Bills & Legislation

COUNTIES-WIND & SOLAR ENERGY

Amends the Counties Code. In provisions about commercial wind energy facilities and commercial solar energy facilities, removes changes made by Public Act 102-1123. Provides that any provision of a county zoning ordinance pertaining to wind farms, commercial wind energy facilities, or commercial solar energy facilities that was in effect before January 27, 2023 may continue in effect notwithstanding any changes made in Public Act 102-1123 and, if applicable, any provision of a county zoning ordinance pertaining to wind farms that was in effect before August 16, 2007 may continue in effect notwithstanding the changes made in Public Act 95-203.

Anthony DeLucaDemocrat

SMALL BUSINESS ASSET ACCT

Creates the Small Business Asset Purchase Account Act. Provides that a small business in the State may open a small business asset purchase account at an eligible financial institution. Provides that funds from a small business asset purchase account may be used only for specified eligible costs. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction in an amount equal to 50% of the amount contributed during the taxable year to a small business asset purchase account. Creates a deduction of 100% of the interest earned on the account that is not included in the taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income. Amends the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act to provide for penalties for amounts withdrawn that are not used for eligible costs.

Amy ElikRepublican

PROCUREMENT-FARM PROPERTY

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that the Executive Ethics Commission, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall approve a chief procurement officer for procurements for farm and agricultural land made by the Department of Natural Resources after the effective date of the amendatory Act.

Charles MeierRepublican

ALT RETAIL ELECTRIC SUPPLIERS

Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions concerning the certification of alternative retail electric suppliers, provides that the alternative retail electric supplier shall publish notice of its application in the official State newspaper within 14 days (rather than 10 days) following the date of its filing. Provides that, no later than 60 days (rather than 45 days) after a complete application is properly filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission, and such notice is published, the Commission shall issue its order granting or denying the application. Provides that, in determining the level of technical, financial, and managerial resources and abilities which an applicant must demonstrate, the Commission shall consider the applicant's commitment of resources to the management of its sales and marketing staff through affirmative managerial policies, independent audits, technology, hands-on field monitoring, and training and, for applicants who have sales personnel or sales agents within the State, the applicant's managerial presence within the State. Provides that the Commission shall grant the application for a certificate of service authority if it finds, among other things, that the applicant will comply with all applicable federal, State, regional, and industry rules, policies, practices, procedures, and tariffs for the use, operation, and maintenance of the safety, integrity, and reliability, of the interconnected electric transmission system.

Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.Democrat

INC TX-DEDUCT TIPS AND OT

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax deduction for gratuities that are included in the taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income. Creates an income tax deduction for the amount of overtime compensation that is paid to the taxpayer during the taxable year and that is included in the taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income. Effective immediately.

Norine K. HammondRepublican

SALE OF E-15 GASOLINE

Amends the Motor Fuel Sales Act. Authorizes motor fuel blends containing 10.5% to 15% ethanol, by volume, to be sold in the State at any time during the year if permitted under federal law. Provides that, if a federal authorization must be obtained to provide for the year-round sale of those motor fuel blends, then the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency shall take all actions necessary to obtain the federal authorization on behalf of the State.

Wayne A. RosenthalRepublican

DCFS-EMPLOYEE PORTAL

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to maintain a public, searchable online portal that lists every individual employed by the Department or a purchase of service agency (POS) who holds a Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL) and performs investigations, casework, or supervisory functions. Requires the portal to contain certain employee information, including, but not limited to, each child welfare employee's full name, official job title, CWEL license number and date of issuance, employment and child welfare employee license status, an indication of whether the individual is authorized to conduct child welfare investigations, and any disciplinary actions taken under the Child and Protective Investigator and Child Welfare Specialist Certification Act of 1987. Prohibits the Department and POS agencies from assigning investigative or casework duties to any child welfare employee who is not listed on the portal, has a suspended or expired CWEL, or has been disciplined or disqualified. Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act shall be construed to alter, expand, or limit existing licensure, certification, training, experience, or assignment requirements under State law. Effective January 1, 2027.

Jed DavisRepublican

SCH CD-ASSESSMENTS-STANDARDS

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning State goals and assessment, provides that a student may not be considered proficient in mathematics or English language arts with a score on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness that is lower than 750/850, nor may a student be considered proficient in science with a score on the Illinois Science Assessment that is lower than 812/850. Provides that for the assessment administered by the State Board of Education for the purpose of student application to or admission consideration by an institution of higher education, a student may not be considered proficient in mathematics with a score that is lower than 22 on the ACT or its recognized equivalent, nor may a student be considered proficient in English language arts with a score that is lower than 42 on the ACT or its recognized equivalent. Effective immediately.

Dan UgasteRepublican

BUDGETING FOR RESULTS-ANALYSIS

Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Sets forth additional requirements for the benefit cost analysis performed by the Budgeting for Results Commission as part of its annual report. Provides that the benefit cost analysis conducted for any crime prevention programs shall include data and information provided by crime prevention programs, victims rights groups, and law enforcement agencies in the State.

Dan UgasteRepublican

VEH CD-PERMITS-LOGGING PRODUCT

Amends the Permits Article of the Size, Weight, Load and Permits Chapter of the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Department of Transportation and local authorities, with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions, in their discretion and upon application in writing, to issue a special permit for limited continuous operation, authorizing the applicant to move loads of logging products on a specified vehicles. Provides that the fees for special permits for increased axle loads to be used for hauling logging products is $5 per axle.

Brad HalbrookRepublican

DHS-BALC ANNUAL PUBLICATION

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Service to publish annually, beginning January 1, 2027, the assessment instruments used by the Department's Bureau of Accreditation, Licensure, and Certification to survey and license providers of community-integrated living arrangement homes for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Requires rulemaking. Effective immediately.

Kevin John OlickalDemocrat

PROPERTY-ENERGY AUDITS

Amends the Energy Efficient Building Act. Provides that each builder who completes construction on a newly constructed residential building in the State shall cause an energy audit to be completed on the building resulting in a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index Score. Amends the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act. Provides that, subject to certain exceptions, prior to the transfer of title of a dwelling, the seller shall obtain an energy audit resulting in a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index Score of the dwelling. Effective immediately.

Barbara HernandezDemocrat

LOC GOV-RECORD DISPOSAL

Amends the Local Records Act. Provides that, except as otherwise provided by law, no public record shall be disposed of by any officer or agency unless in compliance with an application for authority to dispose of local records (rather than unless the written approval of the appropriate Local Records Commission is first obtained). Defines "application for authority to dispose of local records".

Janet Yang RohrDemocrat

$DHS-FENTANYL TESTING STRIPS

Appropriates $600,000 to the Department of Human Services to supply free fentanyl testing strips to public institutions of higher education. Effective July 1, 2026.

Janet Yang RohrDemocrat

DEPT VET AFF-SERVICE OFFICERS

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Requires all service officers and any supervisors, including the field manager, within the field division to be currently serving reservists or national guardsmen in good standing or honorably discharged veterans from service in the Armed Forces of the United States, active or reserve component. Removes a requirement that service officers and supervisors serve during a time of hostilities with a foreign country and meet one or more listed conditions.

Mary Beth CantyDemocrat

PENCD-SURS-DEFERRED RETIREMENT

Amends the State Universities Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Creates a deferred retirement option plan (DROP) for certain participating employees who are eligible to retire under the Article, have never received a retirement annuity from the System, and are active participants in the System. Provides that, during the period of the DROP, the System shall credit to a notional account on behalf of the DROP member an amount equal to the monthly amount of retirement annuity the DROP member would otherwise be eligible to receive had the DROP member retired on the date of the election. Provides that an eligible member may elect to participate in the DROP for a period not to exceed 5 years from the date of election. Requires a DROP member to terminate employment with the employer upon expiration of their participation in the DROP. Sets forth other provisions concerning interest on the account; termination of the DROP; contributions; administrative costs; transfer of administrative responsibility to the State Treasurer; and the tax-qualified status of the System.

Katie StuartDemocrat

MEDICAID-MCO BEHAVIORAL HLTH

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services must incorporate minimum standards governing behavioral health pre-payment and post-payment reviews into MCO contracts effective for all services covered on and after January 1, 2027. Requires the Department to develop or adopt behavioral health-specific pre-payment and post-payment review guidelines and incorporate such guidelines by reference into MCO contracts. Provides that the Department-issued guidelines must: (1) define the documentation and clearly specify the discrete data elements that may be requested prior to and during a pre-payment or post-payment review, and applicable response timeframes, ensuring that all requests are specific, reasonable, and directly tied to the review objectives; (2) identify regulatory, statutory, and contractual standards applicable to behavioral health services; (3) establish uniform evaluation criteria and checklists; and (4) be publicly available and updated as necessary. Contains provisions on MCO contracts and required contract terms; pre-payment and post-payment review processes and notice requirements; timeframes for providers to respond to a documentation request; communication protocols; contract transparency and extrapolation from a statistical sampling of claims; the timeliness and closure of claims reviews; submission methods; reviewer qualifications; and enforcement. Effective immediately.

Lindsey LaPointeDemocrat

DIGITAL AD TAX ACT

Creates the Digital Advertising Tax Act. Imposes a tax on the portion of a person's annual gross revenue that is derived from digital advertising services in the State if the person's total revenue derived from digital advertising in the State exceeds $150,000,000. Provides that the tax is imposed at the rate of 10% of the annual gross revenues derived from digital advertising services in the State. Effective immediately.

Norma HernandezDemocrat

$DCEO-PUBLIC PROGRAMMING

Appropriates the sum of $4,000,000 from the Public, Educational, and Governmental Programming Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for grants and administrative expenses associated with the subsidization of public, educational, and governmental programmers and studio operators. Effective July 1, 2026.

Janet Yang RohrDemocrat

GENETIC INFORMATION PRIVACY

Amends the Genetic Information Privacy Act. Removes language exempting insurers that are issuing a long-term care policy from specified provisions. Provides that, with regard to any policy, contract, or plan offered, entered into, issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 by a health insurer, life insurer, disability insurer, or long-term care insurer authorized to transact insurance in this State, a health insurer, life insurer, disability insurer, or long-term care insurer may not: (1) cancel, limit, or deny coverage or establish differentials in premium rates based on a person's genetic information; or (2) require or solicit an individual's genetic information, use an individual's genetic test results, or consider an individual's decisions or actions relating to genetic information or a genetic test in any manner for any insurance purpose. Provides that the provisions may not be construed as: (1) preventing a life insurer, disability insurer, or long-term care insurer from accessing an individual's medical record as part of an application; or (2) prohibiting a life insurer, disability insurer, or long-term care insurer from considering a clinical diagnosis, such as a manifest disease or disorder, included in an individual's medical record for insurance purposes to the extent otherwise allowable by law. Effective July 1, 2026.

Nabeela SyedDemocrat

DHS-AOT PROJECTS

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that all moneys payable from funds appropriated to the Department of Human Services in State Fiscal Year 2027 for assisted outpatient treatment related projects shall be distributed by the Department evenly across the 25 judicial circuit court jurisdictions. Provides that preference shall be given to projects that work to expand access or success for assisted outpatient treatment projects working with: (1) people who have a serious mental illness; or (2) the judicial circuit courts to assist those who are part of an assisted outpatient treatment program as a result of a court order. Effective July 1, 2026.

Maurice A. West, IIDemocrat

CRIM PRO-DENY PRETRIAL RELEASE

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that upon verified petition by the State, the court shall hold a hearing and may deny a defendant pretrial release if the defendant is charged with stalking or aggravated stalking, and it is alleged that the defendant's pretrial release poses a real and present threat to the safety of a victim of the alleged offense, based on the specific articulable facts of the case (rather than denial of release is necessary to prevent fulfillment of the threat upon which the charge is based).

John M. CabelloRepublican

CRIM PRO-RELEASE CONDITIONS

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that when determining which conditions reasonably ensure the appearance of the defendant as required or the safety of any other person or persons of the community, the court shall consider the ability of the court or pretrial services to effectively monitor the defendant's compliance with the conditions of pretrial release that are imposed. Provides that upon verified application by the defendant, the court before which the proceeding is pending may reconsider the current pretrial conditions imposed and determine whether the current conditions imposed are necessary to reasonably ensure the appearance of the defendant as required, the safety of any other person, and the compliance of the defendant with all the conditions of pretrial release. Provides that the defendant shall be required to present a verified application setting forth in detail any new facts not known or obtainable at the time of the previous hearing determining conditions of pre-trial release. Provides that if the court removes a pretrial release condition, the court shall state on the record of the proceedings the findings of facts and conclusions of law upon which such order is based.

Dennis TipswordRepublican

PROP TX-LOW-INCOME SENIORS

Amends the Property Tax Code. Authorizes Chief County Assessment Officers in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants to renew an individual's low-income senior citizen exemption under the Code without an annual application if the applicant has previously provided the full social security number or individual taxpayer identification numbers for all members of the applicant's household. Provides that, if a Chief County Assessment Officer is unable to verify that an applicant remains eligible for the low-income senior citizen exemption, then the Chief County Assessment Officer shall notify the applicant and provide the applicant with an opportunity to demonstrate the applicant's eligibility for the exemption. Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Exempts from disclosure under the Act information submitted to a Chief County Assessment Officer in applications for the low-income senior citizen exemption under the Property Tax Code.

Will GuzzardiDemocrat

GAMING-TECH

Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Adds a Section concerning online poker. Contains a Section heading only.

Edgar González, Jr.Democrat

REGISTERED NURSE USE OF AI

Amends the Nurse Practice Act. In provisions concerning registered professional nurses, adds provisions concerning: the use of artificial intelligence in recorded or transcribed encounters; prohibition on substituting artificial intelligence for nursing services; use of artificial intelligence as clinical decision support under the control of a registered professional nurse; patient notice and transparency; confidentiality protections; exceptions for nonclinical activity; and defined terms. Amends the grounds for discipline to add violations of the artificial intelligence provisions by a registered professional nurse. Requires a health care entity that employs registered professional nurses and deploys artificial intelligence in direct patient care to maintain validation and bias monitoring records for each system and make such records available to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation upon request; provide registered professional nurses with training on intended use, data limits, and known failure modes; ensure registered professional nurses have access to data inputs and key factors that produced any recommendation used in direct patient care; and prohibit staffing, triage, admission, discharge, or transfer decisions that rely solely on artificial intelligence. Allows the Department to investigate any health care entity that employs registered professional nurses for a violation of the artificial intelligence provisions. Effective immediately.

Bob MorganDemocrat

UNEMPLOYMENT INS-PREFILE CLAIM

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that, if an employer employing 75 or more employees in the State conducts a layoff, furlough, or temporary shutdown resulting in the separation of one or more employees, the employer shall submit required claim-initiation information to the Department of Employment Security on behalf of each affected employee. Provides that the Department shall provide written or electronic confirmation to the affected employee that the claim-initiation information has been submitted on their behalf by the employer. Sets forth additional requirements. Provides for civil penalties for a violation of the provision.

Gregg JohnsonDemocrat

EDUC-SCH SOCIAL WORKER GRANTS

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, the State Board of Education shall award competitive grants on an annual basis to school districts and other educational units that have school social work interns to assist those school districts and other educational units in the funding of school social work internships approved by the interns' educator preparation programs by providing stipends. Sets forth the stipend amount. Provides that the State Board of Education shall annually disseminate to school districts and other educational units that have school social work interns a request for applications for grants. Provides that grant applications shall be accepted on an annual basis. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish procedures for submitting requests for stipends and issuing funds to approved applicants. Provides for prioritizing grants if an appropriation is insufficient to fund all applications for grants. Provides that for any school year in which grants are awarded, the State Board of Education shall produce a report on the awarding of grants, in cooperation with the school districts and educational units that are awarded grants. Sets forth requirements for the report. Provides that the report shall be posted on the State Board of Education's Internet website each school year in which grants are awarded. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall establish and administer a grant program to support the field placement of social workers. Provides that the Board shall distribute the funds appropriated for this purpose in the form of grants to public or nonpublic institutions of higher education to expand opportunities for students who are intending to become social workers and to assist students in pursuing social-work related field placements, internships, and other work opportunities. Sets forth other requirements concerning the operation of the grant program. Effective immediately.

Gregg JohnsonDemocrat

HIV/AIDS RESPONSE FUND GRANTS

Amends the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Act. Provides that, on August 1, 2026, and August 1 of each year thereafter, the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the General Revenue Fund to the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Fund a sum equal to the difference between (i) $15,000,000 and (ii) the amount appropriated to the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Fund by the General Assembly for the award of African-American HIV/AIDS Response Grants in the then current State fiscal year. Directs the Department of Public Health to adopt specified revisions to the rules in the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code Part 691) concerning the award of African-American HIV/AIDS Response Grants. Repeals provisions in the Act concerning African-American HIV/AIDS Response Officers and the HIV/AIDS Response Review Panel. Effective immediately.

Camille Y. LillyDemocrat

DHFS-TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM

Amends the Hospital Services Trust Fund Article in the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning annual funding for the health care transformation program, provides that funds that had been budgeted but unexpended in State fiscal years 2021 through 2027 may be allocated in State fiscal year 2028 in an amount not to exceed $150,000,000.

Kimberly Du BucletDemocrat

DATA BROKER REGISTER/DELETION

Creates the Data Broker Registration and Accessible Deletion Mechanism Act. Provides that, annually, on or before January 31, a data broker operating in the State shall register with the Attorney General. Provides that, in registering with the Attorney General, a data broker shall pay a registration fee in an amount determined by the Attorney General and shall also provide specified information. Provides that the Attorney General shall create a page on its website where the registration information shall be made accessible to the public. Provides for civil penalties. Provides that all moneys received by the Attorney General under the provisions shall be deposited into the Data Broker Registry Fund. Provides that, no later than January 1, 2028, the Attorney General shall establish an accessible deletion mechanism that allows a consumer, through a single verifiable consumer request, to request that every data broker that maintains any personal information delete any personal information related to that consumer held by the data broker. Amends the State Finance Act and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make conforming changes.

Kimberly Du BucletDemocrat

DENTAL PRACTICE-DENTAL THERAPY

Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Creates a license for dental therapists. Sets forth requirements for licensure, a collaborative management agreement, the examination of applicants, and the scope of practice of dental therapists. Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to maintain a list of the names and addresses of all dentists, dental therapists, and dental hygienists and of all persons whose licenses have been suspended or revoked, together with other information relative to the enforcement of the Act. Makes conforming and other changes.

Lilian JiménezDemocrat

SCH CD-HIGH SCHOOL START TIME

Amends the School Code. Prohibits a public high school from having a start time earlier than 8:30 a.m.

Lilian JiménezDemocrat

$DHS-HOUSING IS RECOVERY

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for the Housing is Recovery program. Effective July 1, 2026.

Lilian JiménezDemocrat

JUV CT-DEPENDENCY-FED CUSTODY

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that when an unaccompanied minor in the custody of the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement placed in a facility in the State has been subjected to parental abuse or neglect as defined in the Act or subjected to the parental actions and omissions listed in the Act, a representative of the minor may file a petition for a dependency order with the court in the judicial circuit where the minor is placed. Describes the contents of the petition. Provides that the statements in the petition may be made upon information and belief. Provides that the petition must not name the minor's parent as a respondent. Provides that the petition must state clearly that parental rights may not be terminated through these proceedings. Provides that the court shall schedule a hearing within 35 days after the petition is filed, unless a motion is made for an immediate hearing because the minor is approaching 18 years of age or other emergent circumstances, in which case the court shall schedule the hearing within 7 days. Provides that, if the court finds the statements in the petition are supported by a preponderance of the evidence, the court shall find the minor dependent on the court. Provides that a minor found dependent on the court is eligible for oversight and services by the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that, upon request, the court may also issue an order establishing the minor's eligibility for classification as a special immigrant juvenile under federal law. Provides that the order may be entered at any time following the filing of the petition or at the hearing. Provides that the court shall not alter the minor's custody status or placement unless the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides specific consent. Provides that the court may retain jurisdiction over the minor until the minor attains 18 years of age or until further order of the court. Defines "dependent on the court".

Lilian JiménezDemocrat

ASSISTED LIVING-VARIOUS

Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act. Provides that the comprehensive assessment of a patient prior to the patient's admission to an establishment shall be completed by a physician or a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. In provisions concerning licensure of an establishment, changes education requirements for the full-time director of an establishment. Makes changes to the definition of "medication administration" in provisions concerning service requirements. Provides that a licensed health care professional may be employed (instead of may not be employed) by the owner or operator of the establishment, its parent entity, or any other entity with ownership common to either the owner or operator of the establishment or parent entity, including, but not limited to, an affiliate of the owner or operator of the establishment, if the resident chooses to utilize the services of the licensed health care professional working within the scope of the professional's practice. Sets forth provisions concerning an emergency plan and disaster preparedness. Provides that incidents must be reported to the Department of Public Health within 24 hours after the incident or by the end of the next business day. Provides that staff in an establishment may be trained to assist in a nonemergency lift of a resident. Provides that repeated technical infractions by an establishment within a calendar year may result in a Type 3 violation.

Norine K. HammondRepublican

ESTATE TAX-MANUFACTURING

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Provides that, for persons dying on or after January 1, 2027, the State tax credit shall be calculated as though the decedent's federal taxable estate did not include the decedent's business interest in a manufacturing business located in this State. Defines "manufacturing business". Effective immediately.

Joe C. SosnowskiRepublican

WAUKEGAN TEMP CASINO EXTEND

Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Provides that, upon request by an owners licensee authorized to conduct casino gambling in the City of Waukegan and upon a showing of good cause by the owners licensee, the Illinois Gaming Board shall extend the period during which the licensee may conduct gaming at a temporary facility by up to 48 (rather than 30) months. Effective immediately.

Rita MayfieldDemocrat

CANNABIS-TRANSFER SITES

Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Adds provisions authorizing the Department of Agriculture to issue a transfer site endorsement for licensed cannabis transporters with a social equity designation. Provides that the endorsement allows operation of secure transfer sites for short-term storage and logistical consolidation of cannabis or cannabis-infused products. Sets conditions for use, security requirements, insurance, and compliance standards. Requires coordination with local zoning authorities and rulemaking by the Department. Makes related changes to findings and definitions.

Michael CrawfordDemocrat

STRENGTHENING FATHERS&FAMILIES

Creates the Commission on Strengthening Fathers and Families Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to promote the recognition of the importance of the participation of both parents in the lives of their children. Creates the Strengthening Fathers and Families Initiative (Initiative) with the goal of increasing the awareness of the problems created when a child grows up without the presence and support of a caring and loving father, identifying strategies that are successful in overcoming identified obstacles that discourage the active engagement of fathers, and other specified goals. Requires the Initiative to also promote positive interactions between fathers and their children, while promoting positive interactions between fathers and the mothers of their children. Creates the Commission on Strengthening Fathers and Families to carry out the purposes, goals, and initiatives of the Act. Contains provisions on the Commission's membership, goals, and duties, including, but not limited to, (i) developing a comprehensive plan that promotes the positive involvement and engagement of fathers and that advances family strengthening strategies, (ii) evaluating State programs, governmental policies, and community initiatives related to fatherhood and family strengthening, (iii) making recommendations to the Governor, the Deputy Governor of Health and Human Services, and the General Assembly, (iv) developing criteria for grants to fatherhood and family strengthening projects, and (v) receiving grants, contributions, and other funds for projects and activities related to advancing father involvement and engagement, and family strengthening. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall provide staffing support to the Commission. Creates the Fatherhood and Family Strengthening Fund to hold grants, contributions, and other funds received by the Commission to be expended for the purposes of the Act. Amends the State Finance Act to add the Fatherhood and Family Strengthening Fund to the list of State funds.

Curtis J. Tarver, IIDemocrat

VETERANS HOUSING PROTECTION

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Veterans Housing Protection Act. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that it is a civil rights violation to refuse to sell or rent or to otherwise make unavailable or deny a dwelling to any buyer or renter who is a veteran because of the results of a criminal, credit, or eviction history records check. Provides that the prohibition against the use of the results of a veteran's criminal history records check shall not preclude an owner or any other person engaging in a real estate transaction, or a real estate broker or salesman, from prohibiting the veteran, a member of the veteran's household, or a guest of the veteran from engaging in unlawful activity on the premises. Expands the Act's definition of "source of income" to include any federal, State, or local public assistance, and federal, State, or local housing subsidies, such as federal Department of Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers, rental assistance under the Supportive Services for Veterans Families program, and veterans' benefits. Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to administer a statewide Landlord Rental Guarantee Program which reimburses landlords up to $3,500 for damages or unpaid rent associated with veteran tenants using any federal, State, or local housing assistance or veterans' benefits to pay all or a portion of the rent. Provides that reimbursement payments shall be paid out of the Veterans Rental Guarantee Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury. Requires the Department to also establish and administer a pilot program to increase affordable homeownership opportunities among the veteran population. Provides that under the pilot program veterans shall be able to use federal or State housing vouchers to partially subsidize homeownership expenses for up to 10 or 15 years depending on the mortgage term.

Debbie Meyers-MartinDemocrat

COURTS-TECH

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

Kam BucknerDemocrat

COURTS-TECH

Amends the Jury Commission Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Kam BucknerDemocrat

TRANSMISSION OWNERSHIP ACT

Creates the Transmission Ownership and Reliability Act. Defines terms. Provides that all new electric transmission facilities located wholly or partly within the geographic boundaries of the State shall be owned, operated, and maintained exclusively by a Commission-regulated and investor-owned utility. Provides that any entity proposing to construct a new electric transmission facility in the State shall obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity under the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the construction of electric transmission facilities shall comply with all provisions of the Electric Transmission Systems Construction Standards Act and that third-party constructors shall adhere to prevailing wage, safety, and diversity requirements under that Act. Sets forth rulemaking provisions. Provides that any entity that constructs or operates an electric transmission facility in violation of the Act may be subject to monetary penalties, revocation of certification, or transfer orders issued by the Commission. Amends the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act. Provides that, to qualify as a "community-based organization", an organization must demonstrate, among other things, a plan to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL). Creates the Transmission Efficiency and Cooperation Law within the Public Utilities Act. Provides that an incumbent electric transmission owner has the right to construct, own, and maintain an electric transmission line that has been approved for construction in a transmission plan and that will connect to facilities that are owned by the incumbent electric transmission owner and are or will be under the functional control of a regional transmission operator. Provides that the right to construct, own, and maintain an electric transmission line belongs individually and proportionally to each incumbent electric transmission owner, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing. Provides that proportionality shall be determined based on the location of the electric transmission line relative to each incumbent electric transmission owner's retail service territory. Provides that an incumbent electric transmission owner may assign its right to construct, own, and maintain an electric transmission line to a transmission affiliate. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.Democrat

MEDICAID-NONCITIZENS

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Expands medical assistance coverage to certain categories of lawfully present noncitizens. Sets income guidelines for qualifying persons age 19 through 64 and income guidelines for persons 65 years of age or older. Removes a provision permitting medical assistance coverage for up to 24 continuous months from the initial eligibility date, if otherwise eligible.

Dagmara AvelarDemocrat

BIRTH CONTROL-MINORS CONSENT

Amends the Birth Control Services to Minors Act. Provides that any minor may give effective consent for contraceptive services or supplies and the consent of no other person is required. Provides that for such purposes, a minor is deemed to have the same legal capacity to act and has the same powers and obligations as a person of legal age.

Dagmara AvelarDemocrat

$DHS-COMMUNITY HOUSING

Appropriates $40,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services to provide on-going housing assistance for persons needing affordable housing in order to transition into less restrictive community housing from a long-term care facility regulated under Title 77, 59, or 89 of the Illinois Administrative Code. Effective July 1, 2026.

Anna MoellerDemocrat

DHS-COMMUNITY HOUSING PAYMENTS

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that all housing assistance payments payable from funds appropriated to the Department of Human Services in State Fiscal Year 2027 for the purpose of providing ongoing housing assistance to long-term care residents seeking to transition to less restrictive community housing shall be structured to ensure that housing assistance recipients pay no more than 30% of their income as housing costs and may relocate to a different residence that meets applicable Department rules without losing eligibility for such housing assistance payments. Effective July 1, 2026.

Anna MoellerDemocrat

AGRIVOLTAIC SYSTEMS

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act and the Public Utilities Act. Provides that "agrivoltaic system" means a ground-mounted photovoltaic solar energy system that meets the following criteria: (1) the applicable farm plan and the system have been intentionally designed with agricultural producers, agrivoltaics experts, or both agricultural producers and agrivoltaics experts; (2) the system is constructed, installed, and operated to achieve an integrated and simultaneous production of both solar energy and current or future marketable agricultural products, including all products and activities described in the definition of "production agriculture" in the Use Tax Act and apiaries if the apiary is paired with another qualifying marketable agricultural product, by an agricultural producer; (3) the agricultural production of the system occur on land beneath or between rows of solar panels; and (4) the agricultural production of the system begins as soon as agronomically feasible and optimal for the agricultural producer after the commercial operation date of the solar panels and continues until decommissioning. Provides that "agrivoltaic system" does not include a system that has a pollinator habitat as the sole dual use of the system.

Sharon ChungDemocrat

SNAP-HUMANITARIAN IMMIGRANT

Amends the Survivor Support and Trafficking Prevention Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Extends eligibility for State funded cash assistance and SNAP benefits to humanitarian immigrants, subject to available funding, if they are not eligible for such benefits solely due to citizenship or immigration status requirements but otherwise meet the financial and nonfinancial factors of eligibility. Lists the classes of humanitarian immigrants eligible for SNAP benefits under the Article. Provides that any individual residing in an institution or other setting that provides the majority of the individual's daily meals is not eligible for SNAP benefits. Exempts persons who do not have legal authorization to work from the statutory work requirements. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Elizabeth "Lisa" HernandezDemocrat