Bills & Legislation

NURSE EDUCATR-SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Amends the Nursing Education Scholarship Law. Creates the Nurse Educator Scholarship Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that all money in the Nurse Educator Scholarship Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the Department of Public Health to provide scholarships to nurse educators. Provides that each fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2025, the State Comptroller shall transfer $1,500,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Nurse Educator Scholarship Fund to implement the nurse educator scholarship provisions. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act. Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Provides that, for fiscal year 2026 and for each fiscal year thereafter, $6,000,000 (instead of $4,000,000) of the moneys deposited in the Nursing Dedicated and Professional Fund each year shall be set aside and appropriated to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for nursing scholarships awarded pursuant to the Nursing Education Scholarship Law. Effective immediately.

Sara FeigenholtzDemocrat

$EDUC-NURSING ASSISTANCE

Appropriates $1,000,000 from the Education Assistance Fund to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for grants to eligible nurse educators to use for payment of their educational loans pursuant to Public Act 94-1020. Appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Board of Higher Education for nurse educator fellowships to supplement nurse faculty salaries. Appropriates $1,500,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Board of Higher Education for competitive grants for nursing schools to increase the number of graduating nurses. Appropriates $6,000,000 from the Nursing Dedicated and Professional Fund to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for expenses related to the Nursing Education Scholarship Law. Effective July 1, 2025.

Sara FeigenholtzDemocrat

CONSUMER FIN PROTECTION LAW

Creates the Consumer Financial Protection Law. Creates the Financial Protection Fund. Sets forth provisions concerning findings and purpose, exemptions, administration of the provisions, funds, supervision, registration requirements, consumer protection, cybersecurity, anti-fraud and anti-money laundering, enforcement, procedures, and rulemaking. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes in the Freedom of Information Act and the State Finance Act. Changes the name of the Financial Institutions Code to the Financial Institutions Act. Sets forth additional powers and duties of the Division of Financial Institutions. Sets forth provisions concerning court orders, penalty of perjury, character and fitness of licensees, and consent orders and settlement agreements. Removes specified provisions. Defines terms. Makes other changes. Makes a conforming change in the Collection Agency Act. Amends the Currency Exchange Act, the Sales Finance Agency Act, the Debt Management Service Act, the Consumer Installment Loan Act, and the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act. Changes application, license, and examination fees. Effective January 1, 2026.

Mark L. WalkerDemocrat

MUNI CD-EMINENT DOMAIN-WATER

Amends the Municipal Code. In provisions concerning acquisition of water systems by eminent domain, provides that eminent domain actions undertaken by a municipality under the provisions may be submitted as a referendum to be voted upon by the electors residing within the area in which the affected water system is located. Provides that the petition process for the elections shall be governed by specified procedures of the Election Code. Provides that the acquisition of water systems by eminent domain is declared to be a special use under specified provisions of the Eminent Domain Act.

Rachel VenturaDemocrat

REVENUE-MEGAPROJECT

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 may certify a taxpayer for an exemption from any State or local use tax or retailers' occupation tax on building materials that will be incorporated into real estate at a megaproject site. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that a retailer that makes a qualified sale of building materials to be incorporated into real estate at a megaproject site may deduct the receipts from such sales when calculating the taxes imposed by those Acts. Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Megaproject Assessment Freeze and Payment Law. Provides that a "megaproject" is a project that meets certain investment and job creation specifications. Provides that the megaproject property is eligible for an assessment freeze. Provides that megaproject property may be granted an abatement. Provides that a company that operates a megaproject shall enter into an agreement with the municipality in which the project is located and other local taxing districts to make certain special payments. Effective July 1, 2025.

Mark L. WalkerDemocrat

ATTORNEY GENERAL-BLACK WOMEN

Amends the Attorney General Act. Creates an Office for Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls within the Office of the Attorney General. Provides that the Office shall: (1) serve as the legal and policy advisor to the Attorney General to ensure justice for missing and murdered Black women and girls; (2) develop recommendations for policies to address injustices in the criminal justice system's response to cases of missing and murdered Black women and girls; and (3) coordinate with State and local agencies to collect specified information and give technical assistance. Provides that, no later than January 1 after the effective date of the amendatory Act and biennially thereafter, the Office shall submit a report to the General Assembly on missing and murdered Black women and girls containing specified information.

Mike SimmonsDemocrat

ID CARD-VICTIM WAIVER

Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act. Provides that the Secretary of State shall not collect a fee for a standard Illinois Identification Card issued to a transgender person, or the immediate family of that person, moving to Illinois due to an act of persecution. Effective immediately.

Mike SimmonsDemocrat

WILDLIFE-TECH

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

Chris BalkemaRepublican

LIFETIME FISHING LICENSE-VET

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Provides that, for resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces who receive an Honorable Discharge or General Discharge from the United States Armed Forces, the Illinois National Guard, or the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces, the fee for a lifetime fishing license for those veterans is one-half of the fee charged for a lifetime fishing license. Provides that those veterans must provide to the Department of Natural Resources, according to rule set by the Department, verification of their service. Provides that the Department shall establish what constitutes suitable verification of service for the purpose of issuing lifetime fishing licenses to resident veterans at a reduced fee. Makes technical changes.

Sally J. TurnerRepublican

CANNABIS SOCIAL EQUITY

Amends the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Department of Agriculture may share with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity any licensee information necessary to support the administration of social equity programming. Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Adds a definition. In various provisions, adds Social Equity Lottery Licensees to provisions that include Social Equity Applicants. Provides that the Cannabis Business Development Fund shall be exclusively used for certain purposes, to include providing financial assistance to support lending to, or private investment in, Qualified Social Equity Applicants and Social Equity Lottery Licensees, or to facilitate access to the facilities needed to commence operations as a cannabis business establishment. In provisions regarding loans and grants to Social Equity Applicants, adds financial assistance to provisions that include loans and grants. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has the power to enter into financial intermediary agreements to facilitate lending to or investment in Qualified Social Equity Applicants, Social Equity Lottery Licensees, or their subsidiaries or affiliates, to ensure the availability of facilities necessary to operate a cannabis business establishment. Provides that certain loans made shall contain terms and provisions with respect to forgiveness. Provides that those loans also may be distributed by lot if the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity determines that the amount of funding available is insufficient. Provides that, to the extent registration with the federal System for Award Management requires a grant applicant to certify compliance with all federal laws, the grant applicants shall not be required to register for a unique entity identifier through the federal System for Award Management. Makes other and conforming changes.

Kimberly A. LightfordDemocrat

ELECTRIC VEHICLE REBATE-BIKES

Amends the Electric Vehicle Rebate Act. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026, and continuing as long as funds are available, a person may apply for a rebate in specified amounts following the purchase of an electric bicycle in Illinois. Prohibits the rebate amount from exceeding the purchase price of the electric bicycle. Contains eligibility requirements. Requires a person who is awarded a rebate to retain ownership of the electric bicycle for a minimum of 12 consecutive months. Provides that a person may apply for and receive a rebate only once in a 10-year period and that only one rebate may be awarded per person per electric bicycle. Contains other provisions.

Graciela GuzmánDemocrat

$ISBE-FED FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT

Appropriates $2,000,000 to the State Board of Education for grants, contracts, and administration expenses under the federal Farm to School State Formula Grant. Effective July 1, 2025.

Doris TurnerDemocrat

$ICJIA-GRANT CHRC

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Agency for grants to Community Resource Healing Centers (CHRC)for their operational expenses. Effective July 1, 2025.

Adriane JohnsonDemocrat

PROP TX-ENERGY STORAGE

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the fair cash value of commercial energy storage system improvements in counties with fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants shall be determined by subtracting the allowance for physical depreciation from the commercial energy storage system trended real property cost basis. Provides that those commercial energy storage systems are not subject to equalization factors applied by the Department of Revenue or by any board of review, assessor, or chief county assessment officer. Provides that the owner of the commercial energy storage system shall commission a metes and bounds survey description of the land upon which the commercial energy storage system is located. Contains other provisions concerning the assessment of commercial energy storage systems. Effective immediately.

David KoehlerDemocrat

NUCLEAR MORATORIUM REPEAL

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Removes provisions prohibiting the construction of new nuclear power reactors with a nameplate capacity of more than 300 megawatts of electricity to be located within the State until the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security finds that the United States Government has identified and approved a demonstrable technology or means for the disposal of high level nuclear waste.

Sue RezinRepublican

MUNI CD-ALDERPERSON ELECTION

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. In any municipality exceeding 100,000 inhabitants but not exceeding 1,000,000 inhabitants that adopts a ward system after the effective date of the amendatory Act, requires alderpersons to be elected by ward and allows for the election of 2 additional at-large alderpersons.

Cristina CastroDemocrat

ELEC CD-NAME STANDARDIZATION

Amends the Election Code. Provides that each election authority shall maintain a website. Provides that each election authority shall post election results on its website, including district data for every electoral district under the election authority's jurisdiction, even if the election authority only has jurisdiction over part of the electoral district. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall implement a standard naming convention for election districts, precincts, and polling places to streamline the reporting of election results. Provides that, as part of implementing the standard naming convention, the State Board of Elections shall adopt guidelines for election authorities to follow when naming election districts, precincts, and polling places. Sets forth requirements for the implementation of these guidelines for the 2026 General Primary Election and subsequent elections.

Cristina CastroDemocrat

ELEC CD-DUAL-PURPOSE APP

Amends the Election Code. For specified applications, change of address forms, or recertifications of a driver's license or State identification card, provides that the application, form, or recertification shall serve as a dual-purpose application when the applicant presents specified identification (rather than meets the requirements of the federal REAL ID Act of 2005). Modifies requirements of the dual-purpose application. Modifies the content of the written notice required to be given by the Office of the Secretary of State to each applicant and requires the Office of the Secretary of State to determine whether each applicant is currently registered to vote in Illinois and the applicant's registration address. Provides that, if an applicant provides the Secretary of State with an identification document which demonstrates that the applicant is not a United States citizen, the application shall not serve as a dual-purpose application. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to make conforming changes. Provides that changes made by the amendatory Act that require implementation shall be implemented no later than January 1, 2027. Effective immediately.

Ram VillivalamDemocrat

ELEC CD-EARLY VOTING LINE

Amends the Election Code. Provides that an election authority shall allow any voter who is in line to vote at the time an early voting polling place closes to cast a ballot.

Patrick J. JoyceDemocrat

MOTOR VEHICLE SALES-LIABILITY

Amends the Motor Vehicle Retail Installment Sales Act. Provides that each person, other than a seller or holder, who signs a retail installment contract may be held liable only to the extent that he actually receives the motor vehicle described or identified in the contract, except that a parent or spouse or any other person who co-signs such retail installment contract (rather than any other person listed as an owner of the motor vehicle on the Certificate of Title issued for the motor vehicle who co-signs such retail installment contract) may be held liable to the full extent of the deferred payment price notwithstanding such parent or spouse or any other person listed as an owner has not actually received the motor vehicle described or identified in the contract and except to the extent such person other than a seller or holder, signs in the capacity of a guarantor of collection.

Patrick J. JoyceDemocrat

COUNTY/MUNI-NATURAL GAS

Amends the Counties Code and Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county or municipality may not adopt any regulation that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the use of natural gas in new construction without a referendum. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers.

Patrick J. JoyceDemocrat

CIVIL ACTION-STRAW PURCHASER

Creates the Straw Purchaser Accountability Act. Provides that whenever any person engages in gun trafficking or intentionally or negligently delivers or causes to be delivered a firearm, firearm ammunition, or a laser sight accessory, firearm silencer, or muffler to: (1) any person who is not legally authorized to possess that item; (2) a person who is purchasing the item on behalf of another person; or (3) any other person the deliverer knows or has reason to know will use the item unlawfully; the deliverer shall thereafter be civilly liable for the commission of any subsequent tortious conduct that directly or indirectly involves the use, attempted use, or threatened use of the item by any person. Provides that a prevailing plaintiff shall be entitled to all relief that would make him or her whole. Provides that persons subject to liability under the Act are jointly and severally liable. Provides that any person who recovers damages under the Act may not recover the same costs or damages under any other Act. Provides that a person who recovers damages under any other Act may not recover for the same costs or damages under the Straw Purchaser Accountability Act.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.Democrat

JUV CT-TIME OF TRIAL

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that if the minor has multiple delinquency petitions filed against him or her, remaining petitions pending against the minor respondent shall be adjudicated within 120 (rather than 160) days from the date on which a finding relative to the first petition prosecuted is rendered. Restructures the provisions concerning alleged delinquent minors and pretrial detention of alleged delinquent minors. Provides that if the court determines that the State, without success, has exercised due diligence to timely obtain the results of DNA testing that is material to the case, and that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the results may be obtained at a later date, the court may extend the period of detention of the minor to not more than 70 days, only for any matter for which the minor may be committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Provides that nothing in the trial and pretrial detention provisions of the Act prevents the minor from exercising the minor's rights to waive the time limits set forth in these provisions. Deletes provision that time needed to prepare a defense to a State motion such as an extended juvenile jurisdiction petition or a transfer petition shall not be considered a delay occasioned by the minor. Makes technical changes in the trial and pretrial detention provisions of the Act.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.Democrat

RENEWABLE ENERGY-SMALL REACTOR

Amends the Renewable Energy Production District Act. Changes the definition of "renewable energy facility" to include, among other things, small modular reactors. Defines "small modular reactor". Effective immediately.

Mark L. WalkerDemocrat

SUBURBAN BUS BOARD BIDDING

Amends the Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Requires the Suburban Bus Board to adopt responsible bidding rules applicable to bids for contracts solicited for drivers, dispatchers, customer service aides, and reservationists. Requires a bidder to submit specified information before a bidder may be considered a responsible bidder. Provides that it is the sole responsibility of the bidder to comply with all submission requirements at the time it submits its bid to the Suburban Bus Board. Provides that upon designation by the Suburban Bus Board that a contractor's or subcontractor's submission in anticipation of a bid is complete and timely, and upon any further consideration deemed necessary by the Suburban Bus Board, the contractor or subcontractor may be prequalified for future contracts with the Suburban Bus Board. Provides that a contractor's classification as qualified shall exempt the contractor or sub-contractor from the submission requirements for a period of 12 months. Provides that contractors and subcontractors who are prequalified must submit a complete application for continuation of prequalified standing on a form provided by the Suburban Bus Board by December 31st for the upcoming calendar year. Provides that failure by any prequalified contractor or subcontractor to timely submit its complete application for continuation of prequalified standing shall result in automatic removal of the designation. Allows a contractor or subcontractor removed from prequalified status to still bid on Suburban Bus Board contracts.

Ram VillivalamDemocrat

UETA-AGENCY RULES

Amends the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. In provisions regarding the acceptance and distribution of electronic records and electronic signatures by governmental agencies, provides that, to the extent that a governmental agency uses electronic records and electronic signatures, the governmental agency (rather than the Department of Innovation and Technology and the Secretary of State) may specify (rather than shall adopt rules specifying) the required format and attributes of the electronic records and electronic signatures and the specific processes and procedures governing their use. Authorizes the Secretary of State and the Department of Innovation and Technology to adopt rules setting forth minimum requirements concerning the required format and attributes of electronic records and electronic signatures and the processes and procedures governing their use. Provides that the rules adopted by the Secretary of State shall apply only with respect to the Secretary of State. Further provides that the rules adopted by the Department of Innovation and Technology shall apply only with respect to client agencies, as that term is defined in the Department of Innovation and Technology Act.

Ram VillivalamDemocrat

CONSUMER FRAUD-RECEIPTS

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that any printed or digital receipt issued or made available to a consumer by a retail seller at the time of sale must clearly list the single unit price of each individual item purchased by the consumer regardless of the number or quantity of each individual item purchased by the consumer at the time of sale. Provides that a retail seller who violates this requirement commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.

Ram VillivalamDemocrat

DOIT-POWERS AND DUTIES

Amends the Department of Innovation and Technology Act. Repeals the definition of "client agency" and makes changes in the definitions of "dedicated unit", "State agency", and "transferring agency". Replaces references to "transferring agency" with references to "transferred agency". Makes changes in provisions concerning the powers and duties of the Department of Innovation and Technology, including changes in the scope of services provided by the Department and in the classes of persons to whom those services are to be provided. Authorizes the Department to charge fees for service to all State agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor (rather than only client agencies). Repeals from the Department of Innovation and Technology Act and adds to the Illinois Information Security Improvement Act a provision requiring the principal executive officer of specified units of local government to designate a local official or employee as the primary point of contact for local cybersecurity issues. Requires the name and contact information for the specified individual to be provided to the Statewide Chief Information Security Officer. Further amends the Illinois Information Security Improvement Act. Makes changes concerning the duties of the Office of the Statewide Chief Information Security Officer and the Secretary of Innovation and Technology. Changes the definition of "State agency".

Ram VillivalamDemocrat

INC TX-UNION DUES

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction for the full amount of union dues paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year if the taxpayer was not allowed a federal deduction under the Internal Revenue Code. Provides that, if any amount of union dues representing federal miscellaneous itemized deductions was allowed as a federal deduction, then the amount allowed as an Illinois deduction shall be a specified percentage of the union dues disallowed under the Internal Revenue Code. Provides that the deduction is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision. Effective immediately.

Ram VillivalamDemocrat

DNR-DEER MGMT PLAN

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that any deer herd management plan established by the Department of Natural Resources, including length of seasons and bag and possession limits, shall take into account economic damage and public safety concerns caused by deer.

Li Arellano, Jr.Republican

ANIMAL WELFARE-DOG DEALER

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that "dog dealer" does not include a person who sells dogs at retail to the public. Provides that a person who sells dogs at retail to the public, shall not be considered an animal shelter under the Act. Defines "at retail to the public". Provides that the Illinois Department of Agriculture may refuse to issue or renew or may suspend or revoke a license due to an individual operating without a proper license under the Act.

Linda HolmesDemocrat

BUDGET-SPENDING CAP

Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code. Provides that, beginning with the budget prepared for Fiscal Year 2027, the rate of growth of appropriations from the State general funds over the preceding fiscal year appropriations from the State general funds shall not exceed the rate of growth of the Illinois economy. Provides that the rate of growth of the Illinois economy is the compound annual growth rate of the gross domestic product in the State over the preceding 10 calendar years, calculated using data reported by the United States Bureau of Economic Analysis or its successor agency before the December 31 that immediately precedes the beginning of the applicable fiscal year.

Suzy Glowiak HiltonDemocrat

ELECTIONS-ODD NUMBER OF WARDS

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, if a majority of voters in a city of less than 100,000 inhabitants vote in favor of a proposition to stagger the terms of alderpersons, then in a city with an odd number of wards at the next regular election for alderpersons, one alderperson shall be elected from each odd-numbered ward for a term of 2 years and one alderperson shall be elected from each even-numbered ward for a term of 4 years

Paul FaraciDemocrat

LLC-REDUCE FILING FEES

Amends the Limited Liability Company Act. Reduces various filing fees payable to the Secretary of State by 50%. Effective immediately.

Andrew S. ChesneyRepublican

PEN CD-GARS-FUNDING

Amends the General Assembly Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, in any fiscal year in which the total assets of the System are at least 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the System, the minimum contribution by the State for that fiscal year shall be the System's normal cost for the fiscal year, plus a supplemental payment in any year in which the total assets of the System are less than 120% of the total actuarial liabilities. Provides that the supplemental payment is to be calculated by using a 30-year rolling amortization to target a ratio of the System's total assets to the System's total actuarial liabilities of 120%. Provides that, if the ratio of the System's total assets to the System's total actuarial liabilities is 120% or greater, but 130% or less, the State is only obligated to make a payment of the normal cost for the fiscal year. Provides that, in any fiscal year in which the ratio of the System's total assets to the System's total actuarial liabilities exceeds 130%, no payment, either for the normal cost or a supplemental payment, shall be paid to the System. Makes conforming changes.

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

CHICAGO BOARD EDU-COMPENSATION

Amends the School Code. Authorizes the Chicago Board of Education, by resolution, to provide for the compensation of its members.

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

DEFERRED COMP-NONPLAN SERVICES

Amends the State Universities Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the System shall require that the deferred compensation recordkeeper agree that, in performing services with respect to the deferred compensation plan, the recordkeeper: (i) will not use information received as a result of providing services with respect to the deferred compensation plan or the participants in the deferred compensation plan to solicit the participants in the deferred compensation plan for the purpose of cross-selling nonplan products and services, unless in response to a request by a participant in the deferred compensation plan or a request by the System (currently, a request by a participant in the deferred compensation plan); and (ii) will not promote, recommend, endorse, or solicit participants in the deferred compensation plan to purchase any financial products or services outside of the deferred compensation plan, except that links to parts of the recordkeeper's or the recordkeeper's affiliate's (currently, 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 website (currently, recordkeeper's) does not constitute a violation of the prohibition. Amends the University Employees Custodial Accounts Act. Makes similar changes. In a provision prohibiting a defined contribution plan recordkeeper from promoting credit cards, life insurance, or banking products, provides an exception if a request to provide those products is made by the governing board of the public institution of higher education or its authorized delegate. Effective immediately.

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

PEN CD-BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

Amends the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Pension Board Member Training Act. Provides that the Department of Insurance shall develop and implement a curriculum designed to provide pension board members with necessary education on specified topics, including legal and fiduciary responsibilities, investment strategies, ethical considerations, and actuarial assessments and reporting requirements. Provides that the curriculum shall be made available online to all pension board members. Requires every pension board member to complete the training provided by the Department on an annual basis. Provides that attendance at pension board meetings shall not be deemed to fulfill the annual training requirement. Sets forth provisions concerning definitions; Department responsibilities and rulemaking; and documentation.

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

COUNTY WIND/SOLAR REGULATION

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county may not approve the siting of a commercial wind energy facility, a commercial solar energy facility, or both in an unincorporated area that is located within a 3-mile radius of a municipality, if: (1) the municipality has not approved the siting of the facility or facilities at that location; (2) the county board or the corporate authorities of the municipality have determined that any portion of the facility or facilities will be located on land with a Soil Productivity Index that is greater than or equal to 90; or (3) the county board or the corporate authorities of the municipality have determined that the owners or operators of the facility or facilities have failed to comply with one or more National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements for the site. Provides that the provisions apply regardless of whether the municipality has adopted zoning ordinances or is regulating wind farms and electric-generating wind devices under specified provisions of the Illinois Municipal Code. Requires each commercial solar energy facility to have the minimum number of fire hydrants required by ordinances governing the servicing fire department or fire protection district or, if there are no requirements by ordinances governing the servicing fire department or fire protection district, then the minimum number required by the county board. Allows a county to require a commercial solar energy facility to be sited at least 500 feet to the nearest point on the property line of the nonparticipating zoned residential. Effective immediately.

Sue RezinRepublican

TRANSPORT FIREARM IN VEHICLE

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that if a concealed carry licensee leaves his or her vehicle unattended, he or she shall store the firearm out of plain view in a safe or other secure container which, when locked, is incapable of being opened without the key, keypad, combination, or other unlocking mechanism and is capable of preventing an unauthorized person from obtaining access to and possession of the weapon contained therein and shall be fire, impact, and tamper resistant. For the purposes of this provision, a glove compartment, glove box, or center console is not considered an appropriate safe or secure storage container. Provides that when leaving his or her vehicle unattended, a concealed carry licensee shall store his or her loaded or unloaded firearm out of plain view in a safe or other secure container which, when locked, is incapable of being opened without the key, keypad, combination, or other unlocking mechanism and is capable of preventing an unauthorized person from obtaining access to and possession of the weapon contained therein and shall be fire, impact, and tamper resistant. For the purposes of this provision, a glove compartment, glove box, or center console is not considered an appropriate safe or secure storage container. Provides that a concealed carry licensee in violation of this provision is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first or second violation and a Class 4 felony for a third violation. Provides that the Illinois State Police may suspend a license for up to 6 months for a second violation and shall permanently revoke a license for a third violation. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that for the aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon statute, "case" does not include an unlocked glove compartment, glove box, or center console of a vehicle.

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

TOBACCO ESCROW-VIOLATIONS

Amends the Tobacco Products Manufacturers' Escrow Enforcement Act of 2003. Provides that, upon a distributor's failure to submit certain information, the Attorney General may send a notice of violation to the distributor and provide 10 days to cure the violation. Provides that, if the distributor does not cure the violation, the Attorney General may notify the Director of Revenue of the violation, and, upon receiving the Attorney General's notice, the Director of Revenue shall revoke the distributor's license. Amends the Tobacco Product Manufacturers' Escrow Act. Provides that a tobacco product manufacturer that elects to place funds into escrow may make an irrevocable assignment of its interest in the funds to the benefit of the State.

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

FIREARM OWNERS ID-FEES

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act concerning the Firearm Transfer Inquiry Program. Provides that the Illinois State Police may charge a fee not to exceed $10 and any processing fee. Provides that the processing fees shall be limited to charges by the State Treasurer for using the electronic online payment system. Provides that $4 from each fee collected under this provision shall be deposited into the State Police Firearm Enforcement Fund. Currently, the Illinois State Police may utilize existing technology which allows the caller to be charged a fee not to exceed $2.

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

PEN CD-POLICE-VARIOUS

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. In provisions authorizing certain persons to transfer service credit from IMRF to a downstate police pension fund, makes technical and combining changes to conform the changes made by Public Act 102-857 and Public Act 102-1061. Removes a restrictive date on the transfer of that service credit. Authorizes investigators for the Secretary of State and conservation police officers to transfer that service credit. Authorizes State's Attorneys to transfer service credit under the IMRF Article to the State Employee Article. In the State Employee Article, provides that a State policeman or conservation police officer may elect to convert service credit earned under the Article or, for certain types of service, elect to establish eligible creditable service under the alternative retirement annuity provisions by filing a written election with the Board of Trustees and paying to the System a specified amount. Provides that a participant under the alternative retirement annuity provisions may establish eligible creditable service for up to 7 years of service as a State's Attorney. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

PEN CD-POLICE-VARIOUS

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. In provisions authorizing certain persons to transfer service credit from IMRF to a downstate police pension fund, makes technical and combining changes to conform the changes made by Public Act 102-857 and Public Act 102-1061. Removes a restrictive date on the transfer of that service credit. Authorizes investigators for the Secretary of State and conservation police officers to transfer that service credit. Authorizes State's Attorneys to transfer service credit under the IMRF Article to the State Employee Article. In the State Employee Article, provides that a State policeman or conservation police officer may elect to convert service credit earned under the Article or, for certain types of service, elect to establish eligible creditable service under the alternative retirement annuity provisions by filing a written election with the Board of Trustees and paying to the System a specified amount. Provides that a participant under the alternative retirement annuity provisions may establish eligible creditable service for up to 7 years of service as a State's Attorney. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

ELEC CD-REMOTE ACCESS VOTE

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, if a voter with a print disability's application for permanent vote by mail status is accepted by the election authority and the voter with a print disability requested an accessible vote by mail ballot, the voter with a print disability shall receive an accessible vote by mail ballot for every election the voter with a print disability remains on the permanent vote by mail list. Provides that, for all elections subsequent to the 2026 general election, the State Board of Elections shall provide a certified remote accessible vote by mail system through which an election authority can deliver a vote by mail ballot through electronic transmission to voters with a print through electronic transmission to voters with a print disability and through which voters with a print disability can mark, verify, and return a vote by mail ballot to the election authority electronically. Provides that all electronic documents and web pages that must be used as part of the certified remote accessible vote by mail system provided by the State Board of Elections or election authorities shall be compliant with specified web content guidelines. Provides that the certified remote accessible vote by mail system shall comply with specified requirements. Changes the definition of "certified remote accessible vote by mail system". Makes other changes.

Julie A. MorrisonDemocrat

NURSING HOME-STAFFING RATIO

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Adds infection preventionists, minimum data set assessment nurses, other social workers, certified nursing assistant interns, and medication aides to the list of direct care staff used to compute staff to resident ratios. Provides that, except as otherwise provided by law, 100% of the hours worked by the specified staff shall be counted toward the staff to resident ratio. Provides that no monetary penalties shall be imposed unless the variance between a facility's minimum staffing ratios and the Department of Public Health's computations exceeds 20%. Removes a provision prohibiting waiver of a monetary penalty for non-compliance. In provisions concerning reporting requirements for facilities that violate the minimum staffing requirements, provides that the facility must have a variance that exceeds 20% of the requirements. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Julie A. MorrisonDemocrat

TOWNSHIP CD-PUBLIC SAFETY LEVY

Amends the Township Code. Authorizes funds generated through a levy on property located in a special police district in an unincorporated area of a township in a county with a population of 1,000,000 or more inhabitants to be used to provide for public safety in unincorporated areas of the township. Prohibits the levied funds from being used to pay for (i) any portion of a school resource officer's wages or to facilitate any agreement with any law enforcement agency to hire a school resource officer or (ii) any portion of a red light camera, speed camera, or automated license plate reader. Defines "public safety" and "resource officer". Effective immediately.

Laura FineDemocrat

DHFS-SLF-DEMENTIA CARE SETTING

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that beginning January 1, 2026, a supportive living dementia care setting shall not limit resident access to the sink, microwave, and refrigerator located within the respective resident's room. Provides that social and recreational programming shall be provided no less than daily at a time and location separate from a meal service. Provides that beginning January 1, 2026, a newly constructed supportive living dementia care setting shall provide no less than 300 square feet for a single occupancy apartment or no less than 450 square feet for a double occupancy apartment. Provides that the square footage requirement may include the closets and bathroom. Requires each apartment to include a sink, microwave, and refrigerator within the unit. Provides that beginning January 1, 2026, a newly constructed supportive living dementia care setting shall provide a common area completely separate from the dining area.

Robert PetersDemocrat

DHS-STATEWIDE DV HOTLINE

Amends the Domestic Violence Shelters Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall be responsible for the provision of a single, easy to use telephone number for public access to information and referral for domestic violence services. Authorizes the Department to identify and enter into a contract with a lead entity to provide governance and oversight, including the ability to design, implement, support, and coordinate a State-wide Domestic Violence Hotline system. Provides that the lead entity must: (i) have the ability to provide statewide, toll-free, 24-hour, 7 day-a-week, multi-lingual, confidential referral services to victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and information to people calling on behalf of a victim, including friends or family of the domestic violence victim and first responders such as the police; (ii) have a record of providing effective, victim-centered referral services to victims of domestic violence for at least 2 years prior to the effective date of the amendatory Act; (iii) be an Illinois 501(c)(3) non-profit agency or organization; (iv) provide the most up-to-date technology to increase access to domestic violence services for the deaf and hard of hearing; and (v) have other specified qualifications. Requires the lead entity to provide periodic programmatic and fiscal reports on activities, accomplishments, and other issues to the Department. Requires the Department to ensure, prior to awarding a contract, that the Domestic Violence Hotline lead entity has the organizational capacity to carry out the terms of the contract.

Karina VillaDemocrat

INS-HEALTH CARE/AMBULANCE

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that nothing in the provisions shall require an ambulance provider to bill a beneficiary, insured, enrollee, or health insurance issuer when prohibited by any other law, rule, ordinance, contract, or agreement. Limits home rule powers. Changes the definition of "emergency services" and "health care provider". Amends the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Removes language providing that upon reasonable demand by a provider of emergency transportation by ambulance, a health maintenance organization shall promptly pay to the provider, subject to coverage limitations stated in the contract or evidence of coverage, the charges for emergency transportation by ambulance provided to an enrollee in a health care plan arranged for by the health maintenance organization.

Linda HolmesDemocrat