Bills & Legislation

PROP TX-SENIORS-SCHOOLS

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates a senior citizens homestead school levy exemption for property that is improved with a permanent structure that is occupied as a primary residence by an applicant who (i) is 65 years of age or older during the taxable year, (ii) has a household income that does not exceed the maximum income limitation, (iii) is liable for paying real property taxes on the property, (iv) is an owner of record of the property or has a legal or equitable interest in the property as evidenced by a written instrument, if no individual residing at the real property is or will be enrolled in a public school. Effective immediately.

Jennifer SanalitroRepublican

VEH CD-NOISE MONITORING

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a unit of local government, including a home rule unit, may not enact an ordinance providing for a noise monitoring system upon any portion of its roadways (removing language allowing the City of Chicago to enact an ordinance providing for a noise monitoring system upon any portion of the roadway known as Lake Shore Drive). Makes changes to the definition of "noise monitoring system".

Jennifer SanalitroRepublican

AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT REPAIR

Creates the Agricultural Equipment Repair Bill of Rights Act. Provides that, for the purpose of providing services for agricultural equipment in the State, an original equipment manufacturer shall, with fair and reasonable terms and costs, make available to an independent repair provider or owner of the manufacturer's equipment any documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, or tools that are intended for use with the equipment or any part, including updates to documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, or tools. Provides that, with respect to agricultural equipment that contains an electronic security lock or other security-related function, a manufacturer shall, with fair and reasonable terms and costs, make available to independent repair providers and owners any documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, or tools needed to reset the lock or function when disabled in the course of providing services. Provides that the manufacturer may make the documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, or tools available to independent repair providers and owners through appropriate secure release systems. Provides that these provisions do not apply to a part that is no longer available to the original equipment manufacturer or conduct that would require the manufacturer to divulge a trade secret. Provides that a manufacturer shall not refuse to make available to an independent repair provider or owner any documentation, part, embedded software, firmware, or tool necessary to provide services on grounds that the documentation, part, embedded software, firmware, or tool itself is a trade secret, except that information necessary to repair agricultural equipment may not be redacted. Provides exceptions. Defines terms.

Amy BrielDemocrat

GOV ACCOUNT AUDIT-TOWNSHIPS

Amends the Governmental Account Audit Act. Modifies the audit procedures for governmental units under the Act for the governmental units fiscal years 2027 and after, including: (1) modifying the definitions of "audit report" and "report", and adds a definition for "annual financial report"; (2) requiring the governing body of each governmental unit to conduct an audit every 2 years (rather than annually) of the accounts of the unit to be made by an auditor or auditors, and modifying the requirements of the audits; (3) allowing an exception for a governmental unit receiving revenue of less than $1,400,000 for any fiscal year, with the amount to increase or decrease by a percentage equal to the Consumer Price Index-U as reported on January 1 of each year, to provide a 4-year audit report and annual financial report or annual financial report under specified requirements (rather than a governmental unit receiving revenue of less than $850,000 for any fiscal year providing a 4-year audit report and annual financial report or annual financial report under specified requirements); and (4) modifying the requirements for signing, copying, and filing completed reports. Amends the Township Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Bradley FrittsRepublican

DCFS-JAEDYN'S LAW

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to adopt a rule that requires a youth in care who is under the age of 18 to demonstrate, as prescribed by the Department, that the youth has a stable and permanent living arrangement in place prior to and as a condition of eligibility for independent living and related services. Requires the rule to be implemented no later than January 1, 2026 and to be in addition to any other eligibility requirements for independent living and related services. Effective immediately.

Bradley FrittsRepublican

VEH CD-ELECTRIC VEHICLE DECAL

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, upon registration of an electric vehicle, the Secretary of State shall issue a decal that distinguishes it from non-electric vehicles. Requires the owner of the electric vehicle to display the decal at the rear of the electric vehicle in a manner prescribed by the Secretary.

Bradley FrittsRepublican

VEH CD-CDL THIRD PARTY TESTING

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a commercial driver training school in the State may administer the CDL test to a student who has successfully completed a commercial driver's education course. Provides that any testing administered must satisfy the specified guidelines required under federal and State law. Requires the Secretary of State to adopt rules.

Bradley FrittsRepublican

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE-CERTIFY

Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Provides that the Business Enterprise Council shall develop a procedure to recognize, without additional evidence of Business Enterprise Program eligibility, the certification of businesses owned by minorities, women, or persons with disabilities certified by the Secretary of State. Provides that the Business Enterprise Council shall accept certification from a Small Business Development Center as part of its automatic certification process.

Jackie HaasRepublican

LOCAL GOV-LIFT-ASSIST SERVICES

Amends the Fire Protection District Act and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that municipalities and fire protection districts may fix, charge, and collect reasonable fees from independent living facilities, assisted living facilities, nursing home facilities, or other similar congregate care facilities for all lift-assist services rendered by a fire department, firefighter, emergency response unit, public safety employee of a municipal department, or fire protection district in connection with providing lift-assist services to a patient or other individual. Provides that the fees may not exceed the actual personnel and equipment costs for all services rendered by the municipality or fire protection district in connection with providing lift-assist services to a patient or other individual. Provides that the municipality or fire protection district may require a facility to enter into a written agreement to reimburse the municipality or fire protection district for the costs of injuries suffered at the facility by municipal or district personnel when providing lift-assist services, including, but not limited to, costs of medical treatment, payments required under the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act, disability payments, and pension payments for injured personnel, but provides that any such agreement does not relieve the municipality or fire protection district of a statutory or contractual obligation it may have to its employees for an injury suffered relating to lift-assist services rendered. Contains provisions relating to third-party claims and intervention in a suit relating to claims made by a municipal or fire protection district employee for an injury suffered relating to lift-assist services rendered.

Jackie HaasRepublican

PROP TX-VETERANS

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities and veterans of World War II, provides that the term "veteran" also includes veterans who were killed in the line of duty but were not Illinois residents at the time of their death. Provides that a requirement that a surviving spouse must be a resident of Illinois from the time of the veteran's death through the taxable year for which the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities is sought does not apply if the veteran was killed in the line of duty.

Jackie HaasRepublican

JOINT SELF-INSURANCE

Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Provides that any intergovernmental joint self-insurance pool providing health benefits under a specified provision of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act shall not be included under the definition of "health care plan". Effective immediately.

Norine K. HammondRepublican

QUICK-TAKE-CALUMET CITY

Amends the Eminent Domain Act. Provides that quick-take proceedings may be used for a period of no more than 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act by Cook County and the City of Calumet City for the acquisition of certain described property for the purpose of economic development. Repeals the Section 3 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.Democrat

SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING-TECH

Creates the Small Business Financing Transparency Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Rita MayfieldDemocrat

MEDICAID-PAYMENTS-CNA HOURS

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision concerning payments to nursing facilities to increase compensation for certified nursing assistants (CNA), removes language requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish, by rule, payments to nursing facilities equal to Medicaid's share of the tenure wage increments for all reported CNA employee hours compensated. Instead provides that, based on the schedule set forth in the amendatory Act, the Department shall pay to each facility Medicaid's share of the facility's estimated CNA hours performed by employees and agency workers, estimated overtime hours, and benefits and taxes paid to and on behalf of CNA workers at the beginning of each quarter. Provides that moneys paid by the Department to each facility and moneys paid by each facility to workers and agencies or on behalf of workers and agencies shall be reconciled at the end of each quarter. Sets for a schedule concerning the calculation of tenure compensation which shall include: (i) compensation for regular CNA hours; (ii) overtime calculated at time and a half; and (iii) benefits and taxes at 25%. Provides that estimates of overtime shall be calculated at time and a half and benefits and taxes at 25%. Requires the Department to pay the facility for qualifying promotions estimated at the beginning of each quarter and reconciled at the end of the quarter. Effective immediately.

Kevin John OlickalDemocrat

SCH CD-SCHOOL VENTILATION

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall require all school districts to supply all active classroom instructors, all school staff and administration, and district leadership with an educational document explaining the values of good indoor air quality. Provides that the State Board shall require all school districts to ensure that all active classrooms that are not mechanically ventilated have at least 2 properly functioning windows, or one window in situations where only one is present, that can open and can safely stay open. Provides that the State Board shall require all school districts to ensure that all active classrooms are equipped with an air quality monitor that meets specified requirements. Provides that the State Board shall require all school districts to ensure that all active classrooms are equipped with a portable air cleaner that meets specified requirements. Provides that the State Board shall require all school districts to supply each school with 5 additional portable air cleaners and 5 additional air quality monitors to be used in school health offices, libraries, cafeterias, and other similar spaces. Provides that the State Board shall require all school districts to undertake a ventilation verification assessment of all mechanical ventilation systems in the school district performed by a certified assessor or a mechanical engineer. Makes certain provisions subject to appropriation, and makes other changes.

Camille Y. LillyDemocrat

CTA-YOUTH PROGRAM TRANSPORT

Amends the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act. Provides that the Chicago Transit Authority shall, subject to appropriation, no later than July 1, 2026, establish a program that allows persons 18 or younger who enrolled as a student in a participating institution to use the Authority's buses and trains for transportation to youth programs or youth services without charge. Effective immediately.

Camille Y. LillyDemocrat

SCH-EDUCATION PRIORITIZATION

Creates the Education Prioritization Act. Beginning with fiscal year 2026, requires the General Assembly to appropriate for the evidence-based funding formula under the School Code an amount that is equal to or exceeds the sum of: (i) the total amount appropriated for the evidence-based funding formula during the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year for which the appropriation is being made; and (ii) 51% of total new general funds available for spending from estimated growth in revenues and funds available because of budgeted program growth and decline in the fiscal year for which the appropriation is being made; but in no event shall the sum be less than a certain percentage required under the Act. Requires a continuing appropriation if the General Assembly fails to make sufficient appropriations to fund the evidence-based funding formula. Amends the School Code to make changes concerning a system for accounting for revenues and expenditures and evidence-based funding. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Camille Y. LillyDemocrat

SCHOOLS-WORK ETHIC INSTRUCTION

Amends the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. In provisions concerning postsecondary and career expectations, provides that, beginning in grade 6, students should be introduced to the importance of developing and applying a work ethic in a variety of contexts; sets forth what this introduction may include.

Camille Y. LillyDemocrat

$VIOLENCE PREVENTION GRANTS

Provides that specified amounts are appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to specified units of local government for non-competitively awarded grants to community-based organizations that address violence prevention using a culturally competent approach and that are capable of decreasing violence in the specified representative districts. Provides for the types of prevention, services, and programs the grants shall support. Effective July 1, 2025.

Camille Y. LillyDemocrat

HOSPITAL WORKFORCE INSURANCE

Amends the Department of Insurance Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Insurance to conduct a study to better understand the gaps in health insurance coverage for uninsured residents, including the reasons why individuals are uninsured and whether insured individuals are insured through an employer-sponsored plan or through the Illinois health insurance marketplace. Requires the Department to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly 12 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Amends the Hospital Licensing Act and the University of Illinois Hospital Act. Provides that hospitals licensed under the Act shall provide health insurance coverage to all of their workforce.

Camille Y. LillyDemocrat

NURSING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall award a nursing in correctional facilities scholarship to each qualified applicant. Provides that, prior to receiving scholarship assistance for an academic year, each recipient of a scholarship must sign an agreement pledging that, within the one-year period following the termination of the academic program for which the recipient was awarded a scholarship, the recipient shall begin working as a nurse within the Department of Corrections for a period of not less than 3 years. Sets forth provisions concerning the scholarship amount, applicant eligibility, the selection of recipients, applications, the distribution of funds, the fulfillment of the agreement, funding, and rulemaking. Provides that the Department of Corrections, in consultation with the Commission, shall provide an annual report to the General Assembly on effectiveness, including the number of recipients, their service periods, and any challenges faced. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2026.

Camille Y. LillyDemocrat

ELEC CD-ENFORCEMENT DUTIES

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall exercise the powers to impose campaign disclosure penalties; to hear and adjudicate alleged violations of registration requirements; to revoke or suspend raffle licenses for political committees that violate the Raffles and Poker Runs Act; and to inform the Attorney General or the State's Attorney of credible alleged criminal violations.

Maurice A. West, IIDemocrat

ELEC CD-CANDIDATE NAME FORMAT

Amends the Election Code. In provisions concerning primary election ballots, provides that the lettering of candidate names on a ballot shall be in both capital and lowercase letters in conformance with standard English language guidelines, unless compliance is not feasible due to the election system utilized by the election authority.

Maurice A. West, IIDemocrat

SCH CD-REGIONAL SUP VACANCY

Amends the Educational Service Regions Article of the School Code. Provides that when a vacancy occurs in the office of regional superintendent of schools and more than 28 months remain in that term and the vacancy occurs at least 130 days before the next general election, appointment to fill the vacancy shall be until the next general election (rather than if more than 28 months remain in that term, the appointment shall be until the next general election). Provides that if the vacancy occurs during the time provided for filing nomination papers for county offices for the primary in the next even-numbered year following commencement of the term of office in which the vacancy occurs, the time for filing nomination papers for the primary shall not be more than 120 (rather than 91) days nor less than 113 (rather than 85) days prior to the date of the primary.

Maurice A. West, IIDemocrat

ELEC CD-SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the Elections Special Projects Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that any federal grant reimbursements paid to the State Board of Elections shall be deposited into the Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used for purposes consistent with specified provisions of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that, beginning June 30, 2026, and the last day of each fiscal year thereafter, the State Comptroller shall direct and the State Treasurer shall transfer any moneys in excess of $1,000,000 from the Elections Special Projects Fund to the General Revenue Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change.

Maurice A. West, IIDemocrat

APA-SURVEY

Amends the Illinois State Auditing Act. Requires the Auditor General to conduct a survey of the Illinois Administrative Code to determine how many mandates and restrictions are imposed by the Illinois Administrative Code on (i) persons, firms, and other entities within the Illinois private sector and (ii) units of local government and taxing bodies other than the State of Illinois. Allows the Auditor General to contract with a private entity to fulfill some or all of these requirements. Allows the use of artificial intelligence for these requirements. Requires the Auditor General to prepare and submit a report within 2 years of the effective date of the Act. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Provides that each State agency shall, within 9 months of the submission of the report by the Auditor General, submit a follow-up report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules acknowledging the findings within the report. Allows a State agency to use artificial intelligence for these requirements. Requires the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules to supervise. Provides that the Joint Committee shall, within 3 months of the submission of the follow-up reports, calculate each State agency's share of the total amount of mandates and restrictions and submit a report with these calculations. Provides that each State agency shall, within 2 years of the submission of the follow-up reports, adopt, amend, or repeal rules sufficient to effectuate a reduction in the total amount of mandates and restrictions to 250,000 or 80% of the amount in the Auditor General's report, whichever is lesser.

Jed DavisRepublican

DECENNIAL COMMITTEES-EXCEPTION

Amends the Decennial Committees on Local Government Efficiency Act. Provides that the term "governmental unit" does not include a fire protection districts established under the Fire Protection District Act.

Patrick SheehanRepublican

$ABRAHAM LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL

Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum for its FY26 ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2025.

Tony M. McCombieRepublican

AFN COMMITTEE TELECONFERENCE

Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. In provisions regarding the Access and Functional Needs Advisory Committee, provides that the Advisory Committee shall comply with all provisions of the Open Meetings Act except that the Advisory Committee is exempt from the provisions that specifically require a quorum of members of a public body to be physically present at the location of an open meeting. Allows Advisory Committee members to attend meetings of the Access and Functional Needs Advisory Committee remotely by video or audio conference with all attending members counting toward a quorum, provided there is at least one member in physical attendance at the publicly posted physical location of the meeting.

Natalie A. ManleyDemocrat

HORSE RACING ACT ORG LICENSE

Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Removes provision stating that no organization licensee conducting its race meeting in a county bordering the Mississippi River and having a population greater than 230,000 may be a host track for its race meeting. Makes changes in provisions regarding organizations that may not conduct a horse race meeting, the standardbred racetrack in Cook County, the application for an organization license, and wagering. Adds provisions concerning the standardbred racetrack in Macon County. Effective immediately.

Sue SchererDemocrat

TREASURER-HIGHER EDUCATION

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Provides that the State Treasurer shall establish and administer the Invest in Illinois Higher Education Program for the purposes of expanding access to higher education through scholarships awarded from the Invest in Illinois Higher Education Fund. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Invest in Illinois Higher Education Fund. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit in an amount equal to any donations made by the taxpayer to the Invest in Illinois Higher Education Fund. Effective immediately.

Curtis J. Tarver, IIDemocrat

IMDMA-CHILD SUPPORT-FATAL DUI

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Provides that if a defendant is found guilty of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, or intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination thereof where the violation has resulted in the death of another, the court shall order the defendant to pay an amount reasonable and necessary for support of any child of the victim. Sets forth factors the court shall consider when determining a reasonable and necessary amount of child support. Allows the Office of the Attorney General to enforce a child support order issued under the provisions. Makes a corresponding change in the Illinois Vehicle Code.

Curtis J. Tarver, IIDemocrat

FOIA-JUDICIAL BRANCH

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that, for purposes of the Act, "public body" includes the judicial branch and components of the judicial branch of the State. Exempts records that pertain to the preparation of judicial opinions and orders. Excludes denials of requests of records from the judicial branch or components of the judicial branch from the jurisdiction of the Public Access Counselor.

Curtis J. Tarver, IIDemocrat

FOIA-JUDICIAL RECORDS

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that, for purposes of the Act, "public body" includes judicial bodies of the State. Exempts preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, memoranda and other records in which opinions are expressed, or policies or actions are formulated, that pertain to the preparation of judicial opinions and orders. Exempts judicial records already subject to fees imposed under the Clerks of Courts Act.

Curtis J. Tarver, IIDemocrat

INS CD-INCONTINENCE SUPPLIES

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after January 1, 2027 shall provide coverage for disposable incontinence supplies for any person with a disability. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act to require coverage under those provisions.

Laura Faver DiasDemocrat

POST-CONVICTION-PETITIONS

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that a petitioner for post-conviction relief who was convicted of a felony offense committed when that person was under 21 years of age who seeks leave to file a successive post-conviction petition claiming that his or her sentence violates the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution does not have to demonstrate cause for filing the subsequent petition. Effective immediately.

Lilian JiménezDemocrat

ELEC CD-DECEPTIVE MATERIAL

Amends the Election Code. Provides that a person shall not distribute, or enter into an agreement with another person to distribute, materially deceptive media if: (1) the person knows the media falsely represents a depicted individual; (2) the distribution occurs within 90 days before an election; (3) the person intends the distribution to harm the reputation or electoral prospects of a candidate in an election or otherwise deceive voters; and (4) the person intends the distribution to change the voting behavior of electors in an election by deceiving the electors into incorrectly believing that the depicted individual in fact engaged in the speech or conduct depicted, and the distribution is reasonably likely to cause that result. Sets forth exceptions to the provision and penalties for violations of the provision. Effective immediately.

Abdelnasser RashidDemocrat

DHS-EMERGENCY HOUSING PGRAM

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that unless otherwise required by State law or federal requirements, a service provider shall not be subject to a matching funds requirement in order to be eligible to receive funds from the Department for the Emergency and Transitional Housing Program or the Supportive Housing Program. Provides that, when making funding determinations, the Department of Human services retains discretion to take into consideration the ability of a service provider to leverage other funding sources, as well as other factors that may demonstrate fiscal solvency of the service provider and that the service provider is not solely reliant on State funds for the provision of services. Effective immediately.

Michelle MussmanDemocrat

REVENUE-SENIOR FREEZE-LIHEAP

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the maximum income limitation under the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption shall be adjusted each year by the annual cost of living increase, if any, in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits that took effect during the immediately preceding calendar year. Amends the Energy Assistance Act. Provides that eligibility limits under the energy assistance program may not exceed the greater of (1) 150% of the federal nonfarm poverty level as established by the federal Office of Management and Budget or 60% of the State median income for the current State fiscal year as established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, whichever is higher; or (2) the eligibility limit for the immediately preceding calendar year, increased by the annual cost of living increase, if any, in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits that took effect during the immediately preceding calendar year. Effective immediately.

Elizabeth "Lisa" HernandezDemocrat

MEDICAID-SAFETY-NET HOSPITALS

Amends the Hospital Provider Funding Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to create a pool of funding of at least $50,000,000 annually to be disbursed among safety-net hospitals that maintain perinatal designation from the Department of Public Health, provides that no safety-net hospital eligible for funds shall receive less than $5,000,000 annually.

Kam BucknerDemocrat

SCH CD-SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

Amends the Regional Superintendent of Schools Article of the School Code. Allows the State Superintendent of Education to designate a regional office of education or intermediate service center as a learning partner in any iteration of the statewide system of support so that services are provided to schools that are identified for school improvement under (i) the accountability system and (ii) the definition for Targeted, Comprehensive, or Intensive. Provides that the status of learning partner may be revoked at the State Superintendent's sole discretion. Effective July 1, 2025.

Elizabeth "Lisa" HernandezDemocrat

ETHICS-FACULTY TIME SHEETS

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. In provisions regarding personnel policies and work time requirements, specifies that State employees of public institutions of higher education classified as faculty and those not eligible for overtime pay may satisfy the time sheets requirement by complying with the terms of their contract with the public institution of higher education. Effective immediately.

Stephanie A. KifowitDemocrat

PENCD-SERS-ALTERNATIVE ANNUITY

Amends the State Employee Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a member who is eligible to receive an alternative retirement annuity may elect to receive an estimated payment that shall commence no later than 30 days after the later of either the member's last day of employment or 30 days after the member files for the retirement benefit with the System. Provides that the estimated payment shall be the best estimate by the System of the total monthly amount due to the member based on the information that the System possesses at the time of the estimate. Provides that if the amount of the estimate is greater or less than the actual amount of the monthly annuity, the System shall pay or recover the difference within 6 months after the start of the monthly annuity. Excludes a benefit increase resulting from the amendatory Act from the definition of "new benefit increase". Effective immediately.

Stephanie A. KifowitDemocrat

PUBLIC ACCESS-NAVIGABLE WATERS

Amends the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. Provides that the public right to access and use navigable waters includes all rights recognized by State or federal law, including the rights set forth in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and the federal navigational servitude, and all rights arising under the public trust doctrine, which shall be understood and applied in a manner consistent with the spirit of the Act to maximize the full and free enjoyment of State waters by the public. Provides that any segment of a lake, river, or stream that is capable of supporting use by commercial or recreational watercraft for a substantial part of the year, or that is actually so used, shall be deemed navigable, and shall be open to public access and use, unless the contrary is proven in litigation by a preponderance of the evidence. Provides that public uses in such waters shall include boating, tubing, fishing, swimming, and wading. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to protect such public uses against interference or encroachment as provided in the Act. Provides that no action or inaction by the Department of Natural Resources shall create a presumption, in any civil or criminal litigation, against the navigability of any waterway segment. Provides that the public right to access and use navigable waters shall be subject to specified protections and limitations, a violation of which shall be punished as otherwise provided by law, and, if likely to continue, enjoined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Provides that nothing in the Act shall limit the right of any person to challenge the legality of alleged interference with the public right to access or use navigable waters in any appropriate civil or criminal litigation.

Janet Yang RohrDemocrat

PROP TX-CILA EXEMPT

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that certain property on which a community-integrated living arrangement is located is entitled to a reduction in its equalized assessed value in an amount equal to the product that results when the number of occupants who use the community-integrated living arrangement as a primary residence is multiplied by $2,000. Effective immediately.

Janet Yang RohrDemocrat

VEH CD-BICYCLES-STOP SIGNS

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "immediate hazard". Provides instances in which an individual operating a bicycle approaching a stop sign may proceed through the intersection without stopping at the stop sign.

Janet Yang RohrDemocrat

CARPET STEWARDSHIP ACT

Creates the Carpet Stewardship Act. Provides that within 60 days after the effective date of the Act, the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency shall appoint specified members to a clearinghouse to administer and implement a carpet stewardship program. Specifies the duties of the clearinghouse. Requires the clearinghouse to be incorporated as a nonprofit. Provides that for all carpet sold in this State, the clearinghouse shall implement, and producers shall finance, a statewide carpet stewardship program that manages the product by reducing the product's waste generation, promotes its carpet recovery and reutilization, and provides for negotiation and execution of agreements to collect, transport, process, and market the old carpet for end-of-life carpet recovery or carpet reutilization. Requires the clearinghouse to submit, by July 1, 2026 and by July 1 every 3 years thereafter, a 3-year plan to the Agency for approval. Specifies the requirements for the plan. Establishes requirements for review of the plan and requirements for producers, retailers, and distributors of carpet. Requires the clearinghouse to submit annual reports to the Agency and pay specified administrative fees. Includes enforcement provisions for the Act. Establishes requirements for State procurement of carpet in the future. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Janet Yang RohrDemocrat

PROP TX-SENIOR FREEZE

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable year 2026, the maximum income limitation for the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption is $75,000 (currently, $65,000). Provides that, beginning in taxable year 2027, the maximum income limitation for the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption shall be increased each year by the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index. Effective immediately.

Janet Yang RohrDemocrat

TRANSFER TX-CREDIT CARDS

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that county recorders and registrars of title are required to accept payment of real estate transfer taxes by credit card. Provides that all service charges or fees associated with the processing or accepting of such a credit card payment shall be paid by the taxpayer.

Travis WeaverRepublican

$ISBE-MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Appropriates $4,500,000 to the State Board of Education for grants to school districts to contract with organizations that directly provide students and school-based staff with mental telehealth services that are billed to Medicaid and commercial insurance plans. Effective July 1, 2025.

Margaret A. DeLaRosaDemocrat