Bills & Legislation

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

REVENUE-E-FILE

Amends the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that certificates of registration shall be issued in the form and manner required by the Department of Revenue. Provides that certificates of registration shall be displayed in the manner and form as the Department of Revenue may require by rule. Amends the Cigarette Machine Operators' Occupation Tax Act, the Cigarette Tax Act, the Cigarette Use Tax Act, and the Tobacco Products Tax Act of 1995. Provides that certain returns and supporting schedules shall be filed and payments shall be made by electronic means. Effective immediately, except that provisions amending the Cigarette Machine Operators' Occupation Tax Act, the Cigarette Tax Act, the Cigarette Use Tax Act, and the Tobacco Products Tax Act of 1995 take effect January 1, 2026.

Joe C. SosnowskiRepublican

COUNTY/MUNI-NATURAL GAS

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county or municipality may not adopt any regulation that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the use of natural gas in new construction without a referendum. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers.

Jackie HaasRepublican

MEDICAL LICENSE REVIEW

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall review an applicant's application for a license to practice medicine under the Act concurrently with the applicant's application for a controlled substances registration. Requires the Department to issue an applicant's license and controlled substances registration concurrently. Effective immediately.

William E HauterRepublican

ELEC CD-VOTE CENTERS

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, in addition to required vote centers, election authorities may establish additional vote centers under a specified model. Sets forth provisions concerning the number and location of additional vote centers.

Maurice A. West, IIDemocrat

NURSING HOME TRANSCRIPT FEE

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall furnish the record of all specified proceedings to an interested party at $3 per page (instead of 70 cents) for each original transcript and 75 cents per page (instead of 25 cents) for each certified copy. Provides that the charge for any part of the transcript ordered and paid for previous to the writing of the original record shall be 75 cents (instead of 25 cents) per page.

Barbara HernandezDemocrat

INS CD-MEDICARE SUPP POLICIES

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an issuer of a Medicare supplement policy shall not deny coverage to an applicant who voluntarily switches from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medicare plan under Parts A, B, or D, or any combination of those plans, so long as the application for a Medicare supplement policy is submitted within 30 calendar days after the first effective day of the new plan. Provides that when such an application for a Medicare supplement policy is submitted, the issuer of the Medicare supplement policy may not charge a higher cost than what is normally offered to applicants who have become newly eligible for Medicare, nor raise costs or deny coverage for a preexisting condition.

Martha DeuterDemocrat

DHFS-LTC PROVIDER ASSESSMENTS

Amends the Long-Term Care Provider Funding Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that any increase in any authorized long-term care provider assessment must: (1) comply with all federal regulations for provider assessments; (2) require that all revenues from an increase in the assessed rates are applied to nursing facility rates for staffing incentives and to improve the quality of care as described in specified provisions under Article V of the Code; (3) not increase the assessed rate of $7 per occupied bed day for non-profit nursing facilities without Medicaid-certified beds or any nursing facility owned and operated by a county government; (4) maintain the 2.1 to 1 ratio between the highest tax rate and lowest tax rate; and (5) not increase any tax rate proportionally more than any other tax rate. Effective immediately.

Eva-Dina DelgadoDemocrat

BD HIGHR ED-FINANCIAL LITERACY

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Board of Higher Education shall award a grant to a statewide association of public pension funds affiliated with a public institution of higher education to develop and deliver an in-person financial literacy training program for public employees. Provides that the program shall consist of in-person training regarding retirement income, including pension benefits, Social Security benefits, and employer-sponsored deferred compensation and retiree healthcare savings plans and shall also include instruction in financial planning and important elements of consumer finance, such as debt, educational savings, budgeting, and related subjects. Provides that the program shall include recorded programs to assist public employees who work on nontraditional shift assignments.

Stephanie A. KifowitDemocrat

PEN CD-POLICE & FIRE-VARIOUS

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a Tier 2 investigator for the Department of the Lottery is entitled to an annuity under the alternative retirement annuity provisions only if the person has withdrawn from service with not less than 20 years of eligible creditable service and has attained age 55. Authorizes an investigator for the Department of the Lottery to establish eligible creditable service under the alternative retirement annuity provisions. Provides that a specified educational requirement for persons employed by the Department of Juvenile Justice shall no longer determine eligibility to earn eligible creditable service under the alternative retirement annuity provisions and authorizes the conversion of service credit to eligible creditable service. Establishes a deferred retirement option plan for certain police officers, firefighters, sheriff's law enforcement employees, and deputy sheriffs in the Cook County Police Department who are otherwise eligible to retire under which a participant may continue in active service for up to 5 years while having his or her retirement pension paid into a special account. Provides that the election to participate in the deferred retirement option plan must be made before January 1, 2030. Provides that the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act (Article 20 of the Code) is adopted and made a part of the Downstate Police, Downstate Firefighter, Chicago Police, and Chicago Firefighter Articles. In the Chicago Teacher Article of the Code, makes changes to how days of validated service are computed. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Makes other changes.

Stephanie A. KifowitDemocrat

PEN CD-PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS

Amends the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Pension Code. With regard to the 5 State-funded retirement systems, provides that the following are forbidden entities for purposes of investment and certain other transactions: Hamas; any company or entity that is wholly or partially managed or controlled by Hamas; any company identified by the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the United States Department of the Treasury as sponsoring terrorist activities in conjunction with Hamas or under specified regulations pertaining to terrorism sanctions; any company that has been fined, penalized, or sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the United States Department of the Treasury for any violation of any United States rules and restrictions relating to Hamas that occurred at any time following the effective date of the amendatory Act; or any company that has business operations that involve contracts with or the provision of supplies or services to Hamas, companies in which Hamas has any direct or indirect equity share, or consortiums or projects commissioned by Hamas. Provides that a retirement system shall not transfer or disburse funds to, deposit into, acquire any bonds or commercial paper from, or otherwise loan to or invest in any entity unless a certifying company certifies to the retirement system that: (1) with respect to investments in a publicly traded company, the certifying company has relied on information provided by an independent researching firm that specializes in global security risk; and (2) 100% of the retirement system's assets for which the certifying company provides services or advice are not and have not been invested or reinvested in any forbidden entity at any time after 4 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Requires the Illinois Investment Policy Board to make its best efforts to identify all Hamas-restricted companies and include those companies in the list of restricted companies for purposes of investment distributed to each retirement system and the Illinois State Board of Investment. Makes conforming changes.

Martin J. MoylanDemocrat

VITAL RECORDS-DEATH CERT

Amends the Vital Records Act. In provisions regarding information required on forms, provides that (i) the decision with respect to burial or cremation shall be made by the authorized person and shall be properly communicated to relevant persons within 7 days after a death, and (ii) the funeral director shall indicate the name of cemetery on the death certificate within 7 days before burial. In provisions regarding death certificates, provides that (i) the administrator of the nursing home, hospital, or hospice facility where the death occurred shall be responsible for creating the death registration file in the electronic reporting system for death registrations, and (ii) signatures may be electronic.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.Democrat

AUTOMATED TICKET PURCHASE BAN

Creates the Prohibition on Automated Online Ticket Purchasing Act. Provides that a person may not use or create any automated software program that performs automatic and repetitive tasks and is designed to impersonate or replicate human activity online to: (1) purchase tickets in excess of posted limits for an online ticket sale; (2) use multiple Internet protocol addresses, multiple purchaser accounts, or multiple e-mail addresses to purchase tickets in excess of posted limits for an online ticket sale; or (3) circumvent or disable an electronic queue, waiting period, presale code, or other sales volume limitation system associated with an online ticket sale. Provides that an owner or operator of a place of entertainment that sells tickets to events, and any agent who conducts or facilitates those sales, shall report to the Attorney General any incidents that violates the prohibition on using a bot to purchase tickets, of which the owner, operator, or agent has actual knowledge, within a reasonable period of time after the incident is discovered by the owner, operator, or agent, and in no case later than 30 days after the incident is discovered. Provides that the Attorney General may seek injunctive relief in response to violations of the Act. Provides for civil penalties for violations of the Act.

Hoan HuynhDemocrat

COUNTY GARBAGE HAULER CONTRACT

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county may make contracts with any city, village, or incorporated town or with any person, corporation, or county, or any agency created by intergovernmental agreement, for more than one year and not exceeding 30 years, relating to the collection and final disposition, or relating solely to either the collection or final disposition of garbage. Provides that a county may contract with private industry to operate a designated facility for the disposal, treatment, or recycling of garbage, and may enter into contracts with private firms or local governments for the delivery of garbage to such facility. Provides that payments required in regard to a contract for garbage disposal shall not be regarded as indebtedness of the county for the purpose of any debt limitation imposed by any law. Effective immediately.

Mary Beth CantyDemocrat

SURVEYING-SMALL CONTRACTS

Amends the Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying Qualifications Based Selection Act. Provides that certain provisions concerning public notice, evaluations, and selection procedures do not apply to architectural, engineering, and land surveying contracts with an estimated basic professional services fee of less than $75,000 (currently, $25,000).

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

BD HIGHER ED-CAPITAL IMPROVE

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Removes language providing that each State university must submit its plan for capital improvements of non-instructional facilities to the Board of Higher Education for approval before final commitments are made if the total cost of the project as approved by the institution's board of control is in excess of $2 million.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

DHS-DSP WAGE INCREASES

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, to file an amendment to the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program for Adults with Developmental Disabilities that shall include an increase in the rate methodology sufficient to provide for a wage rate of 150% of the statewide, regional, or local minimum wage for services delivered on or after January 1, 2026, for all direct support personnel and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings. Provides that for services delivered on or after January 1, 2026, the rates shall include adjustments to employment-related expenses as defined by rule by the Department of Human Services. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules, including emergency rules, to implement the rate increases. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to submit a Title XIX State Plan amendment to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that shall include an increase in the rate methodology sufficient to provide for a wage rate of 150% of the statewide, regional, or local minimum wage for services delivered on or after January 1, 2026, for all direct support personnel and all other frontline personnel at ID/DD and MC/DD facilities. Provides that the State Plan amendment shall provide wage increases for all residential non-executive direct care staff. Effective immediately.

Laura Faver DiasDemocrat

PROP TX-MEGA PROJECT

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that property certified by the Department of Revenue as mega project property is eligible for an assessment freeze. Provides that, if property is certified as mega project property, then, during the incentive period, the value added to the property by the project shall not be considered for assessment purposes, and the total valuation of the property during the incentive period shall be limited to the base year valuation. Provides that "mega project" means a project that satisfies certain minimum investment, investment period, and other requirements. Contains provisions concerning incentive agreements between a company that plans to undertake a mega project and a local municipality obligating the company to make special payments in addition to property taxes. Effective June 1, 2025.

Mary Beth CantyDemocrat

ISAC-NO REPAYMENT OBLIGATION

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that on the effective date of the amendatory Act,any recipient of a scholarship, grant, or waiver that has been or may be converted to a student loan under a State program for which the Illinois Student Assistance Commission is responsible for collections shall be released from the remaining financial repayment obligations under that program. In provisions concerning the Minority Teachers of Illinois scholarship program, the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program, special education teacher scholarships, the Optometric Education Scholarship Program, Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License scholarships, and the iGROW Tech Scholarship Program and in the Nursing Education Scholarship Law, removes provisions concerning repaying funds received due to the specified failure of a recipient to fulfill the recipient's obligations. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Edgar González, Jr.Democrat

FOIA-USER VERIFICATION

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that, if a public body uses an electronic system for the submission of requests under the Act, then it shall employ a CAPTCHA test or other similar measures to verify that those electronically submitted requests are being made by a human.

Suzanne M. NessDemocrat

SCH CD-TEACHERS-EVALUATIONS

Amends the School Code. Provides that, on and after September 1, 2026, all teacher evaluation ratings on record as "excellent", "proficient", or "needs improvement" are considered "effective" and all teacher evaluation ratings on record as "unsatisfactory" are considered "ineffective" for the purposes of the Employment of Teachers Article. Makes other changes concerning the waiver or modification of mandates; school report cards; license suspension or revocation; contractual continued service; removal or dismissal of teachers; an optional alternative evaluative dismissal process; the content of evaluation plans; the appointment and promotion of teachers in Chicago; and alternative procedures for teacher evaluation, remediation, and removal in Chicago. Effective immediately.

Nicholas K. SmithDemocrat

EMPLOYEE CLASSIFY-DEVELOPER

Amends the Employee Classification Act. Provides that a developer, general contractor, and subcontractor are jointly and severally liable for any subcontractor's failure to properly classify persons performing services as employees unless specified conditions are satisfied. Provides that it is a violation for a developer or a general contractor to utilize a subcontractor at any tier who commits a violation of the Act unless specified conditions are satisfied. Makes conforming and other changes. Defines terms.

Edgar González, Jr.Democrat

ETHICS ACT-CONFLICT SITUATION

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. In a provision involving ethical principles for legislators in the event of a conflict situation, defines conflict situation as any circumstance that (i) involves a legislator, the legislator's immediate family, or a business in which the legislator or the legislator's immediate family holds a direct or indirect economic interest, (ii) is related to a specific matter pending before the legislator, and (iii) may result in a private pecuniary benefit to the legislator, the legislator's immediate family, or one or more businesses in which the legislator is involved. Provides that, upon discovery of a conflict situation, the legislator shall disclose the conflict by notifying the Office of the Legislative Inspector General. Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Directs the Legislative Inspector General to examine any conflict situation notice filed by a member, as well as each bill that is related to the conflict situation and that has been filed and approved for consideration, and to either (i) provide the member with an informal advisory opinion or (ii) refer the notice to the Commission for a formal advisory opinion and an opportunity to respond. Requires the Legislative Ethics Commission to examine any conflict situation notice filed by a member and referred to the Commission by the Office of the Legislative Inspector General, as well as each bill that is related to the conflict situation and that has been filed and approved for consideration, and to provide such a member with a formal advisory opinion and an opportunity to respond to the Office of the Legislative Inspector General.

Suzanne M. NessDemocrat

PEN CD-DNST FIRE-DROP PLAN

Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Pension Code. Provides for a Deferred Retirement Option Plan, under which a firefighter who is at least age 50 with 20 years of service may continue in active service for up to 3 years while having his or her retirement pension paid into a special account, to be distributed to the firefighter upon retirement. Bases the retirement pension on the firefighter's service and salary at the time of joining the DROP plan. Requires termination of service at the end of the DROP plan participation period. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Janet Yang RohrDemocrat

ELEC CD-REDUCE PRECINCT JUDGES

Amends the Election Code. Provides that an election authority may reduce the number of judges of election in each precinct to 3 judges of election in lieu of the 5 judges of election otherwise required. Makes conforming changes.

Maurice A. West, IIDemocrat

USE/OCC TX-SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, and the State Finance Act. Provides for a sales tax holiday on school supplies during the first 7 days of August of each calendar year. Effective immediately.

Tony M. McCombieRepublican

ELEC CD-RECORDS REQUEST

Amends the Election Code. Provides that a copy of any nomination paper, certificate of nomination, or petition for a public question filed with an election authority for an immediately succeeding election shall be provided by the election authority within 48 hours after a written request is received by the election authority. Provides that a requester shall not be required to submit a request under the Freedom of Information Act. Effective immediately.

Tony M. McCombieRepublican

ELEC CD-PROVISIONAL BALLOTS

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall complete the validation and counting of provisional ballots within 7 calendar days (currently, 14 calendar days) of the day of the election. Makes conforming changes.

Tony M. McCombieRepublican

COSMETOLOGY-LICENSE EDUCATION

Amends the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985. Provides that relevant professional schools may provide a maximum of 50% of the hours required for theory portions of the practicum through online or distance study and may provide that a maximum of 10% of the required hours may be completed in an internship program and supervised by a licensed professional, subject to the rules of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides that a person may receive a license as a cosmetologist if the person has completed an online course approved by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and 750 hours of hands-on training supervised by a licensed cosmetologist extending over a period of not less than 8 months nor more than 7 consecutive years and the person has completed the other requirements for licensure under the Act. Provides that hands-on training conducted under the laws of another state or territory of the United States or of a foreign country or province shall be credited toward the 750 hours of hands-on training required for licensure if the training was supervised by a cosmetologist licensed under the laws of another state or territory of the United States or foreign country or province.

Christopher "C.D." DavidsmeyerRepublican

DFPR LICENSE RENEWAL FEES

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of the Act, or of any licensing act under the purview of the Division of Professional Regulation of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the application fee for renewal of a license issued by the Division shall be no higher than one-half of the application fee for initial issuance of the same license class at the time of license renewal.

Christopher "C.D." DavidsmeyerRepublican

SCH CD-EXPEL STU-SEX VIOLENCE

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning a school board's suspension or expulsion of pupils, provides that a student who is determined to have committed sexual violence, sexual assault, or sexual activity with an individual without the individual's consent at a school, a school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school shall be expelled for a period of not less than one year. Effective immediately.

Christopher "C.D." DavidsmeyerRepublican

WILDLIFE-DRONES ALLOWED

Amends the Wildlife Code. Allows unmanned aerial vehicles to be used for the tracking of wounded animals in the course of hunting.

Christopher "C.D." DavidsmeyerRepublican

PUBLIC FUNDS-SECURITIES

Amends the Public Funds Investment Act. Permits public agencies to invest public funds in any security that matures or that may be tendered for purchase at the option of the holder within not more than 7 years of the date on which it is acquired and that has the highest rating category (AAA) or the second highest rating category (AA) assigned by Standard & Poor's Corporation, Moody's Investors' Services, or other similar nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Effective immediately.

Travis WeaverRepublican

TOLL HWY-NO TOLL VETERANS

Amends the Toll Highway Act. Allows a veteran who is traveling to or from a medical appointment to use a toll highway without paying the toll if the veteran has applied for and received from the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority an Official Permit Card. Requires the Authority to adopt rules for the issuance of a permit that allows a veteran to use any toll highway without paying the established toll.

Wayne A. RosenthalRepublican

EXECUTIVE & GA PAY RAISES

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

Kevin SchmidtRepublican

HUMAN TRAFFICKING RECOGNITION

Amends the Lodging Services Human Trafficking Recognition Training Act. Provides that a unit of local government regulating an employer or a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over an employer may, in the course of its regulatory or enforcement duties, monitor and enforce compliance with the Act. Provides that, upon the discovery of a violation of the Act, the unit of local government or law enforcement agency shall provide the employer with a reasonable notice of noncompliance that informs the employer that if the employer does not cure the violation within 30 days after notice the employer is subject to a civil penalty. Provides that, if the unit of local government regulating an employer or a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over an employer verifies that the violation was not corrected within the cure period, the Attorney General or State's Attorney may bring a civil action against that employer. Provides that an employer that violates the Act is guilty of a business offense and may be fined not more than $1,500 for each offense. Makes conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2026.

Gregg JohnsonDemocrat

NITROGEN REDUCTION INCENTIVE

Creates the Nitrogen Reduction Program Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Agriculture shall, in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources and soil and water conservation districts in the State, develop a nitrogen reduction incentive program by January 1, 2026 for the purpose of addressing water quality issues. Provides that the program will include a per-acre payment rate of not less than $5 per acre. Provides that crop management records collected from farmers shall be considered confidential. Makes findings. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

FAIR CONTRACTING-VARIOUS

Amends the State Comptroller Act. Provides an exception for vendors to receive payment by non-electronic means. Provides that outstanding liabilities as of June 30, payable from appropriations which have otherwise expired and interest penalties payable on those liabilities under the State Prompt Payment Act, may be paid out of the expiring appropriations during the 4-month period ending at the close of business on October 31 of each year, without regard to the fiscal year in which the payment is made. Amends the Prompt Payment Act. Removes provisions concerning payments made under the Public Aid Code. Provides that when a State official or agency responsible for administering a contract receives a bill or invoice from a contractor, that State official or agency shall electronically confirm the date on which the bill or invoice was received within 5 business days of receipt, and shall transmit any approved amount to the Comptroller within 30 days of receipt. Amends the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act to make conforming changes. Amends the Court of Claims Act. Provides that all claims against the State founded upon any contract entered into with the State of Illinois, except that undisputed individual claims below $2,500 resulting from lapsed appropriations do not fall under the jurisdiction of Court of Claims. State agencies may pay undisputed individual claims below $2,500 resulting from lapsed appropriations from current fiscal year appropriations. Sets forth that the provisions are not intended to prohibit more frequent reporting to assess items such as service needs, gaps, or capacity. Sets forth other provisions concerning grant agreement specifications, separate accounts for State grant funds, expenditures prior to grant execution and reporting requirements.

Dagmara AvelarDemocrat

CANNABIS-CBD & HEMP RESTRICT

Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Removes applicability provision regarding the Industrial Hemp Act. Prohibits the sale of cannabis, cannabis-infused products, CBD, and hemp to any person under the age of 21. Establishes penalties for retailers who fail to follow the specified age and identity verification procedures and consumers who possess cannabis, cannabis-infused products, CBD, or hemp or who attempt to obtain cannabis, cannabis-infused products, CBD, or hemp by presenting false or fraudulent information. Establishes fines for violations if a retailer does not have a specified training program for minimum-age cannabis laws.

Rita MayfieldDemocrat

ISP FUND CONSOLIDATION

Amends the Illinois State Police Law, the State Finance Act, the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, the Illinois Vehicle Code, the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act, the Cannabis Control Act, the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, the Narcotics Profit Forfeiture Act, the Unified Code of Corrections, the Sex Offender Registration Act, the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act, and the Illinois False Claims Act. Makes changes to provisions concerning how certain moneys paid to the State are deposited into certain funds pertaining to the Illinois State Police. Provides that certain funds shall be dissolved after transferring the remaining balance in those funds to designated funds. Makes conforming changes. Effective September 1, 2026.

John M. CabelloRepublican

SNAP E&T PGRAM-PUBLIC COLLEGE

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that any program of study at a public institution of higher education improves employability and shall be considered equivalent to an acceptable SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program component, unless prohibited by federal law. Defines "public institution of higher education". Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt any rules necessary to implement the amendatory Act. Provides that rulemaking shall not delay full implementation of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Barbara HernandezDemocrat