Bills & Legislation

DPH-NEURO DISEASE PROGRESS ACT

Creates the Neurodegenerative Disease Patient Protection and Progress Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to convene a Neurodegenerative Disease Advisory Council within the Department. Sets forth provisions concerning the membership of the Advisory Council, terms of the members, meetings of the Advisory Council, and administrative support, and duties of the Advisory Council Provides that the Director of Public Health shall designate or hire a full-time Neurodegenerative Disease Coordinator within the Department to implement and administer the Act. Requires the Coordinator, acting through and under the supervision of the Director, and with input from the Advisory Council, to develop and publish a State plan to address neurodegenerative diseases. Sets forth required components of the Plan. Establishes a voluntary statewide clinical and population registry to collect de-identified information and, with the patient's informed consent, limited identifying information, to (i) improve understanding of burden imposed by neurodegenerative diseases, natural history, and outcomes, (ii) facilitate public health planning and service delivery, and (iii) support research consistent with applicable privacy protections. Establishes the Neurodegenerative Disease Research Support And Grant Fund to make grants to public or private not-for-profit entities for the purpose of conducting neurodegenerative disease research. Sets forth provisions concerning equity and rural access; coordination with federal programs, academic centers, and private partners; reporting; limitations; and rulemaking. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Effective immediately.

Linda Holmes

$ISBE-ENGLISH LEARNER GRANTS

Appropriates $40,000,000 to the State Board of Education for the State English learner grant program. Effective July 1, 2026.

Mary Edly-Allen

SCH CD-ENGLISH LEARNER GRANT

Amends the Transitional Bilingual Education Article of the School Code. Subject to appropriation, requires the State Board of Education to establish and implement an English Learner Grant Program to support school districts' English learner programs. Effective immediately.

Mary Edly-Allen

LICENSED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS

Amends the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act. Adds an occupational therapist to the individuals that the Act does not prohibit from performing or advertising activities that are considered to be the practice of applied behavior analysis under the Act. In provisions concerning unlicensed practice, provides that any member, partner, shareholder, director, officer, holder of any other ownership interest, or agent of a business organization providing behavior analysis services who makes clinical decisions regarding patient care without being licensed or exempt under the Act shall be deemed to have violated the provisions. Repeals a provision concerning license restrictions and limitations. Amends the Professional Service Corporation Act. Adds the practice of applied behavior analysis by persons licensed under the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act to the list of personal services that, when combined, constitute "related professions" and "related professional services". Amends the Professional Limited Liability Company Act. Adds the practice of applied behavior analysis by behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts licensed under the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act to the list of professional services that may be combined under a single professional limited liability company. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Mary Edly-Allen

ELECTIONS-VOTER PHOTO ID

Amends the Election Code. Requires voter identification cards for those who do not have acceptable photo identification. Sets forth requirements and exemptions. Provides that any person desiring to vote shall present to the judges of election for verification of the person's identity an acceptable form of photo identification for voting purposes or his or her voter identification card.

Andrew S. Chesney

ELEC CD-RESIDENCY AFFIDAVIT

Amends the Election Code. Provides that an applicant for voter registration shall provide a valid and unexpired driver's license; social security card; public aid identification card; utility bill; lease or contract for a residence; civic, union, or professional association membership card; United States passport; or any other form of identification or documentation issued by the federal, State, or unit of local government that contains the applicant's residential address. Provides that the affidavits required for voter registration include additional affirmations concerning the residency of the applicant.

Sally J. Turner

ELEC CD-SAME-DAY REGISTRATION

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, if a person chooses to register to vote on the day of election, the person shall only be allowed to cast a provisional ballot, and the election authority shall mail to the provisional voter a voter registration application to the provisional voter's address. Provides that a provisional ballot cast under the provision is valid and shall be counted as a vote if the voter completes and returns the voter registration application that the election authority mailed to the voter upon casting the provisional ballot within 14 days after the day of election.

Sally J. Turner

ELEC CD-TOWNSHIP CAUCUS

Amends the Election Code. Provides that a candidate seeking election to an office for which candidates of political parties are nominated by caucus who is a participant in the caucus and who has participated in the caucus of another established political party or a new political party or who has signed a petition of another established political party, a new political party, or an independent candidate is ineligible to be listed on the ballot at that general or consolidated election as a candidate of the political party holding the caucus. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Township Code. Provides that a person shall not be able to participate or vote at any township or multi-township caucus if the person participated in the caucus of another established political party or a new political party or signed a petition for a candidate of another established political party, a new political party, or an independent candidate at anytime during the 12 months before the caucus.

Sally J. Turner

LAW FIRM OWNERSHIP

Amends the Attorney Act. Prohibits a private equity group, hedge fund, or any entity owned, operated, or controlled by a private equity group or hedge fund, including management services organizations, that is involved with a law firm or an attorney's practice from: (1) interfering with the professional judgment of attorneys in representing clients; (2) exercising control over or being delegated the power to own or determine the content of client records, select, hire, or terminate the employment of attorneys or allied legal staff in whole or in part based on competency or proficiency; or set competency or proficiency parameters for attorneys or allied legal staff; or (3) charging any fee to the attorney or law firm that is directly or indirectly based on the fees, revenues, or profits of the attorney or law firm. Prohibits an attorney from sharing legal fees directly or indirectly with an out-of-state alternative business structure unless: (1) the attorney is also licensed in the state in which the alternative business structure is approved; (2) the fees are compensation for providing legal services in that state; and (3) the law of that state is controlling under the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct or a successor rule. Provides for the recovery of statutory damages, attorney's fees and costs, and injunctive or declaratory relief as a remedy for violation. Defines terms. Contains applicability provisions. Effective immediately.

Michael E. Hastings

HOME ILLINOIS PROGRAM

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that, if a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more that receives grant funding from the Department of Human Services for emergency and transitional housing fails to achieve compliance with federal and State disability discrimination laws by July 1, 2027, the Department of Human Services shall require 30% of funds allocated for emergency and transitional housing to go toward improving accessibility and achieving compliance with federal and State disability discrimination laws.

Celina Villanueva

CIVIL PROCEDURE-NAME CHANGE

Amends the Name Change Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that for a petition for name change by a person who is required to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act, the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act, or the Arsonist Registry Act and not yet pardoned, if the petition alleges that it is sought because of marriage, religious beliefs, or status as a victim of trafficking or gender-related identity, the court may grant or deny the petition after making a determination based on certain factors. Provides that any denial of a name change sought for one of those reasons must be in writing stating the reasons for the denial. Provides that a person who has been convicted as an adult of a felony offense and whose sentence has not been completed, terminated, or discharged is not permitted to file a petition for a name change unless pardoned for the offense. Provides that the State's Attorney may file an objection to the petition within 30 days of being served if the petitioner has been convicted of and not been pardoned or has a pending case for any of these enumerated charges: identity theft, aggravated identity theft, felony or misdemeanor criminal sexual abuse if the victim of the offense at the time of its commission is under 18 years of age, felony or misdemeanor sexual exploitation of a child, felony or misdemeanor indecent solicitation of a child, or felony or misdemeanor indecent solicitation of an adult. Provides the same opportunity to object if the petitioner has any pending charge that would require compliance, if convicted, with the Sex Offender Registration Act, the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act, or the Arsonist Registry Act. Provides that those objections must be in writing, filed with the circuit court clerk, served upon the petitioner, and state with specificity the basis of the objection, including, but not limited to, any evidence of specific intent for requesting the name change and any specific and detailed facts demonstrating that any potential risk to another individual or group would outweigh any potential harm or negative impact to the individual making the request for the name change. Makes other changes.

Robert Peters

AUTO LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION

Creates the Automated License Plate Recognition System Act. Sets forth provisions regarding authorized uses of an automated license plate recognition system, data retention, prohibited uses of an automated license plate recognition system, restrictions, requirements for use, preservation and disclosure, required data collection, reporting requirements, admissibility, privacy, penalties, and a private right of action. Makes a conforming change in the Freedom of Information Act. Effective immediately.

Celina Villanueva

PROP TX-CHARITABLE PURPOSES

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the exemption for charitable purposes applies to organizations that are exempt under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

Laura M. Murphy

VEH CD-LIABILITY INSURANCE

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State to waive the civil penalty imposed for failure to maintain required liability insurance if all of the following conditions are met: the registered owner's failure to maintain required liability insurance constitutes the first offense for that registered owner; the vehicle was not operated upon a public roadway during the period of noncompliance; the registered owner was not issued a citation for operating an uninsured motor vehicle during the period of noncompliance; and the registered owner submits an affidavit attesting that during the period of noncompliance the vehicle was inoperable or stored. Provides that the Secretary may require the registered owner to submit reasonable documentation to substantiate the affidavit. Provides that the waiver may be granted only once per registered owner. Provides that knowingly submitting a false affidavit or documentation constitutes a violation of the Code.

Neil Anderson

INDUSTRIAL HEMP-FEDERAL CHANGE

Amends the Industrial Hemp Act and the Cannabis Control Act. Makes changes to conform with changes in federal law. Directs the Department of Agriculture, within 12 months of the effective date of the amendatory Act, to adopt rules consistent with the changes in federal law with respect to hemp and industrial hemp reflected in the federal Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026. Effective immediately.

Kimberly A. Lightford

MINIMUM WAGE-VARIOUS

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the wages paid to committed persons shall not be less than the minimum hourly wage set forth in the Minimum Wage Law. Amends the Minimum Wage Law. Provides for increases in the minimum hourly wage through January 1, 2032. Provides that, on and after July 1, 2026, every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees who is under 18 years of age no less than the applicable minimum hourly wage. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2030, an employer shall not be entitled to an allowance for gratuities and shall pay each employee no less than the applicable minimum hourly wage. Provides that beginning on January 1, 2033, and on every January 1 thereafter, the minimum hourly wage from the previous year shall be increased in proportion to the increase in the consumer price index-u. Provides that the Department of Labor shall inquire into any alleged violations of the Act brought to its attention by an interested party. Sets forth the procedure for complaints brought by interested parties. Defines "interested party". Effective immediately.

Kimberly A. Lightford

UTILITIES-RECOVERABLE EXPENSES

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall not consider as an expense of any public utility, for the purpose of determining any rate or charge, any amount expended for contributions or gifts to political candidates, political parties, political or legislative committees, or any committee or organization working to influence referendum petitions or elections or contributions to a trade association, chamber of commerce, or public charity, including, but not limited to, a charity managed by the public utility or an affiliated interest. Makes changes in provisions definitions; donations made by a public utility for energy assistance; consideration of attorney and expert compensation as an expense; and the Consumer Intervenor Compensation Fund.

Jil Tracy

INSURANCE-AUTOMOBILE COVERAGE

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no company may impose renewal premium increases of more than 10% for specified lines of business unless the company mails or delivers by electronic means to the named insured and by electronic means to the Department of Insurance notice of the increase in renewal premium at least 60 days prior to the renewal or anniversary date. Provides that the rates and premium charges for every policy of automobile liability insurance shall include appropriate reductions as determined by the insurer for any insured over age 55 upon successful completion of the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Course or a motor vehicle crash prevention course, including an eLearning course, that is found by the Secretary of State to meet or exceed the standards of the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Course's 4-hour (rather than 8-hour) classroom safety instruction program or eLearning course. Creates the Rates for Automobile Insurance Article. Provides that rates shall not be excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory. Provides that a rate is reasonable and not excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory if it is an actuarially sound estimate of the expected value of all future costs associated with an individual risk transfer. Prohibits insurance providers from using an insured's zip code; credit score, credit-based insurance score, or any insurance score that uses or relies upon an insured's credit score; or age, if the insured is over 65 years of age, in any manner that increases an insured's premium, results in a nonrenewal of an insurance policy, or leads to the cancellation of an insurance policy. Requires credible State-specific loss experience to be used in the development of rates whenever such data is available and statistically reliable, and, to meet actuarial standards of credibility, insurers may supplement State-specific loss experience with countrywide or regional loss experience. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2027.

Ram Villivalam

DAY CARE LIABILITY INSURANCE

Creates the Liability Insurance for Day Care Providers Act. Provides that the Department of Insurance and the Department of Early Childhood, in consultation with community partners, shall conduct a survey that shall include, but not be limited to, specified subjects concerning the accessibility of liability insurance for day care providers. Requires the Department of Insurance and Department of Early Childhood to develop a finalized report of the survey and submit the findings of the report to the relevant community partners, the General Assembly, and the Governor no later than one year after the effective date of the Act. Effective immediately.

Ram Villivalam

EPA-ISSUE BONDS

Creates the Lead Service Line Replacement Bonding Act. Authorizes the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to issue up to $2,000,000,000 in bonds to provide funding for the Lead Service Line Replacement Loans Program. Defines key terms. Provides that bond proceeds may be used for loans to replace lead service lines, principal forgiveness or negative interest loans for disadvantaged communities, costs of issuance and administration, and refinancing or refunding of similar obligations.

Ram Villivalam

HATE CRIMES-UNIFORM REPORTING

Amends the Uniform Crime Reporting Act. Provides that each law enforcement agency shall submit a report to the Illinois State Police after receiving a complaint of a hate crime or other bias-related complaint within 2 weeks of receiving the complaint. Describes information to be contained in the report. Provides that, when handling a hate crime or bias-related complaint, each law enforcement agency shall (1) approach victims in a sensitive and supportive manner; (2) reassure victims that appropriate investigative and enforcement methods will be used by the law enforcement agency to properly address the bias incident; (3) as required by the facts and circumstances surrounding the suspected or confirmed bias incident, ensure that a thorough and complete initial response investigation and a follow-up investigation are conducted, including providing for appropriate community relations activities and crime prevention programs; (4) refer the victims and the witnesses to the appropriate Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy or the Division on Civil Rights; (5) interact with concerned community service organizations, civic groups, and religious institutions regarding the bias incident; and (6) effectively calm victims and reduce their fear and alienation through direct, ongoing official communication regarding the bias incident. Provides that the Illinois State Police must identify patterns and analyze the information reported to it for the purpose of connecting the information to other reported crimes or incidents, create a reporting form or process to receive this information, review all reports, and disseminate to potentially affected law enforcement agencies and create a process for the sharing of all the reported incidents with law enforcement agencies across the State. Provides that each law enforcement agency shall identify a point of contact in regard to hate crime reporting within the agency and provide the Illinois State Police with that person's name and contact information. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall adopt rules identifying other bias-related complaints that must be reported. Makes a conforming change. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to exempt reports and information received under the hate crime and bias-related incident reporting under the Uniform Crime Reporting Act.

Ram Villivalam

INS-FIRE & EXTENDED COVERAGE

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates the Rates for Fire and Extended Coverage Insurance Article. Provides that the Article applies to policies of fire and extended coverage insurance and establishes policies that are exempt from the Article. Provides that rates shall not be excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, as specified. Requires each insurer to file with the Director of Insurance all rates and supplementary rate information for risks that are to be written in this State 20 days prior to the effective date of the rates. Sets forth provisions concerning filing requirements for insurers in competitive and noncompetitive markets and the monitoring duties of the Director concerning market competition and the availability of insurance for the policies of insurance to which the Article applies. Provides that a competitive market is presumed to exist for a line of insurance unless the Director, after a hearing, issues an order stating that a reasonable degree of competition does not exist in the market. Provides that the ruling of the Director regarding market competition is subject to judicial review under the Administrative Review Law. Effective January 1, 2028.

Michael E. Hastings

REVENUE-CIGARETTE

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. Makes changes concerning applications for various licenses under those Acts. Provides that, beginning on July 1, 2027, applicants are no longer required to file a bond with their application. Makes changes concerning persons who are prohibited from receiving those licenses. Makes changes concerning hearings regarding contraband cigarettes and the destruction of contraband cigarettes.

Robert F. Martwick

TIF/REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA

Creates the Local Government Business Anti-Poaching Act. Provides that no municipality or county shall offer after the effective date of the Act any incentive to a business or corporation to move its headquarters located in Illinois, or any part of its business located in Illinois, away from the current location. Defines "incentive". Limits home rule powers. Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act of the Illinois Municipal Code. Adds 2 factors to the determination of a "blighted area" for improved, industrial, commercial, and residential buildings or improvements: (i) if the redevelopment project area has had an annual average unemployment rate of at least 120% of the State's annual average unemployment rate; and (ii) if the redevelopment project area has a poverty rate of at least 20%, 50% or more of children in the redevelopment project area participate in the federal free lunch program, or 20% or more households in the redevelopment project area receive assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Removes or modifies various factors from the definitions of "blighted area" and "conservation area" for improved and vacant areas. Provides that a new redevelopment project shall have a completion date no later than December 31st of the 10th year after the ordinance was adopted (rather than the 23rd year) and may be extended to 15 years (rather than 35 years). Provides that the joint review board and municipality shall approve surplus funds and extensions of redevelopment project area completion dates. Provides that surplus funds shall be distributed annually within 90 days (rather than 180 days) after the close of a municipality's fiscal year. Provides that a new or modified redevelopment project area that overlaps with any existing redevelopment project area shall not be approved. Provides that 10% of the moneys deposited into the special tax allocation fund shall be transferred, by the municipal treasurer, to the local chamber of commerce or chambers of commerce representing the redevelopment project area no later than 30 days after each deposit to the tax allocation fund. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2026, except that provisions concerning the Local Government Business Anti-Poaching Act are effective immediately.

Rachel Ventura

DATA CENTERS-VARIOUS

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Establishes the data center self-direct program to allow for customers taking service under the data center tariff to receive a reduction in the charges collected for the procurement of renewable energy resources. Provides that the reduction in charges available to the customer shall increase based on the energy or capacity value of the new additive clean energy generation's contribution pursuant to the specified requirements. Provides that the Illinois Power Agency may require that participating customers provide annual reports related to facility operation and performance, customer electricity consumption and load profiles, and other information as necessary. Amends the Public Utilities Act. On and after January 1, 2027, requires all data centers operating within the State and discharging water to a wastewater treatment plant to identify likely pollutants in the data center's water discharges to monitor the data center's water discharges for the likely pollutants and to maintain data on the pollutant levels in water discharges. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to analyze and assess all data center water pollutant discharge level disclosure data. On and after January 1, 2027, requires all data centers operating within the State to maintain water consumption data to submit annual disclosures of the data center's water usage to the Department of Natural Resources. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to make an aggregated and anonymized form of data disclosed to it available on a publicly accessible website. Provides that data centers that fail to comply with any disclosure requirements under the Act may be subject to fines of up to $10,000 per violation. Requires the Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Commerce Commission to adopt implementing rules. Requires a specified electric utility to, no later than 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, make a filing with the Commission that proposes revenue-neutral tariff changes, which shall present the Commission with an opportunity to suspend the tariffs and consider revenue-neutral tariff changes related to rate design. Amends the Water Use Act of 1983. Makes changes in provisions concerning water conflict resolution and groundwater emergency restrictions. Sets forth requirements for data centers under the Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Rachel Ventura

FILING FEES-CLERK-GAC FUND

Amends the Clerks of the Courts Act. Increases the filing fee and appearance fee in civil actions. Requires $5 of those fees to be deposited into the Guardianship and Advocacy Fund. Provides that no fee may be charged for accounts filed for guardianships established for minors under the Minors Article of the Probate Act of 1975 or for disabled adults of the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that no fee may be charged for a commitment petition or petition for discharge under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Repeals the provisions imposing the guardianship and advocacy operations fee.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

DHFS-MCO PROVIDER ASSESSMENT

Amends the Managed Care Organization Provider Assessment Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning tiered managed care assessment rates, provides that beginning July 1, 2026, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may implement a tax that is based on uniform rates, determined at a level not to exceed limitations imposed by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, that may be set at either a percentage of premium revenue or on a per member per month basis. Removes a provision requiring any upward adjustment to the Tier 3 rate to be the minimum necessary to meet federal statistical tests. In the definition of "member months", removes language exempting enrollment in a Limited Health Services Organization, a Medicare Supplement Plan, or a Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan from the calculation of member months. Expands the definition of "managed care organization" to include an entity that operates as a preferred provider organization. Effective July 1, 2026.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

MEDICAID ACCESS ADJUSTMENT

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning the Medicaid Access Adjustment payments to nursing facilities, provides that for dates of service beginning January 1, 2027, the Medicaid Access Adjustment shall be increased by $5.75 to $10.50 per diem. Provides that beginning January 1, 2027, facilities located outside of Rate Areas 6, 7, and 8 shall have the Medicaid percent of occupied bed days to be at least 60% of all occupied bed days adjusted quarterly to qualify for the Medicaid Access Adjustment. Provides that the remaining facilities shall have their threshold remain at 70%.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

CRIM PRO-CHILD VICT-TESTIMONY

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Deletes provision that there is a rebuttable presumption that the testimony of a victim who is a child under 13 years of age shall testify outside the courtroom and the child's testimony shall be shown in the courtroom by means of a closed circuit television. Deletes that the presumption may be overcome if the defendant can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the child victim will not suffer severe emotional distress. Provides that if the court denies the State's request for the child victim's testimony to be taken outside of the courtroom, the court shall toll the speedy trial requirements under the speedy trial provisions of the Code for 30 days to allow the State to present the motion to the court again before trial requesting the child's testimony to be taken outside the courtroom by means of a closed-circuit television.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

DNR-PARK AND CONSERVATION FUND

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that Department has the power to expend moneys appropriated to the Department from the Park and Conservation Fund in the State treasury for furtherance of the Department's programs or for use by the Department for the Department's normal operations and for the construction and maintenance of State owned, leased, and managed sites (rather than the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department). Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the Park and Conservation Fund Account in the Build Illinois Fund to the Park and Conservation Fund 1/12 of $10,000,000, plus any cumulative deficiency in those transfers for prior months, for any purposes (rather than Conservation and Park purposes) as enumerated in Section 805-420 of the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law or for the same purposes as specified in any other State general obligation bond Act. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the moneys deposited in the Park and Conservation Fund shall be used as provided for in Section 805-420 of the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (rather than for the development and acquisition of bike paths).

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

IL RAILWAY SAFETY ACT

Creates the Illinois Railway Safety Act of 2026. Requires a locomotive engineer to be present in the locomotive cab of every train operating on a line and to be capable of taking control of the operation of the train in the event of a safety issue occurring. Requires a locomotive engineer to take full control of the train when a safety issue occurs in order to mitigate the safety issue and any safety risks. Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to work with each railroad company to ensure that wayside detector systems are installed and operating along railroad tracks on which the railroad operates and to ensure that specified standards are met. Sets forth investigation and reporting requirements for the Commission and the Department of Transportation if a railroad company refuses to work or otherwise cooperate with the Commission. Sets forth wayside detector system installation distance requirements, waivers, and exemptions. Provides that when a wayside detector system detects a defect, if the message regarding the defect is not immediately sent to the operator, the person that receives the message shall immediately notify the operator of the defect. Requires visual inspections not less than twice a week for all main track designated within the State for operation at class III carrier speeds or higher. Allows the Commission to enforce the Act, which may include civil penalties for a violation of the Act. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that if a driver is involved in a collision at a grade crossing resulting in the injury or fatality of a railway worker, that driver shall have the driver's driving privileges suspended for a period of not less than 6 months up to revocation. Prohibits a railroad from operating on any main line or any other line any train which exceeds 8,500 feet in length.

Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

AMMUNITION SALES-SPARTA

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that any person who is a registered participant in a competitive shooting event that is sanctioned by a national governing body and held at the World Shooting Complex in the City of Sparta and who is not prohibited by the laws of Illinois, the state of his or her domicile, or the United States from obtaining, possessing, or using a firearm may purchase or obtain ammunition for a handgun, rifle, shotgun, or other long gun at the competitive shooting event.

Terri Bryant

BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT ACT

Creates the Broadband Deployment Act. Sets forth findings. Defines terms. Provides that, conditional upon acquiring the proper agreement or permit with the highway right-of-way controller or holder, a broadband grant recipient may install, maintain, and use broadband infrastructure along a highway right-of-way. Provides that no property owner of property located within the highway right-of-way shall forbid or prevent a proposed broadband grant recipient from entering upon the property for purposes of and in connection with the deployment of broadband infrastructure, nor shall any such property owner forbid or prohibit the broadband grant recipient from deploying upon, beneath, or over that property broadband infrastructure utilized by the broadband grant recipient for such broadband service. Provides that the broadband grant recipient must notify the property owner in writing by sending notification to the property owner's address specified in the online or publicly available records of the applicable county assessor (i) by the United States Postal Service, certified mail, return receipt requested; (ii) by a designated private delivery service, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service, that provides the same function as certified mail with return receipt; or (iii) by personally serving the notification. Sets forth requirements for the content of the notice. Provides that if the property owner intends to demand just compensation, the property owner must serve written notice thereof upon the broadband grant recipient within 45 days after the anticipated date of broadband deployment as provided in the notice to the property owner. Provides that neither the property owner's notice to demand just compensation, nor the property owner's assertion of a specific claim for just compensation, nor the initiation of any legal action to enforce the claim of just compensation shall delay or impair the right of the broadband grant recipient to deploy broadband infrastructure and provide broadband service within or upon, beneath, or over certain property. Provides that the rights and obligations of broadband grant recipients and landowners set forth in the amendatory provisions do not apply on and after January 1, 2030. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Patrick J. Joyce

UTILITIES-VARIOUS

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Repeals provisions concerning the Energy Transition Assistance Fund. Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Removes provisions concerning the renewable portfolio standard. Amends the Public Utilities Revenue Act. Repeals provisions concerning the imposition of tax on invested capital and on distribution of electricity and provisions concerning annual return, collection, and payment. Repeals the Electricity Excise Tax Law. Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions concerning nondiscrimination, removes the authority of the Illinois Commerce Commission to permit or require electric and natural gas utilities to file a tariff establishing low-income discount rates after the completion of the Commission's study assessing the necessity, design, and implementation of low-income discount rates. Provides that no public utilities in the State shall charge any fees or surcharges for energy storage programs on a customer's electric bill. Repeals provisions concerning energy efficiency and demand-response measures; an energy efficiency analysis; and the Energy Transition Assistance Fund.

Dave Syverson

PUBLIC CORRUPTION REGISTRY

Creates the Illinois Public Corruption Transparency Act. Establishes an electronic database within the Illinois State Police to be known as the Illinois Public Corruption Registry. Provides that the Registry shall be published online on a publicly available website, and shall be freely searchable by the public without registration or fee. Provides that the clerk of each circuit court, with respect to criminal and civil cases, the Executive Ethics Commission, Office of the Executive Inspector General, Legislative Inspector General, local government ethics commissions or boards where established; and the Attorney General and each State's Attorney, with respect to corruption-related settlements, consent decrees, and deferred or no-prosecution agreements, shall report any final disposition involving a public corruption offense. Provides that the Registry shall not publish Social Security numbers, full dates of birth, home addresses, personal phone numbers, or bank or account numbers or the identities of minor victims or protected persons as defined by law. Provides that an entry in the Registry shall be created when a reportable final disposition occurs in Illinois and the Illinois State Police receives a certified report. Provides that entries in the Registry shall remain publicly accessible for 10 years from final disposition for misdemeanor level public corruption offenses, 20 years from final disposition for felony level public corruption offenses, and the duration of any court ordered or statutory disqualification from public office, public employment, or public contracting, if longer. Provides that any person who knowingly and willfully submits materially false information to the Registry commits a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a subsequent offense, in addition to any other penalties under Illinois law. Effective January 1, 2027.

Andrew S. Chesney

STOP SQUATTERS ACT

Creates the Stop Squatters Act. Creates a process for local law enforcement to remove a person who is unlawfully occupying residential or commercial property without any right to do so. Requires the property owner to file a complaint with local law enforcement alleging facts to trigger the Act. Provides that law enforcement is entitled to a reasonable fee to remove an unauthorized occupant and provides legal protection to law enforcement for acting on a complaint. Provides that if the complaint is found to be false, the property owner shall indemnify the law enforcement agency. Creates a civil action for a person who was wrongfully removed. Creates a civil cause of action for the property owner for damages by the wrongful occupant. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates a Class 4 felony for making a false statement to detain real property and fraudulent sale or lease of residential real property. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure to provide that illegal possession of land during a 7-year period may not be used for a claim of adverse possession. Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Provides that no person has the right or legal standing to occupy or remain on or in any real property, residence, or structure if the person has no written property interest under a written lease or rental agreement with the owner of the property listed in county tax records or the owner's agent; no documentation of payment of rent made to the owner of the property or the owner's agent; or otherwise fails to provide any evidence of an oral or written agreement in which a property interest is claimed. Provides that all persons legally occupying a property, residence, or structure shall be listed by name and date of birth on a lease, rental agreement, or rental application associated with the lease or rental agreement or provide evidence that the person is an invitee of a lessee or authorized occupant of the property. Provides that no subleasing shall be allowed or deemed as legal in contrast to a lease or rental agreement that specifically prohibits subleases. Provides that a sublease made in violation of a lease or rental agreement shall not establish legal standing to occupy or remain on or in any real property, residence, or structure by the sublessee and the sublessee shall vacate the property after receiving notice from the property owner of record to depart.

Andrew S. Chesney

MHDD CD-TRANSGENDER

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Expands the definition of "mental illness" to include transgenderism, or the condition of identifying with a gender other than the one assigned at birth.

Andrew S. Chesney

USE/OCC TAX-DELIVERY SALES

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that the Department of Revenue may audit both the marketplace seller and the delivery network company for a qualified delivery network sale. Provides that, with respect to a qualified delivery network sale made on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a delivery network company may deduct or exclude from its tax liability the amount of tax that the delivery network company paid to the marketplace seller in connection with the qualified delivery network sale.

Patrick J. Joyce

PTELL-AGGREGATE EXTENSION

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that a taxing district shall reduce its aggregate extension base for the purpose of lowering its limiting rate for future years upon referendum approval initiated by the submission of a petition by the voters of the district. Provides that the extension limitation shall be: (a) the lesser of 5% or the average percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the 10 years immediately preceding the levy year for which the extension limitation is being calculated; or (b) the rate of increase approved by the voters. Effective immediately.

Darby A. Hills

SPORTS WAGERING-TAX PER WAGER

Amends the Sports Wagering Act. Removes language imposing a wager tax on each master sports licensee for each individual wager placed with the master sports licensee for sports wagering over the Internet or through a mobile application.

John F. Curran

PUB AID-PROOF OF INCOME

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Prohibits the Department of Human Services and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services from allowing any recipient of cash assistance or medical assistance provided under the Code or any applicant or recipient of benefits provided under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to submit any income self-attestation form or document as proof of income. Requires the Departments to apply for any federal waivers or approvals necessary to implement the amendatory Act.

John F. Curran

ESTATE TAX-EXCLUSION AMOUNT

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Provides that, for persons dying on or after January 1, 2027, the exclusion amount is $8,000,000. Provides that, for persons dying on or after January 1, 2028, the exclusion amount shall be adjusted according to the inflation adjustment described in the Internal Revenue Code. Provides that the exclusion amount includes any deceased spousal unused exclusion amount available after a valid election is made under the Internal Revenue Code. Effective immediately.

John F. Curran

INC TX-INSURANCE DEDUCTION

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax deduction in an amount equal to the difference between (i) the homeowner's insurance premiums paid on the taxpayer's principal residence during the calendar year that begins during the taxable year for which the deduction is claimed and (ii) the homeowner's insurance premiums paid on the taxpayer's principal residence during the immediately preceding calendar year. Provides that the deduction applies only if the taxpayer has the same principal residence for the entirety of the current taxable year and the immediately preceding taxable year. Provides that, if 2 or more taxpayers are liable for the payment of homeowner's insurance on the same residence during a taxable year, only one such taxpayer may claim a deduction for that single property. Effective immediately.

John F. Curran

PROP TX-GENERAL HOMESTEAD-CPI

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable years 2027 and thereafter, the maximum reduction for the general homestead exemption in all counties shall be the maximum reduction for the immediately preceding taxable year, increased by the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index during the 12-month period ending on September 30 of the immediately preceding taxable year. Effective immediately.

John F. Curran

EDUC CHOICE FOR CHILDREN ACT

Creates the Illinois Educational Choice for Children Act. Provides that on or before January 1, 2027 and annually thereafter, the Governor shall submit to the United States Secretary of the Treasury a list of scholarship granting organizations to opt-in to the federal school choice program under the federal Educational Choice for Children Act. Allows the Governor to develop the list of scholarship granting organizations in consultation with other appropriate State agencies. Requires the submission of the list of scholarship granting organizations to be in compliance with the Internal Revenue Code. Requires the Governor to send a copy of the list of scholarship granting organization to the General Assembly, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Revenue. Effective immediately.

John F. Curran

MENTAL HLTH WORKFORCE-ACT RATE

Amends the Rebuild Illinois Mental Health Workforce Act. Provides that, subject to federal approval, for dates of service on and after July 1, 2026, the Medicaid reimbursement rates for Assertive Community Treatment and Community Support Team services shall be increased by an amount appropriated for the purposes enumerated in the Act. Effective July 1, 2026.

Laura Fine

ED TASK FORCE-HISPANIC-SERVING

Creates the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Task Force Act. Creates the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Task Force. Sets forth provisions regarding administrative support, membership, compensation, meetings, and hearings. Requires the Task Force to assess the current landscape of Hispanic-serving institutions and emerging Hispanic-serving institutions in the State; identify barriers to student access, retention, and completion; review existing State policies and accountability frameworks to determine their impact on Hispanic-serving institutions and their students' success; examine best practices from other states related to supporting Hispanic-serving institutions; develop recommendations to improve access to and success in higher education for students, strengthen institutional capacity, improve coordination between State agencies and Hispanic-serving institutions, align Hispanic-serving institutions' efforts with State workforce and economic development priorities, and consider the feasibility of creating a permanent State initiative, designation, or funding mechanism to support Hispanic-serving institutions. Requires the Task Force to submit a written report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the Task Force's findings and recommendations for legislative, administrative, or budgetary action. Requires the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board to each post the report on their respective public websites. Dissolves the Task Force upon the submission of its report to the Governor and General Assembly. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2029. Effective immediately.

Graciela Guzmán

EVICTION-IMPOUND RECORDS

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Provides that in any eviction proceeding in which the trier of fact determines that the tenant has complied with the terms of the last written and signed lease as to the amount and timeliness of rent payments, the proceedings shall be sealed.

Graciela Guzmán

MEDICAID-SNF-MIUR/LOW VOL EXT

Amends the Hospital Services Trust Fund Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to (i) pay safety-net hospitals a health care equity add-on payment that is based on such hospitals' Medicaid inpatient utilization rate and (ii) pay safety-net hospitals a low volume add-on payment of $200 for each inpatient General Acute and Psychiatric day of care, removes the December 31, 2026 sunset dates for such add-on payments. Effective immediately.

Graciela Guzmán

MEDICAID-READMISSION DATA

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Removes provisions requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to: (i) establish benchmarks for hospitals to measure and align payments to reduce potentially preventable hospital readmissions, inpatient complications, and unnecessary emergency room visits; (ii) publish provider-specific historical readmission data and anticipated potentially preventable targets 60 days prior to the start of the program; and (iii) adopt policies and rates of reimbursement for readmission services and other payments.

Graciela Guzmán