Bills & Legislation

GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Time Standardization Act. Provides that daylight saving time shall be the year-round standard time of the entire State. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2026.

Jil Tracy

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION INCREASE

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Exempts from garnishment for a period of 30 calendar days wages electronically deposited directly into a judgment debtor's checking or savings account in a financial institution. Increases the amount that every individual is entitled to for the individual's estate of homestead from $15,000 to $100,000 if the property is owned by a single individual, and from $30,000 to $200,000 if the property is owned by 2 or more individuals. Makes conforming changes in provisions regarding: the validity of a release, waiver, or conveyance of a property; the proceeds of a sale; bids for less than the exempted amount; proceedings to enforce a judgment; notice to judgment debtors; and the sale of premises and distribution of proceeds. Increases the exemptions for: other personal property from $4,000 to $27,000; a motor vehicle from $2,400 to $16,000; tools of the trade of the debtor from $1,500 to 10,000; and personal injury from $15,000 to $100,000. Makes conforming changes.

Michael W. Halpin

REIMBURSE COUNTIES-PRETRIAL

Amends the Probation and Probation Officers Act. Provides that the Division of Probation Services shall reimburse the county or counties for 100% of the salary for all probation officer and supervisor positions approved for reimbursement by the division to meet pretrial services programs and specialty court programs. Provides that for the remaining probation officer positions engaged in basic services and new or expanded services approved of the total statewide number as of July 1, 2023, beginning on July 1, 2026, 20% of that number shall be transferred to those requiring 100% salary reimbursement. Each subsequent July 1, another 20% of the July 1, 2023 population shall also be transferred under described circumstances.

Michael W. Halpin

WORK COMP-COSTS AND FEES

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Provides that, if a petitioner's claim is contested and enters arbitration proceedings, the Arbitrator shall include in its award pre-award interest at the rate of 6% per annum to a prevailing petitioner from the date of the contested injury, provided that no interest shall accrue if, within 12 months after the date of the injury, the respondent concedes that the claim is compensable. Provides that the non-prevailing party is responsible for any costs incurred in deposing a medical practitioner. Provides that all attorney's fees for representation of an employee or the employee's dependents shall be the responsibility of the non-prevailing employer (rather than only recoverable from compensation actually paid to such employee or dependents). Provides that, within 60 days after receipt of service of notice of preliminary proceedings before an Arbitrator, an employer shall disclose documents sufficient to calculate a petitioner's average weekly wage

Michael W. Halpin

DCFS-YOUTH INDEPENDENCE GOAL

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to make reasonable efforts to develop a youth-driven transition plan for each youth in care aged 18 and over for whom the court has set a permanency goal of independence or home environment not appropriate. Requires the plan to address, at a minimum, the youth's housing, mental and physical health and well-being, financial stability, employment, education, connections to supportive adults and peers, transition to adult services, if applicable, and child care and parenting supports, if applicable. Requires the Department to make reasonable efforts to assist the youth in accomplishing the plan and to ensure the youth is aware of any post-case closure supports and services and how to access such supports and services. Requires the Department to assist a youth in care in obtaining a list of persons, with contact information, who are willing to provide the youth with support. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Require the court to conduct Successful Transition to Adulthood Review hearings for minors who are 18 years old and older for whom the court has entered a goal of independence or home environment not appropriate. Lists certain information the Department shall provide the court 14 days prior to the hearing as well as certain Department actions that are subject to the court's review. Provides that if the court finds the Department has failed to make reasonable efforts to assist the minor in developing a plan toward independence, the court may enter such orders it deems necessary to ensure the minor is prepared to achieve the goal of independence when the minor turns 21 years of age. Makes conforming changes.

Lakesia Collins

SMALL BUSINESS TAX CREDIT

Amends the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit Act. Renews the program for incentive periods beginning on or after July 1, 2025 and ending on or before June 30, 2032. Removes language concerning the Put Illinois to Work Program for the second series of incentive periods. Provides that the term "full-time employee" means an individual who is employed for a basic wage for at least 35 hours each week (currently, employed for a basic wage for at least 35 hours each week or renders any other standard of service generally accepted by industry custom or practice as full-time employment). Provides that a net increase in the number of full-time Illinois employees shall be treated as continuous if a different new employee is hired as a replacement within 8 weeks after the position becomes vacant (currently, a reasonable time). Effective immediately.

Willie Preston

SPECIAL VEH PLATE-DOLLY PARTON

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may issue special registration plates designated as Dolly Parton Imagination Library license plates. Provides that an applicant for the special plate shall be charged a $35 fee for original issuance in addition to the appropriate registration fee; of this fee, $25 shall be distributed to The Dollywood Foundation and $10 shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Provides that for each registration renewal period, a $25 fee, in addition to the appropriate registration fee, shall be charged and distributed to The Dollywood Foundation for use by the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Illinois.

Paul Faraci

VEH CD-SAFETY ZONES

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. In a provision regarding automated speed enforcement systems in safety zones, provides a safety zone may, upon completion of a crash study, include a portion of Lake Shore Drive if the Chicago Department of Transportation designates an area of it as a high crash corridor.

Sara Feigenholtz

DCFS-OFFICE OF ALUMNI SUPPORT

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to, no later than July 1, 2026, establish the Office of Alumni Support (Office) to provide assistance, guidance, and support to any former youth in care needing or requesting assistance, guidance, or support. Provides that the Office shall link former youth in care to existing supports, determine what additional supports are necessary to improve outcomes for former youth in care based upon identified needs, including researching existing evidence-based and evidence-informed practice models of providing assistance to former youth in care, and implement necessary changes to provide the additional supports. Provides that current and former youth in care shall provide input, guidance, and direction on the establishment and operation of the Office. Sets forth a list of stakeholders the Department shall engage with when developing the Office. Creates the Former Youth in Care Crisis Support Services Program for the purpose of providing former youth in care in crisis immediate funds to address urgent needs, including, but not limited to, emergency housing, healthcare, food, transportation, and items urgently needed to maintain the former youth in care in a work or educational setting. Provides that the Office of Alumni Support shall manage and operate the program. Requires the Department to submit quarterly progress reports to the General Assembly on the establishment of the Office. Requires the Auditor General to conduct a performance audit to determine if the Department is meeting the requirements of the amendatory Act. Provides that the performance audit shall be conducted 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Sara Feigenholtz

MEDICAID ACCESS ADJUSTMENT

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning Medicaid Access Adjustment payments to nursing facilities, provides that, for dates of service beginning July 1, 2025, the Medicaid Access Adjustment shall be increased to $5.75. Effective immediately.

Sara Feigenholtz

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 Feigenholtz

$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 Feigenholtz

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. Walker

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 Ventura

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. Walker

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 Simmons

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 Simmons

WILDLIFE-TECH

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

Chris Balkema

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. Turner

SCH CD-REFER LAW ENFORCEMENT

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall require that each school district annually report the number of students who were referred to a law enforcement agency or official and the number of instances of referrals to law enforcement that students received. Provides that on or before January 31, 2027 and on or before January 31 of each subsequent year, the State Board of Education shall prepare a report on student referrals to law enforcement in all school districts in the State. Requires a parent-teacher advisory committee to develop policy guideline procedures to establish and maintain a reciprocal reporting system between the school district and local law enforcement agencies regarding both criminal and civil offenses (rather than only criminal offenses) committed by students. Removes language providing that a student may not be issued a monetary fine or fee as a disciplinary consequence. Instead, prohibits school personnel from issuing a monetary fine, fee, ticket, or citation for a municipal code violation. Provides that school personnel (rather than a school district) may not refer a truant, chronic truant, or truant minor to any other local public entity, school resource officer, or peace officer (rather than only to any other local public entity) for that local public entity, school resource officer, or peace officer to issue the child a fine or fee as punishment for truancy. Effective immediately.

Karina Villa

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. Lightford

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 Guzmán

$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 Turner

CTY CD-DEED VERIFICATION

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that any person who files or causes to be filed a deed or instrument that is recorded in the grantor's index or the grantee's index that is fraudulent, unlawfully altered, or intended to unlawfully cloud or transfer the title of any real property may be held liable to the rightful property owner affected in an action brought in a court of competent jurisdiction for such legal or equitable relief as may be appropriate to enforce the Code. Requires every county to establish and maintain a property fraud alert system. Requires every recorder to establish a fraud referral and review process to review deeds and instruments.

Doris Turner

DOC-HOSPICE/PALLIATIVE CARE

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Eddie Thomas Act. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that no later than December 1 of each year, the Department of Corrections shall prepare a report to be published on its website that contains, at a minimum, the following information about hospice and palliative care in its institutions and facilities during the prior fiscal year: (1) demographic data of committed persons who received hospice and palliative care; (2) data on the number of committed persons in the Department's hospice and palliative care programs; (3) data on the timing of hospice and palliative care programming; (4) the number of committed persons in the custody of the Department who died; (5) policies and administrative directives of each Department institution and facility regarding the institution of hospice and palliative care; (6) the staff available for hospice and palliative care; and (7) the cost of the Department's hospice and palliative care programs. Provides that all such data shall be anonymized to protect the privacy of the committed persons involved in the hospice and palliative care programs.

Adriane Johnson

$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 Johnson

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 Koehler

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 Rezin

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 Castro

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 Castro

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 Villivalam

DISPOSABLE FOOD CONTAINER ACT

Creates the Disposable Food Service Container Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2030, a person may not sell or distribute in this State a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam. Specifies that the prohibition does not apply to any activity authorized under an ordinance or resolution adopted by a unit of local government on or before January 1, 2024 or with respect to sales made to a unit of local government for use by the unit of local government for its internal operations. Sets forth penalties for violations of the Act. Limits home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Laura Fine

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. Joyce

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. Joyce

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. Joyce

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.

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.

STUDENT LOAN SERVICING RIGHTS

Amends the Student Loan Servicing Rights Act. Creates within the Act an Article concerning educational income share agreements. Contains provisions concerning: monthly payment affordability; maximum annual percentage rates; limits on the duration of income share agreements; risk sharing; limits on covered income; fees; restrictions on security interests; discharge of obligations; prohibitions on cosigners; limits on acceleration; assignment of wages; limitations on garnishment; use of multiple agreements; required disclosures; early completion of the agreement; assumption of increases in future income; receipts; and adjustment of dollar amounts. Provides that the Attorney General may enforce a violation of the Educational Income Share Agreements Article of the Student Loan Servicing Rights Act as an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Makes other changes. Amends the Consumer Installment Loan Act and the Interest Act to make conforming changes. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are severable. Effective immediately.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

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. Walker

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 Villivalam

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 Villivalam

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 Villivalam

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 Villivalam

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 Villivalam

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.

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 Holmes

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 Hilton

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 Faraci

AMBER ALERTS-DISABLED PERSONS

Amends the Illinois State Police Law. Provides that the Illinois State Police, in cooperation with the Golden Search Task Force, shall develop as part of the Endangered Missing Person Advisory a coordinated statewide awareness program and toolkit, which shall be referred to as the Golden Search, to be used when there is a missing person who is believed to be a person having a developmental disability or a person having an intellectual disability. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall complete development and deployment of the Golden Search Awareness Program and toolkit on or before July 1, 2026. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall establish a Golden Search Task Force within 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act to assist the Illinois State Police in development and deployment of the Golden Search Awareness Program and toolkit. Provides that the Task Force shall monitor and review the implementation and operation of that program, including procedures, budgetary requirements, standards, and minimum requirements for the training of law enforcement personnel on how to interact appropriately and effectively with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Sets forth membership of the Task Force. Provides that the Director of the Illinois State Police or the Director's designee shall serve as Chair of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall meet at least twice a year and shall provide a report on the operations of the Golden Search Program to the General Assembly and the Governor each year by June 30th. Provides that the Child Safety Coordinator shall act in the capacity of Golden Search Program Coordinator in addition to the Child Safety Coordinator's other duties. Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall conduct a training program for law enforcement personnel of local governmental agencies in the statewide coordinated Golden Search Awareness Program and toolkit. Provides that the Board shall adopt written protocols and guidelines for the handling of missing persons cases involving a person having a developmental disability or a person having an intellectual disability based upon protocols developed by the Golden Search Task Force in conjunction with the Illinois State Police on or before July 1, 2026.

Paul Faraci

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. Chesney