Bills & Legislation

PROP TX-GENERAL HOMESTEAD AMT

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable years 2026 and thereafter, the maximum reduction for the general homestead exemption is $10,000 in all counties. Effective immediately.

Martin McLaughlinRepublican

PROP TX-SENIOR FREEZE

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable years 2026 and thereafter, the maximum income limitation for the senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption is $75,000 (currently, $65,000). Effective immediately.

Martin McLaughlinRepublican

PROP TX-SENIORS-SCHOOL EXEMPT

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that certain homestead property that is owned by a person who will be 67 years of age or older during the taxable year is exempt from property taxes levied by a school district. Effective immediately.

Martin McLaughlinRepublican

PROP TX-AGGREGATE EXTENSION

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that the limiting rate shall be calculated using the highest aggregate extension from any year in which the taxing district was subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (currently, the last 3 preceding levy years). Provides that an aggregate extension established for a levy year in which the taxing district was authorized to temporarily increase its limiting rate or its extension limitation may not be used.

Martin McLaughlinRepublican

GA-LIS-WITNESS SLIP TRACKING

Amends the General Assembly Operations Act. Provides that all witness slips filed in either house of the General Assembly concerning proposed legislation during the General Assembly committee hearing process shall track along with the legislation for which it was filed should such legislation be placed on another bill, by amendment, for purposes of legislative action. Provides that the General Assembly, in consultation with the Legislative Information System, shall provide for such witness slip tracking on the Illinois General Assembly website. Amends the Legislative Information System Act. Provides that the Legislative Information System shall provide for electronic tracking of all witness slips witness slips filed in either house of the General Assembly concerning proposed legislation during the General Assembly committee hearing by which the witness slips shall track along with the legislation for which they were filed should such legislation be placed on another bill, by amendment, for purposes of legislative action.

Martin McLaughlinRepublican

LINE OF DUTY COMP-VOLUNTEERS

Amends the Line of Duty Compensation Act. Expands the definition of "law enforcement officer" or "officer" to include any person working as a volunteer for the State or a local governmental entity in some position involving the enforcement of the law and protection of the public interest at the risk of that person's life, including, but not limited to, volunteers assisting with parking and traffic.

Martin McLaughlinRepublican

$DCEO-MUNICIPAL GRANTS-WATER

Appropriates $25,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for grants to the Barrington Area Council of Governments to facilitate implementation of its Water Resources Initiative that will monitor water quality and quantity in the shallow aquifer supporting the water needs of the Villages of Barrington, Barrington Hills, Deer Park, Lake Barrington, South Barrington, and Tower Lakes and the Township of Barrington, as well as surrounding areas. Effective immediately.

Martin McLaughlinRepublican

TICK-BORNE DISEASE WARNING

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall share the results of pathogen testing of ticks from State parks with the Department of Natural Resources annually. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall thereafter obtain, install, and maintain signs at all State-managed parks and outdoor recreation areas and facilities, including, but not limited to, recreational trail entryways, campgrounds, and any other location as defined and determined by the Department of Natural Resources as necessary and reflective of the results of the Department of Public Health's tick surveillance and pathogen testing, warning individuals that ticks may be found in the area and cause Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases. The Department of Natural Resources may use models already in use throughout the State or in another state or any model the Department of Natural Resources determines appropriate when determining the design and content for such signage. Effective immediately.

Martin McLaughlinRepublican

COMM COLLEGE-FAST TRACK PROG

Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that each board of trustees of a community college district shall provide a small business leadership fast-track program to help women who wish to become small business owners as contractors in trade fields.

Martin McLaughlinRepublican

COM INT ASSN RECORDS COPY FEE

Amends the Common Interest Community Association Act. Authorizes the imposition of a reasonable fee that may not exceed $375 for the cost of retrieving and copying association records that are properly requested. Authorizes the board to charge an additional rush fee of not more than $100 if the records are needed within 72 hours of the request being made. Requires any fees charged to be accompanied by an itemized statement detailing the basis of the fees. Provides that, beginning one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the $375 fee shall be increased or decreased, as applicable, by a percentage equal to the percentage change in the consumer price index-u during the preceding 12-month calendar year. "Consumer price index-u" means the index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor that measures the average change in prices of goods and services purchased by all urban consumers, United States city average, all items, 1982-84 = 100.

Martin McLaughlinRepublican

INVEST IN KIDS-REENACT

Reenacts the Invest in Kids Act and makes the Act permanent. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Martin McLaughlinRepublican

UNEMPLOYMENT INS-LABOR DISPUTE

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that an individual shall be eligible for benefits (rather than ineligible for benefits) for any week with respect to which it is found that the individual's total or partial unemployment is due to a stoppage of work which exists because of a labor dispute at the factory, establishment, or other premises at which he is or was last employed. Makes conforming changes.

Abdelnasser RashidDemocrat

MEDICAID-CHILDREN'S DENTAL

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on and after January 1, 2026, the reimbursement rates for all dental services for children shall be increased 50% above the rates in effect on December 31, 2025. Effective January 1, 2026.

Joyce MasonDemocrat

CRIM CD-SEXUAL REL-STUDENTS

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of sexual misconduct with a student. Provides that a person commits sexual misconduct with a student when he or she is or was an employee of a school and commits sexual misconduct with a student who, at the time the employee was employed by the school, attended the school. Provides that the consent of the student is not a defense to a prosecution under this provision. Provides that a student is deemed incapable of consent, for purposes of this provision, when he or she is a student who attended the school while the employee was employed at the school. Provides that it is not a defense to a violation of this provision that the student was of the age to give consent to sexual penetration or sexual conduct in circumstances not involving a violation of this provision. Provides that a person convicted of violating this provision shall immediately forfeit his or her employment with a school and may not subsequently be employed at a school. Provides that a violation is a Class 3 felony. Provides exemptions. Defines "school" as a public or private elementary or secondary school or a school that operates grades kindergarten through 12. Defines "sexual misconduct" as any act, including, but not limited to, any verbal, nonverbal, written, or electronic communication or physical activity, by an employee or agent of the school district, charter school, or nonpublic school with direct contact with a student that is directed toward or with a student to establish a romantic or sexual relationship with the student. Defines other terms.

Joyce MasonDemocrat

MEDICAID-DENTAL COMPREHENSIVE

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on and after January 1, 2026, the rates paid for children's dental comprehensive oral exams, periodic oral exams, problem focused exams, behavior management codes, sealants, resin-based composites-posterior teeth, and extraction and surgical extraction codes shall be increased by 33% above the rates in effect on December 31, 2025. Effective January 1, 2026.

Joyce MasonDemocrat

FAMILY HOME HEALTH AIDES ACT

Creates the Support for Family Home Health Aides and Caregivers Act. Requires the Director of Healthcare and Family Services to establish, no later than one year after the effective date of the Act, a Family Home Health Aide Program for the purposes of training a family caregiver of an eligible relative on the provision of qualified home health services to supplement home health and private duty nursing services in the State. Provides that under the program, the Director must certify a family caregiver of an eligible relative who has successfully completed the approved training for family home health aides, and meets all other applicable requirements established by the State, and is determined to be in compliance with any federal law concerning family home health aides. Provides that, subject to federal approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a certified family home health aide shall be eligible to provide qualified home health services to an eligible relative under any home and community-based services waiver program authorized under the Social Security Act. Contains provisions concerning the development of training requirements for family home health aides; certification requirements for family home health aides; employment opportunities; the different types of home health services; a requirement to triage services based on clinical acuity; the development of a clinical acuity tool to assist in determining the care needs of medically fragile individuals; the establishment of a respite program for family home health aides and other nursing professionals; reimbursement rates for home health aide services; utilization of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services' electronic verification system; reporting requirements; and rulemaking.

Lindsey LaPointeDemocrat

LIQUOR-VARIOUS

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Increases the self-distribution limit for class 3 brewers that meet certain requirements to not more than 77,500 (instead of 6,200) gallons of beer from each in-state or out-of-state class 3 brewery premises, which shall not exceed 232,500 (instead of 18,600) gallons annually in the aggregate, that is manufactured at a wholly owned class 3 brewer's in-state or out-of-state licensed premises to retail licensees and class 3 brewers and to certain brewers, class 1 brewers, and class 2 brewers. Provides that a special event retailer's license (not-for-profit) shall allow the licensee to sell and offer for sale, at retail, alcoholic liquors for consumption on or off the premises specified in the license (instead of for use or consumption), but not for resale in any form and only at the location and on the specific dates designated for the special event in the license. Provides that, subject to certain conditions, a special use permit license shall allow the sale or offering for sale of certain transferred or delivered alcoholic liquor at retail for consumption on or off the premises specified in the license. Provides that a retail licensee or manufacturer with retail privileges may operate a loyalty program, reward program, or mug club for alcoholic liquors the retailer or manufacturer with retail privileges is licensed to sell so long as the price of the product is not below the retail licensee's or manufacturer with retail privileges' costs. Provides that a retail licensee or licensed manufacturer with retail privileges may offer incentives to consumers for participation in a rewards program, loyalty program, or mug club. Set forth further provisions concerning rewards programs, loyalty programs, and mug clubs. Makes conforming and other changes.

Will GuzzardiDemocrat

CANNABIS DELIVERY LICENSE ACT

Creates the Cannabis Delivery License Act. Provides that a Cannabis Delivery License shall authorize the license holder to deliver cannabis or cannabis-infused products purchased from a licensed dispensary directly to consumers within Illinois. Sets out application and operational requirements. Provides for penalties and enforcement. Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to adopt rules. Effective immediately.

Sonya M. HarperDemocrat

MEDICAID-MFTD-RATE STUDY

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning provider reimbursement rates for services provided to medically fragile and technology dependent children, provides that by December 31, 2025, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall conduct a rate evaluation to study the soundness of the rate paid for private duty nursing services. Requires the Department to contract with an outside entity to conduct this study or utilize one of its existing contractors to conduct this evaluation. Provides that the contractor shall consult with Department-enrolled private duty providers to ensure the accuracy of this study as it is being created. Requires the study to include, at a minimum, a comparison of rates paid by other states for similar services and the cost of providing similar care in an institutional setting. Effective immediately.

Maura HirschauerDemocrat

REAL PROP DISCLSOURE-ROOF AGE

Amends the Real Property Disclosure Act. Requires the age of a roof to be disclosed in the Disclosure Report.

Dagmara AvelarDemocrat

MEDICAID-SLF-DEMENTIA CARE

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that upon application to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, supportive living program settings may convert non-dementia care setting units to dementia care setting units. Provides that all conversions must be operational within one year of approval and meet criteria specific to certification for dementia care setting units outlined in the Illinois Administrative Code.

Anna MoellerDemocrat

FREEDOM TO WORK-HEALTH CARE

Amends the Illinois Freedom to Work Act. Provides that any covenant not to compete or covenant not to solicit entered into after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall not be enforceable with respect to the provision of reproductive health care or maternity care by a health care professional in the State if the enforcement of the covenant not to compete or covenant not to solicit is likely to reduce the availability of reproductive health care or maternity care. Provides that in an action to enforce a covenant not to compete or covenant not to solicit entered into after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a party seeking to enforce the covenant not to compete or covenant not to solicit has the burden of proving that it will not reduce the availability of reproductive health care or maternity care in the State. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Laura Faver DiasDemocrat

CONDO-RESERVE STUDY

Amends the Common Interest Community Association Act. Requires a common interest association to conduct and update a reserve study every 5 years. "Reserve study" means an analysis of the reserves required for future major maintenance, repairs, and replacements of the common elements. Grants a 5-year window for an association to conduct a reserve study or update a current study. Requires a reserve study to be made available to any prospective purchaser of a unit upon request for a resale of any unit in the community. Exempts an association with 15 or fewer units but still requires the board to comply with the budgeting and reserve requirements elsewhere in the Act. Amends the Condominium Property Act to make similar changes.

Kam BucknerDemocrat

UNEMPLOYMENT INS-LABOR DISPUTE

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that an individual shall be ineligible for benefits for a period totaling and not to exceed 2 weeks (rather than an individual shall be ineligible for benefits for any week) with respect to which it is found that his total or partial unemployment is due to a stoppage of work which exists because of a labor dispute at the factory, establishment, or other premises at which he is or was last employed. Provides that, after the 2-week period, the individual will be eligible for benefits.

Dave VellaDemocrat

ELEC CD-WRITE IN CANDIDATES

Amends the Election Code. In provisions concerning the objection to specified election documents, adds references to declarations of intent to be a write-in-candidate.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

ELEC CD-BD OF ELECTION COMM

Amends the Election Code. Provides that any county in which there is a city, village, or incorporated town with a board of election commissioners may establish that municipal board of election commissioners as a county board of election commissioners if approved by a referendum of the electors of the county. Provides that any county with a population of less than 300,000 persons (rather than less than 200,000 but more than 175,000 persons) as of the 2020 (rather than 2010) federal decennial census in which a city, village, or incorporated town with a board of election commissioners is located may establish a county board of election commissioners by vote of the electors of the county. Provides that a county board of election commissioners may not be dissolved unless the dissolution is approved by a referendum of the electors of the county.

Sharon ChungDemocrat

WILDLIFE CD-SKUNKS & RACCOONS

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that striped skunks and raccoons may be rehabilitated by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for treatment and release. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to adopt rules to implement the amendatory Act.

Amy BrielDemocrat

SURROGACY ESCROW PROT FUND

Amends the State Finance Act to create the Surrogacy Agreement Escrow Protection Fund. Amends the Gestational Surrogacy Act. Provides that the Fund is to be used solely for the purpose of providing restitution to those who have suffered monetary loss arising out of an escrow transaction related to a gestational surrogacy contract as regulated by the Act. Provides that the Fund is to be applied only to restitution ordered by the Director of Public Health and restitution may not exceed the amount actually lost.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

PROP TX-DISABLED HOMESTEAD

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, if property was granted a homestead exemption for persons with disabilities for any taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and if the property remains eligible for the exemption in a subsequent consecutive taxable year, then the total property tax liability for the property for the applicable taxable year may not exceed the total property tax liability for (i) taxable year 2025 or (ii) the first year in which the property became eligible for the exemption, whichever occurs later, unless the chief county assessment officer finds that there were substantial improvements made to the property during the previous taxable year or years. Effective immediately.

Jed DavisRepublican

FINANCE-TECH

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

Brandun SchweizerRepublican

SCH CD-APPOINTED STATE WORK

Amends the School Code. Provides that any public school employee who is a member of a statewide association and is appointed to a State board, advisory council, committee, commission, or task force to represent the association in State work may spend up to 10 days during a school term representing the association in State work. Provides that no deduction of wages may be made for such absence. Effective immediately.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.Democrat

FOIA-TRAFFIC CRASH

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that, upon written request for a traffic crash report by an attorney who provides an affidavit confirming representation of an individual in the traffic crash, the public body from whom the traffic crash report is requested shall disclose an unredacted copy of the traffic crash report to the requesting attorney.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

STATE GOVERNMENT-TECH

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

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.Democrat

FOIA-PERSON

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Changes the definition of "person". Allows, within 5 business days after its receipt of the request, a public body that has a reasonable belief that a request was not submitted by a person to require the requester to verify orally or in writing that the requester is a person. Provides that the deadline for the public body to respond to the request shall be tolled until the requester verifies that he or she is a person. Provides that, if the requester fails to verify that he or she is a person within 30 days after the public body requests such a verification, then the public body may deny the request.

Daniel DidechDemocrat

MARRIAGE OF WARD

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Requires the form for an application for a marriage license to include whether either party is under a court-ordered guardianship in any State in the United States. Provides that a county clerk shall issue a license to marry and a marriage certificate form, among other requirements, upon being furnished satisfactory proof that neither party to the marriage is under a court-ordered guardianship, or that if at least one party is under a court-ordered guardianship, there has been a judicial determination that the marriage is in the best interests of the person or persons under court-ordered guardianship. Amends the Guardians For Adults With Disabilities Article of the Probate Act of 1975. Requires the court, when determining whether a marriage is in the best interests of a ward, to follow (rather than consider) specified standards. Provides that if a best interests hearing is not held before a judicial officer prior to a ward entering into marriage, then the marriage is without legal effect and void ab initio. Provides that any person who knowingly enters a marriage with a ward without following the required procedures shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony.

Suzanne M. NessDemocrat

DHS-GAMBLING DISORDERS

Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act. In provisions requiring the Department of Human Services to establish a public education program regarding gambling disorders, requires the program to (i) promote public awareness regarding the impact of gambling disorders on individuals, families, and communities and the stigma that surrounds gambling disorders and (ii) use screening, crisis intervention, treatment, public awareness, prevention, in-service training, and other innovative means to decrease the incidence of suicide attempts related to gambling disorders or gambling issues. Requires the Department to select the statement regarding obtaining assistance with a gambling disorder, which each licensed gambling establishment owner shall post, and each master sports wagering licensee shall include, on the master sports wagering licensee's portal, Internet website, or computer or mobile application. Permits the Department to provide advice to State and local officials on gambling disorders; to support gambling disorder prevention, recognition, treatment, and recovery projects; to collaborate with other community-based organizations, substance use disorder treatment centers, or other health care providers engaged in treating individuals who are experiencing gambling disorders; and to perform other actions. Allows the Department to award grants to create or support local gambling prevention, recognition, and response projects. Makes other changes.

Tracy Katz MuhlDemocrat

CD CORR-WORKPLACE SAFETY

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Christopher James Act. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall establish a Safety Committee comprised of bargaining unit and non-bargaining unit Department employees. Provides that at least 40% of committee members shall be bargaining unit employees. Provides that the Committee shall assess the Department's compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act and any other applicable workplace health and safety laws and shall make recommendations for improvements to processes and procedures to improve workplace safety. Provides that the Committee shall prepare an annual report on the Department's workplace safety efforts and plans for the future to further promote safety in the workplace. Provides that the Director of Corrections shall appoint 60% of the Safety Committee, including the non-bargaining unit members and up to 2 members of the International Union of Operating Engineers. Provides that the exclusive collective bargaining representative of the majority of the Department of Corrections employees shall appoint the remaining 40% of the Safety Committee. Provides that the Director of Corrections shall appoint the chairperson of the Committee. Provides that the appointed chairperson of the Committee shall have a professional background and training in an environmental health and safety field. Provides that the chairperson of the Safety Committee, or the chairperson's designee, may conduct a workplace safety inspection of any property, equipment, or workplace under the control or supervision of the Department at any time and shall conduct random unannounced inspections as often as deemed necessary. Provides that the chairperson of the Safety Committee, or the chairperson's designee, may also investigate training practices for the use of equipment and may direct that alternative trainings be used. Provides that the Committee chairperson, or the chairperson's designee, may take any piece of equipment lacking industry standard safeguards out of service. Provides that the jurisdiction of the Safety Committee is strictly limited to the Occupational Safety and Health Act and any other applicable workplace health and safety laws. Provides that these provisions are subject to appropriations.

Gregg JohnsonDemocrat

OPEN MEETINGS ACT

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that for a 3-member body, 2 members of the body constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of 2 members is necessary to adopt any motion, resolution, or ordinance unless a greater number is otherwise provided. Provides that a Chicago Police District Council may hold a closed meeting involving public safety concerns to discuss (i) an ongoing, prior, or future law enforcement or official misconduct investigation or allegation thereof involving specific individuals or (ii) other topics that if discussed in an open meeting would pose an unreasonable risk to an ongoing criminal investigation or an unreasonable risk to the safety of specific individuals. Provides that an agenda for each regular meeting of a public body must be posted the principal office of the public body if such an office exists. Provides that if a public body has a website that is maintained by its full-time staff but does not have a principal office or single building where meetings are regularly held, that body is deemed to have complied with the requirement to post physical notice at the office or building of the meeting if the notice is timely posted on the public body's website. Excludes from the definition of "meeting" for a Chicago Police District Council a gathering of 2 members, except if gathered for a regularly scheduled meeting or otherwise gathered to adopt any motion, resolution, or ordinance. Provides a Chicago Police District Council may hold meetings by audio or video conference without the physical presence of the members under certain conditions except for required regularly scheduled meetings.

Ann M. WilliamsDemocrat

DHS-PROP TX REBATES

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that, subject to the reallocation by the General Assembly of moneys appropriated for Illinois Welcoming Centers for State Fiscal Year 2025 or the appropriation of moneys in the State Fiscal Year 2026 budget, the Department of Human Services shall establish a pilot program to pay one-time property tax rebates to qualified applicants. Provides that a qualified applicant is an individual who (i) is responsible for the payment of property taxes for the 2023 tax year, due in 2024, on homestead property located in Bloom, Calumet, Rich, Thornton, or Bremen Township in Cook County and (ii) is a member of a low-income or moderate-income household. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to provide for the adoption of emergency rules. Effective immediately.

Anthony DeLucaDemocrat

VEH CD-CANNABIS IN VEHICLE

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes the requirement that cannabis within any area of a motor vehicle must be in an odor-proof container. Provides that if a motor vehicle is driven or occupied by an individual 21 years of age or over, a law enforcement officer may not stop or detain the motor vehicle or its driver nor inspect or search the motor vehicle, the contents of the motor vehicle, or the operator or passenger of the motor vehicle solely based on the odor of burnt or raw cannabis.

Curtis J. Tarver, IIDemocrat

CRIM CD-FIREARM-WAITING PERIOD

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the 72-hour waiting period before delivery of a concealable firearm after application for its purchase has been made does not apply to a person who has been issued a valid license to carry a concealed handgun under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Effective immediately.

Bradley FrittsRepublican

$OCE-IMSA

Appropriates $26,282,000 from the Education Assistance Fund to the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy to meet its ordinary and contingent expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. Appropriates $5,925,000 from the IMSA Income Fund to the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy to meet its ordinary and contingent expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. Effective July 1, 2025.

Barbara HernandezDemocrat

DHS-SNAP TRANSITIONAL BENEFITS

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a transitional benefits program for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that is designed in such a way that a SNAP beneficiary will not experience an immediate loss of benefits should his or her income exceed the maximum allowable income for the SNAP program. Provides that transitional benefits offered shall gradually step down the beneficiary's monthly benefit proportionate to the increase in the beneficiary's income thereby allowing for a transition to self-sufficiency while incentivizing work and financial stability. Sets forth how a SNAP beneficiary's transitional benefit will be determined under the transitional benefits program. Requires SNAP beneficiaries who are receiving transitional benefits to comply with all SNAP requirements, including work requirements. Makes implementation of the transitional benefits program subject to appropriation and any necessary federal waivers or approvals. Grants the Department rulemaking authority. Effective January 1, 2026.

Barbara HernandezDemocrat

PROP TX-CONDO ABATEMENT

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that any taxing district may, after the determination of the assessed valuation of its property, order the county clerk to abate any portion of its taxes on any qualified condominium property. Provides that the amount of the abatement may not exceed the special assessments imposed against the property by the condominium association during the taxable year. Provides that "qualified condominium property" means a condominium that is located in a low-income community and with respect to which the condominium association has imposed a special assessment for repairs during the taxable year. Effective immediately.

Curtis J. Tarver, IIDemocrat

BIPA-IDOT TESTING VEHICLES

Amends the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Provides that nothing in the Act may be construed to apply to companies registered with the Department of Transportation to conduct testing of autonomous vehicles.

Curtis J. Tarver, IIDemocrat

SCH CD-PERSONAL FINANCE EDUC

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Instead of requiring consumer education to be taught and studied, provides that, beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2028-2029 school year, pupils in the public schools in grade 11 or 12 shall be taught and be required to complete a stand-alone, one-semester or equivalent course covering personal finance. Sets forth what topics must be included. Provides that the State Board of Education shall devise or approve the personal finance education standards for the course. Provides that the school board shall oversee implementation of the course for each high school student prior to graduation. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish a Financial Literacy Implementation Committee no later than June 30, 2025 to make recommendations to the State Superintendent of Education concerning the implementation of the course for each high school student prior to graduation. Sets forth provisions concerning Committee members, meetings, and support. Provides that the State Board of Education shall present regular and timely reports to the Committee regarding the implementation of the course. Requires a pupil to successfully complete a course on personal finance education as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma (rather than allowing a financial literacy course to be included as part of the social studies requirement). Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Curtis J. Tarver, IIDemocrat

BUSINESS TRUTH IN LENDING ACT

Creates the Small Business Financing Transparency Act. Sets forth provisions concerning registration requirements for persons providing commercial financing; additional registration information; registration expiration; functions, power, and duties; subpoena power of the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation; disclosure requirements; commercial financing disclosure forms approved for use in other states; violation of disclosure requirements; notification; suspension of registrations, civil penalties, and other discipline; investigation of complaints; confidentiality; appeal and review; registration fees; cease and desist orders; injunctions; exemptions; complaint disclosure; rules; violations; limitations on liability; beginning of registration; beginning of disclosure requirements; severability; and a commercial financing database. Amends the Freedom of Information Act and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Curtis J. Tarver, IIDemocrat

CRIM PRO-DECEPTIVE TACTICS

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that an oral, written, or sign language confession of a person made as a result of a custodial interrogation conducted at a police station or other place of detention on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act is presumed to be inadmissible as evidence against the person making the confession in a criminal proceeding for an act that would be a misdemeanor offense under the Sex Offenses Article of the Criminal Code of 2012 or a felony offense under the Criminal Code of 2012 if, during the custodial interrogation, a law enforcement officer knowingly engages in deception. Provides that the presumption of inadmissibility of a confession of a person at a custodial interrogation at a police station or other place of detention, when such confession is procured through the knowing use of deception, may be overcome by a preponderance of the evidence that the confession was voluntarily given, based on the totality of the circumstances. Provides that the burden of going forward with the evidence and the burden of proving that a confession was voluntary is on the State. Provides that objection to the failure of the State to call all material witnesses on the issue of whether the confession was voluntary must be made in the trial court. Defines terms.

Curtis J. Tarver, IIDemocrat

COVID-19 RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION

Creates the COVID-19 Religious Exemption Act. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person, public or private institution, or public official to discriminate against any person in any manner because of such person's refusal to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination contrary to his or her belief. Requires all health care facilities to adopt written access to care and information protocols that are designed to ensure that belief-based objections do not cause impairment of patients' health and that explain how belief-based objections will be addressed in a timely manner to facilitate patient care. Provides that it is unlawful for any public or private employer, entity, agency, institution, official, or person to deny admission because of, to place any reference in its application form concerning, to orally question about, to impose any burdens in terms or conditions of employment on, or to otherwise discriminate against, any applicant, in terms of employment, admission to or participation in any programs for which the applicant is eligible, or to discriminate in relation thereto, in any other manner, on account of the applicant's refusal to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination that is against the applicant's beliefs. Provides that it is unlawful for any public official, guardian, agency, institution, or entity to deny any form of aid, assistance, or benefits, or to condition the reception in any way of any form of aid, assistance, or benefits, or in any other manner to coerce, disqualify, or discriminate against any person, otherwise entitled to such aid, assistance, or benefits, because that person refuses to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination contrary to the person's belief. Allows any person injured by any public or private person, association, agency, entity, or corporation by reason of any action prohibited by the Act to bring an action. Provides that a person who brings an action shall recover threefold the actual damages, the costs of the action, and reasonable attorney's fees, but in no case shall recovery for each violation be less than $2,500 plus costs of the action and reasonable attorney's fees. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Adam M. NiemergRepublican

PRIVILEGE-PEER SUPPORT ADVISOR

Amends the Privileged Communications Part of the Evidence Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a peer support advisor shall not be compelled to disclose in any court, or to any administrative board or agency, or to any public officer, a confession or admission made to him or her within his or her capacity as a peer support advisor, nor be compelled to divulge any information which has been obtained by him or her in his or her capacity as a peer support advisor. Includes legislative findings.

Adam M. NiemergRepublican