Bills & Legislation

VET DEPENDENT TUITION WAIVER

Creates the Veterans' Dependents and Spouses College Tuition Waiver Act. Provides that an applicant is eligible for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at a public institution of higher education if the applicant is a spouse or dependent of an eligible veteran, is enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the public institution of higher education, and meets residency and enrollment requirements established by rule. Provides that the waiver applies only to tuition and mandatory fees and does not include room, board, books, supplies, or other nonmandatory expenses. Sets forth the length of the waiver. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall administer the waivers created by the Act. Provides that the Act's benefits shall be applied after federal educational benefits have been applied, unless otherwise provided by rule. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits an applicant from receiving federal educational benefits, as long as there is no duplication of State-funded tuition assistance. Allows the Commission to adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer the Act. Effective July 1, 2026.

Gregg JohnsonDemocrat

SNAP-FRESH PROGRAM BENEFITS

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to, subject to available funding, establish a Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) Program to provide FRESH benefits to households subject to termination of the household's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or a reduction in the household's monthly SNAP benefit allotment, if the termination or reduction in SNAP benefits occurred as a result of one or more members of the household failing to meet SNAP work requirements. Provides that, for eligible households whose SNAP benefits were reduced or terminated, FRESH benefits shall be provided as a one-time lump sum payment distributed via an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. Requires the Department to make FRESH program applications available online and at local Family and Community Resource Centers immediately upon the first of the month following the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that an application for FRESH benefits shall not be deemed an application for any other public aid provided under the Code. Requires the Department to provide within a specified time frame FRESH benefits to households' that experience a reduction or termination of SNAP benefits prior to or after the first month following the effective date of the amendatory Act, if certain application submission deadlines are met. Requires the Department to publish monthly data reports on the FRESH program and to include such data in the Department's annual report to the General Assembly. Prohibits the Department and local governmental units from considering a household's receipt of FRESH benefits when determining the household's eligibility for other assistance provided under the Code. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are inoperative on and after January 1, 2028. Effective immediately.

Dagmara AvelarDemocrat

UTILITIES-EXCAVATION

Amends the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act. Provides that "excavation" does not include an excavation for the purpose of connecting a communications service customer's home or business to the communications service provider's own communications network that is performed: (i) only with a hand tool, (ii) by a communications service provider, and (iii) to a depth not greater than 12 inches. Effective immediately.

Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.Democrat

LEAD-SAFE WATER ACT

Creates the Lead-Safe Water for Families Act. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall establish and administer a program to provide lead-reducing water filters at no cost to Medicaid-eligible households with children or expectant mothers. Requires outreach, application procedures, and rulemaking. Requires annual reporting to the General Assembly. Declares findings and states the purpose of the Act. Defines terms.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.Democrat

$HFS-LEAD-SAFE WATER

Appropriates $5,000,000 to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for implementing and administering the Lead-Safe Water for Families Act. Effective July 1, 2026.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.Democrat

DNR-STATE MUSEUM TRUST FUND

Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Creates the Illinois State Museum Collection Trust Fund as a nonappropriated trust fund in the State treasury. Provides that the Illinois State Museum Collection Trust Fund shall receive all moneys from the deaccession of objects of scientific, historic, and artistic value in the possession of the State Museum and may receive moneys from other sources. Provides that the moneys in the Fund shall be used by the Department of Natural Resources for the State Museum to purchase and maintain objects for the State Museum. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Exempts from specified requirements of the Code expenditures from the Illinois State Museum Collection Trust Fund that are authorized by the Department. Makes other changes.

Ann M. WilliamsDemocrat

TRANSPARENCY IN DOWNCODING ACT

Creates the Transparency in Downcoding Act. Provides that the Act applies to certain policies of health insurance amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after the effective date of the Act, except for employee or employer self-insured health benefit plans under the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and health care provided pursuant to the Workers' Compensation Act or the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act. Prohibits a health insurance issuer from using an automated process, system, or tool to downcode a claim; from downcoding a claim based solely on the reported diagnosis codes; and from using downcoding practices in a targeted or discriminatory manner against physicians who routinely treat patients with complex or chronic conditions. Requires downcoding decisions to be made by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches in any United States jurisdiction and of the same or similar specialty as a physician who typically manages the medical condition or disease. Sets forth provisions concerning notification requirements for downcoded claims; the appeal process for downcoded claims; enforcement by the Department of Insurance; and penalties. Provides that any pattern or practice of discriminatory downcoding identified by the Director of Insurance or another regulatory authority shall be subject to enforcement actions, including fines, restitution, or suspension of the health insurance issuer's license in this State. Effective immediately.

Sharon ChungDemocrat

ESTATE TAX-SPECIAL USE

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Makes changes concerning the taxes due under the Act on estates that contain qualified farm property. Provides that, for the purposes of calculating the State Death Tax Credit, those estates are subject to an exemption of $6,000,000 (rather than an exclusion amount of $4,000,000), which shall be deducted from the net estate value after the net estate value is computed in accordance with the Act. Provides that the exemption shall be adjusted each year according to the increase in the Consumer Price Index. Makes changes concerning the calculation of the deceased spousal unused exclusion amount for those estates. Provides for a special use valuation to provide that the value of the qualified farm property shall be calculated without regard to certain limitations under the Internal Revenue Code. Makes changes concerning the definition of "qualified heir". Effective January 1, 2027.

Sharon ChungDemocrat

KRATOM CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

Creates the Illinois Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Prohibits preparing, distributing, selling, or offering for sale kratom products intended for ingestion if they meet certain specifications, with a civil penalty of $5,000 for a first violation, $10,000 for a second or subsequent violation, and a 2-year ban on distributing or selling a kratom product for a third violation. Requires labeling of retail packages containing kratom products, preparing, distributing, selling, or offering for sale kratom products intended for ingestion if they meet certain specifications. Prohibits selling kratom products to a person under 21 years of age, with a Class B or Class A misdemeanor for a knowing and willful violation. Prohibits manufacturing, delivering, holding, offering for sale, distributing, or selling a product that contains kratom and a controlled substance, with a Class 4 felony for knowing and willful violation. Prohibits manufacturing, delivering, holding, offering for sale, distributing, or selling a product that contains a synthetically derived compound of the plant Mitragyna speciosa, with a Class B misdemeanor for knowing and willful violation. Provides an affirmative defense for a retailer for reliance upon the representations of a manufacturer, processor, packer, or distributor of food represented to be a kratom product. Requires the Department of Revenue to adopt rules to implement and administer the Act. Limits home rule powers and functions. Defines terms. Repeals the Kratom Control Act. Effective January 1, 2027.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.Democrat

HOME REPAIR-SOLICITATION

Amends the Home Repair and Remodeling Act. Provides that a contractor offering home repair or remodeling services shall not propose to contract or solicit a contract for home repair or remodeling services: (1) while a loss-producing occurrence is continuing at the premises; (2) while the fire department or emergency personnel are engaged at the damaged premises; or (3) between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Provides that a contractor shall not, in person, propose to contract or solicit a contract with a consumer for home repair or remodeling services for a minimum of 72 hours after a disaster proclamation, unless the proposal to contract or the solicitation to contract is initiated by a consumer.

Sharon ChungDemocrat

SCH CD-SCHOOL VENTILATION

Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, shall develop an educational document explaining, at a minimum, the values of good indoor air quality and shall supply the document to school districts. Provides that, subject to funding from the State Board, a school district shall ensure that all active classrooms are equipped with an air quality monitor.

Camille Y. LillyDemocrat

FINANCE-STATE TRAVEL REIMBURSE

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that the Travel Regulation Council may provide, by rule, procedures to allow for the up-front reimbursement of travelers for certain covered travel expenses.

Harry BentonDemocrat

VEH-ELECTRIC MOBILE DEVICE DEF

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Changes the definition of "electric personal assistive mobility device" to mean a self-balancing 2 non-tandem wheeled device lacking pedals designed to transport only one person that is battery-powered or has an electric propulsion system that limits the maximum speed of the device to 15 miles per hour or less. Includes in the definition of "electric personal assistive mobility device" a device that is currently out-of-class. Excludes from the definition of "electric personal assistive mobility device" a low-speed electric bicycle, low-speed scooter, motorcycle, or motor vehicle.

Justin CochranDemocrat

TRANSPORT NETWORK LABOR

Creates the Transportation Network Driver Labor Relations Act. Defines "transportation network driver" as an individual who operates a motor vehicle that: (i) is owned, leased, or otherwise authorized for use by the individual; (ii) is not a taxicab or for-hire public passenger vehicle; (iii) is used to provide transportation network company services; and (iv) operates under the license of a transportation network company. Provides that transportation network drivers have the right of self-organization, to form, join, or assist transportation network driver organizations, and to bargain collectively. Sets forth provisions concerning unfair work practices; the prevention of unfair work practices; the designation of bargaining representatives; administrative fees; bargaining, impasse resolution procedures, and final determinations by the Department of Labor; applicability of other labor standards; rulemaking; and public records. Amends the Freedom of Information Act and the Labor Dispute Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Yolonda MorrisDemocrat

INS GUARANTY-JURISDICTION

Amends the Illinois Insurance Guaranty Fund Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that certain provisions concerning the purpose of the Article and the Illinois Insurance Guaranty Fund's power to contract with the Office of Special Deputy Receiver are inoperative 5 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act (instead of 5 years after the effective date of Public Act 102-396). Provides that venue in a suit against the Fund arising under the Article shall be in Cook County, and the Fund shall not be required to give any appeal bond in an appeal that relates to a cause of action under the Article. Effective immediately.

Justin CochranDemocrat

MEDICAID-SUPPORTIVE LIVING

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning the supportive living facilities program, removes a provision that permits the expansion of supportive living dementia care settings to include elderly non-dementia units in addition to new dementia care units, if the supportive living site is not located within 4 miles of an existing supportive living program site in specified counties.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

CORONER INVESTIGATIONS

Amends the Vital Records Act. Provides that, as part of an investigation by a coroner or medical examiner, the coroner or medical examiner shall collect social information about the decedent to limit instances of misidentification, including, but not limited to, the decedent's manner of dress, relevant information about the area where the decedent was found, and any inconsistency in official records.

Kelly M. CassidyDemocrat

DHS-DSP PILOT PROGRAM

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Delays the implementation date for the direct support professional credential pilot program to State Fiscal Year 2028 (rather than 2025). Effective immediately.

Mary GillDemocrat

ANIMAL SHELTER PUBLIC VIEWING

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. In provisions concerning the acceptance of stray dogs and cats, provides that an animal shelter shall allow access to the public to view the animals housed there, and access to in-person viewing of the animals at the animal shelter shall not be restricted, except during emergency circumstances. Provides that "access to the public" means in-person access for any member of the public to view any impounded animal that is housed at an animal shelter during the animal shelter's regular hours of operation.

Harry BentonDemocrat

SOCIAL MEDIA-MENTAL HEALTH

Creates the Mental Health Warning for Social Media Act. Provides that the operator of a social media platform shall ensure that a clear and conspicuous mental health warning label that complies with specified requirements: (1) appears each time a user accesses the social media platform; and (2) remains visible until the user takes specified actions. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall develop guidelines establishing requirements for the warning labels. Provides that the operator of a social media platform shall display a clear and conspicuous pop-up notification at least once every 30 minutes that a user has actively used the platform that informs the user of specified information. Provides that a violation of any of the provisions of the Act is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change.

Justin CochranDemocrat

PROCUREMENT-VARIOUS

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that the Code does not apply to contracts arising from a grant award if the contract is with a partner whose specific experience and expertise was used as a condition of securing the grant and followed the selection provisions outlined in the grant application. Provides that the chief procurement officer appointed by the Secretary of Transportation is the chief procurement officer for procurements related to construction support and the purchase of rolling stock under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation. Amends the Governmental Joint Purchasing Act. Provides for the use of joint purchasing for contracts procured by agencies of other states.

Dagmara AvelarDemocrat

ELECTRONIC DEVICE STEWARDSHIP

Creates the Electronic Device Stewardship Act. Requires a producer that sells an electronic smoking device to implement and finance an electronic smoking device stewardship program, no later than 2 years after the effective date of the Act, through a producer responsibility organization that is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires a producer responsibility organization to submit an electronic smoking device stewardship plan to the Agency for approval no later than 2 years after the effective date of the Act. Establishes requirements regarding fees collected from participating producers. Sets forth procedures regarding approval of stewardship plans. Prohibits, beginning 2 years after the effective date of the Act, a producer from selling, offering for sale, distributing, or importing for sale an electronic smoking device unless the producer is in an approved producer responsibility organization in compliance with the Act, with a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for a violation. Provides an affirmative defense for a distributor or retailer for reliance on the representation of a producer or producer responsibility organization. Allows the Attorney General to recover civil penalties and any other damages and to seek injunctive relief. Provides an antitrust exemption. Requires a producer responsibility organization to submit an annual report to the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires the Agency to adopt rules and conduct an evaluation. Makes findings and states the purpose of the Act. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Kelly M. CassidyDemocrat

INC TX-BONUS DEPRECIATION

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Repeals provisions concerning the enhanced bonus depreciation deduction. Effective immediately.

Tony M. McCombieRepublican

PHARMACY-REFUSAL TO DISPENSE

Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. In provisions exempting the practice of specified professionals and their prescribing of such drugs, medicines, or poisons as may seem appropriate to the professionals, provides that this exemption is without regard to whether such drugs, medicines, or poisons are not typically prescribed by such licensed individuals or by licensed individuals in a same or similar specialty or are self-prescribed, with the exception of controlled substances. Provides that a licensee does not act in good faith when the licensee refuses to compound, fill, or dispense prescriptions of physicians licensed to practice medicine in all its branches solely because the prescriptions are not typically issued by that physician or by physicians in the same or similar specialty or are self-prescribed, with the exception of controlled substances. Provides that it is a violation of specified provisions for any prescriber or dispenser to adopt a contrary policy. Effective immediately.

William E HauterRepublican

STATE'S ATTORNEY-INVESTIGATOR

Amends the Counties Code. Removes a provision limiting a special investigator appointed by a State's Attorney to carrying a firearm only in the performance of the special investigator's assigned duties.

Jennifer SanalitroRepublican

CD CORR-COMPASSIONATE RELEASE

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections concerning executive clemency. Provides that, upon request, the Department of Corrections shall provide disciplinary records of the petitioner to the State's Attorney of the county in which the conviction had been entered. Provides that any State's Attorney provided disciplinary records of a petitioner is prohibited from disseminating the disciplinary records or their contents. Provides that the records and the information contained in the records may only be disclosed as part of a response to a petition for clemency or during a related clemency hearing. Provides that upon an application for compassionate release, the Department of Corrections shall provide the State's Attorney serving the county in which the applying petitioner's conviction was entered with a copy of the petitioner's complete disciplinary files and complete medical file and any evaluations, whether by prison medical staff or outside medical providers, which form the basis for the petitioner's application for compassionate release. Provides that the records shall remain in the exclusive possession of the State's Attorney and shall not be disclosed other than in hearings on compassionate release or written responses to the petitioner's compassionate release petition.

Jennifer SanalitroRepublican

CRIM CD-VIOL ORDERS OF PROTECT

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that violation of an order of protection is a Class 4 felony if the defendant has any prior conviction for violation of a civil no contact order, violation of a stalking no contact order, or any prior conviction under the law of another jurisdiction for an offense that could be charged in the State as violation of a civil no contact order or violation of a stalking no contact order. Provides that violation of a civil no contact order is a Class 4 felony if the defendant has any prior conviction for violation of an order of protection, violation of a civil no contact order, or violation of a stalking no contact order, or any prior conviction under the law of another jurisdiction for an offense that could be charged in the State as a violation of an order of protection, violation of a civil no contact order, or violation of a stalking no contact order. Provides that violation of a stalking no contact order is a Class 4 felony if the defendant has any prior conviction under the Code for a violation of an order of protection, violation of a stalking no contact order, or violation of a civil no contact order, or any prior conviction under the law of another jurisdiction for an offense that could be charged in the State as a violation of an order of protection, violation of a civil no contact order, or violation of a stalking no contact order.

Jennifer SanalitroRepublican

VEH CD-BICYCLE OPERATION

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that an individual operating a bicycle approaching a stop sign may proceed through the intersection without stopping if the individual slows to a reasonable speed and the individual yields the right-of-way to pedestrians and traffic. Sets forth exemptions.

Kam BucknerDemocrat

DISTRICT OFFICE UTILITY BILLS

Amends the General Assembly Compensation Act. Provides that any utility bill for service provided to a member's district office in the immediately preceding fiscal year may be paid from funds appropriated for such expenditures in the current fiscal year. Provides that any utility bill for service provided to a member's district office in fiscal year 2015 through fiscal year 2017, as well as any interest or penalties on those amounts, may be paid from funds appropriated for such expenditures in any fiscal year. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Ann M. WilliamsDemocrat

AGING-IN-HOME SERVICES-RATES

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that, subject to federal approval, on and after January 1, 2027, rates for in-home services shall be increased to $33.92 to sustain a minimum wage of $20.75 per hour for direct service workers. Requires rates in subsequent State fiscal years to be no lower than the rates put into effect upon federal approval. Provides that in order for a provider of in-home services to be eligible to receive the $33.92 rate, the provider must pay a minimum wage of $20.75 per hour to all direct service workers employed by the provider. Requires providers of in-home services to certify to the Department on Aging that they remain in compliance with the mandated wage increase for direct service workers. Requires each provider of in-home services to submit cost reports to the Department consistent with a specified administrative rule in order to be eligible for the $33.92 rate for in-home services. Provides that fringe benefits shall not be reduced in relation to the described rate increases. Requires the Department, beginning January 1, 2027, to ensure that each in-home service provider spends a minimum of 79% of the total payments the provider receives for home care aide services it furnishes under the Community Care Program on total compensation for direct service workers who furnish those services. Requires annual direct service worker cost reports from providers; and requires the Department to amend existing rules on financial reporting and minimum direct service worker costs to reflect the increase in the direct service worker spending requirement from 77% to 79%.

Mary Beth CantyDemocrat

AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE PILOT PROJ

Creates the Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Project Act. Provides that in order to commence an autonomous vehicle pilot project, a person must provide to the Department of Transportation a statement that sets forth the operational design domain for an autonomous vehicle pilot project. Provides that the operational design domain for an autonomous vehicle pilot project must be confined to counties having or exceeding a population of 1,000,000 individuals, as determined by the most recent federal decennial census, Sangamon County, or the counties of Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe. Allows the Department to authorize the statewide deployment of autonomous vehicles beyond the operational design domain after a period of 3 years following the effective date of the Act, as long as the Department determines the pilot projects conducted have demonstrated safety and operational readiness. Sets forth the conditions a person must meet to operate an autonomous vehicle on the public roads of the State with the automated driving system engaged. Requires a person to obtain authorization from the Department to operate an autonomous vehicle on the public roads of the State. Includes provisions regarding licensing, duties following crashes involving autonomous vehicles, registration and title, operation of a motor vehicle with an automated driving system by a human driver, vehicle equipment standards, evaluation data, the controlling authority, and home rule. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2029. Makes conforming changes to the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Effective immediately.

Kam BucknerDemocrat

$ALS FOUNDATION

Appropriates $300,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for grants to the Les Turner ALS Foundation for research on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and for care of those persons affected by the disease. Effective July 1, 2026.

Kevin John OlickalDemocrat

SCH CD-BD MEMBER TRAINING/TOUR

Amends the School Code. Requires every voting member of a school board of a school district (other than the Chicago school district) to complete a minimum of 4 hours of professional development and leadership training within the first year of every elected term (rather than within the first year of his or her first term). Provides that in addition to training, every voting member of a school board shall, within the first year of every elected term, tour any affiliated education buildings that a student may attend while under the direction of the school district. Effective July 1, 2027.

Michelle MussmanDemocrat

COUNTIES CD-RECORDING FEES

Amends the Counties Code. In a provision concerning recording fees in first and second class counties for specified documents, provides that the minimum recording fee for a document recorded by a unit of local government, State agency, or public utility may be increased only annually (rather than at any time).

Suzanne M. NessDemocrat

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE-LETHALITY

Amends the Illinois State Police Law and the Illinois Police Training Act to require instruction during training on the policies and procedures for administering a lethality assessment, including referrals to domestic violence services. Amends the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Provides that, on or before January 1, 2028, every law enforcement agency shall provide to all of its law enforcement officers instruction on the policies and procedures for administering a lethality assessment as part of basic training. Provides that, on or before July 1, 2028, a law enforcement officer investigating an alleged incident of domestic violence shall administer a lethality assessment if the allegation of domestic violence is against an intimate partner, regardless of whether an arrest is made. Provides that if a victim does not, or is unable to, provide information to a law enforcement officer sufficient to allow the law enforcement officer to administer a lethality assessment, the law enforcement officer must document the lack of a lethality assessment in the written police report and refer the victim to the nearest locally certified domestic violence center. Prohibits a law enforcement officer from including in or attaching to a probable cause statement, written police report, or incident report the domestic violence center to which a victim was referred. Prohibits a law enforcement officer from administering a lethality assessment if the law enforcement officer has not received training on administering a lethality assessment. Makes a conforming change in the Freedom of Information Act.

Ann M. WilliamsDemocrat

STATE GOVT-STATE SANDWICH

Amends the State Designations Act. Provides that the Italian beef sandwich is designated as the official State sandwich of the State of Illinois.

Rick RyanDemocrat

COMMON INTEREST ASSOCIATION

Amends the Common Interest Community Association Act. Includes within the Act's coverage a "property owners' association". Provides that a property owners' association means any association, organized group of property owners, corporation, not-for-profit corporation, or other entity that is identified in a declaration, or other documents recorded by a developer in which (1) the entity owns property in the development over which unit owners possess an easement; and (2) the entity is provided the power to impose regulations on easement holders regarding the use of the property burdened with the easements. Provides that if these conditions are met, unit owners who possess easements rights have an obligation to pay for the maintenance, improvement, insurance premiums, or real estate taxes of the property burdened by their easements, unless the declaration or other documents recorded by the developer expressly state otherwise. Effective immediately.

Daniel DidechDemocrat

ENERGY WORKER-SCHOLARSHIP

Amends the Energy Community Reinvestment Act. In provisions concerning the Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship, provides that a student may receive a scholarship under those provisions for a period that is equivalent to 4 years of full-time enrollment, including summer terms (currently, one calendar year of full-time enrollment, including summer terms). Provides that the displaced energy worker must have lost his or her employment while a resident of Illinois to be eligible for the scholarship program. Effective July 1, 2026.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.Democrat

FINANCE-LONG-TERM CARE

Amends the Equity in Long-term Care Quality Act and the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that funds generated from penalties imposed for non-compliance with minimum staffing standards shall be deposited into the Equity in Long-term Care Quality Fund. Sets forth requirements concerning the distribution of those moneys. Effective immediately.

Yolonda MorrisDemocrat

PEN CD-VARIOUS

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes changes to Tier 2 benefits, including changing the amount of the automatic annual increases for the General Assembly and Judges Articles, changing the limit on the amount of salary for annuity purposes to the Social Security wage base, and changing the calculation of final average salary and the retirement age for certain persons. Makes changes concerning eligibility for the alternative retirement annuity under the State Employees Article. Adopts the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act (Article 20 of the Code) for the Downstate Police, Downstate Firefighter, Chicago Police, and Chicago Firefighter Articles. Authorizes SLEP status under IMRF for certain persons. Makes changes to the funding formula for the 5 State-funded retirement systems and the downstate police and downstate firefighter pension funds. Makes changes to the retirement age under the Downstate Firefighter Article. Establishes a deferred retirement option plan under the Chicago Police Article and the Downstate Police Article. Makes other changes. Amends the Budget Stabilization Act to make transfers to the Pension Stabilization Fund for fiscal years 2030 through 2049. Amends the General Obligation Bond Act. Provides that each fiscal year after certain State pension funding bonds and income tax proceed bonds are retired, the State Treasurer and the State Comptroller shall transfer $250,000,000 to the Pension Unfunded Liability Reduction Fund, which shall be used for making additional contributions to the 5 State-funded retirement systems and the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund, and $250,000,000 to the Local Government Distributive Fund. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Stephanie A. KifowitDemocrat

SCH CD-STUDENT SUICIDE

Amends the School Code. Requires a policy on bullying to establish escalating interventions for students who engage in known, pervasive, and persistent bullying. Provides that in the event of the death by suicide of a student enrolled in a school district, the school district shall initiate a complete and transparent investigation to determine whether bullying or harassment related to the educational environment played a contributing role; sets forth investigation requirements. Requires the school district, upon completion of the investigation, to prepare a written investigative report summarizing findings, conclusions, and recommended corrective actions; sets forth report requirements. Allows the State Board of Education to review the report for compliance and to require a corrective action plan or an additional review if deficiencies are identified.

Maurice A. West, IIDemocrat

CARE FOR ANIMALS-PETITION

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that, upon receipt of a petition for forfeiture prior to trial seeking the permanent forfeiture of a seized companion animal, the court shall set a hearing on the petition. Further provides that the permanent forfeiture of the companion animals seized shall be conducted within 14 days after the filing of the petition, or as soon as practicable, but not more than 45 days after the filing of the petition.

Martha DeuterDemocrat

LOCAL GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Local Government Electronic Notification Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Robert "Bob" RitaDemocrat

VIDEO GAMING-ADVERTISING

Amends the Video Gaming Act. Replaces provisions concerning restrictions on advertising with language that provides that a licensee may advertise its video gaming operation through permanent physical signage, as long as the signage is securely affixed and not temporary or movable.

Harry BentonDemocrat

VIDEO GAMING-TRANSPARENCY

Amends the Video Gaming Act. Requires the Illinois Gaming Board to provide written status updates to each applicant for a license issued under the Act no later than 30, 60, and 90 days after the date the application is deemed complete by the Board. Sets forth information to be included in the written status updates. Provides that if the Board has not issued a final determination approving or denying an application within 365 days after the date the application is deemed complete, the Board shall issue a conditional approval to the applicant unless the delay is attributable to: the applicant's failure to timely provide requested information or documentation; a pending criminal investigation or enforcement action directly involving the applicant; or a written finding by the Board, supported by specific facts, that issuance of a conditional approval would pose a material risk to the public interest or the integrity of video gaming. Provides that a conditional approval authorizes the applicant to proceed with preparatory business activities consistent with licensure but does not authorize operation of video gaming terminals until final approval is issued. Provides that nothing limits the Board's authority to approve, deny, suspend, revoke, or condition a license upon completion of its investigation. Provides that any delay caused by the applicant's failure to timely respond to a written request from the Board tolls the time periods until the requested information is received. Allows the Board to adopt rules to implement the provisions.

Kam BucknerDemocrat

INC TAX-EITC

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, the Illinois earned income tax credit is in an amount equal to 30% of the federal earned income tax credit. Effective immediately.

Dave VellaDemocrat

FOIA-MASS REQ & VEXATIOUS REQ

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Changes the definition of "commercial purpose". Defines "business day" or "working day", as well as "mass requester" and "vexatious requester". Requires a public body to respond to a request for records submitted by a mass requester within 21 days after receipt. Sets forth procedures and requirements regarding mass requesters. Provides that it is a violation of the Act to knowingly obtain a public record as a mass requester without disclosing the person's status as a mass requester, if requested to do so by the public body. Requires persons denied access to inspect or copy any public record to first notify the public body of intent to file suit and provide an opportunity to confer orally, within 10 business days after receipt of the notification, about curing or resolving the issue. Requires a court to award a public body attorney's fees and costs against a commercial purpose requester, a recurrent requester, a mass requester, or a vexatious requester. Allows a public body to petition the Public Access Counselor for relief from a requester that the public body alleges is a vexatious requester, including an order that the public body need not comply with the current request and other requests from the vexatious requester for up to one year. Sets forth procedures and requirements regarding vexatious requesters. Makes conforming changes.

Daniel DidechDemocrat

FOIA-REPEAT COMMERCIAL REQUEST

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that repeated requests for commercial purposes shall be deemed unduly burdensome if the requests are from the same person and seek similar or updated records.

Daniel DidechDemocrat

FOIA-MASS REQUESTER

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Requires a public body to respond to a request for records submitted by a mass requester within 21 business days after receipt. Requires the response to (i) provide to the requester an estimate of the time required by the public body to provide the records requested and an estimate of the fees to be charged, which the public body may require the person to pay in full before copying the requested documents, (ii) deny the request pursuant to one or more of the exemptions set out in the Act, (iii) notify the requester that the request is unduly burdensome and extend an opportunity to the requester to attempt to reduce the request to manageable proportions, or (iv) provide the records requested. Provides that, unless the records are exempt from disclosure, a public body shall comply with a request for records within a reasonable period considering the size and complexity of the request and giving priority to records requested by requesters who are not mass requesters. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for a person to knowingly obtain a public record without disclosing the person's status as a mass requester, if requested to do so by the public body, within 5 business days. Allows the public body to deny the request based upon the violation. Requires a mass requester to notify the public body of an objection before seeking review of a denial of a request with the Public Access Counselor, and requires review by a Public Access Counselor before judicial review. Limits awards of attorney's fees to mass requesters under the Act. Defines "mass requester". Makes conforming changes.

Daniel DidechDemocrat

FOIA-PURPOSELESS MASS REQUEST

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Changes the definition of "commercial purpose". Defines "purposeless mass request". Provides that a public body may designate a request as a purposeless mass request under specified conditions. Establishes procedures for notice, requester response, and a final determination concerning the request. Sets timelines for processing such requests and authorizes responses to them. Prohibits attorney's fees in actions where the public body reasonably determined a request was a purposeless mass request.

Daniel DidechDemocrat