Bills & Legislation

AGRICULTURE IMPACT MITIGATION

Amends the Renewable Energy Facilities Agricultural Impact Mitigation Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Agricultural Impact Mitigation Act. Makes conforming changes in the Illinois Power Agency Act and the Illinois Municipal Code. Makes the Agricultural Impact Mitigation Act's agricultural impact mitigation agreement provisions applicable to commercial wind energy facilities, battery energy storage systems, pipelines, and electric lines. Describes information to be included in the agricultural impact mitigation agreements. Requires each construction or destruction project to undergo inspection by an agricultural inspector. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to temporarily halt construction, deconstruction, or other activities on a project upon its finding of noncompliance with the provisions of an agricultural impact mitigation agreement. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.Democrat

EDGE WITHHOLDING-STEEL

Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that certain taxpayers that are primarily engaged in the recycling and melting of steel products and in the manufacturing of new steel wire and rod products may elect to claim the credit under the Act against their withholding tax liability instead of their income tax liability. Effective immediately.

Sharon ChungDemocrat

PATIENT RIGHTS-NEXT OF KIN

Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Provides that every health care facility in this State shall permit the next of kin of a patient who is on life support to remain with the patient, at the patient's bedside, irrespective of regular hours of visitation. Provides that health care facilities may institute reasonable policies, including reasonable requirements that promote the health, safety, and welfare of the next of kin, the patient, and the employees and other patients of the health care facility without revoking the basic right afforded to the next of kin of a patient who is on life support. Defines "next of kin".

Paul JacobsRepublican

72-HOUR BUDGET REVIEW ACT

Creates the 72-Hour Budget Review Act. Prohibits a hearing or vote on any appropriation bill or revenue bill for at least 72 hours after the bill is made publicly available. Provides that a vote on an amendment to an appropriation bill or a revenue bill is not in order unless that amendment is made publicly available within a specified period prior to the vote. Provides that these temporal limitations may be waived by an affirmative two-thirds vote of the full committee or house considering the legislation. Effective immediately.

Norine K. HammondRepublican

USE/OCC TAX-HEARING AIDS

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2026, hearing aids are exempt from the taxes under those Acts. Effective immediately.

Norine K. HammondRepublican

PROTECT ORDERS-VIOLATION

Amends the Stalking No Contact Order Act and the Civil No Contact Order Act. Removes language providing that a knowing violation of a stalking no contact order or civil no contact order is a Class A misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent violation of such orders is a Class 4 felony. Provides instead that: (1) violation of a stalking no contact order or civil no contact order is a Class A misdemeanor; (2) violation of a stalking no contact order or civil no contact order is a Class 4 felony if the defendant has any prior conviction of domestic battery or violation of an order of protection or any prior conviction under the law of another jurisdiction for an offense that could be charged in the State as domestic battery or violation of an order of protection; and (3) violation of a stalking no contact order or civil no contact order is a Class 4 felony if the defendant has any prior conviction of attempt, first degree murder, kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, unlawful restraint, aggravated unlawful restraint, criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, aggravated battery, aggravated domestic battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, aggravated arson, aggravated discharge of a firearm, or aggravated battery of an unborn child, of a violation of any former law of the State that is substantially similar to any such listed offense, or any prior conviction under the law of another jurisdiction for an offense that could be charged in the State as one of such offenses, when any of these offenses have been committed against a family or household member. Provides that the court shall impose a minimum penalty of 24 hours imprisonment for the respondent's second or subsequent violation of any stalking no contact order or civil no contact order, unless the court explicitly finds that an increased penalty or such period of imprisonment would be manifestly unjust. Provides that in addition to any other penalties, the court may order the respondent to pay a fine or to make restitution to the victim under the Unified Code of Corrections. Makes same changes to the Criminal Code of 2012.

Amy ElikRepublican

PROPERTY-FOREIGN NATIONALS

Amends the Property Owned By Noncitizens Act. Provides that, beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Governor shall take such actions as may be necessary to prohibit the purchase of public or private real estate located in Illinois by any noncitizens. Provides that the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shall submit to the General Assembly a report that details the history of purchases of public and private real estate located in the State by noncitizens; provides more information on the percentage of real estate located in the State that is owned by noncitizens; and offers recommendations to make it easier for citizens and harder for noncitizens to purchase real estate located in the State, including farmland. Repeals the provisions 5 years after the effective date of the Act. Makes conforming changes.

Chris MillerRepublican

DATABASE RESOURCES FOR STUDENT

Creates the Database Resources for Students Act. Provides that a school district, State agency, public library, or public university or community college may offer digital or online library database resources to students in grades kindergarten through 12 only if the provider of the resources verifies that all the resources have safety policies and technology protection measures that prohibit and prevent a user of the resources from sending, receiving, viewing, or downloading and filter or block access to child pornography, obscene materials, or materials that depict child sexual exploitation. Provides that, notwithstanding any contract provision to the contrary, if a provider fails to comply with these provisions, the school district, State agency, public library, or public university or community college shall withhold further payments to the provider pending verification of compliance. Provides that if a provider fails to timely verify that the provider is in compliance, then the school district, State agency, public library, or public university or community college shall consider the provider's act of noncompliance as a breach of contract. Provides that nothing in the Act exempts from prosecution an employee of a school district, State agency, public library, or public university or community college for a willful violation of the provisions of the Criminal Code of 2012 regarding obscenity and child pornography. Sets forth reporting provisions. Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code to provide that the Act applies to charter schools. Effective July 1, 2026.

Chris MillerRepublican

SCH CD-RIGHTS OF PARENTS

Amends the School Code. Requires a school board to ensure parents and guardians of pupils enrolled in the school district are free to petition the school board and provide public comment at all public and regularly scheduled meetings, have access to certain information, are well-informed on specified subject matters, and have the right to meet with a pupil's teacher at least twice per school year. Requires a school board to ensure curriculum and learning materials are posted on the school district's Internet website. Effective immediately.

Chris MillerRepublican

GEN ASSEMBLY-AMENDMENT GERMANE

Amends the General Assembly Organization Act. Provides that any amendment to a bill that is introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate must be germane to the title of the introduced bill. Provides that any amendment that is not germane to the title of the introduced bill shall not be considered for adoption by the house of the General Assembly in which the amendment is offered for consideration. Provides that any member of the house of the General Assembly in which the amendment is offered for consideration may object to the introduction of the amendment as not being germane to the title of the introduced bill. Provides that if such an objection is made, the question of germaneness shall be presented to the respective house for consideration. Provides that if at least a majority of the members voting on the question determine that the amendment is germane to the title of the introduced bill, then the amendment may be considered by that house. Provides that if less than a majority of the members voting on the question determine that the amendment is germane to the title of the bill, the amendment shall not be considered by that house.

Chris MillerRepublican

EDUC SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROGRAM

Creates the Education Savings Account Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall develop and implement an education savings account program for eligible pupils. Provides that education savings account payments shall be made available to parents and guardians in the manner authorized for the payment of qualified educational expenses as provided in the Act. Provides that parents and guardians shall first use education savings account payments for all qualified educational expenses that are tuition and fees for which the parent or guardian is responsible for payment at the pupil's nonpublic school prior to using the education savings account for other qualified educational expenses. Sets forth provisions regarding program eligibility, application requirements, disbursement of funds, testing requirements, and rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2025.

Chris MillerRepublican

SCH CD-E-LEARNING-MIGRANT

Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning e-learning days, provides that a school or school district that offers e-learning days may not use any real property owned or leased by a school or school district to house migrants while students are not present at a school. Provides that a school or school district may not utilize an e-learning day to house migrants on any real property owned or leased by the school or school district due to a mandate by a unit of local government that the school or school district house migrants on any real property owned or leased by the school or school district.

Chris MillerRepublican

EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROG

Creates the Education Savings Account Act. Requires the State Board of Education to create the Education Savings Account Program. Provides that a parent of an eligible student (defined as any elementary or secondary student who was eligible to attend a public school in this State in the preceding semester or is starting school in this State for the first time and who is a member of a household whose total annual income does not exceed an amount equal to 2.5 times the income standard used to qualify for a free or reduced-price lunch under the national free or reduced-price lunch program) shall qualify for the State Board to make a grant to his or her child's Education Savings Account by signing an agreement. Requires the State Board to deposit into an Education Savings Account some or all of the State aid under the State aid formula provisions of the School Code that would otherwise have been provided to the resident school district for the eligible student had the student enrolled in the resident school district. Provides that parents participating in the Program shall agree to use the funds deposited in their eligible students' accounts for certain qualifying expenses to educate the eligible student. Sets forth provisions concerning the calculation of grant amounts and other basic elements of the Program, administration of the Program, accountability standards for participating schools, and the responsibilities of the State Board and resident school districts.

Chris MillerRepublican

GENDER IN SPORTS

Creates the Gender in Sports Act. Provides that a student-athlete may participate in an intercollegiate athletics program at a postsecondary educational institution that allows only a single gender to participate in that program only if the gender of the student-athlete is the same gender as the single gender designation for that program.

Chris MillerRepublican

PEN CD-CHI POLICE/FIRE-WIDOW

Amends the Chicago Police and Chicago Firefighter Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a widow's annuity shall be equal to 66 2/3%(instead of 50%) of the retirement annuity the deceased policeman or fireman was receiving at the time of death or 66 2/3% (instead of 50%) of the retirement annuity the policeman or fireman would have been eligible for if the policeman or fireman retired from service on the day before the policeman's or fireman's death. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Angelica Guerrero-CuellarDemocrat

VEH CD-SCHOOL BUS PERMITS

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the State Board of Education, shall develop a separate classroom course and refresher course for operation of vehicles of the first division being operated as school buses. Requires all applicants to operate a first division vehicle to: (1) meet specified requirements; and (2) complete the classroom course or refresher course or complete a training course administered by the service provider in which the applicant will be employed by that covers safe driving practices with a first division vehicle, special considerations for transporting students with disabilities, emergency preparedness, and safe pick-up and drop-off procedures. Provides that an applicant to operate a first division vehicle is exempt from the requirement of demonstrating physical fitness to operate a school bus by submitting the results of a medical examination if the applicant will be providing transportation services with a provider that uses a telematics system that sends, receives, and stores telemetry data. Provides that a vehicle subject to a safety test prior to an application for a license shall be subject to tests, in the case of first division vehicles, at least every 12 months, or 10,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2025.

Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.Democrat

PROP TX-ASSESSORS

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, on and after the publication of population data from the 2030 federal decennial census, provisions concerning multi-township assessors apply to qualified townships with less than 3,000 inhabitants (currently 1,000 inhabitants). Effective immediately.

Sharon ChungDemocrat

IDOR-VETERANS

Amends the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires eligible school districts to report to the Department of Revenue (i) the total amount of veterans' homestead exemptions granted for the 2024 levy year for property located in the eligible school district and (ii) the total amount of veterans' homestead exemptions granted for the current levy year for property located in the eligible school district. Provides that the Department shall certify the difference, if any, between the current levy year exemption amount and the levy year 2024 exemption amount for each eligible school district. Provides that those amounts shall be transferred from the General Revenue Fund to the Support our Veterans and Neighbors Fund. Provides that an "eligible school district" is a school district that contains residential property that is located within 45 miles of a United States military base. Creates the Support our Veterans and Neighbors Fund. Provides that moneys in the Support our Veterans and Neighbors Fund shall be used to make grants to eligible school districts.

Charles MeierRepublican

LIQUOR-ILLINOIS WINE PROMOTION

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, $0.25 of every $1 of the remainder of the tax imposed by the Act on wine that was manufactured in this State shall be deposited into the Illinois Wine Promotion Fund. Creates the Illinois Wine Promotion Fund as a special fund in the State treasury to be used by the Department of Agriculture only for the purpose of distributing grants to wine manufacturers and grape growers located in a wine trail from appropriations made from the Illinois Wine Promotion Fund for that purpose and administering and maintaining the Illinois Winery Advisory Council. Establishes the Illinois Winery Advisory Council to oversee and provide advice to the Department of Agriculture regarding the distribution of grants from the Illinois Wine Promotion Fund. Sets forth provisions concerning the membership of the Advisory Council, quarterly meetings, reimbursement of expenses, and vacancies. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change.

Charles MeierRepublican

AGGRAVATED BATTERY-PATIENT DHS

Amends the Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Prohibits persons who fail to report to the Department of Public Health individuals who commit certain violations from being involved in direct care for clients, patients, or residents, or access to the living quarters or the financial, medical, or personal records of clients, patients, or residents unless they have been issued a waiver under the Act. Provides that reports of violations shall be made no later than 5 days after the incident constituting the violation. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits aggravated battery when the person battered, other than by the discharge of a firearm, is known to be a patient at a Department of Human Services facility and the person who commits the battery is an employee of the Department of Human Services; and a recipient at a community-integrated living arrangement, as defined in the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act, who is battered by an employee of the community-integrated living arrangement. Provides that the offense is a Class 2 felony.

Charles MeierRepublican

UTILITIES-CANCELLATION CREDIT

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that cable or video providers shall issue a customer a pro rata credit if that customer requests service disconnection during the first 2 weeks of a monthly billing period.

Charles MeierRepublican

SHORT LINE RAILROAD ACT

Creates the Short Line Railroad Infrastructure Modernization Act. Provides that (i) any railroad company that is located wholly or partly within the State and that is classified by the United States Surface Transportation Board as a Class II or a Class III railroad and (ii) any owner or lessee of a rail siding, industrial spur, or industry track located on or adjacent to any railroad in the State may apply to the Department of Transportation for an income tax credit. Provides that the amount of the credit shall be equal to 50% of the qualified railroad reconstruction or replacement expenditures incurred by the eligible taxpayer during the taxable year, but not to exceed certain specified limitations. Provides that the credit may be transferred to an eligible transferee. Amends the Freedom of Information Act and the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Charles MeierRepublican

PROCUREMENT-SMALL BUSINESS

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. In provisions concerning small business set-asides, provides that the maximum number of employees and the maximum dollar volume that a small business may have shall mirror the United States Small Business Administration's Table of Small Business Size Standards. Effective immediately.

Charles MeierRepublican

MHDD FACILTY-EMPLOYEE OVERTIME

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall require facilities under its jurisdiction to consider the class or school schedule of employees who are continuing their education before mandating overtime work hours.

Charles MeierRepublican

STATE GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Department of Agriculture.

Charles MeierRepublican

PEN CD-CHI FIREFIGHTER-SALARY

Amends the Chicago Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that "salary" means the actual salary attached to the exempt rank position held by the fireman, if specified contributions have been made and the fireman has held one or more exempt positions for at least 3 years (instead of 5 consecutive years) and has held the rank of battalion chief, field officer, captain, ambulance commander, lieutenant, or paramedic-in-charge for at least 3 years (instead of held the rank of battalion chief or field officer for at least 5 years) during the exempt period. Removes a provision that limits application of that salary definition to firemen born before 1955. Makes conforming changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

La Shawn K. FordDemocrat

BIPA-SECURITY PURPOSES

Amends the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Changes the definition of "biometric identifier". Defines "biometric lock", "biometric time clock", "person", and "security purpose". Waives certain requirements for collecting, capturing, or otherwise obtaining a person's or a customer's biometric identifier or biometric information under certain circumstances relating to security purposes. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to apply to information captured by a biometric time clock or biometric lock that converts a person's biometric identifier or biometric information to a mathematical representation. Provides that any person aggrieved by a violation of this Act has a right of action in State court or federal court within one year from its occurrence. Requires the aggrieved person to provide the private entity 30 days a written entity alleging the specific provisions of the Act that have been violated. Provides the private entity 30 days to cure the noticed violation. Exempts a private entity if its employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that provides for different policies regarding the retention, collection, disclosure, and destruction of biometric information. Effective immediately.

Dan UgasteRepublican

CONSOLIDATE RTA SERVICE BOARDS

Amends the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act. Provides that, on January 1, 2026 the Chicago Transit Authority shall become a division of the Regional Transportation Authority. Abolishes the Chicago Transit Board and provides that the Board of Directors of the Regional Transportation Authority will serve as the Board of the Chicago Transit Authority. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that, on January 1, 2026 the Suburban Bus Board and the Commuter Rail Board are abolished and that the Board of Directors of the Regional Transportation Authority will directly operate the Suburban Bus Division and the Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transit Authority. Creates various committees composed of Directors of the Board of the Regional Transportation Authority, including committees to oversee the operations of each Division of the Authority. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Open Meetings Act, State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, and the Illinois Municipal Code making conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2026.

Dan UgasteRepublican

WORKERS COMP-FEE SCHEDULE

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Makes existing medical fee schedules inoperative after August 31, 2026. Provides that the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission shall establish new medical fee schedules applicable on and after September 1, 2026 in accordance with specified criteria. Provides for 4 non-hospital fee schedules and 14 hospital fee schedules applicable to different geographic areas of the State. Sets forth a procedure for petitioning the Commission if a maximum fee causes a significant limitation on access to quality health care in either a specific field of health care services or a specific geographic limitation on access to health care. Effective immediately.

Dan UgasteRepublican

REGULATION-TECH

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.

Dan UgasteRepublican

CRIMINAL LAW-TECH

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Dan UgasteRepublican

PUBLIC AID-TECH

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning construction of the Code.

Dan UgasteRepublican

NOTICES-TECH

Amends the Notice By Publication Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Dan UgasteRepublican

REGULATION-TECH

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

Dan UgasteRepublican

FRANCHISE TAX-REPEAL

Amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983. Provides that, in the case of a domestic or foreign corporation, no payment is required for a franchise tax that would have been due and payable on or after January 1, 2026. Provides that all amounts remaining in the Corporate Franchise Tax Refund Fund shall be transferred to the General Revenue Fund no later than December 31, 2026. Makes changes in provisions concerning the statute of limitations. Repeals provisions concerning franchise taxes payable by domestic and foreign corporations on January 1, 2027. Effective immediately.

Jeff KeicherRepublican

INC TX-EMPLOYMENT DISABILITIES

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a taxpayer who employs a person with a developmental disability or a severe mental illness, as certified by the Department of Human Services, during the taxable year is entitled to an income tax credit in an amount equal to 25% of the wages paid by the taxpayer to the person with a developmental disability or severe mental illness, but not to exceed $6,000 in wages paid during the taxable year to any single qualified employee. Effective immediately.

Nicole La HaRepublican

EDUC-SCH SUPPORT PERSONNEL

Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall establish a program of paid internships for students enrolled in educator preparation programs in the school support personnel endorsement areas of school social worker, school psychologist, school counselor, school nurse, and speech-language pathologist. Sets forth provisions concerning the program. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall establish and maintain a mentorship and recruitment program to develop and maintain interest in the school support personnel endorsement areas of school social worker, school psychologist, school counselor, school nurse, and speech-language pathologist. Sets forth provisions concerning the program. Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall establish a school support personnel educator preparation scholarship program to annually award up to 250 scholarships for school psychology, school counseling, school nursing, and school speech-language pathology. Sets forth provisions concerning the scholarship program. Provides that, to encourage Illinois students to enter the fields of school psychology, school counseling, school nursing, and school speech-language pathology and to continue to work in those fields in public schools in this State, the Commission shall, each year, receive and consider applications for loan repayment assistance under a School Support Personnel Work Shortage Loan Repayment Program. Sets forth provisions concerning the Program. Effective immediately.

Michelle MussmanDemocrat

PEN CD-MEETINGS-A/V CONFERENCE

Amends the Police Officers' Pension Investment Fund Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that meetings of committees of the board may be conducted by audio or video conference, without the physical presence of a quorum of the members if the chairperson of the board determines that an in-person meeting would pose a risk to the health or safety of members of the board or the public and that conducting a meeting by an audio or video conference is in the best interest of the board and the public. Sets forth provisions concerning notice, public participation, voting, verbatim records, and costs.

Robert "Bob" RitaDemocrat

PROP TX-PAYMENTS

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants in which the accelerated method of billing and paying taxes is in effect, if the tax bill setting out the first installment of taxes is not mailed by January 31, then (i) the first installment of unpaid taxes shall be deemed delinquent and shall bear interest after April 1 (instead of March 1) and (ii) the second installment shall be deemed delinquent and shall bear interest after September 1 (instead of August 1). Effective immediately.

Robert "Bob" RitaDemocrat

MUNI CD-ZONING-VOTING

Amends the Zoning Division of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that all municipal executives, including mayors, village presidents, and chief executive officers, shall have the right to vote in all council or board decisions affecting the zoning of the municipality. In certain provisions concerning voting on zoning regulations, provides that adopting or changing a zoning ordinance requires the approval of a simple majority (rather than a two thirds majority) of the municipal executives, alderpersons, trustees, or board members.

Amy BrielDemocrat

ISP-ACTIVE SHOOTER ALRT SYSTEM

Amends the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall develop a coordinated program for an emergency alert system to notify people when an active shooter situation is occurring in the State. Provides that, on the request of a local law enforcement agency or as the Illinois State Police determines appropriate to assist a local law enforcement agency regarding an active shooter, the Illinois State Police shall activate the alert system and notify appropriate participants in the alert system if the local law enforcement agency or the Illinois State Police determines that the situation meets certain specified criteria. Provides that the Illinois State Police may adopt rules to implement the provisions.

Kimberly Du BucletDemocrat

ELEC CD-VOTER PREREGISTRATION

Amends the Election Code. Provides that voter preregistration may be completed on a paper application provided by the State Board of Elections. Provides that, if an election authority receives a paper application for preregistration, it shall promptly forward the application to the State Board of Elections for processing.

Kimberly Du BucletDemocrat

STUDENT BILL OF RIGHTS

Creates the Student Bill of Rights Act. Provides that the State Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education shall jointly establish, no later than January 1, 2026, a student bill of rights to outline that students in public schools and public institutions of higher education have a right to educational equity and to be free from discrimination based on race, sex, gender, socioeconomic status, and mental or physical ability. Provides that the State Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education shall publish the student bill of rights on their Internet websites and make a handout available. Provides that each public institution of higher education, the Illinois Community College Board, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall have on their Internet websites a link to the student bill of rights published on the Board of Higher Education's Internet website. Effective immediately.

Kimberly Du BucletDemocrat

COMMISSION ON TOURISM

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Commission on Tourism to develop a statewide travel and tourism strategy. Identifies the members of the Commission. Sets out requirements for the statewide travel and tourism strategy and meetings of the Commission. Requires the Commission to file a statewide travel and tourism strategy with the Governor and General Assembly by no later than 180 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act and by no later than January 1 of each year thereafter. Specifies that members of the Commission shall serve without compensation. Directs the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide administrative and other support to the Commission.

Kimberly Du BucletDemocrat

SPORTS WAGERING ACT-LICENSEES

Amends the Sports Wagering Act. Provides that, if a public entity that owns a sports facility does not apply for a master sports wagering license, a professional sports team that (i) plays the majority of its home contests at the sports facility and (ii) has received written authorization from the public entity may apply to the Illinois Gaming Board for a master sports wagering license in place of the public entity and shall be deemed to be a sports facility for the purposes of the Act. Requires a professional sports team granted a license under the provisions to operate through a designee. Sets the initial license fee for a master sports wagering license for a professional sports team at $1,000,000, but adjusts the amount 12 months after the professional sports team licensee begins sportsbook operations based on 5% of its handle from the first 12 months of sportsbook operations. Provides that the master sports wagering license is valid for 4 years. Allows the Board to adopt rules necessary to implement the provisions.

Kimberly Du BucletDemocrat

SCH CD-MINIMUM EMPLOYEE SALARY

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Provides that in fixing the salaries of employees, a school board or the governing board of a joint agreement shall pay to employees an hourly rate of not less than (i) $20 for the 2026-2027 school year, (ii) $21 for the 2027-2028 school year, and (iii) $22 for the 2028-2029 school year. Provides that the minimum hourly rate for each school year thereafter shall equal the minimum salary rate for the previous school year increased by a percentage equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the previous school year. Provides that "employee" means any employee of a school district or joint agreement who provides educational support services to the district or joint agreement, including, but not limited to, custodial employees, transportation employees, food service providers, classroom assistants, administrative staff, or paraprofessional educators. Provides that an employee's salary shall include any amount paid by the school district or joint agreement on behalf of the employee, as employee contributions, to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. Effective immediately.

Maura HirschauerDemocrat

ELEC CD-APPLY FOR VOTE BY MAIL

Amends the Election Code. Provides that specified applications processed by the Secretary of State shall also serve as applications to apply for permanent vote by mail ballot status. Makes conforming changes.

Nabeela SyedDemocrat

CD CORR-EARNED REENTRY

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in specified provisions of law, a person serving a term of imprisonment, including terms of natural life, in a Department of Corrections institution or facility is eligible for earned reentry. Provides that for the first year following the effective date of the amendatory Act, a person is eligible for earned reentry if he or she has served a term of imprisonment of at least 35 consecutive years. Provides that for the second year following the effective date of the amendatory Act, a person is eligible for earned reentry if he or she has served a term of imprisonment of at least 25 consecutive years. Provides that for the third year following the effective date of the amendatory Act and each year thereafter, a person is eligible for earned reentry if he or she has served a term of imprisonment of at least 20 consecutive years. Provides that hearings for earned reentry shall be administered by the Prisoner Review Board. Establishes procedures for the hearing. Removes provision that no person serving a term of natural life imprisonment may be paroled or released except through executive clemency. Provides that if any incarcerated person is released on earned reentry, his or her sentence shall be considered complete after the term of mandatory supervised release. Applies retroactively. Provides that nothing in the provision shall be construed to delay parole or mandatory supervised release consideration for petitioners who are or will be eligible for release earlier than the provision provides. Provides that nothing in the provision shall be construed as a limit, substitution, or bar on a person's right to sentencing relief, or any other manner of relief, obtained by order of a court in proceedings other than as provided in the provision. Contains a severability provision. Defines "earned reentry". Effective January 1, 2026.

Carol AmmonsDemocrat

PEN CD-DEFERRED RETIRE OPTION

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Creates the Deferred Retirement Option Article. Provides a deferred retirement option plan (DROP) for certain participants under the Downstate Teacher Article who are eligible to retire and meet other criteria. Provides that a participant in the DROP may elect to participate for up to 5 years. Provides that on the effective date of the member's election, the System shall credit the member's account on a monthly basis, for as long as the member participates in the DROP, an amount equal to the monthly amount of retirement annuity the member would otherwise be eligible to receive had the member retired on the date of the election. Provides that the DROP member shall be considered in active service for purposes of participation in a collective bargaining agreement, for health care benefits, and for other purposes. Establishes a DROP administered by the State Treasurer for pension funds or retirement systems that are required to establish a DROP and elect to transfer administrative responsibility for the DROP to the State Treasurer. Sets forth provisions concerning interest on the account; termination of the DROP; contributions; administrative costs; and a DROP advisory board. Effective immediately.

Jackie HaasRepublican

INS CD-REBATE PAYMENT & ACCEPT

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that nothing in provisions prohibiting the payment or acceptance of rebates shall prevent the offer or provision by insurers or producers, by or through employees, affiliates, or third-party representatives, of value-added products or services at no or reduced cost when such products or services are not specified in the policy of insurance, so long as the product or service relates to the insurance coverage and is primarily designed to satisfy specified criteria. Sets forth provisions concerning the requirements for insurers or producers offering non-cash gifts, items, or services or conducting raffles or drawings. Provides that an insurer, producer, or representative of an insurer or producer may not offer or provide insurance as an inducement to the purchase of another policy or otherwise use the words "free", "no cost", or words of similar import in an advertisement.

Jeff KeicherRepublican