Bills & Legislation

DHFS-COMM MENTAL HLTH PROVIDER

Amends the Rebuild Illinois Mental Health Workforce Act. Provides that beginning January 1, 2026, for each State fiscal year, a monthly directed payment shall be paid to each community mental health provider of community support individual services based on the number of Medicaid users of community support individual services documented by Medicaid fee-for-service and managed care encounter claims delivered by the provider in the base year. Sets forth how the monthly directed payment shall be calculated. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to adjust and pay community mental health providers for any payments authorized for all services from a community mental health provider which have been paid by a Medicaid managed care organization but no encounter claim has been recorded in the Departments' Enterprise Data Warehouse. Provides that the Department must develop a process for community mental health providers to reconcile these payments and submit claims for which the Department has not used for making payments. Permits the Department to sanction Medicaid managed care organizations for services not received by the Department.

Lindsey LaPointeDemocrat

SCH-MISCONDUCT INVESTIGATION

Amends the School Code. Provides that notification of the alleged misconduct and available resources shall also be provided to the employee, agent of the school, or contractor of the school who is alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct. Requires the governing body of each school district, charter school, or nonpublic school to implement an investigation procedure under which an employee, agent of the school, or contractor of the school is alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct. Provides that any adverse determination issued to an employee, agent of the school, or contractor of the school for events that occurred prior to the effective date of the amendatory Act shall be considered null and void only if any and all investigations conducted by a regulatory third party entity resulted in a finding that the allegation was false, unfounded, indeterminable, or unsubstantiated or a previous finding was otherwise overturned or expunged on appeal. Requires the adverse determination and related documents to be removed from the applicable personnel records within 14 business days after written notice. Makes other changes.

Michelle MussmanDemocrat

PROP TX-CELL TOWERS

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that wireless telecommunication towers that are not otherwise exempt under a specific provision of the Code are subject to local property taxes and shall be valued according to policies adopted by the chief county assessment officer. Effective immediately.

Abdelnasser RashidDemocrat

ELECTIONS-PUBLICATION/LOCAL

Amends the Election Code. Provides that all local election authorities shall post requirements and qualifications for running for local offices and petition filing deadlines on the website of the local election authority.

Abdelnasser RashidDemocrat

LOCAL ZONING-MANUFACTURED HOME

Amends the Counties Code, Township Code, and Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a zoning ordinance or other zoning regulation may not prohibit or restrict the erection of an industrialized residential structure or a manufactured home on real property if: (1) the industrialized residential structure or manufactured home is compatible with the character of the respective area; (2) an ordinance or regulation imposes the same aesthetic compatibility requirements on the industrialized residential structure or manufactured home as those that are applicable to all other residential structures in the respective area; and (3) the industrialized residential structure or manufactured home meets applicable standards for the exterior design of buildings and structures. Prohibits restrictions based upon the age of a manufactured home. Provides that a person who is the owner of real property or who has a right to the use of real property may install and occupy a pre-owned manufactured home on the property if the pre-owned manufactured home complies with specified provisions and is on property that is zoned for residential use. Provides that a county, township, or municipality may establish health and safety standards for pre-owned manufactured homes that are relocated from one location to another location and an inspection program for those pre-owned manufactured homes. Provides that the county, township, or municipality and the individual performing an inspection are not liable for any injuries to a person resulting from any defects or conditions in the pre-owned manufactured home. Specifies that the provisions of the amendatory Act are not intended to limit the powers of a home rule unit. Defines "pre-owned manufactured home".

Norine K. HammondRepublican

IDOT-BRIDGE RESTORE PROJECTS

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that if the Department of Transportation is conducting a bridge restoration project and the municipality in which the bridge is located wants to engage in a beautification project of the bridge, then the Department shall work with the municipality to aid in the beautification of the bridge. Provides that the municipality shall use its own funds to invest in the beautification of the bridge.

Nabeela SyedDemocrat

UTIL-BOARD ELECT PLANNING

Creates the Municipal and Cooperative Electric Utility Planning and Transparency Act. Sets forth legislative findings and objectives. Provides that beginning on November 1, 2025, and every 3 years thereafter on November 1, all electric cooperatives with members in the State, municipal power agencies, and municipalities shall file with the Illinois Power Agency an integrated resource plan. Includes provisions regarding the purposes and available resources for the integrated resource plan and rulemaking powers of the Agency. Requires the Agency to maintain a list of qualified experts or expert consulting firms for the purpose of developing integrated resource plans. Sets forth meeting requirements for an electric cooperative and publishing and posting requirements for specific information related to an electric cooperative. Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that a public body may hold closed meetings to consider the operation by a municipality of a municipal utility or the operation of a municipal power agency or municipal natural gas agency when the discussion involves certain topics. Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Allows any additional municipality which operates an electric utility system to join a municipal power agency consistent with the bylaws of the municipal power agency, and upon payment of any termination obligations. Outlines a number of requirements for a municipal power agency. Makes other changes. Amends the Public Utilities Act. In a provision regarding net electricity metering, defines "electricity provider" and "electric utility". Makes other changes. Amends the Eminent Domain Act. Provides that for all acquisitions where the property, or any right or interest in property, is to be used for utility purposes, and where the condemning authority is an entity required to submit an integrated resource plan under the Municipal and Cooperative Electric Utility Planning and Transparency Act, the rebuttable presumption that such acquisition of that property is primarily for the benefit, use, or enjoyment of the public and necessary for a public purpose shall only apply if the most recent integrated resource plan filed by the condemning authority identified the facility or articulated a need for a facility similar capacity and type to the facility for which the property or right or interest is sought. Effective immediately.

Janet Yang RohrDemocrat

USE/OCC TX-COMMON SCHOOL

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, of the remainder of the moneys received under the Acts after certain deposits have been made, 75% shall be deposited into the General Revenue Fund and 25% shall be deposited into the Common School Fund (currently, 75% shall be paid into the State Treasury and 25% shall be reserved in a special account and used only for the transfer to the Common School Fund as part of a specified monthly transfer). Effective immediately.

Fred CrespoDemocrat

HEALTH CARE TRANSPARENCY

Creates the Health Care Transparency Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall identify reproductive health care services, LGBTQ health care services, and end-of-life health care services that are or may be subject to denial of care for nonmedical reasons in the State and develop a clear and simple disclosure form for the purpose of conveying to patients and to the public which of the identified health care services are and are not generally available, are subject to restriction for nonmedical reasons, and are subject to restrictions on referral by each covered entity. Requires the Department to publish and maintain on its public-facing website a current list of covered entities and provide for public access to the disclosure form submitted by each covered entity; adopt rules implementing the Department's duties; and develop and administer to the public an education and awareness program regarding how denial of care may negatively impact health care access and quality, may be avoided, and affects vulnerable people and communities. Establishes disclosure requirements for covered entities. Effective immediately.

Dagmara AvelarDemocrat

MENTAL HLTH-HOME SERVICES

Amends the Developmental Disability and Mental Disability Services Act. In provisions limiting the funding amount for home-based services provided by the Department of Human Services to an adult with a mental disability, provides that, subject to appropriation for these purposes, the Department may exceed such funding limits for an adult with a mental disability whose service and support needs require a higher level of funding based on a determination of need administered by the Department or its service coordination agent. Provides that such service and support needs must be incorporated into the service plan of the adult with a mental disability and must align with criteria adopted by the Department. Permits the Department to limit the use of the funds to services and supports the adult with a mental disability requires to continue to live in the community. Permits the Department to adopt rules. Effective immediately.

Margaret A. DeLaRosaDemocrat

VEH CD-SEAT SAFETY BELTS

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the failure to wear a seat safety belt or the misuse of a seat safety belt by a driver or passenger of a motor vehicle may be considered evidence of negligence and may diminish any recovery from damages, but shall not limit the liability of an insurer.

Michelle MussmanDemocrat

CHILD CARE BACKGROUND CHECK

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that day care homes, group day care homes, and day care centers may hire on a probationary basis any employee or volunteer who authorizes a criminal background investigation and who meets the initial requirements set out by the Department of Children and Family Services or the Department of Early Childhood and any applicable federal laws or regulations. Provides that, pending completion of all of the background check requirements, the probationary employee or volunteer must be supervised at all times by an individual who received a qualifying result on all background check components.

Suzanne M. NessDemocrat

HUMAN RTS-LANGUAGE CITIZENSHIP

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Changes the Public Accommodations and Financial Credit Articles to prohibit discrimination on the basis of citizenship, primary language, or immigration status that includes discrimination against a person because of the person's actual or perceived characteristic or characteristics within the listed categories or that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any particular characteristic or characteristics within the listed categories. "Citizenship" means the status of being: (i) a born U.S. citizen; (ii) a naturalized U.S. citizen; or (iii) a U.S. national. "Immigration status" means citizenship of some country other than the United States, including stateless persons, and the specific authority, or lack thereof, to reside in or otherwise to be present in the United States. "Primary language" means a person's preferred language for communication. Provides that it is not a civil rights violation to verify immigration status or any discrimination based upon verified immigration status if required by federal law. Nothing in the Act may be construed to require the provision of services or documents in a language other than English beyond that which is otherwise required by other provisions of federal, State, or local law. Provides that a civil rights violation for a violation of Articles 4 and 5 may include statutory damages of 3 times the amount of actual damages sustained or $8,000, whichever is the greater.

Kevin John OlickalDemocrat

MEDICAID-STRIVE CALCULATIONS

Provides that, if and only if House Bill 4907 of the 103rd General Assembly becomes law, then the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by adding new provisions concerning PDPM Strive staffing ratio calculations for nursing facilities. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, the staffing percentage used in the calculation of the per diem staffing add-on shall be its PDPM STRIVE Staffing Ratio. Sets forth how to calculate a nursing facility's PDPM STRIVE Staffing Ratio, PDPM STRIVE Staffing Target, Illinois Adjusted Facility Case-Mix Hours Per Resident Per Day, and STRIVE staffing fee schedule. Effective immediately or on the date House Bill 4907 of the 103rd General Assembly takes effect, whichever is later.

Anna MoellerDemocrat

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.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

EPA-BALLOONS

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that a person may not knowingly release or cause to be released into the atmosphere within a 24-hour period 25 or more helium or other lighter-than-air gas balloons in the State unless the balloons are (1) used by an institution of higher education or a governmental agency, or pursuant to a governmental contract, for bona fide scientific or meteorological purposes, (2) released indoors and remain indoors, or (3) are helium balloons used for the safe operation of a hot air balloon. Provides that persons who violate the amendatory Act's provisions shall be subject to civil penalties in specified amounts and that the release of 25 balloons or fewer at one time is a single offense. Makes corresponding changes in provisions regarding mitigation or aggravation of penalty in determining the appropriate civil penalty to be imposed, as well as regarding minimum penalties based on economic benefits.

Janet Yang RohrDemocrat

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, 2027, 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.

Daniel DidechDemocrat

PUBLICATION-NOTICES-NEWSPAPERS

Amends the Notice By Publication Act. Provides that in counties with a population of less than 3,000,000, if a unit of local government, community college, or school district is required to provide notice in a newspaper by law, order of court, or contract, those entities may publish the notice on its official government website instead of in a newspaper. Provides that the entity or the host of the notice website must enter into a service-level agreement with an Internet service provider that guarantees the site is accessible to the public over the Internet at least 98% of the time, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Provides that the official Internet website of the entity must prominently display a link to the notice web page. Provides that if an individual is unable to access an electronic publication of a legal notice, the entity must provide a copy of the notice to the individual free of charge. Requires that notices must remain available on the website at least until the last posting date required by law has expired or until the event described in a notice has taken place, whichever is later. Repeals the current provisions that a newspaper that publishes a notice required by law must contract to place the notice at no additional cost on the statewide website established and maintained as a joint venture of the majority of State newspapers as a repository of these notices. Amends the Newspaper Legal Notice Act. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Suzanne M. NessDemocrat

INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS-GENDER

Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that any athletic team or sport that is under the jurisdiction of an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and student must abide by the following: if an athletic team or sport is designated as being female, it is available only to participants who are female, based on their biological sex. Requires a school district or nonpublic school to obtain a written statement signed by a student's parent or guardian or the student verifying the student's age, biological sex, and that the student has not taken performance enhancing drugs; provides for a penalty for false or misleading statements. Prohibits a governmental entity or an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and students from entertaining a complaint, opening an investigation, or taking any other adverse action against a school district or nonpublic school for maintaining athletic teams or sports in accordance with these provisions.

Joe C. SosnowskiRepublican

SNOW & ICE REMOVAL ACT

Amends the Snow and Ice Removal Act. Includes within the protection of the Act a person in charge of any business who attempts to remove snow or ice from sidewalks and parking areas abutting the business. Prohibits liability unless the removal of the snow and ice was done in a willful or wanton manner. Provides that attorney's fees may be awarded to a defendant who is protected under the Act from liability if the court determines the that action against the defendant is frivolous.

Regan DeeringRepublican

GOOD SAMARITAN-VETERAN SUICIDE

Amends the Good Samaritan Act. Provides civil immunity for a not-for-profit corporation organized to assist veterans that requests, sponsors, or participates in providing a suicide prevention intervention at the scene of a threatened suicide by a veteran; or a person, who without compensation, provides such an intervention at the request of a veteran no-for-profit corporation. Exempts an act or omission that was not in good faith or was the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Jackie HaasRepublican

SCH CD-DYSLEXIA SCREENING

Amends the School Code. Provides for dyslexia screening guidelines and rules. Requires the State Board of Education to provide technical assistance for specific learning disabilities to school districts. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each school district must screen students in grades kindergarten through second for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener. Sets forth what the screening must include. Provides for additional screening for a student who is determined to be at risk, or at some risk, for dyslexia to determine if the student has the characteristics of dyslexia. Requires the use of a multi-tiered system of support framework if screening indicates that a student has some risk factors for dyslexia or has the characteristics of dyslexia. Sets forth provisions concerning exceptions to screening, dyslexia intervention services, and reporting. Effective July 1, 2025.

Jackie HaasRepublican

SMALL ESTATE AFFIDAVIT

Amends the Small Estates Article of the Probate Act of 1975. Allows a small estate affidavit to be used to transfer personal property in a decedent's estate if: (1) no letters of office are outstanding on the decedent's estate and no petition for letters is contemplated or pending in the State or in any other jurisdiction; and (2) the decedent's personal estate passing to any party by intestacy or under a will is limited to tangible and intangible personal property not exceeding $150,000 and motor vehicles, trailers, and mobile homes registered with the Secretary of State. Makes a corresponding change in the form for a small estate affidavit. Provides that the changes made to the Act apply to a decedent whose date of death is on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Jackie HaasRepublican

PEN CD-SURS-DROP

Amends the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides for a deferred retirement option plan for participants under the State Universities Article under which a participant who is eligible to retire may continue in active service for up to 5 years while having his or her monthly retirement annuity deposited into a special account. Provides that the election must be made no later than January 1, 2029. Provides that the amounts credited to the deferred retirement option plan shall be held in notional accounts by the retirement system, and that the amounts in the account shall not accrue interest. Provides that, upon termination of the deferred retirement option plan, the participant shall commence his or her retirement annuity from the retirement system and may not participate in employment in any way that would require the participant to become an active contributing member of the retirement system. Sets forth provisions concerning the manner of the election; automatic increases; contributions to the retirement system; accounting; expiration or termination of the deferred retirement option plan; and administration of the deferred retirement option plan. Effective immediately.

Katie StuartDemocrat

CDB-WASTEWATER REGULATION

Amends the Capital Development Board Act. Provides, in a provision that limits the enforceability of ordinances of units of local government with respect to the remediation, redevelopment, or improvement of certain State facilities, that a unit of local government shall not include a municipal wastewater agency or unit of local government that is organized under the Sanitary District Act of 1907, the North Shore Water Reclamation District Act, the Sanitary District Act of 1917, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act, the Sanitary District Act of 1936, the Metro-East Sanitary District Act of 1974, or the Eastern Will Sanitary District Act. Provides that an ordinance or regulation of a municipal wastewater agency or unit of local government that is organized under the Sanitary District Act of 1907, the North Shore Water Reclamation District Act, the Sanitary District Act of 1917, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act, the Sanitary District Act of 1936, the Metro-East Sanitary District Act of 1974, or the Eastern Will Sanitary District Act regarding the use of or connection to the wastewater treatment or collection system of the agency or unit of local government is valid and enforceable by the agency or unit of local government with respect to the construction, reconstruction, improvement, or installation of a State facility on or after the effective date. Effective immediately.

Mary Beth CantyDemocrat

NURSING HOME-STAFFING RATIO

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Adds infection preventionists, minimum data set assessment nurses, other social workers, certified nursing assistant interns, and medication aides to the list of direct care staff used to compute staff to resident ratios. Provides that, except as otherwise provided by law, 100% of the hours worked by the specified staff shall be counted toward the staff to resident ratio. Provides that no monetary penalties shall be imposed unless the variance between a facility's minimum staffing ratios and the Department of Public Health's computations exceeds 20%. Removes a provision prohibiting waiver of a monetary penalty for non-compliance. In provisions concerning reporting requirements for facilities that violate the minimum staffing requirements, provides that the facility must have a variance that exceeds 20% of the requirements. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Bob MorganDemocrat

REPORTING POLICE MISCONDUCT

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. In provisions requiring a law enforcement agency to report misconduct committed by the agency's police officers, provides that the chief administrator of the law enforcement agency may be brought before the Certification Review Panel if the law enforcement agency fails to comply with the provisions. Provides that, upon a recommendation of the Panel, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board may suspend the chief administrator's law enforcement certification for a period of no less than 30 days. Allows the Board to bring a discretionary decertification action against the chief administrator for a second or subsequent violation of the provisions. Effective immediately.

Bob MorganDemocrat

CORPORATION-INCORPORATION DATE

Amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983. Provides that the articles of incorporation of any corporation (currently, any corporation incorporated after December 31, 1981) may limit or eliminate cumulative voting rights in all or specified circumstances, or may limit or deny voting rights or may provide special voting rights as to any class or classes or series of shares of such corporation.

Bob MorganDemocrat

WHISTLEBLOWER ACT

Amends the Whistleblower Act. Prohibits retaliation by an employer or third party related to a past, current, or future activity that the employee has a good-faith belief violates a municipal, county, State, or federal law, rule, or regulation or poses a substantial and specific danger to employees, public health, or safety. Changes the damages an employee may receive for violations of the Act to include compensatory damages.

Bob MorganDemocrat

CANNABIS DELIVERY

Amends the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act. Provides that all cannabis products purchased by a qualifying patient, provisional patient, or designated caregiver from a licensed dispensing organization shall be lawful products (rather than all medical cannabis products purchased by a qualifying patient at a licensed dispensing organization shall be lawful products and a distinction shall be made between medical and non-medical uses, with other requirements). Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Changes and adds definitions. Makes changes to provisions regarding operational requirements and prohibitions. Provides that a dispensing organization shall not sell cannabis or cannabis-infused products to a purchaser unless the purchaser has been verified to be 21 years of age or older, or the person is verified to be a registered qualified patient, provisional patient, or designated caregiver (removing requirements referencing the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program). Removes prohibitions for a dispensing organization to operate drive-through windows. Provides an exception to the prohibition for a dispensing organization to transport cannabis for delivery. In provisions regarding an inventory control system, adds that all dispensing organizations shall maintain internal, confidential records of all deliveries to any registered qualified patient, provisional patient, or designated caregiver, with certain requirements. In provisions regarding dispensing cannabis, adds a requirement that the agent verify the qualifying patient, provisional patient, or designated caregiver registration card, if applicable. Provides that a dispensing organization may offer pickup or drive-through for cannabis or cannabis-infused products to purchasers over 21 years of age and certain patients and caregivers. Provides that a dispensing organization may offer delivery for cannabis or cannabis-infused products to certain patients and caregivers. Adds requirements to provisions regarding security for a dispensing organization. Adds provisions permitting delivery by dispensing organizations to the residence of a qualifying patient, provisional patient, or designated caregiver, with certain requirements.

Bob MorganDemocrat

CREDIT REPORT-SEALED RECORDS

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice for a consumer reporting agency to make, create, or furnish any consumer report or credit report containing, incorporating, or reflecting any adverse information that the consumer reporting agency knows or should know was expunged or sealed by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Rita MayfieldDemocrat

UNIO CONSTRUCT MANAGE AUTO ACT

Creates the University Construction Management Autonomy Act. Provides that public universities in the State shall be granted autonomy to manage construction projects funded by the State, as long as the total State funding does not exceed $20,000,000. Provides that the autonomy granted to universities shall include the authority to: (1) develop and approve project plans, budgets, and timelines; (2) select contractors, architects, and other necessary personnel for the project; (3) procure materials and equipment necessary for the project in compliance with State statutes, rules, and standards; and (4) monitor and oversee the progress of the project to ensure compliance with State rules and standards. Allows the public universities to have the option to use the services of the Capital Development Board for construction projects. Provides that public universities availing themselves of the autonomy shall provide regular reports to the Board of Higher Education detailing the progress, expenditures, and outcomes of construction projects managed independently. Effective immediately.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

IDPH-FENTANYL AWARENESS

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall, in consultation with appropriate agencies and organizations, establish a public awareness campaign to assist the public in understanding the harm of abusing fentanyl, with certain requirements.

Nabeela SyedDemocrat

STUDENT JOURNALISTS-LIABILITY

Amends the Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act. Provides that any student or student media adviser may institute proceedings for injunctive or declaratory relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the rights to free speech or free press. Provides that nothing shall be construed to create any private action on behalf of a student other than to seek injunctive relief allowing the publication of the speech in question. Allows a court to award reasonable attorney's fees to a plaintiff that substantially prevails.

Nabeela SyedDemocrat

AG-DROUGHT & CLIMATE-STUDY

Amends the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Directs the Department of Agriculture to study: (1) the specific actions that can be taken and the practices that can be implemented to mitigate the impacts of drought and climate change on agriculture in the State; (2) the costs, benefits, and feasibility of establishing and implementing financial and technical assistance programs to mitigate the impacts of drought and climate change on agricultural producers in the State; (3) the costs, benefits, and feasibility of using agricultural land management to realize greenhouse gas reductions and maximize carbon sequestration opportunities in the State; (4) the costs, benefits, and feasibility of using floatovoltaics in State waterways; and (5) the costs, benefits, and feasibility of establishing within the Department an Agricultural Drought and Climate Resilience Office for the purpose of providing agricultural producers with the voluntary technical assistance, nonregulatory programs, and incentives necessary to harden the State's agricultural sector to the coming impacts of drought and climate change. Allows the Department to enter into a contract or grant agreement with one or more organizations or institutions with expertise in environmental and agricultural issues for the purpose of completing the tasks delegated to the Department in these provisions. Authorizes the Department, in conducting the required cost-benefit analyses, to take into account the value of ecosystem services. Directs the Department to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly within 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Sonya M. HarperDemocrat

VEH CD-CHANGE TO SPEED LIMIT

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, on and after October 1, 2025, the default speed limit is 20 (instead of 30) miles per hour within an urban district, and 10 (instead of 15) miles per hour in an alley within an urban district. Requires, by September 1, 2025, the Secretary of State to communicate the speed limit change to every licensed driver in the State via direct postal mail and a broad statewide communications campaign. Provides that a county, municipality, or township with speed enforcement authority may only issue warnings for violations during the first 60 days after the change of the speed limit is enacted. Effective immediately.

Maura HirschauerDemocrat

HIGHER ED-ASSISTANCE REPEALS

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Repeals provisions regarding the State scholar program, the Merit Recognition Scholarship program, the Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access grant program, the student to student grant program, the Teach Illinois Scholarship Program, grants for persons raised by a grandparent, the Southern Illinois University's Achieve Program, medical assistant grants, the police training academy job training scholarship program, and the adult vocational community college scholarship. Repeals the Public Interest Attorney Assistance Act, the Child Welfare Student Loan Forgiveness Act, and the Community College Transfer Grant Program Act.

Dan SwansonRepublican

SCH CD-ADMIN CONTRACTS

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district shall not enter into an agreement that rescinds an employment contract entered into with an administrative employee in exchange for a payment that exceeds an amount greater than 6 time the monthly salary of the employee, due to the unsatisfactory performance of the employee's duties.

Rita MayfieldDemocrat

INCLUSIVE VENTURE INVESTMENT

Creates the Inclusive Venture Investment Act. Provides that the State Treasurer shall create a Direct Matching Funds Program. Provides that the purpose of the program shall be to leverage State-managed funds for investments in minority-owned venture capital firms, minority-owned financial managers, and minority-led startups. Sets forth provisions for investment requirements and incentives; administration; transparency and reporting; oversight and compliance; confidentiality; and rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2026.

Maurice A. West, IIDemocrat

$IDOT-PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE

Appropriates $90,000,000 to the Department of Transportation for various passenger rail services. Effective July 1, 2025.

Justin CochranDemocrat

AGING-DHS-GRANT ASSISTANCE

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging, the Children and Family Services Act, the Department of Human Services Act, and the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law. Requires the Department on Aging, and the Departments of Children and Family Services, Human Services, and Public Health to provide technical assistance in the form of training to local governmental entities and not-for-profit human service entities located within Illinois that request such assistance for the purpose of procuring grants. Requires the Departments to prioritize entities that: (i) are current grant recipients and are routinely noncompliant with grant award requirements; and (ii) have lost Department grant funding in the last 5 years and are seeking to reapply for grant funding. Requires the Departments to adopt rules. Effective July 1, 2025.

Camille Y. LillyDemocrat

VETERAN REGISTRATION FEES

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2026 registration year, the standard registration fee for passenger motor vehicles of the first division and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds shall be $100 for any Illinois vehicle owner who has been issued a drivers license with a veteran's designation.

Ryan SpainRepublican

ICC TELECOM BOX REMOVAL

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to adopt rules to allow a land owner to request to have an unused telecommunications utility box removed from the land owner's property by the telecommunications carrier.

Ryan SpainRepublican

GRADUATED LICENSE SUSPENSION

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, if a graduated driver's license holder is convicted of violating provisions stating that a graduated driver's license holder who is under the age of 18 when he or she receives the license may not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger in the vehicle who is under the age of 20, unless any additional passenger or passengers are siblings, step-siblings, children, or stepchildren of the driver, then the graduated license shall be suspended for 6 months.

Ryan SpainRepublican

EXECUTIVE & GA PAY RAISES

Amends the Salaries Act and the General Assembly Compensation Act. Removes changes made by Public Act 102-1115.

Ryan SpainRepublican

MEDICAID-EXTENDED HOSP STAYS

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that for an extended hospital stay beyond medical necessity due to multiple failed attempts to place an emergency room patient who presented for dementia or other long-term care needs into a nursing or other long-term care facility, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reimburse the hospital at a rate calculated to cover the entire hospital stay if (i) the hospital presents documentation, as prescribed by the Department, of multiple unsuccessful attempts to place the patient in a nursing or other long-term care facility and (ii) if each nursing or long-term care facility the hospital solicited for placement gave a substantially similar reason for denying the patient admission.

Ryan SpainRepublican

DCFS-CRIM CHECKS-SSN BAN

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Prohibits the Department of Children and Family Services from requiring Department volunteers to list or provide their social security numbers on any form prescribed by the Department that authorizes a criminal history record or background check. Requires the Department to amend its rule on authorization forms in accordance with the amendatory Act. Excludes the social security number of a Department volunteer from the definition of "background information." Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that no person appointed to serve as a court appointed special advocate shall be required to list or provide his or her social security number on any form prescribed by the court that authorizes a criminal history record or background check.

Ryan SpainRepublican

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE PROGRAM

Creates the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Act. Requires the Department of Employment Security to establish and administer a Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program that provides family and medical leave insurance benefits to eligible employees. Sets forth eligibility requirements for benefits under the Act. Contains provisions concerning disqualification from benefits; premium payments; the amount and duration of benefits; the recovery of erroneous payments; hearings; defaulted premium payments; elective coverage; employment protection; coordination of family and medical leave; defined terms; and other matters. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Account Fund. Provides phase-in periods for the collection of money and making of claims for benefits under the Act. Effective January 1, 2027.

Sonya M. HarperDemocrat

COMPETITIVELY NEUTRAL ENERGY

Creates the Transparent, Inclusive, and Competitively Neutral Energy Policy Act. Sets forth findings. Provides that the energy procurement process shall be transparent, inclusive, and competitively neutral and shall provide due consideration to the unique advantages of each developer from all segments of the energy sector and recognize that more inclusive procurements result in greater competition among developers and lower costs for consumers.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

SCH CD-EDUCATOR LICENSURE

Amends the School Code. Allows, if an assessment is determined to be non-uniform, a provisional in-state educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations to be issued to a candidate who has completed an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education and who has not successfully completed an applicable content area test but who: holds at least a bachelor's degree; has completed an approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution; has passed an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness; and has attempted an applicable content area test that has been determined to be non-uniform and has not attempted any uniform content area tests. Provides that the process by which the State Board of Education evaluates content area tests shall be public information and shall be made available on the website of the State Board. Requires the State Board to evaluate each content area test after it has been administered for at least 10 months, but not more than 12 months, and shall determine that a content test is non-uniform. Provides that if a content test is determined to be non-uniform, the State Board shall: convene one or more committees to review the content, bias, and passing score requirements of that content test and recommend changes to improve uniformity; offer the most recent uniform content area test for the same license or endorsement as an option until the new assessment is determined to be uniform; provide an opportunity to attempt the most recent uniform content area test for the same license or endorsement to candidates who attempted but did not pass the most recent version of the content area test; and implement a process by which candidates who attempted but did not pass the content test may apply for provisional licensure. Provides that if the State Board finds that the content area test forms available as of January 1, 2025 are not uniform in the level of difficulty as compared to previous forms of those exams, any candidate for licensure who attempted any content area test in the form that was available as of January 1, 2025, and whose best scores in each subsection of the same content area exam, taken across multiple attempts on the same form of the exam, equal or exceed the passing score for that content area exam as of January 1, 2025, shall be determined to have passed that content area exam.

Laura Faver DiasDemocrat