Bills & Legislation

PEN CD-CTPF-TRUSTEE ELECTION

Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision concerning trustees elected by contributors who are not administrators, provides that candidacy petitions shall be filed with the recording secretary of the Fund on or before October 1st of the election year (instead of on or after September 15 of each year and not later than October 1st of that year). Effective immediately.

PEN CD-CTPF-RECORD RETENTION

Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires charter schools and contract schools to retain all payroll records and contribution information for a minimum of 5 years after the payroll records and contribution information are created. Effective immediately.

KINDERGARTEN-PLAY-BASED LEARN

Amends the School Code regarding the establishment of kindergartens. With respect to a provision stating that kindergarten should provide opportunities for play-based learning, defines: (1) "play-based learning" as either guided play or student-initiated play; (2) "guided play" as intentional teacher-directed play with activities set up and led by a teacher that are aligned to learning goals or standards; and (3) "student-initiated play" as child-selected opportunities to build, pretend, create, move, or explore in an environment intentionally curated by a teacher to align with learning goals or standards.

SCH CD-SPEC ED TRANSITION PLAN

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that, by January 1, 2027, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State's Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program, shall establish an efficient process by which information about the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program is disseminated through the State Board to students, parents and guardians, transition planning and services coordinators at school districts, special education joint agreements, and other relevant educational agencies. Effective immediately.

DHS-DEMENTIA TRAINING

Amends the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act. Requires direct service workers employed by the Department of Human Services, or an agency contracted with the Department, to provide services under the Home Services Program to complete at least 2 hours of dementia training at the start of their employment and annually thereafter. Requires the training to cover subjects concerning Alzheimer's disease and dementia, safety risks, and communication and behavior. Requires the Department to provide contractors with dementia training curriculum on the required subjects. Provides that any other laws or rules that impose more rigorous dementia training for direct service workers under the Home Services Program shall apply. Exempts from the training requirements direct service workers who provide proof that they obtained equivalent dementia training in compliance with another law or rule. For personal assistants covered by a collective bargaining agreement, requires the Department to establish, in consultation with the joint training committee created under the collective bargaining agreement, different parameters and specific topics for curriculum covering dementia training.

CHILD CARE DIRECTORS

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that a licensed day care center may hire an individual who is in the process of completing the educational requirements set forth in administrative rules as an Interim Conditional Child Care Director for a period of 12 months. Requires the hired individual to provide documentation that shows that the individual is enrolled in courses that meet the requirements set forth in administrative rules. Provides that the individual shall be enrolled in an accredited college or university. Provides that during the 12-month employment period, an Interim Conditional Child Care Director with specified qualifications is exempt from the educational requirements set forth in administrative rules.

ACCEPTANCE OF CASH PAYMENTS

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that a State agency shall accept cash when offered as payment for any transaction totaling $500 or less. Prohibits a State agency from charging a higher price or adding any additional fee if a transaction conducted in cash. Amends the Local Governmental Acceptance of Credit Cards Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Local Governmental Acceptance of Credit Cards and Cash Act. Provides that a unit of local government shall accept cash when offered as payment for any transaction totaling $500 or less. Prohibits a unit of local government from charging a higher price or adding any additional fee if a transaction conducted in cash. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that any person engaged in the business of selling or offering to sell goods or services at retail to the public with an individual accepting in-person payments at a physical location shall not: (1) refuse to accept cash as a form of payment for sales of less than $500 made at the physical location; (2) post a sign on the premises stating that cash payment is not accepted; or (3) charge a higher price to customers paying with cash compared to the price charged to customers not paying with cash. Sets forth exceptions to the provision. Provides that a violation of the provision is an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.

NURSING HOME-MENTAL ILLNESS

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Replaces provisions concerning serious mental illness rescreening. Provides that all persons admitted to a nursing home facility with a diagnosis of serious mental illness shall receive a follow-up visit within 60 days after admission and shall receive a resident review by the Department of Human Services or its designee promptly after a significant change in the resident's physical or mental condition. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall ensure there are no conflicts of interest for pre-admission screeners.

GENERAL RATE INCREASE HEARINGS

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that, for any general rate increase requested by a gas, electric, water, or sewer public utility under the provisions of the Act, the Commission shall hold at least one public hearing during which members of the public can provide input on the requested general rate increase. Provides that any affected ratepayer of a requested general rate increase may testify at the public hearing and may file statements that pertain to the subject matter of the public hearing with the person or persons conducting the public hearing. Provides that a public hearing shall be held in the service territory of the public utility that requested a general rate increase at a time and location to be determined by the Commission. Requires the Commission to comply with certain requirements when determining the location of a public hearing. Provides that the Commission shall provide reasonable notice that complies with the Open Meetings Act to members of the public regarding a public hearing. Provides that "reasonable notice" means notice that is provided at least 14 days before a public hearing. Provides that public hearings shall be conducted by the full Commission, a single commissioner, or an administrative law judge from the Commission. Provides that the Commission shall take into consideration any testimony or comments received from members of the public during the public hearing in its deliberations on the requested general rate increase. Makes other changes.

ELECTRONIC MONITORING

Amends the Authorized Electronic Monitoring in Long-Term Care Facilities Act. Includes an establishment under the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act in the definition of "facility". Makes a conforming change in a the definition of "resident's representative".

MONEY TRANSMITTER DREAM DONATE

Amends the Uniform Money Transmission Modernization Act. Provides that licensees may offer every customer who transmits money internationally the option to make a voluntary donation to the Illinois DREAM Fund, as specified. Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to provide to licensees under the Act electronic copies of all marketing materials created by the Illinois DREAM Fund Commission for licensees.

DCFS-ABUSED CHILD-GROOMING

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. In the definition of "abused child", provides that an abused child means a child whose parent or immediate family member, or any person responsible for the child's welfare, or any individual residing in the same home as the child, or a paramour of the child's parent commits the act of grooming a child for the purpose of establishing or attempting to establish a romantic or sexual relationship (rather than commits the offense of grooming, as defined in the Criminal Code of 2012). Effective immediately.

SCH CD-E-LEARNING DAY-ELECTION

Amends the School Code. Allows the school board of a school district to use an adopted and verified program for e-learning days district-wide that permits student instruction to be received electronically while students are not physically present on an election day because a school was selected to be a polling place (rather than adopt a research-based program for e-learning days district-wide that shall permit student instruction to be received electronically while students are not physically present because a school was selected to be a polling place). Provides that e-learning days used for this purpose may not be counted in lieu of the district's scheduled emergency days.

SCH CD-REG SUP INSTITUT-TRAUMA

Amends the Regional Superintendent of Schools Article of the School Code. With respect to the requirement that institutes provide instruction on trauma-informed practices and include the definitions of trauma, trauma-responsive learning environments, and whole child before the first student attendance day of each school year, makes changes to the definitions of "trauma" and "trauma-responsive learning environments". Defines "trauma-informed practices" to include awareness of populations for whom trauma may be ongoing, relational, and developmentally expressed over time. Effective immediately.

LOC GOV-CREDIT CARD AGREEMENTS

Amends the Local Governmental Acceptance of Credit Cards Act. Provides that the governing body of a governmental entity accepting payment by credit card may enter into agreements with third-party software providers for the purpose of ensuring that the governmental entity receives the correct remittance for payment. Provides that, if a governmental entity enters into an agreement with one or more financial institutions or other service providers to facilitate the acceptance and processing of credit card payments, then the agreement may not restrict or prevent the governmental entity from using the payment processing system outlined in the State Treasurer Act or any other payment processing system that the governmental entity has procured. Effective immediately.

POSSESSION DISPUTES-PETS

Creates the Companion Animal Custody Equity Act. Provides that in a possession dispute involving a companion animal, a court may consider the well-being of the companion animal regardless of the marital status of the parties. "Companion animal" means a domesticated dog or cat that resides in a household. Authorizes the court to issue temporary possession or caregiving orders, including limited visitation, if necessary to reduce stress or disruption to the companion animal. Provides that for companion animals 10 years of age or older, courts may give additional consideration to factors including continuity of environment, emotional stability, stress minimization, and maintenance of established routines. Provides that a court may, if appropriate, order mediation between the parties to resolve issues related to companion animal possession.

RUUPA OVERPAYMENTS

Amends the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. Includes within the definition of "property" any overpayment made by any person to a government, governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, including, but not limited to, a payment for any tax, license, or fee that was made in excess of the amount ultimately required of the payor. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act is a restatement and clarification of existing law. Effective immediately.

LOW-INCOME UTILITY RATES

Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions concerning nondiscrimination, provides that the Commission is authorized to approve a low-income discount rate for residential electric and natural gas customers that applies to the entirety of a qualifying customer's bill, including, but not limited to, a qualifying customer's delivery service charges and energy supply charges. Provides that an electric or natural gas utility may fund low-income discount rates through a surcharge on customers' electric and natural gas bills. Provides that the changes to the Act apply retroactively on and after January 1, 2023. Amends the Energy Assistance Act. In provisions concerning eligibility under the Act, provides that, in setting the annual eligibility level for the use of State funds from the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall consider the amount of available funding and may not set a limit higher than 300% of the federal nonfarm poverty level. In provisions concerning the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund, provides that the yearly administrative expenses of the Fund may not exceed 15% (rather than 13%) of the amount collected during that year, except when unspent funds from the Fund are reallocated from a previous year. Provides that any unspent balance of the 15% administrative allowance may be utilized for administrative expenses in the year they are reallocated. Provides that, of the 15% administrative allowance, no less than 9% (rather than 8%) shall be provided to Local Administrative Agencies for administrative expenses. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the Base Energy Assistance Charge shall be $0.80 per month for each utility that is required by the Illinois Commerce Commission to implement a low-income discount rate and shall be $0.40 per month for each utility that is not required to implement a low-income discount rate and that contributes to the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund. Makes other changes.

HOSPITAL COLLECTION LIENS

Amends the Fair Patient Billing Act. In provisions concerning hospitals and their agents pursuing collection actions, provides that, for any legal action initiated against a patient for unpaid medical debt, a hospital may not file for or be granted a lien upon that patient's primary residence or on any other real property owned by the patient. Effective January 1, 2027.

POWER OF ATTY-PROPERTY

Amends the Illinois Power of Attorney Act. Deletes two reasons for which it is deemed reasonable cause for a third party to refuse to honor a power of attorney for property: (i) the refusal by the agent to provide a copy of the original document that is certified to be valid by an attorney, a court order, or governmental entity; and (ii) the refusal of the principal's attorney to provide a certificate that the power of attorney is valid.

INS-DENTAL COVERAGE REIMBURSE

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Prohibits an insurer, dental service plan corporation, professional service corporation, insurance network leasing company, or any other company or its contracted vendor that amends, delivers, issues, or renews an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act from requiring a dental care provider to only accept payment from a credit card or electronic funds transfer, in addition to the existing prohibition on incurred fees to access and obtain payment or reimbursement for services provided. Provides that any insurer, dental service plan corporation, professional service corporation, insurance network leasing company, or any other company or its contracted vendor that amends, delivers, issues, or renews an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance may initiate or change payment methodology to a dental care provider using electronic funds transfer payments, including virtual credit card payments, if the specified conditions are met. Sets forth provisions concerning claim payment methodologies and fees for transmitting payments. Provides that the specified dental coverage reimbursement provisions shall not be waived by contract. Effective January 1, 2027.

BLUE ENVELOPE PROGRAM

Amends the Secretary of State Act. Provides that the Secretary of State shall establish a program to be known as the Blue Envelope Program through which the Office of the Secretary of State shall design and make publicly available blue envelopes that may be used by individuals who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to hold documents required for the operation of a motor vehicle. Sets forth additional requirements. Provides that an individual diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder may voluntarily participate in the program. Provides that any information provided on the outside of the envelope shall be used solely to support safe and effective communication during interactions with first responders and law enforcement officers and shall not be entered into any federal, State, or local database. Provides that the Secretary of State may adopt rules to implement and administer the program.

EMS SYSTEMS-VARIOUS

Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act. Defines "digital license", "Just Culture Matrix", and "physical license". Provides that the Department of Public Health, by rule, shall publish a Just Culture Matrix, and it shall recommend that each EMS System include the Just Culture Matrix in its Program Plan for evaluating and responding to errors or failures to perform emergency and nonemergency medical services in accordance with the defined scope of practice of the EMS personnel. Provides that the Just Culture Matrix shall be a framework for fairly and consistently applying EMS System participation suspensions. Sets forth provisions concerning membership of the local System review board. Provides that the local System review board shall only have the authority to affirm, reduce, or rescind the EMS Medical Director's suspension order. Provides that the function of the State Emergency Medical Services Disciplinary Review Board is to review and affirm, reduce, or rescind disciplinary orders (instead of review and affirm, reverse, or modify). Makes conforming changes. Provides that the Department shall issue to EMS personnel a physical license, and all EMS personnel shall have access to a digital license. Requires a licensee to possess a copy of a physical license or a digital license.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISABILITY

Amends the Public Employee Disability Act. Provides that, whenever an eligible employee suffers any injury or illness in the line of duty (rather than suffers any injury in the line of duty) which causes that employee to be unable to perform the employee's duties, the employee shall continue to be paid by the employing public entity on the same gross pay basis, inclusive of all pensionable salary, as the employee was paid before the injury (rather than paid by the employing public entity on the same basis as he was paid before the injury), with no deduction from and with continued accrual of any sick leave credits (rather than with no deduction from his sick leave credits) and specified other compensation, with other requirements. Makes technical changes.

EPA-MEDICAL WASTE SHIPPING

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that no person shall cause or allow the delivery or transfer of any potentially infectious medical waste for transport unless, among other things, the potentially infectious medical waste is accompanied by completed shipping papers that meet the requirements of federal hazardous materials transportation regulations (rather than a potentially infectious medical waste manifest from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency) if required under the Act for transport of that waste. Provides that, except in specified circumstances, no person shall transport potentially infectious medical waste, unless the transporter carries completed shipping papers for the waste that meet the requirements of the federal hazardous materials transportation regulations (rather than a manifest from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency). Provides that the potentially infectious medical waste transportation fees are 5 cents (rather than 3 cents) per pound of potentially infectious medical waste. Makes other and conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2026.

EPA-STORMWATER-PLASTIC PELLET

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Agency shall develop and begin implementation of requirements for a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan or other similar best management practice requirements, to be included in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued to facilities regulated under certain federal regulations. Provides that these requirements apply to the control of plastic pellets or other preproduction plastic materials, in stormwater runoff from these facilities.

COLLEGE PRESS ACT-PUBLIC MEDIA

Amends the College Campus Press Act. Defines "public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning". Provides that all public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is a public forum for expression by the employees producing the media at the institution of higher learning. Provides that public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is not subject to prior review by public officials of the State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Allows an employee or agent of an entity creating or distributing public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning to commence a civil action to obtain appropriate injunctive and declaratory relief as determined by a court for violation of the Act by such State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Provides that expression made by an employee or agent of an entity creating or distributing public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is neither expression of campus policy nor speech attributable to a State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Provides that a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is immune from any lawsuit arising from expression actually made in public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Makes other changes.

ENTREPRENEUR INSTITUTE-REPEAL

Amends the Illinois State University Law. Repeals a provision regarding the Illinois Institute for Entrepreneurship Education.

MWRD-HIRING

Amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act. Provides that, among other things, notice of the duration of eligible lists of examinations of each position in the classified service shall be given by the Director of Human Resources by publication for 2 weeks preceding the examination in a daily newspaper of general circulation published in the county in which the sanitary district is situated, and the notice shall be posted by the Director in a conspicuous place in the Director's office for 2 weeks before the examination. Provides that, if fewer than 5 candidates are in the A, B, and C categories combined, then the Director may delay certification to fill a vacancy and hold an examination to provide a sufficient number of candidates on an updated eligible list. Provides that, among other apprentices, apprentices in a sanitary district's apprenticeship program for plant operations or laboratory operations shall not be included in the classified civil service. Provides that graduates of a sanitary district apprenticeship program shall be given additional points on examinations for civil service journeymen positions in entry-level positions in plant operations or laboratory operations classifications, in addition to the trades, at the sanitary district. Provides that, if an eligible list for the civil service journeyman trades or entry-level plant operations or laboratory operations classification already exists at the time a district apprentice completes the district program, then a special administration of the examination may be scheduled by the Director. Makes other and conforming changes.

COURT REMINDER NOTICES

Amends the Clerks of Courts Act. Makes legislative findings. Creates the court reminder program. Requires that the circuit clerk provide a defendant with notice by text message of all court hearings to defendants who have been charged with a violation of the Criminal Code of 2012 or the Illinois Vehicle Code as follows: provide at least 2 text notices before each court appearance with one notice the day before the required court appearance; maintain a copy of the content and a delivery receipt as part of the records of the clerk's office; and for court appearances that can be attended virtually, provide the link to the virtual court appearance in at least the final reminder sent before the appearance. Makes the Act inapplicable if a circuit clerk does not have the needed information from a defendant to send a text message notification. Requires that the circuit clerk must take all reasonable actions to get the needed information to provide reminders and to coordinate with law enforcement and the courts in that effort. Allows the circuit clerk to use an existing electronic notice provisions developed under the Clerks of the Courts Act or developed under Supreme Court Rule as long as those programs comply with the new requirements of the amendatory Act. Authorizes the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts to adopt rules to further implement the Act.

STATE BEE DESIGNATION

Amends the State Designations Act. Designates the Black-and-Gold Bumblebee (Bombus auricomus) as the official State bee of the State of Illinois.

HIGH SPEED RAIL COMM REPEAL

Amends the High Speed Rail Commission Act. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2030 (rather than January 1, 2027). Effective immediately.

PRIVATE DETECTIVE BOARD MEMBER

Amends the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004. Provides that the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Board shall consist of 12 (rather than 13) members. Removes the requirement that one member of the Board be a licensed private detective or licensed private security contractor who provides canine odor detection services. Provides that a majority of appointed Board members constitutes a quorum.

CTY/MUNI CD-BUILDING INSPECTOR

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, building inspectors who perform inspections or examinations under either Code must (i) hold specified credentials from the International Code Council; (ii) be credentialed through an equivalent nationally or state-recognized building certification or apprenticeship program approved by the United States Department of Labor in the area the building inspector is inspecting or examining; or (iii) be licensed under the Illinois Architecture Practice Act of 1989, the Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989, or the Structural Engineering Practice Act of 1989 (now, beginning January 1, 2027, the inspector must hold certification from the International Code Council in the area in which the inspector is inspecting or examining). Provides that building inspectors may have a grace period of 18 months from the date of hire or January 1, 2027, whichever is later, to acquire the required certification or credentials (now, inspectors have a grace period of one year from the date of hire to acquire the required certifications). Provides that an individual performing plumbing inspections shall be licensed under the Illinois Plumbing License Law and shall be exempt from the requirements of the provisions.

METRO SANITARY DIST-RENAMING

Amends the Metro-East Sanitary District Act of 1974. Changes the Act's short title to the Metro-East Flood Prevention District Act. Changes the name of the Metro-East Sanitary District to the Metro-East Flood Prevention District. Makes conforming changes in the Department of Natural Resources Act, the Flood Prevention District Act, the Southwestern Illinois Metropolitan and Regional Planning Act, the Sanitary District Act of 1907, the North Shore Water Reclamation District Act, the Sanitary District Act of 1917, the Public Utilities Act, the Eminent Domain Act, and the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act.

SCH CD-INTERFUND TRANSFERS

Amends the School Code. Extends the time period during which a school district other than the Chicago school district may transfer moneys from specified funds for any purpose from June 30, 2026 to June 30, 2029. Effective immediately.

ADULT CHANGING STATIONS

Amends the Equitable Restrooms Act. Provides that the owner or operator of each State-owned building and the owner or operator of each public building (rather than only the owner or operator of each State-owned building) shall (1) ensure that one or more of the public restrooms is designated as an adult changing station, with certain requirements, (2) maintain, repair, and replace each adult changing table as necessary, (3) clean each adult changing station with the same frequency as the other public restrooms, and (4) provide sufficient floor space to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Provides that the owner or operator of each State-owned building and the owner or operator of each public building (rather than only the owner or operator of each State-owned building) shall ensure that the entrance to each restroom has conspicuous signage and that the central directory for the building, if it exists, indicates the location. Provides that any public building or State-owned building that is constructed on or after January 1, 2029, and any public building or State-owned building with an estimated renovation cost of at least $10,000 that requires the issuance of a building permit for the renovation and that is renovated on or after January 1, 2031, must contain and provide access to not less than one powered, height adjustable, adult changing table, installed per the manufacturer's recommendations, in a single occupancy restroom that is universal to gender and available to the public. Adds and changes definitions.

MILITARY PLATES-SECOND SET

Amends the Special Plates Article of the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person eligible to receive certain military special plates is entitled to receive, upon application to the Secretary of State, a second set of the special plates under the same terms and conditions as the first set of special plates. Effective immediately.

SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTM INTERVIEW

Amends the Sexual Assault Incident Procedure Act. Provides that a law enforcement officer shall inform a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse of the right to request that any interview or statement be conducted in the presence of a law enforcement officer of a particular sex or gender, if one is reasonably available. Provides that if a law enforcement officer of the requested sex or gender is not reasonably available, the interview or statement shall proceed without unnecessary delay.

SCH CD-SCH PSYCHOLOGIST-DEGREE

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that "school psychologist" means a psychologist who, along with other qualifications, has graduated with a specialist degree, an equivalent degree with the completion of a minimum of 60 graduate semester hours, or a higher degree in school psychology (rather than a master's degree or higher degree in psychology or educational psychology) from an institution of higher learning and has had at least 1,200 clock hours of supervised experience (rather than one school year of full-time supervised experience) in the delivery of school psychological services. Makes changes to provide that school psychological services provided by qualified specialists who hold a Professional Educator License endorsed for school psychology may include, but are not limited to: (1) providing assessments; (2) creating and implementing prevention and intervention services that support student learning; (3) providing mental and behavioral health services; (4) acting as liaisons between public schools and community agencies; (5) evaluating program effectiveness; (6) providing crisis prevention, response, and intervention within the school setting; (7) providing consultation and collaboration; (8) supervising school psychologist interns enrolled in school psychology programs; (9) screening school enrollments to identify children who should be referred for individual study; and (10) developing any other necessary programs and services. Provides that a school psychologist may not provide school psychological services outside of his or her employment to any student in any school district that employs the school psychologist. Makes other changes.

HIGHER ED STUDENT BILL OF RTS

Creates the Higher Education Student Bill of Rights Act. Provides that a student attending a postsecondary education institution in the State is entitled to the following rights: the right to an inclusive and safe learning environment; the right to equal access; the right to safety and respect; the right to accessibility; the right to free expression; the right to organize; the right to peaceful protest; the right to academic transparency; the right to fair evaluation; the right to educational records; the right to educational programs safeguarded from political interference; the right to career preparation; the right to educational quality; the right to due process; the right to representation; the right to institutional accountability; the right to financial transparency; the right to fair lending and borrowing practices; the right to timely refunds and withdrawals; and the right to transfer.

COMMEMORATIVE DAY-EMMETT TILL

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Designates July 25 of each year as Emmett Till Day, to be observed throughout the State as a day to honor and remember Emmett Till.

AUDITOR GENERAL-340B AUDIT

Amends the Illinois State Auditing Act. Provides that, as soon as practical after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Auditor General shall conduct a comprehensive investigation of how 340B covered entities within Illinois participate in the 340B Drug Discount Program. Provides that the investigation shall examine the impact of this participation by 340B covered entities on State health programs, such as Medicaid and the State Employees Group Insurance Program, and shall include the specified assessments. Requires the Auditor General to make recommendations to the General Assembly based on the findings from the investigation.

SCH CD-HIGH SCH-REGISTER VOTER

Amends the School Code. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires a school district maintaining any of grades 9 through 12 to provide all eligible students graduating from high school with the opportunity to register to vote. Effective immediately.

COURT OF CLAIMS-PROCEDURE

Amends the Court of Claims Act. Creates an administrative process for uncontested claims for vendors arising from contracts with the State. Requires a State agency to confirm or reject an uncontested claim that is from a lapsed appropriation and valued at less than $2,500 within 30 days after being notified in writing by the Attorney General. Provides that if the State agency does not confirm or reject the claim within that 30-day period, then the State agency forfeits the right to reject or contest the claim. Requires the Comptroller, subject to appropriation, then issue payment to the vendor within 30 days of the court entering such an award. Provides that if the court determines that it is unable to process such an uncontested claim because the bill or invoice contains a defect, the court must notify the vendor in writing of the defect no later than 30 days after the bill or invoice was first submitted. Provides that if one or more items on a bill or invoice are disapproved, but not the entire bill or invoice, then the portion that is not disapproved must be transmitted to the Comptroller for payment. Changes the filing fees required under the Act as follows: a fee of $15 for a petition seeking more than $500 but less than $10,000; and $35 for a petition seeking more than $10,000 or more. Requires that the court must allow claimants to submit documentation to amend and cure defects. Makes other changes. Authorizes the Court of Claims to adopt rules to implement the Act.

CRIM CD-TRAVELING ANIMAL ACTS

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the statute prohibiting elephants from performing in traveling animal acts applies to "covered animals" rather than just elephants. Defines "covered animal" as any of the following animals, and hybrids of those animals: (1) elephantidae; (2) felidae, but excluding a domestic cat; (3) non-human primate; or (4) ursidae. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other laws protecting animal welfare. Provides that the provisions may not be construed to limit any State law or rules protecting the welfare of animals or to prevent a unit of local government from adopting and enforcing its own animal welfare ordinances and regulations. Contains a severability provision. Effective July 1, 2026.

CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES

Amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983. Provides that, subject to any contrary provision in the articles of incorporation of a corporation, a director, officer, key employee, or other fiduciary of the corporation shall not take advantage of a corporate opportunity unless the person first tenders the opportunity to the corporation and the corporation rejects the opportunity. Provides that, if the rejection is by a disinterested board of directors or by disinterested shareholder action, the director, officer, key employee, or other fiduciary of the corporation may then take advantage of the opportunity. Effective immediately.

NOTARIES-APPLICATION BY FELON

Amends the Illinois Notary Public Act. Provides that every applicant for appointment and commission as a notary shall complete an application in a format prescribed by the Secretary of State stating, among other things, that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony within the 10 years immediately preceding the date of application (now, the applicant must state that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony).