Bills & Legislation

STATE GOVERNMENT-TECH

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

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

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 Didech

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. Ness

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 Muhl

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 Johnson

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. Williams

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 DeLuca

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, II

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 Fritts

$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 Hernandez

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 Hernandez

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, II

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, II

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, II

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, II

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, II

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. Niemerg

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. Niemerg

DCFS-FOSTER PARENT RIGHTS

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. In provisions concerning the Advocacy Office for Children and Families, requires the Advocacy Office to designate for each foster child an employee with legal knowledge of the foster process to guide foster parents throughout the foster process and keep them informed of their rights and responsibilities. Amends the Foster Parent Law. Creates a private right of action under specified provisions of the Act concerning foster parent rights.

Adam M. Niemerg

PROHIBIT COVID-19 VAX MANDATE

Creates the COVID-19 Vaccination Employer Mandate Prohibition Act. Provides that it is unlawful for an employer in the State of Illinois to create, implement, or otherwise enforce a workplace vaccination program that requires any employee to demonstrate to the employer that he or she has received a vaccine or its related booster that was approved under emergency use authorization by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Effective immediately.

Adam M. Niemerg

MECHANICS LIEN-WAIVER

Amends the Mechanics Lien Act. Provides that an agreement to waive any right to enforce or claim any lien under this Act, whether upon conditional or unconditional terms, or an agreement to subordinate the lien, where the agreement is in anticipation of and in consideration for the awarding of a contract, subcontract, or payment, either express or implied, to perform work or supply materials for an improvement upon real property is against public policy and unenforceable.

Travis Weaver

SCH CD-REFER LAW ENFORCEMENT

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall require that each school district annually report the number of students who were referred to a law enforcement agency or official and the number of instances of referrals to law enforcement that students received. Provides that on or before January 31, 2027 and on or before January 31 of each subsequent year, the State Board of Education shall prepare a report on student referrals to law enforcement in all school districts in the State. Requires a parent-teacher advisory committee to develop policy guideline procedures to establish and maintain a reciprocal reporting system between the school district and local law enforcement agencies regarding both criminal and civil offenses (rather than only criminal offenses) committed by students. Removes language providing that a student may not be issued a monetary fine or fee as a disciplinary consequence. Instead, prohibits school personnel from issuing a monetary fine, fee, ticket, or citation for a municipal code violation. Provides that school personnel (rather than a school district) may not refer a truant, chronic truant, or truant minor to any other local public entity, school resource officer, or peace officer (rather than only to any other local public entity) for that local public entity, school resource officer, or peace officer to issue the child a fine or fee as punishment for truancy. Effective immediately.

La Shawn K. Ford

SCH CD-ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to establish the State Instructional Technology Advisory Board, which shall collaborate with the State Board of Education to provide guidance, integration, oversight, and evaluation of education technologies, including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence technologies. Sets forth the membership of the Advisory Board and terms. Requires the State Board, with the Advisory Board, to develop standards concerning safety, transparency, data privacy, and educational quality for any artificial intelligence technology that may be used in schools and develop guidance for school districts and educators on the use of artificial intelligence in education and the development of artificial intelligence literacy. Requires the annual school district report to the State Board regarding educational technology capacity and policies to include how students, teachers, and district employees use artificial intelligence. Provides that the Internet safety education curriculum shall include instruction in the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Laura Faver Dias

VEH CD-LICENSE PLATE FLIPPER

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Prohibits a person from purchasing or possessing a license plate flipper and makes a violation of such a Class B misdemeanor. Prohibits a person from manufacturing, selling, offering to sell, or otherwise distributing a license plate flipper and makes a violation of such a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that a person who violates either such provision shall also have the person's vehicle registration automatically suspended. Defines "license plate flipper".

Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar

PROP TX-POLICE AND FIRE

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that property that is used as a qualified residence by a police officer or firefighter with a duty-related disability is exempt from taxation under the Code. Effective immediately.

Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar

MEDICAID-NURSING PAYMENTS

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2026, and each calendar year thereafter, a nursing facility must spend at least 90% of its adjusted total revenue on resident care and other resident-related costs, as defined. Requires each nursing facility to provide as part of its financial reporting information necessary for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to administer and enforce the provisions of the amendatory Act. Provides that such information shall be subject to audit provisions and comply with any applicable uniform standards under the Code. Provides that all non-allowable costs, related party adjustments, or compensation to owners reported shall be excluded from the calculation of the amount spent on resident care and other resident-related costs. Requires 25% of costs associated with contract nursing staff to be deducted from the amount spent on resident care and other resident-related costs. Provides that for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2027, and each calendar year thereafter, the Department shall use the required financial reporting submissions to determine whether each nursing facility has met the minimum resident care percent requirement. Provides that if a facility has not met the minimum resident care percent requirement, the amount defined by the facility's total adjusted revenue shall be treated as a vendor overpayment. Requires the Department to recover the full amount of any vendor overpayment by reducing future payments, requiring direct payment to the Department, or any other method permitted under the Code. Requires the Department to adopt rules.

Kelly M. Cassidy

MEDICAID-ELECTROCARDIOGRAMS

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval, for dates of service on and after January 1, 2026, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reimburse diagnostic testing facilities that provide long-term ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring services at a rate not less than 80% of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rate for such services. Defines "long-term ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring services".

Anna Moeller

USE/OCC TX-ROAD MAINTENANCE

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that certain materials furnished to a common interest community association pursuant to a contract entered into with the highway commissioner of a road district are exempt from the taxes imposed under those Acts.

Jed Davis

PROP TX-TAXING DIST NOTICE

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a copy of the complaint shall also be served on each taxing district in which the property is located at least 90 days prior to the board of review hearing on the complaint. Effective immediately.

Brad Stephens

DHS-FETAL ALCOHOL DISORDERS

Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act. Creates the State Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Program to provide awareness, prevention, identification, intervention, and service delivery. Sets forth certain activities under the program, including, but not limited to: (i) designating a State FASD coordinator with knowledge and experience in the field of prenatal alcohol exposure and FASD; (ii) utilizing and adapting existing federal or State programs to include FASD identification and FASD-informed support; (iii) developing and expanding screening and diagnostic capacity for FASD; and (iv) providing training with respect to FASD for professionals across relevant sectors. Establishes a FASD State Advisory Committee to provide guidance for the FASD State Program to prevent FASD and provide for the identification, treatment, and support of individuals with FASD and their families. Sets forth certain activities of the committee; committee membership; and committee reporting requirements. Permits the Department of Human Services to contract with or provide grants to public and private nonprofit entities for FASD programs.

Jed Davis

DHFS-PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS-KIDS

Creates the Accountability in Psychotropic Drug Prescriptions for Children Under Medicaid Act. Requires medical care providers prescribing psychotropic drugs to children under the State's Medicaid program to provide FDA Medication Guides to parents or legal guardians before issuing a prescription. Provides that the Medication Guides must be printed and reviewed with the parent or legal guardian, explaining (1) FDA-identified risks of the medication, including pediatric-specific warnings and (2) signs of potential side effects and adverse drug reactions detailed in the Medication Guide. Provides that written informed consent must be obtained from the parent or legal guardian before prescribing a psychotropic drug. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to, within 12 months after the effective date of the Act, develop and maintain a secure online reporting system for adverse drug reactions related to psychotropic drugs prescribed to children and adolescents. Contains provisions on adverse drug reaction reporting requirements; legislative oversight and reviews of adverse drug reaction reports related to psychotropic drugs; penalties for medical care providers who fail to comply with medication guide distribution; transparency and accountability reporting requirements for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services; and other matters. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Medicaid Oversight and Safety Measures Fund.

Jed Davis

LYME DISEASE SCRATCH-OFF

Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. Provides that the Department of the Lottery shall offer a special Lyme Disease Innovation instant scratch-off game for the benefit of the Lyme Disease Innovation Program with net revenue deposited into the Lyme Disease Awareness Fund. Grants the Department of the Lottery rulemaking powers. Adds references to the Lyme Disease Innovation scratch-off game to various provisions in the Act. Provides that the Department shall offer the game upon the discontinuation of the first game that is discontinued under certain provisions of the law. Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Specifies that the Lyme Disease Innovation Program shall be funded through moneys in the Lyme Disease Awareness Fund, including revenue generated from the Lyme Disease Innovation scratch-off game.

Dan Swanson

PRESCRIBED BURNING-LIABILITY

Amends the Illinois Prescribed Burning Act. Establishes the procedures required before conducting a prescribed burning. Provides that no landowner, agent of the landowner, or certified prescribed burn manager shall be liable for damage, injury, or loss caused by a prescribed burn or resulting smoke of a prescribed burn unless the landowner, agent of the landowner, or certified prescribed burn manager is proven to be grossly negligent. Effective immediately.

Jeff Keicher

LOW POP TWP DIST DISSOLUTION

Amends the Township Code. Provides that all townships with a population less than 500 are dissolved 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides for the transfer of real and personal property, and any other assets, together with all personnel, contractual obligations, and liabilities of the dissolving township to the county containing the geographic boundaries of the dissolving township. Provides that, on and after the date of dissolution, all rights and duties of the dissolved township may be exercised by the county containing the geographic boundaries of the dissolving township solely on behalf of the residents of the geographic area within the boundaries of the dissolved township. Provides that the county board of the county containing the geographic boundaries of the dissolving township may levy a property tax within the boundaries of the dissolved township for the duties taken on by the county containing the geographic boundaries of the dissolving township. Provides that all road districts wholly within the boundaries of a dissolving township are dissolved on the date of dissolution of the dissolving township and the powers and responsibilities of the road district are transferred to the county containing the geographic boundaries of the dissolving township, and provides that municipalities within the dissolving township may elect to assume the duties and responsibilities of the road district or road districts. Provides that elected and appointed township officers and road commissioners shall cease to hold office on the date of dissolution of the township and road districts, no longer be compensated, and do not have legal recourse relating to the ceasing of their elected or appointed positions upon the ceasing of their offices. Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law and Counties Code making conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Joe C. Sosnowski

FOIA-CONSUMER FRAUD EXEMPTION

Amends the Freedom of Information Act and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Exempts from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act information and documentary materials obtained by the Office of the Attorney General or a State's Attorney under certain provisions of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Adds a power of the Attorney General with respect to the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to require written answers under oath to written interrogatories. Provides that certain materials are not available for examination, except by authorized employees of the Attorney General and authorized law enforcement, without the consent of the persons who produced the materials. Provides that the Attorney General may, in the Attorney General's discretion, use information and documentary materials obtained in the course of an investigation under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act for law enforcement purposes, including, but not limited to, interviewing or questioning potential witnesses and consultants, in a complaint or other pleading, and in court proceedings.

Tracy Katz Muhl

CIVIC CENTER CD-BID THRESHOLD

Amends the Civic Center Code. Provides that all contracts for the sale of property of the value of more than the small purchase maximum under the Illinois Procurement Code (rather than $10,000) shall be awarded to the highest responsible bidder, after advertising for bids. Provides that all construction contracts and contracts for supplies, materials, equipment and services, when the expense thereof will exceed the small purchase maximum under the Illinois Procurement Code (rather than $10,000), shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder, after advertising for bids except for specified circumstances. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.

PROP TX-SENIOR FREEZE

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for the purpose of the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, the term "household" includes only the applicant and the applicant's spouse (currently, the applicant, the spouse of the applicant, and all persons using the residence of the applicant as their principal place of residence). Effective immediately.

Maura Hirschauer

NURSING MOTHERS IN WORKPLACE

Amends the Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act. Provides that an employer shall provide 30 minutes of paid break time (rather than reasonable break time) to an employee who needs to express breast milk for her nursing infant child each time the employee has the need to express milk for one year after the child's birth. Provides that the employee may use other paid break time or meal time for any time needed in excess of 30 minutes. Provides that an employer shall provide paid break time (rather than reasonable break time) as needed by the employee unless to do so would create an undue hardship.

Katie Stuart

SCH CD-ED LICENSE-MONTESSORI

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. By June 1, 2026, requires the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, to establish, by rule, a Montessori education endorsement to be added to a Professional Educator License. Requires the rules adopted by the State Board of Education to outline the requirements for obtaining the endorsement. Provides that these provisions are inoperative on and after January 1, 2027.

Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.

PEN CD-DE FACTO FIREFIGHTER

Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Includes in the definition of "firefighter", a person employed in a municipality's or fire protection district's fire service as a de facto firefighter. Provides that "de facto firefighter" means a firefighter who spends a majority of the firefighter's working time participating in the work of controlling and extinguishing fires at the location of any such fires, preparing for such work or waiting to respond to such calls for work and whose scheduled or actual work hours are commensurate in duration and frequency with certain firefighters. Provides that "de facto firefighter" does not include part-time firefighters who are not otherwise covered; auxiliary, reserve, or voluntary firefighters, including paid-on-call firefighters; and clerks, dispatchers, or other civilian employees of a fire department or fire protection district who are not routinely expected to perform firefighter duties. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act do not affect persons covered by the Article before the effective date of the amendatory Act. Makes a conforming change. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Mary Beth Canty

FLEEING-ATTEMPT ELUDE OFFICER

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer is a Class 4 felony if there is video evidence of the driver or operator of the motor vehicle fleeing or attempting to elude the peace officer and that the fleeing or attempting to elude the peace officer results in damage to property of the State, a unit of local government, or school district.

Harry Benton

FIREARMS RESTRAIN-PETITIONER

Amends the Firearms Restraining Order Act. Includes in the definition of "petitioner" under the Act any of the following health care professionals who have treated the person against whom the order is sought in the 6 months immediately preceding the filing of the petition: (1) a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches under the Medical Practice Act of 1987; (2) a psychiatrist as defined in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code; (3) a clinical psychologist licensed under the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act; (4) a licensed clinical social worker licensed under the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act; (5) an advanced practice registered nurse, nationally certified as a mental health or psychiatric nurse practitioner and licensed under the Nurse Practice Act; or (6) a licensed marriage and family therapist licensed under the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act.

Nabeela Syed

BURIAL TRANSPORT AGREEMENTS

Amends the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. Defines "transportation protection agreement". Provides that the Illinois Insurance Code does not apply to any transportation protection agreement sold by any seller. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be deemed to apply to (1) merchandise that is delivered within 30 days of purchase, (2) a transportation protection agreement, or (3) pre-need cemetery sales (rather than only pre-need cemetery sales) under the Illinois Pre-Need Cemetery Sales Act.

Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.

DHFS-SLF-DEMENTIA CARE SETTING

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that beginning January 1, 2026, a supportive living dementia care setting shall not limit resident access to the sink, microwave, and refrigerator located within the respective resident's room. Provides that social and recreational programming shall be provided no less than daily at a time and location separate from a meal service. Provides that beginning January 1, 2026, a newly constructed supportive living dementia care setting shall provide no less than 300 square feet for a single occupancy apartment or no less than 450 square feet for a double occupancy apartment. Provides that the square footage requirement may include the closets and bathroom. Requires each apartment to include a sink, microwave, and refrigerator within the unit. Provides that beginning January 1, 2026, a newly constructed supportive living dementia care setting shall provide a common area completely separate from the dining area.

Dagmara Avelar

PROP TX-SENIOR EXEMPT

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable years 2026 and thereafter, the maximum reduction for the senior citizens homestead exemption is $8,000 in all counties (currently, $8,000 in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and counties that are contiguous to a county of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and $5,000 in all other counties). Effective immediately.

Daniel Didech

PROP TX-SENIOR FREEZE

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the amount of unreimbursed medical and dental expenses incurred by members of the applicant's household during the taxable year may be deducted from the applicant's income for the purpose of determining eligibility for the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption. Effective immediately.

Daniel Didech

WATER/SEWER UTILITY REFERENDUM

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that at the next election following the public meeting and notice required in provisions regarding a water or sewer utility that is owned by the State or any political subdivision thereof being acquired by a large public utility, a referendum, subject to the requirements of the Election Code, shall be placed on the ballot for all electors within the area the water or sewer utility operates. Provides that the votes on the referendum shall be recorded as "yes" or "no". Provides that, if a majority of the electors voting on the referendum within the service area of the water or sewer utility vote in favor of the referendum, then the acquisition may continue. Provides that, if less than a majority of the electors voting on the referendum within the service area of the water or sewer utility vote in favor of the referendum, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall not approve the large public utility's acquisition of the water or sewer utility.

Nabeela Syed

LIFE INSURANCE-GENETIC INFO

Amends the Genetic Information Privacy Act. Provides that an insurer may not seek information derived from genetic testing for use in connection with a policy of life insurance. Provides that an insurer may consider the results of genetic testing in connection with a policy of life insurance if the individual voluntarily submits the results and the results are favorable to the individual. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an insurer must comply with the provisions of the Genetic Information Privacy Act in connection with the amendment, delivery, issuance, or renewal of a life insurance policy; claims for or denial of coverage under a life insurance policy; or the determination of premiums or rates under a life insurance policy.

Nabeela Syed

UTILITY FIRE PROTECTION FEE

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a fire protection charge by a public utility shall be no greater than the average cost spent by the public utility on the maintenance, connection, or use of any fire protection services over the past 10 years.

Nabeela Syed

PROP TX-SENIOR FREEZE

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption, provides that the Chief County Assessment Officer in a county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants may request full social security numbers or individual taxpayer identification numbers for all members of the applicant's household. Provides that the Chief County Assessment Officer may renew the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption without a new application if the Chief County Assessment Officer is able to confirm both that the applicant still owns and resides in the property and that applicant's household income qualifies for the exemption. Provides that a Chief County Assessment Officer who renews a low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption without an annual application shall notify the applicant of both the decision to renew the exemption and the applicant's ongoing duty to report changes in the eligibility of the property to receive the exemption.

Fred Crespo