of the Illinois ABLE account program, eligibility criteria, and other necessary enrollment information. Requires the Office of the State Treasurer to prepare and deliver the informational materials about the Illinois ABLE account for distribution to regional intake offices which shall subsequently disseminate the informational materials to parents and guardians in the same manner as they transmit other documents to families. Makes technical changes to the State Treasurer Act to change the name of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account program to the Illinois Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account program.

COLOR VISION TESTING

Amends the Child Vision and Hearing Test Act. Provides that color discrimination tests shall be performed in all vision screening services under this Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall adopt rules implementing this Section before January 1, 2027.

COLLECTION AGENCY COERCED DEBT

Amends the Collection Agency Act. Provides that a debtor is not liable for any coerced debt, as defined in the Act, and may assert that they have incurred a coerced debt by providing to a collection agency an oral or written Statement of Coerced Debt, as specified. Sets forth provisions concerning notice of coerced debt to a collection agency; duties of a collection agency upon receiving an incomplete statement of coerced debt; affirmative defenses in collection actions or arbitration; civil liability; protections from perpetrators of coerced debt; restrictions on waivers; and liability of collection agencies for violations of the Act. Provides that, upon receiving the debtor's complete statement of coerced debt and specified supporting information, a collection agency shall review and consider all the information received from the debtor as well as any other information available in the collection agency's file or from the creditor related to the alleged coerced debt within 90 days after receipt of the statement of coerced debt. Requires a collection agency, within 5 days after receipt of the complete statement of coerced debt and supporting information, to cease any pre-judgment attempts to collect the coerced debt from the debtor, including refraining from filing any lawsuit or arbitration to collect the coerced debt, and notify any consumer reporting agency to which the collection agency or creditor furnished adverse information about the debtor that the debtor disputes the adverse information. Establishes additional requirements for a collection agency that reviews a statement of coerced debt. Provides that, within 180 days after the effective date of the Act, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may design and publish a model coerced debt and third party written verification form in English and any other language it determines, within its discretion, is the first language of a significant number of consumers in the State. Makes other changes.

STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER

Creates the State Public Defender Act. Creates the Office of State Public Defender as an agency of State government. Provides that the Office of State Public Defender shall be an independent agency within the judicial branch of government and the Office's records shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that the Office of State Public Defender shall be under the supervision and direction of the State Public Defender. Sets forth the powers and duties of the State Public Defender, including the duties of the initial State Public Defender. Provides that the initial State Public Defender shall be appointed by the Supreme Court. Sets forth specified duties and responsibilities of the initial State Public Defender. Creates the State Public Defender Commission. Sets forth membership and duties of the Commission. Amends the Public Defender and Appointed Counsel Division of the Counties Code. Provides that any 2 or more counties of this State that are within the same judicial circuit may by joint resolution of the several county boards involved create a common Office of public defender for the counties so joined or allow representation in one county by the public defender appointed in the collaborating county (rather than 2 or more adjoining counties within the same judicial circuit may create a common Office of public defender). Provides that, when a vacancy occurs in the position of public defender, the State Public Defender shall nominate and the State Public Defender Commission shall appoint a properly qualified public defender using the application and selection process developed under the State Public Defender Act. Removes certain differences based upon county populations. Removes provisions relating to the Public Defender Quality Defense Task Force. Provides that a public defender may be removed only for good cause or dereliction of duty after notice and a hearing before the State Public Defender Commission (rather than by the president of the county board after a notice and hearing of the county board). Modifies how a public defender is compensated and how moneys in the Public Defender Fund may be used. Makes other changes. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes.

BOND AUTHORIZATION ACT

Amends the Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Coal Resources Development Law of 1997. Extends the repeal of the Act until December 31, 2030. Effective immediately.

INS CD-LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that any group or individual policy of accident or health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after January 1, 2027 shall provide coverage for laser hair removal if the procedure is prescribed medical treatment in accordance with generally accepted standards of medical care. Provides that the coverage shall apply to individuals with conditions including, but not limited to, body dysmorphia, hidradentis suppreativa, polycystic ovary syndrome, or other similar skin conditions. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid code to require coverage under those provisions.

SCH CD-GLOBAL SCHOLAR CERTIFY

Amends the School Code. Provides that if the provider of the micro-credential or digital badge determines and can demonstrate that a student meets all of the criteria required to earn State Global Scholar Certification, then the school district or nonpublic school shall designate that the student has earned State Global Scholar Certification on the student's diploma and transcript.

DHS-DD SERVICES-RATE SHEET

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to, at least annually, provide each provider of home and community-based services an updated, detailed rate sheet for each funded client served by the provider. Provides that the Department must also, within 45 days of submission of any provider-based information to the Department, such as Inventory for Client and Agency Planning scores, which changes a client's reimbursement rate, issue an updated rate sheet for the client. Provides that each detailed rate sheet must include full rate calculator formula transparency, showing the formula in print used to calculate the rate for each client served by the provider.

VEH CD-PASSING SCHOOL BUS

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, for each violation of a provision of the Code or a local ordinance recorded by an automated traffic law enforcement system, the county or municipality having jurisdiction shall issue a written notice of the violation to the registered owner of the vehicle who shall be liable for the violation unless otherwise provided. Provides that the notice shall be delivered to the registered vehicle owner within 30 days after the municipality or county confirms the identity of the owner of the vehicle (rather than 30 days after the Secretary of State notifies the municipality or county of the identity of the owner of the vehicle), but in no event later than 90 days after the violation. Provides that there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a school bus was stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging pupils and the visual signals were in operation on the school bus when recorded images produced by an automated traffic law enforcement system show: (1) an activated stop signal arm; and (2) an electronic indicator indicating activation of school bus visual signals. Provides that the motor vehicle owner is subject to a mandatory civil penalty of $300 (rather than a penalty not exceeding $150) for a first time violation or $1,000 (rather than a penalty not exceeding $500) for a second or subsequent violation.

DCEO-VARIOUS

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Removes language requiring the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish a freight rate information service for U.S. and foreign shippers. Repeals certain duties of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity related to a local government clearing house. Provides that the Department of Insurance (currently, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity) shall provide administrative support to the Student Career Development Liability Insurance Advisory Committee. Amends the Department of Insurance Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to make conforming changes. Repeals the Illinois Emergency Employment Development Act. Amends the Music and Musicians Tax Credit and Jobs Act. Repeals certain provisions requiring the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to submit reports under that Act. Amends the Eliminate the Digital Divide Law. Sets forth provisions concerning grants from the Digital Divide Elimination Fund. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

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.

UNEMPLOYMENT INS-RECOVERY

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides for the recovery of benefits awarded to individuals who are determined to not be eligible for those benefits, plus any penalties and interest, in accordance with specified provisions of the Act. Provides that the Director of Employment Security is authorized to cooperate with and enter into appropriate agreements with the State Treasurer for the recovery of unclaimed property held by the State Treasurer in the name of an individual who received benefits that the individual was determined to not be eligible to receive or in the name of an employer who owes contributions, interest, or penalties under the Act. Authorizes the Director to directly request and accept the return of funds from a debit card issuer for any debit card account that received benefits under specified circumstances. Makes other changes.

VEH CD- INSTRUCTOR DL REQ

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that if, to qualify for a license as an instructor for a driving school, it is required to obtain a set amount of practice hours driving, then, if the applicant holds a temporary license, the time spent driving under a temporary license shall count towards the set amount of practice hours.

ISP-POLICE K-9 CARE PROGRAM

Amends the Illinois State Police Act. Creates the Police K-9 Care Program within the Illinois State Police to provide a stable funding source for the veterinary care for retired police dogs. Provides that Illinois State Police shall contract with a nonprofit corporation organized under State law to administer and manage the Program and shall select the nonprofit corporation through a competitive grant award process. Provides that a handler or adopter of a retired police dog is eligible for a grant of up to $1,500 in veterinary care reimbursement for the retired police dog. Provides that the Program will be funded through grants from the Police K-9 Care Fund, which shall be funded by gifts, appropriations, and a percentage of monetary forfeitures due to criminal activity. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers relating to forfeitures. Provides requirements for the Program and the Fund. Requires the Illinois State Police to adopt rules necessary to implement the Police K-9 Care Program and the requirements of the Fund. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act. Some provisions take effect immediately and some provisions take effect one year after becoming law.

CPS-DISCIPLINE DISCLOSURE

Amends the School Code. Provides that the parent or guardian of a student against whom misconduct was committed by another student shall receive a copy of the disciplinary report from an investigation into the perpetrating student's act or acts of misconduct.

DHS-HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. In provisions concerning death reports investigated by the Department of Human Services' Office of Inspector General, provides that death reports with no allegation of abuse or neglect shall only be released to the Secretary of Human Services and to the director of the facility or agency when a recommendation is made. Provides that unredacted investigative reports may be shared with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Amends the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall operate and maintain an Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education-Wood for the education of individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or DeafBlind and are seeking competitive integrated employment. Makes conforming change to the School Code. Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Removes all references regarding the operation of community-integrated living arrangements for the supervision of persons with mental illness. Amends the Early Intervention Services System Act. Extends early intervention services to children who have been found eligible for early childhood special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and have an individualized education program. Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Adds physician assistance to the list of medical professionals listed under the definition of "qualified examiner". Adds advanced practice psychiatric nurse to several provisions listing medical professionals making mental health determinations. Makes conforming changes to the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act. Removes a requirement that a person witness the signing of a consent form. Repeals provisions in the Department of Human Services Act, the State Finance Act, and the Illinois Income Tax Act concerning the Autism Research Checkoff Fund. Effective immediately.

TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT PROGRAM

Amends the Transportation Benefits Program Act. Provides that the Act does not apply to a covered employer in the construction industry with respect to employees with whom the covered employer has entered into a bona fide collective bargaining agreement. Makes changes to definitions.

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS RECYCLING

Amends the Consumer Electronics Recycling Act. Adds and changes definitions. Changes references to residential covered electronic devices (CEDs) to references to CEDs from covered entities. Adds a nonprofit organization or recycler to certain provisions regarding the use of a retail or private network (rather than only retail) collection site with the agreement of the applicable retailer under certain local agreements. Changes references to retail collection sites to references to retail or private network collection sites. Adds to requirements for certain agreements, including those to be reduced to writing and included in the manufacturer e-waste program plan. Adds to requirements for the manufacturer e-waste program plan. Adds conditions in certain provisions regarding the applicable county, municipal joint action agency, or municipality. Adds certain waivers for charges for shortfalls in provisions regarding collection of CEDs. Adds requirements for the Advisory Electronics Task Force to submit certain information to the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as to communicate regarding certain updates and certain feedback. Adds provisions regarding education and consumer awareness requirements. Deletes an automatic repeal provision.

DENTAL PRACTICE ACT EXTENSION

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Changes the repeal date of the Illinois Dental Practice Act from January 1, 2026 to January 1, 2036. Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. In the definition of "branches of dentistry", adds oral and maxillofacial pathology, dental public health, oral medicine, and orofacial pain to the included specialties. Creates a temporary dental hygiene license for dental students who meet certain requirements. Provides that a licensee holding a temporary dental hygiene license must practice under the supervision of a dentist. Provides that the temporary dental hygiene license is active for one year from its issuance date. Changes the implementation deadline for an order regarding the services that are necessary to be performed on a patient who is in a State or federal prison and who cannot travel to a dental office to 180 days of the order's issuance (rather than 45 days of the order's issuance). Removes language providing that provisions concerning public health dentistry are inoperative on and after January 1, 2026. Effective immediately.

UNI CIVIL SERVICE-EMPLOYEE RTS

Amends the State Universities Civil Service Act. Provides that nothing in the Act or any rules adopted under the Act prevents the parties to a collective bargaining agreement from agreeing to a provision that enhances employee rights. Effective immediately.

VEH CD-THIRD DIVISION

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Divides vehicles into 3 (instead of 2) divisions. Provides that a third division motor vehicle is a vehicle which is designed for the carrying of more than 10 persons and not more than 15 persons and which is designed or used only as a multifunction school-activity bus. Provides that the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the State Board of Education, shall develop a separate classroom course and refresher course for operation of vehicles of the third division being operated as multifunction school-activity buses.

MUNI CD-EMS VEHICLE FUNDS

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a municipality must set aside, in a dedicated account, 10% of the funds the municipality receives from an insurer on account of ambulance or fire services provided by the municipality. Provides that the municipality may only use the funds in the dedicated account for purchasing and maintaining ambulances, fire engines, and other vehicles used to provide emergency services.

NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE LEAVE

Creates the Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act. Provides that an employee of an employer with 16 or more employees and no more than 50 employees shall be entitled to use a maximum of 10 days of unpaid neonatal intensive care leave while any child of the employee is a patient in a neonatal intensive care unit. Provides that an employee of an employer with 51 or more employees shall be entitled to use 20 days of unpaid neonatal intensive care leave while a child of the employee is a patient in a neonatal intensive care unit. Provides that, upon the conclusion of leave taken under the Act, an employee shall be reinstated to his or her former position or a substantially equivalent one with no loss of benefits held or accrued prior to taking leave. Sets forth provisions concerning unlawful employer practices; Department of Labor responsibilities; and enforcement. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Fund.