Bills & Legislation

EPA-WATER REVOLVING FUND

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that a wastewater treatment facility located in the Village of Lisbon in Kendall County is allowed to apply for the Water Pollution Control Loan Program for the purposes of refinancing existing debt. Effective immediately.

Sue RezinRepublican

COOK CTY SHERIFF'S MERIT BOARD

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the Cook County Sheriff's Merit Board shall consist of 3 members (rather than not less than 3 and not more than 7 members) appointed by the Sheriff with the advice and consent of three-fifths of the county board. Provides that all members of the Board shall be appointed to hold office from the third Monday in March of the year of their respective appointments for a term of 6 years and until their successors are appointed and qualified for a like term. Provides that the terms of the members need not be staggered. Removes language authorizing the Board to employ hearing officers to conduct hearings under specified provisions. Provides that certification by the Board for appointment of deputy sheriffs in the Police Department, full-time deputy sheriffs not employed as county police officers or county corrections officers, and of employees in the Department of Corrections may be granted upon an applicant's successful completion of the Sheriff's application process which includes, but is not limited to, any mental, physical, psychiatric and other tests and examinations as may be prescribed by the Sheriff. Removes certain provisions concerning qualifications for appointment of deputy sheriffs in the Police Department, full-time deputy sheriffs not employed as county police officers or county corrections officers, and of employees in the Department of Corrections. Makes other and conforming changes.

Bill CunninghamDemocrat

MUNI CD-TIF SURPLUS FUNDS

Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that all surplus funds in the special tax allocation fund shall be distributed as soon as possible after they are calculated (rather than distributed annually within 180 days after the close of the municipality's fiscal year).

Laura M. MurphyDemocrat

PROP TX-RAILROAD

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that railroad property shall be assessed based on the location of the property (rather than as a unit).

Laura M. MurphyDemocrat

SCH CD-CONSOLIDATE DISTRICTS

Amends the Conversion and Formation of School Districts Article of the School Code. Within 3 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act, requires elementary school districts to form new school districts but only with other elementary school districts and high school districts to form new school districts but only with other high school districts, notwithstanding any referendum requirements or any other laws to the contrary. Provides that the State Board of Education shall facilitate the creation of the new school districts by providing recommendations on which districts must consolidate. Sets forth the factors that the State Board must take into consideration. Effective immediately.

Laura M. MurphyDemocrat

HOSPITAL EMPLOYEE-PANIC BUTTON

Amends the University of Illinois Hospital Act and Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that a hospital shall ensure that all employees of the hospital have a panic button attached to their staff identification card. Effective July 1, 2025.

Laura M. MurphyDemocrat

EPA-GREAT LAKES CCR PROTECTION

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that owners and operators of CCR surface impoundments at electric generating plants that are within 4,000 feet of Lake Michigan shall close the CCR surface impoundment by removal and off-site disposal, pursuant to specified provisions and requirements. In additional provisions, requires an owner or operator of an electric generating plant located within 4,000 feet of Lake Michigan that generates or has generated CCR that is not disposed of, treated, stored, or abandoned in a CCR surface impoundment to remove from the owner's or operator's site, for off-site disposal, all CCR generated by the facility that is not disposed of, treated, stored, or abandoned in a CCR surface impoundment and remediate all soil and groundwater impacted by the CCR, in accordance with specified requirements. Requires owners or operators to submit specified plans and reports to the Environmental Protection Agency. Provides that an owner or operator shall post with the Agency a performance bond or other security for the purpose of ensuring removal and remediation in accordance with the provisions. Provides that the Agency may enter into such contracts and agreements as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of the provisions. Provides that neither the State, nor the Director of the Agency, nor any State employee shall be liable for any damages or injuries arising out of or resulting from any action taken under the provisions. Contains other provisions. Contains a severability provision. Effective immediately.

Adriane JohnsonDemocrat

CRIM CD-HATE CRIME

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits hate crime when, by reason of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship, immigration status, or national origin of another individual or group of individuals, regardless of the existence of any other motivating factor or factors the person displays or causes to be displayed, on public or private property, a burning cross, a Nazi swastika, or a noose, with the intent to intimidate a person or group of persons or incite violence against a person or group of persons. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are severable under the Statute on Statutes.

Adriane JohnsonDemocrat

GROUP HOMES FOR DISABLED CHILD

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Defines "group home for the developmentally or intellectually disabled" and "child who resides in a group home for the developmentally or intellectually disabled". Excludes a group home for the developmentally or intellectually disabled from the definition of "child care institution". Adds a group home for the developmentally or intellectually disabled to provisions concerning child care facility requirements, including licensing standards, license applications, and transportation. Provides that no group home for the developmentally or intellectually disabled shall hire a staff member who is under 19 years of age. Effective immediately.

Doris TurnerDemocrat

BEST CONSUMER PRICE ACT

Creates the Best Customer Price Act. Provides that a public institution of higher education or a State agency may require best customer pricing for any goods it procures. Provides that, if goods are to be purchased by the State from a supplier or reseller, the supplier or reseller shall attest that the price is the best customer price. Provides that the supplier or reseller shall include a provision in the letter of supply from the manufacturer that the supplier or reseller can secure the supply and quantity of goods to be purchased, and that the manufacturer has extended the same best customer pricing from the manufacturer to each of the suppliers or resellers registered with the State for the goods to be purchased. Provides that, if a public institution of higher education or a State agency requires best customer pricing for the goods but does not believe the price is competitive, the public institution of higher education or the State agency may decline to award the bid. Effective immediately.

Emil Jones, IIIDemocrat

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY-PENALTY

Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Provides that a public employer that willfully (rather than intentionally) violates the Act, the Safety Inspection and Education Act, or the Health and Safety Act, or any standard, rule, regulation, or order under any of those Acts, or who demonstrates plain indifference to any provision of any of those Acts or any such standard, rule, regulation, or order, may be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $70,000 per violation (rather than $10,000 per violation).

Robert PetersDemocrat

RUST BELT TO GREEN BELT PILOT

Creates the Illinois Rust Belt to Green Belt Pilot Program Act. Creates the Illinois Rust Belt to Green Belt Fund as a special fund in the State treasury and makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act. Provides that the Fund shall be used by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to encourage and facilitate the employment of construction workforces located in underrepresented populations. Provides that applicants that are applying for a new utility-scale offshore wind project with the Illinois Power Agency shall file with the Department, as part of the applicant's application, an equity and inclusion plan. Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. In provisions concerning the procurement of renewable energy credits, provides that in addition to the amount of renewable energy credits to be procured from wind projects, the Illinois Power Agency shall procure at least 700,000 renewable energy credits, delivered annually for at least 20 years, from one new utility-scale offshore wind project. In provisions concerning the development of a long-term renewable resources procurement plan, provides that the total of renewable energy resources procured under the procurement plan shall be reduced for all retail customers based on the amount necessary to limit the annual estimated average net increase due to the costs of these resources included in the amounts paid by eligible retail customers in connection with electric service to no more than 4.25% of the amount paid per kilowatthour by those customers during the year ending May 31, 2009, and to no more than 4.5% of that amount as of the billing month following the expected date that a new utility-scale offshore wind project commences commercial operations and is expected to begin delivering power to the PJM Interconnection, LLC transmission grid. Provides that the Agency shall conduct at least one new utility-scale offshore wind procurement within 360 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Defines terms. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Robert PetersDemocrat

STUDY CHICAGO WATER CONTRACTS

Creates the Chicago Water Contracts Transparency Study Act. Provides that the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shall commission an independent study on the City of Chicago's water contracts with distributing municipalities, including detailed information on the agreements and costs associated with those agreements. Provides that the study shall also assess the potential cost impacts of establishing an alternative stream of water distribution, such as through the creation of a Southwest Water Authority or similar entity. Provides that the Commission shall hold at least 2 public hearings to solicit input from municipal representatives, water industry experts, and other stakeholders and include any relevant information resulting from those hearings in the study. Provides that the Commission shall complete the study and submit a report that includes an executive summary, detailed findings, and any recommendations resulting from the study to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than one year after the effective date of the Act. Effective immediately.

Michael E. HastingsDemocrat

DOWNSTATE TRANSPORT-EXPENSES

Amends the Downstate Public Transportation Act. In an Article concerning urbanized area public transportation assistance, provides that the term "operating revenues" does not include income from advertising.

Chapin RoseRepublican

COUNTIES CD-LEASE OF PROPERTY

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the lease of real estate is permitted when a property, structure, or facility owned by Kane County can be used for athletic purposes in the interest of the public or for the benefit and enjoyment of residents of the county if the property, structure, or facility acquired by Kane County was being used for athletic purposes prior to the county acquiring the property, structure, or facility. For leases entered into under this provision after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the lease must require (i) the lessee to allow any organization that used the land at the time the lease is executed to continue to use the land for the leased purposes during the term of the lease and (ii) the lessor to continue, during the term of the lease, to employ, in the same capacity, any persons who provided services on the land at the time the lease is executed.

Cristina CastroDemocrat

FACILITATING PROSTITUTION

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

Willie PrestonDemocrat

FOREST PRESERVE-REVENUE

Amends the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act. Allows the board of a forest preserve district to establish a special forest preserve district retailers' occupation tax and service occupation tax after referendum of the voters. Allows the tax to used exclusively for general purposes, including education, outdoor recreation, maintenance, operations, public safety at the forest preserves, trails, acquiring and restoring land, and any other lawful purposes or programs determined by the board of that district. Includes referendum language and additional ballot informational language. Incorporates provisions from the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to implement the tax. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Special Forest Preserve Retailers' and Service Occupation Tax Fund. Effective immediately.

Linda HolmesDemocrat

PENCD-CTPF-SERVICE CALCULATION

Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that when computing days of validated service, contributors shall receive the greater of: (1) one day of service credit for each day for which they are paid salary representing a partial or a full day of employment rendered to an employer or the Board of Trustees of the Fund; or (2) 10 days of service credit for each 10-day period of employment in which the contributor worked 50% or more of the regularly scheduled hours (instead of one day of service credit for each day for which they are paid salary representing a partial or a full day of employment rendered to an employer or the Board).

Robert F. MartwickDemocrat

IMMUNITY ENGINEERS-ARCHITECTS

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides immunity for any licensed engineer or licensed architect or other person working under the direct supervision of the licensed person who provides services without compensation in emergency response activities.

Donald P. DeWitteRepublican

CIV PRO-AFFIDAVIT OF MERIT

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a defendant in an action alleging malpractice or negligence against an architect, engineer, or surveyor may request an affidavit of merit within 56 days after the complaint or notice of the action is served on the defendant. Provides that within 56 days after a request for an affidavit of merit is made, the plaintiff in the action shall file an affidavit of merit signed by an individual who the plaintiff reasonably believes meets certain requirements. Provides that the court may grant one extension of time for filing an affidavit of merit. Provides for the dismissal of an action, with or without prejudice. Provides that a defendant's objection to an affidavit of merit shall be raised in a motion filed within 90 days after the affidavit of merit is served. Provides that if the court determines that an affidavit of merit does not fully comply with the requirements, the court shall allow the plaintiff 56 days to file one or more affidavits of merit that correct the deficiencies identified by the court. Provides that a defendant shall participate in discovery in the action as required by court rules. Provides that an affidavit of merit is not required in an action for breach of contract against an architect, engineer, or surveyor that does not involve the standard of care.

Donald P. DeWitteRepublican

HIGHER ED-IL VETERAN GRANT

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act with respect to the Illinois Veteran grant program. Provides that a grant recipient is not required to pay any tuition or mandatory fees while attending a State-controlled university or public community college in this State for a period that is based on the length of his or her active duty service, as verified on his or her U.S. Department of Defense form DD-214, calculated at specified credit hour rates (rather than for a period that is equivalent to 4 years of full-time enrollment, including summer terms). Provides that a grant may be transferred to a qualified dependent beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year. Amends the School Code to make a related change. Effective July 1, 2025.

Mike PorfirioDemocrat

TIF & ZONING ETHICS

Creates the Tax Increment Financing and Zoning Ethics and Political Contributions Prohibition Act. Prohibits certain political contributions from those who receive a benefit from a TIF district or a benefit from a zoning variance. Requires corporate disclosure of directors, employees, investors, and family who receive a benefit from a TIF district or a benefit from a zoning variance. Establishes penalties for violations. Exempts certain unrelated persons and unrelated contributions. Defines terms. Effective September 1, 2025.

Michael E. HastingsDemocrat

NATURAL RESOURCE MISUSE

Creates the Public Official Conflict of Interest and Natural Resource Misuse Act. Provides that it is unlawful for any public official, for personal gain, to offer, propose, or allow the use or allocation of a city's natural resource as a condition for settlement or compensation for damage caused to a resident's personal property, with a Class 3 felony that includes a fine not to exceed $250,000 and restitution to the resident, as well as removal from office in the case the public official is an elected official. Provides for powers of investigation and enforcement for the Attorney General, as well as for local law enforcement agencies in consultation with the Executive Ethics Commission. Provides for protection for whistleblowers. Declares a purpose. Defines terms.

Michael E. HastingsDemocrat

VID GAMING/POLI CONTRIB PROHIB

Creates the Video Gaming Ethics and Political Contributions Prohibition Act. Prohibits a video game terminal operator, landlord, or property owner, the board of directors or investors of a terminal operator, landlord, or property owner, or immediately family members of a terminal operator, landlord, or property owner from making a contribution to: (1) a municipal or county official responsible for issuing gaming licenses; or (2) a political action committee that supports or is affiliated with such officials. Provides that any corporation, organization, or entity receiving benefits from a gaming license shall disclose the names of directors, employees, investors, landlords, and their immediate family members who receive a benefit to the appropriate governmental body. Requires political organizations, candidates, political action committees, and independent expenditure committees to maintain records and disclose contributions from individuals or entities subject to the Act. Imposes penalties on any person or entity found to have made prohibited political contributions and on any municipal or county official who knowingly accepts prohibited political contributions. Allows the Illinois Gaming Board, the Illinois State Board of Elections, and the Illinois Ethics Commission to enforce the Act. Allows the Attorney General to prosecute violations of the Act. Effective immediately.

Michael E. HastingsDemocrat

FOIA-ABUSE BY OFFICIAL

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that an elected official of a unit of local government shall not use an alias, false identity, or any other deceptive means to submit a request for public records under the Act if the intent of the request is to cause the unit of local government to incur unreasonable or excessive costs. Sets forth penalties for a violation of this prohibition. Provides that, if an elected official of a unit of local government submits a request or series of requests resulting in unreasonable or excessive costs and if the use of an alias or false identity is discovered, then there is a rebuttable presumption that the request or requests were made to cause the unit of local government to incur unreasonable or excessive costs. Authorizes a unit of local government to seek reimbursement from elected officials who violate this requirement. Authorizes the Attorney General, in coordination with units of local government, to investigate alleged violations and to take appropriate legal action against persons it alleges to have committed violations.

Michael E. HastingsDemocrat

INS CD-PET SCAN COVERAGE

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that 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 July 1, 2025 shall provide coverage for the full cost of an annual PET scan for insureds age 35 or older who elect to get a PET scan, regardless of whether the PET scan was ordered by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches and regardless of whether the insured displays symptoms. Sets forth findings and definitions. Effective immediately.

Adriane JohnsonDemocrat

$ISBE-YOUTHBUILD IL GRANT

Appropriates $5,500,000 to the State Board of Education for a grant to YouthBuild Illinois. Effective July 1, 2025.

Adriane JohnsonDemocrat

ISP RADIO INTEROPERABILITY

Amends the Illinois State Police Radio Act. In provisions about public safety radio interoperability, defines interoperability and includes legislative findings. Provides that the Illinois Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) shall oversee advisory boards in the governance, interoperability, and land mobile radio standards for Illinois' land mobile radio communications system and shall collaborate with the Office of the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator and the Homeland Security Advisory Council to strengthen Illinois' emergency communications ecosystem. Modifies the membership of the SIEC. Provides that the advisory boards of the SIEC shall include, but are not limited to, the Governance Advisory Board, the Statewide Interoperability Advisory Board, and the STARCOM21 Advisory Board. Removes references to the STARCOM21 Oversight Committee. Requires the SIEC to adopt bylaws for its effective operation, as well as that of its advisory boards, and allows the SIEC to appoint advisors from the public safety communications community to serve on its advisory boards at the pleasure of the SIEC. Requires the SIEC to establish, no later than July 1, 2026, standards necessary to ensure land mobile radio equipment interoperates throughout Illinois; compliance with these standards shall be implemented as funding becomes available; planning, training, and evaluation standards necessary to enhance public safety communications operational readiness; and standards necessary for the unification of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System statewide. Requires the SIEC to, no later than July 1, 2026, develop and recommend a plan to sustainably fund radio infrastructure, radio equipment, and interoperability statewide. Allows the Illinois State Police to use any money appropriated to it for the purpose promoting public safety radio interoperability if the use of the funds is consistent with any standards set forth by the SIEC and to adopt emergency rules or jointly adopt emergency rules with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act to make conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2025.

Patrick J. JoyceDemocrat

HIGH VOLTAGE CONVERTER STATION

Amends the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act. Makes technical changes. Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Provides that the long-term renewable resources procurement plan shall include the procurement of renewable energy credits from high voltage direct current renewable energy credits. Provides that the Illinois Power Agency shall conduct at least one forward procurement for high voltage direct current renewable energy credits within 240 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Sets forth procedures for application and bidding. Provides that, no later than December 1, 2025, the Agency shall create and issue a report that describes how transmission systems limit the ability of electric utilities to meet renewable resource procurement goals. Makes changes in provisions concerning legislative declarations and findings and definitions. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that an electric utility that has entered into a contract to purchase high voltage direct current renewable energy credits shall be entitled to recover through tariffed charges all costs related to the purchase of high voltage direct current renewable energy credits under the contract. Provides that an entity that received a contract to provide high voltage direct current renewable energy credits and the associated high voltage direct current transmission lines shall not be obligated to submit an annual supplier diversity report to the Illinois Commerce Commission. Makes changes to provisions concerning definitions. Amends the Prevailing Wage Act to make a conforming change. Effective immediately.

Bill CunninghamDemocrat

GA-LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that, once per legislative term, each member of the General Assembly shall participate in a law enforcement educational program, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, a ride-along program and a simulation training program, as organized by a body of law enforcement of that member's legislative district or representative district.

Sally J. TurnerRepublican

CYBERSECURITY TRAINING

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Requires each officer, member, and employee to complete, at least annually, a cybersecurity training program, with certain requirements. Requires each ultimate jurisdictional authority to submit to the applicable Ethics Commission, at least annually, a report regarding that training, with certain requirements.

Sally J. TurnerRepublican

PROHIBITED PROP OWNERSHIP

Amends the Property Owned By Noncitizens Act. Provides that a prohibited foreign-party-controlled business shall not acquire by grant, purchase, devise, descent, or otherwise any interest in public or private land in the State. Provides that a prohibited foreign-party-controlled business entity in violation of the provisions has 2 years to divest of the public or private land, and if a prohibited foreign-party-controlled business entity does not divest the public or private land, the Attorney General shall commence an action in the circuit court within the jurisdiction of the public or private land. Provides that a prohibited foreign party shall not acquire by grant, purchase, devise, descent, or otherwise any interest in agricultural land in the State regardless of whether the prohibited foreign party intends to use the agricultural land for nonfarming purposes. Provides that a prohibited foreign party who is a resident alien of the United States shall have the right to acquire and hold agricultural land in the State upon the same terms as a citizen of the United States during the continuance of his or her residence in the State, but if a prohibited foreign party is no longer a resident alien, he or she shall have 2 years to divest of the agricultural land, and that if the prohibited foreign party does not divest of the agricultural land as required, the Attorney General shall commence an action in circuit court within the jurisdiction of the agricultural land. Provides that violation of the provisions by either a prohibited foreign-party-controlled business entity or a prohibited foreign party owning agricultural land shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class 4 felony punishable by not more than 2 years imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections or a $15,000 fine, or both. Creates the Office of Agricultural Intelligence within the Department of Agriculture to collect and analyze information concerning the unlawful sale or possession of agricultural land by prohibited foreign parties and administer and enforce the provisions of the Act.

Sally J. TurnerRepublican

WIND & SOLAR AFFECT WATER FLOW

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the owner of a commercial wind energy facility or commercial solar energy facility must compensate landowners if the facility adversely affects the flow of water within the landowner's land, including, but not limited to, by affecting a drainage tile.

Sally J. TurnerRepublican

STATE GOVT AI ACT

Creates the State Government AI Act. Provides that, before January 1, 2028, the Department of Innovation and Technology shall adopt rules establishing policies and procedures concerning the development, procurement, deployment, use, and assessment of artificial intelligence by agencies of State government. Prohibits the deployment and use of artificial intelligence by agencies of State government, unless permitted by rules adopted by the Department. Requires certain impact assessment reports. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Sally J. TurnerRepublican

CMS-BUILDING MAINTENANCE

Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Central Management Services shall: (1) review the condition of all State-owned buildings annually; (2) report to the General Assembly on the condition of all State-owned buildings annually; (3) identify the necessary costs to repair and maintain all State-owned building and report those costs to the General Assembly annually; and (4) adopt rules creating and overseeing a repair and maintenance schedule for all State-owned vacant buildings.

Sally J. TurnerRepublican

U OF I-GRF DISTRIBUTION-CAMPUS

Amends the University of Illinois Act. Provides that the Board of Trustees shall distribute the lump sum appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to each campus of the university in a given fiscal year on a per-student basis based on the previous academic year's enrollment at that campus, as reported to the Board of Higher Education.

Chapin RoseRepublican

HIGHER ED-UNIV CHANCELLORS

Amends the University of Illinois Act and the Southern Illinois University Management Act. Requires the chancellor of any campus of the University of Illinois or Southern Illinois University to advocate for what is beneficial and in the best interests of their campus if it interferes with what is beneficial and in the best interests of the university system as a whole.

Chapin RoseRepublican

HIGHER ED-RURAL STUDENT-ADMIT

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Provides that if a public university has a law school, medical school, or nursing program, the governing board of the university shall establish an admissions process in which 25% of the students admitted to the law school, medical school, or nursing program shall be rural students; defines "rural student". Provides that the governing board shall require each of these rural students to agree to return to the county where the student's primary residence was located for a period of 3 years after graduation from the law school, medical school, or nursing program. Effective July 1, 2025.

Chapin RoseRepublican

HIGHER ED-STUDENT FREE SPEECH

Creates the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that the intent of the Act is for the requirements of the Act to apply equally to the governing board of each public institution of higher education in this State unless the Act provides otherwise. Defines "governing board of each public institution of higher education" and "public institution of higher education". Prohibits a public university from punishing students for exercising their right to free speech. Effective immediately.

Chapin RoseRepublican

HIGHER ED-ACADEMIC ADVISORS

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Requires each governing board to ensure that an academic advisor or counselor acts with a duty of care or fiduciary duty to provide academic guidance and advice that is strictly in the best interest of the student whom he or she advises or counsels.

Chapin RoseRepublican

PEN CD-SURS-RETURN TO SERVICE

Amends the State Universities Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision concerning additional employer contributions for employers that employ or re-employ affected annuitants, provides that the required employer contribution for employment of an affected annuitant in an academic year shall be equal to the lesser of: (1) 3 times the amount of the gross monthly retirement annuity payable to the annuitant for the month in which the first paid day of that employment in that academic year occurs, after any reduction in that annuity that may be imposed under a specified provision; or (2) $100,000 (instead of equal to 12 times the amount of the gross monthly retirement annuity payable to the annuitant for the month in which the first paid day of that employment in that academic year occurs, after any reduction in that annuity that may be imposed under a specified provision). Provides that the changes to the required employer contribution made by the amendatory Act apply to employer contributions required on or after January 1, 2021. Provides that a person who becomes an affected annuitant remains an affected annuitant, except for any period during which the annuitant received, or became entitled to receive, during an academic year compensation for that employment equal to 40% or less of his or her highest annual earnings prior to retirement. Effective immediately.

Chapin RoseRepublican

EDUC-GROW ILLINOIS GRANT PRGM

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year and subject to appropriation, provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall, each year, receive and consider applications for grant assistance under a pilot program to be known as the Growing Regional Opportunities for Work (GROW) Illinois Grant Pilot Program. Provides that the Commission may award grants under the program to applicants who are enrolled or plan to enroll at a public community college participating in the program in a certificate, license, or degree program to work in a high-demand industry, among other qualifications. Sets forth provisions concerning grant renewal, posting requirements, the allocation of funding, the application process, matching and unclaimed funds, the grant amount, reporting requirements, and rulemaking. Repeals the provisions on October 1, 2031. Effective immediately.

Chapin RoseRepublican

HIGHER ED-POLICE CHIEF POWERS

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Provides that the chief of police of a university police department or a community college district police department or department of public safety has the final decision on all law enforcement decisions. Prohibits the president or chancellors of a public university or the president, chancellors, or chief executive officer of a community college district from being involved in law enforcement decisions. Effective immediately.

Chapin RoseRepublican

HIGHER ED-HONORARY DEGREES

Amends the Academic Degree Act. With respect to a public university, provides that only the board of trustees of the university may award an honorary degree, and the university's faculty shall have no role in the award of the honorary degree.

Chapin RoseRepublican

INS-GROUP HEALTH PLAN/VOUCHER

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that beginning January 1, 2026, the Director of Central Management Services shall implement a program providing choice to Medicare-primary members and their Medicare-primary dependents. Provides that the program shall include a monthly voucher in the amount that the State would have contributed toward that member's monthly premium if the Medicare-primary member elected to participate in the group health benefits program. Provides that the voucher shall be used by the Medicare-primary member to pay the monthly premium cost of an individual Medicare Advantage plan of his or her choosing. Effective immediately.

Chapin RoseRepublican

SCH CD-LIBRARY MATERIALS DATA

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board shall require a school that operates a library to place the library's catalog of library materials in a searchable database accessible over the Internet to a parent or guardian of a student at the school. Provides that a school board shall require a school that operates a library to allow a parent or guardian of a student at the school to prohibit the student from accessing any library materials that the parent or guardian designates. Provides that the school shall require the parent or guardian to designate in writing which library materials the parent or guardian is prohibiting the student from accessing, shall keep the written designation on file in the library, and shall prevent the student from accessing that material.

John F. CurranRepublican

MOTOR FUEL-PUBLIC HIGHWAYS

Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Provides that "motor fuel" means all volatile and inflammable substances, whether in liquid or gaseous form (currently, volatile and inflammable liquids). Provides that incidental use of motor fuel on private roads or private highways in the operation of a motor vehicle does not constitute a "purpose other than operating a motor vehicle upon the public highways" and does not form a basis for a claim for refund. Effective immediately, except that certain provisions take effect January 1, 2026.

Sara FeigenholtzDemocrat

STATE GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Illinois Promotion Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Sara FeigenholtzDemocrat

TRANSPORTATION-TECH

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

Sara FeigenholtzDemocrat

FOIA OFFICERS

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that each public body shall designate one or more public body officials or employees (rather than officials or employees) to act as its Freedom of Information officer or officers. Provides that "public body officials" means elected or appointed office holders of the public body but does not include private attorneys or law firms appointed to represent the public body.

Craig WilcoxRepublican