Bills & Legislation

EPA-NOISE-CRYPTO-MINING

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that cryptocurrency mining facilities shall apply noise-reduction techniques, including certain specified techniques. Provides that the Pollution Control Board shall adopt rules implementing these provisions. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency, as the noise control agency for the State, shall enforce these provisions, as well as the rules adopted under these provisions. Provides that the Agency may adopt rules to administer and implement these provisions, as applicable. Defines terms.

Sue RezinRepublican

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 L. 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 L. 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

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-DEFERRED COMP-FEES

Amends the Deferred Compensation Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, after January 1, 2026, the deferred compensation plan shall provide for the recovery of the expenses of its administration by charging fees equitably prorated among the participating employers (instead of by charging administrative expenses against the earnings from investments or by charging fees equitably prorated among the participating State employees or by such other appropriate and equitable method as the Illinois State Board of Investment shall determine). Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. 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

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