Bills & Legislation

$DNR-PUBLIC MUSEUMS

Appropriates $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Natural Resources for the purpose of capital grants to public museums for permanent improvement. Effective July 1, 2026.

Kimberly Du Buclet

IL MUSEUM-CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. In a provision that directs the Department of Natural Resources to contribute to and support the operations, programs, and capital development of public museums in the State, deletes a provision requiring public museums that receive funds for capital development to match State funds with local or private funding in accordance with certain requirements.

Kimberly Du Buclet

UTILITIES-VARIOUS

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall monitor the impact of each public utility in the State on overall consumer savings and on the electrical grid of the State. Requires the Commission to submit an annual report to the Governor, the Attorney General, and the General Assembly that summarizes the results of the Commission's efforts no later than one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act and annually thereafter. Provides that a utility shall cap residential rates for qualifying households at a set monthly maximum during a city, county, or State declaration of a winter weather emergency or an extreme heat warning that covers the area of the utility in which the qualifying household is located. Provides that each utility in the State shall file with the Commission prior to December 1 of each year a plan detailing the implementation of a residential rate cap. Provides that all plans are subject to review and approval by the Commission and that the Commission may direct a utility to modify its plan to comply with the requirements of the amendatory provisions. In provisions concerning Disconnection Protection Programs, provides that a customer who submits documentation that shows that the customer is enrolled in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP), or Medicaid shall be granted protection under a utility's Disconnection Protection Program upon the receipt of the customer's documentation. Provides that, if the utility, upon reviewing the customer's documentation, determines that the documentation does not provide sufficient proof that the customer is enrolled in LIHEAP, PIPP, or Medicaid, the utility may remove the customer from the utility's Disconnection Protection Program. Provides that an electric utility that offers at least one market-based rate option, including, but not limited to, net electricity metering, for retail customers who choose to take power and energy supply service from the utility shall limit peak hour rates under the market-based rate option to no more than 150% of the rate that the customer would otherwise pay if the customer was not using the market-based rate option. Makes other changes.

Dave Vella

IDPH-COMBAT MISINFORMATION

Creates the Combating Health Misinformation Act. Establishes the Health Misinformation Response Unit within the Department of Public Health to monitor and counter health misinformation. Requires the Department to offer public health literacy grants. Requires the Department of Public Health to recruit and train trusted messengers to assist in communicating accurate health information. Requires certain entities that distribute or communicate health-related information in the State to disclose funding sources, as well as to provide citations for alleged facts. Allows the Department of Public Health to request that information from those entities. Provides that specified entities that knowingly violate certain provisions of the Act commit an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Defines terms. Amends the School Code to require health literacy to be taught as part of a comprehensive health education program, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health. Makes conforming changes to the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

Dave Vella

FOIA-POLICE BODY CAM RECORDING

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that a public body may impose a fee upon a requester for the actual, necessary, and direct cost of redacting recorded audio or video content recordings made under the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act. Provides that the public body may not impose the fee under specified circumstances. Requires the public body to provide the requester, in writing, with an estimate of the amount of the fee to be charged before before fulfilling the request.

Sharon Chung

MUNI CD-DUPAGE HOTEL REVENUE

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that not less than 50% (rather than 75%) of the amounts collected by a municipality within DuPage County pursuant to the municipal hotel operators' occupation tax and municipal hotel use tax shall be used to promote tourism within that municipality. Extends the repeal dates of the provisions from January 1, 2027 to January 1, 2029. Effective immediately.

Diane Blair-Sherlock

DCFS-BURIAL COST REIMBURSEMENT

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Nautica Horton Act. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to reimburse a deceased minor's parent or any other relative for the cost of any funeral and burial or cremation services charged to or paid by the parent or relative if the minor's death occurred while the minor was under the care of or receiving services from the Department and the parent or relative lacks the resources to assume such costs.

Maurice A. West, II

HEALTH CARE AT HOME-PROTECTION

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Health Care at Home Workforce Protection Act. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides for enhancement of assault or battery to aggravated assault or aggravated battery under certain circumstances if the person knows that the individual assaulted or battered is a health care at home provider or the health care at home provider's family or household members. Creates the offense of threatening a health care at home provider. Provides that a person commits the offense when: (1) that person knowingly delivers or conveys, directly or indirectly, to a health care at home provider by any means a communication containing a threat that would place that person or a member of his or her immediate family in reasonable apprehension of immediate or future bodily harm, sexual assault, confinement, or restraint; (2) at the time of the threat, the person knows or should have known that the victim is a health care at home provider or is an immediate family member of a health care at home provider; (3) the threat was conveyed because of an action taken by the health care at home provider acting in his or her employment or volunteer capacity or because of the victim's professional or employment status; (4) there is no consent by the person threatened; and (5) the threat contains specific facts indicative of a unique threat to the health care at home provider or his or her immediate family and not a generalized threat of harm. Provides that threatening a health care at home provider is a Class 4 felony for a first offense and a Class 3 felony for a second or subsequent offense. Defines "health care at home provider".

Nicolle Grasse

CANNABIS-ACCIDENTAL INGESTION

Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Specifies that the purchaser education support policies that are maintained by dispensing organizations must include information on the use of locked storage bags to prevent access to cannabis by children. Requires any dispensing organization that sells edible cannabis-infused products to display a placard that, among other things, states: "Cannabis products should be kept away from children and safely stored in a locked storage container." Requires dispensing organizations that are authorized to serve registered qualifying patients, caregivers, or purchasers and that offer cannabis-infused products or cannabis-infused products intended for topical use to stock for sale lockable, opaque storage containers designed to prevent access to cannabis products by children. In provisions regarding required warnings for cannabis-infused products, adds a required warning that the product must be stored out of reach of children and should be in a locked container and that provides the phone number to the Illinois Poison Center in case of accidental use.

Norma Hernandez

TOLL HWY-NO TOLL VETERANS

Amends the Toll Highway Act. Allows a veteran who is traveling to or from a medical appointment to use a toll highway without paying the toll if the veteran has applied for and received from the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority an Official Permit Card. Requires the Authority to adopt rules for the issuance of a permit that allows a veteran to use any toll highway without paying the established toll.

Wayne A. Rosenthal

ST GROUP INS-TRS PARTICIPANTS

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that, by no later than January 1, 2028, the Department of Central Management Services shall, by rule, establish a program to allow the active members of TRS and their dependent beneficiaries to participate in the program of group health benefits made available under the Act to TRS benefit recipients and TRS dependent beneficiaries, including the program of group health benefits for Medicare-primary members and their Medicare-primary dependents, in lieu of health benefits otherwise provided by the school district. Provides that the Department of Central Management Services shall adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer the program, including, but not limited to, the manner of electing to participate in the program, eligibility for participation in the program, and contributions for coverage through the program. Effective immediately.

Wayne A. Rosenthal

WILDLIFE CD-CENTERFIRE

Amends the Wildlife Code. In provisions regarding deer hunting, limits legal handguns and rifles to centerfire revolvers, centerfire handguns capable of holding not more than 3 rounds in the magazine and chamber combined, and centerfire rifles capable of holding not more than 3 rounds in the magazine and chamber combined. Provides that, if a centerfire handgun or centerfire rifle is capable of holding more than 3 rounds, it must be fitted with a one-piece plug that is irremovable without dismantling the handgun or rifle, or it must be otherwise altered to render it incapable of holding more than 3 rounds in the magazine and chamber combined. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to adopt rules. In provisions regarding prohibitions, provides that it is unlawful while deer hunting to be in possession of or in close proximity to a magazine that is capable of holding more than 2 rounds (rather than capable of making a rifle not single shot) or to possess a handgun or rifle otherwise capable of holding more than 3 rounds in the magazine and chamber combined. Repeals the definition of "single shot".

Wayne A. Rosenthal

ELEC CD-ELECTION BOARD

Amends the Election Code. Removes the option for a county in which there is no city, village, or incorporated town with a board of election commissioners to establish a county board of election commissioners by ordinance of the county board. Provides that a vote of approval from 60% of the electors shall be required for the proposition to be approved.

Anne Stava

ELEC CD-SECURE ELECTIONS FUND

Amends the Election Code. Creates the Secure Elections Infrastructure Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that, subject to appropriation, moneys in the Fund shall be distributed by the State Board of Elections as grants to election authorities for: voting machine replacement; electronic poll book upgrades; cybersecurity hardening; voter accessibility upgrades; infrastructure for secure ballot transport and storage; and capital improvements to election authority facilities that are necessary to maintain safe, secure, and effective election administration. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall establish and use a formula to distribute moneys in the Fund to election authorities.

Maurice A. West, II

$SECURE ELECTIONS FUND

Appropriates $25,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Secure Elections Infrastructure Fund. Effective July 1, 2026.

Maurice A. West, II

MARRIAGE LICENSE VIDEO APPEAR

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Requires each county clerk to establish a process within 6 months or sooner after the effective date of the amendatory Act that allows a party or parties to participate in a video conferencing application in which a party may be seen and heard by the county clerk in real time if a party cannot travel or has difficulty traveling because of a disability, physical impairment, or health condition that impedes the mobility of a party to appear in person. Provides for such a party, at the sole discretion of the county clerk, the county clerk or designee may go to a party's location to complete the application. Requires that a request to the county clerk to complete the application in-person at a party's location must be supported by a written note or certification from a medical professional or licensed physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, LPN, CNA, or hospice professional stating the accommodation is necessary to prevent a hardship as provided in the Act.

NURSING HOME-MENTAL ILLNESS

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Replaces provisions concerning serious mental illness rescreening. Provides that all persons admitted to a nursing home facility with a diagnosis of serious mental illness shall receive a follow-up visit within 60 days after admission and shall receive a resident review by the Department of Human Services or its designee promptly after a significant change in the resident's physical or mental condition. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall ensure there are no conflicts of interest for pre-admission screeners.

HOUSING-TECH

Creates the Missing Middle Housing Affordability Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Jehan Gordon-Booth

INC TX-LIENS

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, if a late discretionary hearing for a revised final assessment has been granted after a lien has attached, then the lien shall remain in full force except to the extent to which the final assessment may be reduced by a revised final assessment following the hearing or review. Effective immediately.

Joe C. Sosnowski

FOREST/RIVER DIST-BIDS

Amends the Cook County Forest Preserve District Act and the River Conservancy Districts Act. Makes changes to the competitive bidding thresholds for contracts entered into by River Conservancy Districts or the Cook County Forest Preserve District for supplies, materials, or work. Changes the bid threshold to $60,000 for contracts related to supplies or materials, $30,000 for contracts involving work, or a lower amount for any contract for supplies, materials, or work, if required by board policy. Effective immediately.

INC TX-R AND D CREDIT

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the research and development credit applies on a permanent basis. Effective immediately.

Rita Mayfield

GENERAL RATE INCREASE HEARINGS

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that, for any general rate increase requested by a gas, electric, water, or sewer public utility under the provisions of the Act, the Commission shall hold at least one public hearing during which members of the public can provide input on the requested general rate increase. Provides that any affected ratepayer of a requested general rate increase may testify at the public hearing and may file statements that pertain to the subject matter of the public hearing with the person or persons conducting the public hearing. Provides that a public hearing shall be held in the service territory of the public utility that requested a general rate increase at a time and location to be determined by the Commission. Requires the Commission to comply with certain requirements when determining the location of a public hearing. Provides that the Commission shall provide reasonable notice that complies with the Open Meetings Act to members of the public regarding a public hearing. Provides that "reasonable notice" means notice that is provided at least 14 days before a public hearing. Provides that public hearings shall be conducted by the full Commission, a single commissioner, or an administrative law judge from the Commission. Provides that the Commission shall take into consideration any testimony or comments received from members of the public during the public hearing in its deliberations on the requested general rate increase. Makes other changes.

CANNABIS-COMM COLL VOC PROG

Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Replaces references to the Community College Cannabis Vocational Pilot Program and the Community College Cannabis Vocational Training Pilot Program with references to the Community College Cannabis Vocational Training Program. Repeals provisions that would automatically repeal the Program on July 1, 2026. Authorizes the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide grants from appropriations from the Cannabis Business Development Fund to community colleges licensed under the Community College Vocational Training Program, and requires the Department to adopt rules. Provides that the community colleges that received a license before the effective date of the amendatory Act shall be deemed to be licensed Responsible Vendor Program Training Providers and that such designation may be revoked for cause under rules adopted by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

La Shawn K. Ford

PORTABLE SOLAR GENERATION

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a portable solar generation device shall be exempt from (i) net metering program and interconnection requirements under provisions concerning net electricity metering and (ii) any rules adopted pursuant to those provisions. Provides that a portable solar generation device shall include a device or feature that prevents the portable solar generation device from energizing a building's electrical system during a power outage. Provides that an electricity provider shall not require an eligible customer who uses, or intends to install and use, a portable solar generation device to do any of the following: (1) obtain the electricity provider's approval before installing or using the portable solar generation device; (2) pay a fee or charge related to the installation or use of the portable solar generation device; or (3) install additional controls or equipment beyond what is integrated into the portable solar generation device. Provides that an electricity provider shall not be liable for any damage or injury caused by an eligible customer's portable solar generation device. Effective June 1, 2026.

Abdelnasser Rashid

ELECTRONIC MONITORING

Amends the Authorized Electronic Monitoring in Long-Term Care Facilities Act. Includes an establishment under the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act in the definition of "facility". Makes a conforming change in a the definition of "resident's representative".

CHICAGO BOARD EDU-COMPENSATION

Amends the School Code. Authorizes the Chicago Board of Education, by resolution, to provide for the compensation of its members. Specifies that the compensation provided for Board members may include, but is not limited to, reimbursement for expenses incurred while in the performance of their duties.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

INC TX-DEDUCTION FOR TIPS

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax deduction for gratuities that are included in the taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income. Effective immediately.

Regan Deering

$BD HIGHER ED-HUNGER FREE PRO

Appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund for deposit into the Hunger-Free Campus Grant Fund. Effective July 1, 2026.

Carol Ammons

$ISBE-HOMELESS STUDENTS

Appropriates $5,000,000 to the State Board of Education to award funding under the Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program to be used to support programming for students at risk for or experiencing homelessness. Effective July 1, 2026.

Laura Faver Dias

INC TX-STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax deduction for any amounts paid by the taxpayer's employer on behalf of the taxpayer as part of an educational assistance program. Creates an income tax deduction for any amounts paid by the taxpayer on behalf of an employee of the taxpayer as part of an educational assistance program. Provides that the deductions are limited to the first $5,250 of such assistance so furnished to any individual. Effective immediately.

Katie Stuart

PFAS-CONTAINING PESTICIDES

Amends the Illinois Pesticide Act. Provides that the statements that are to be provided by pesticide registrants under the Act must include either a specific statement that the pesticide to be registered contains no PFAS or, if the pesticide (including its active and inert ingredients) contains any PFAS, certain information regarding the PFAS, including the name of the specific chemical and the quantity of the chemical in the product. Provides that the Director of Agriculture shall not register any pesticide product that contains a chemical that is an intentionally added PFAS and that the use of any pesticide that contains any chemical that is an intentionally added PFAS is prohibited. Further provides, beginning January 1, 2030, that the use of any spray adjuvant that contains intentionally added PFAS is prohibited. Requires the Department of Agriculture to adopt rules to implement these provisions. Defines "PFAS" and "intentionally added PFAS".

Diane Blair-Sherlock

PLUG-IN SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that "plug-in solar energy system" means a moveable photovoltaic generation device that (i) may or may not include an energy storage system; (ii) exports no more than 1,200 watts to an outlet; (iii) is designed to be connected to a building's electrical system through a standard outlet; (iv) is intended primarily to offset part of an eligible customer's electricity consumption; and (v) is certified by Underwriters Laboratories or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory. Provides that an electricity provider shall not require an eligible customer who uses, or intends to install and use, a plug-in solar energy system to do certain actions. Provides that a plug-in solar energy system is exempt from interconnection requirements under provisions concerning net electricity metering and any rules adopted pursuant to those provisions. Provides that a plug-in solar energy system is not eligible for net electricity metering or any distributed generation rebate. Provides that an electricity provider is not liable for any damage or injury caused by an eligible customer's plug-in solar energy system. Provides that a plug-in solar energy system that has a maximum power output to a receptacle outlet of 391 watts or less is exempt from any product listing standard that would require alterations to a building's premises, wiring, or electrical panels. Provides that landlords, homeowners' associations, common interest community associations, and condominium unit owners' associations shall not adopt, enforce, or attempt to enforce any restriction, covenant, bylaw, regulation, lease stipulation, or other rule that directly or indirectly restricts, prohibits, or imposes unreasonable conditions on the installation, use, or operation of a plug-in solar energy system. Amends the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, and the Homeowners' Energy Policy Statement Act. Provides that "solar energy system" includes a plug-in solar energy system. Makes other changes.

Daniel Didech

$ISBE-LAKE COUNTY TECH CAMPUS

Appropriates $430,000 to the State Board of Education to distribute to the Lake County Tech Campus for operational expenses. Effective July 1, 2026.

Laura Faver Dias

$SAFER PATHWAYS

Appropriates the sum of $2,100,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority for a grant to Safer Pathways to support the Supportive Reentry Network Collaborative. Effective July 1, 2026.

Michael Crawford

ELEC CD-DATA STANDARDIZATION

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall adopt rules setting forth standardized reporting protocols for election data. Provides that, no later than July 1, 2027, the State Board of Elections shall publish guidelines for compliance with standardization conventions for data fields related to election districts, precincts, polling places, and other election data. Provides for periodic audits of the election data subject to the standardized reporting protocols. Provides that, beginning with the 2028 general primary election, no less than 75 days before each election, every election authority shall ensure that all data reported by the election authority conforms to the data standardization requirements adopted by the Board.

Maurice A. West, II

ELEC CD-CYBERSECURITY

Amends the Election Code. In provisions concerning cybersecurity efforts, modifies the amendatory changes made by Public Act 100-587 to conform with the amendatory changes made by Public Act 100-623. Makes technical changes.

Maurice A. West, II

ELECTION CODE POLL ACCESS

Amends the Election Code. Provides that no later than December 31 of each even number year, the State Board of Elections shall report to the General Assembly (rather than to the General Assembly and the Federal Election Commission) the number of accessible and inaccessible polling places in the State on the date of the next preceding general election, and the reason for any instance of inaccessibility.

Maurice A. West, II

ELECTION CODE EQUIPMENT

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, in jurisdictions where in-precinct counting equipment is used, the election authority shall retabulate the total number of votes cast on 5% of the election day equipment used within the election jurisdiction (rather than votes cast in 5% of precincts within the election jurisdiction). Provides that the precincts and voting devices to be retabulated shall be selected after election day on a random basis by the State Board of Elections so that every device used in early voting and all equipment used on election day in the election jurisdiction has an equal mathematical chance of being selected (rather than providing that every precinct and every device used in early voting shall have an equal mathematical chance of being selected for retabulated).

Maurice A. West, II

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 the raffle licenses of 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, II

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, II

MONEY TRANSMITTER DREAM DONATE

Amends the Uniform Money Transmission Modernization Act. Provides that licensees may offer every customer who transmits money internationally the option to make a voluntary donation to the Illinois DREAM Fund, as specified. Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to provide to licensees under the Act electronic copies of all marketing materials created by the Illinois DREAM Fund Commission for licensees.

SCH CD-E-LEARNING DAY-ELECTION

Amends the School Code. Allows the school board of a school district to use an adopted and verified program for e-learning days district-wide that permits student instruction to be received electronically while students are not physically present on an election day because a school was selected to be a polling place (rather than adopt a research-based program for e-learning days district-wide that shall permit student instruction to be received electronically while students are not physically present because a school was selected to be a polling place). Provides that e-learning days used for this purpose may not be counted in lieu of the district's scheduled emergency days.

SCH CD-REG SUP INSTITUT-TRAUMA

Amends the Regional Superintendent of Schools Article of the School Code. With respect to the requirement that institutes provide instruction on trauma-informed practices and include the definitions of trauma, trauma-responsive learning environments, and whole child before the first student attendance day of each school year, makes changes to the definitions of "trauma" and "trauma-responsive learning environments". Defines "trauma-informed practices" to include awareness of populations for whom trauma may be ongoing, relational, and developmentally expressed over time. Effective immediately.

LOC GOV-CREDIT CARD AGREEMENTS

Amends the Local Governmental Acceptance of Credit Cards Act. Provides that the governing body of a governmental entity accepting payment by credit card may enter into agreements with third-party software providers for the purpose of ensuring that the governmental entity receives the correct remittance for payment. Provides that, if a governmental entity enters into an agreement with one or more financial institutions or other service providers to facilitate the acceptance and processing of credit card payments, then the agreement may not restrict or prevent the governmental entity from using the payment processing system outlined in the State Treasurer Act or any other payment processing system that the governmental entity has procured. Effective immediately.

CONSUMER IDENTITY VERIFICATION

Creates the Identity Verification for Consumer Services Act. Requires an entity that provides specified services to use identity verification to verify a person's identity before initiating or modifying an agreement to provide the service. Provides that an entity that provides a specified service that becomes aware of an attempted or confirmed identity theft through its compliance with the Act shall report the attempted or confirmed identity theft to the Attorney General. Provides that a violation of the Act constitutes an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Limits home rule. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change. Effective January 1, 2027.

DCFS-MINIMUM AGE-PERPETRATOR

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. In the definition of "abused child", changes the list of persons who may be considered a perpetrator of abuse to include a child's parent, a parent's paramour, or any other person 14 years of age or older who is either responsible for the child's welfare, is an immediate family member, or resides in the same home as the child. Provides that, if the Department of Children and Family Services does not accept an abuse or neglect report for investigation on the sole basis that the alleged perpetrator is another person in the household under the age of 14, then the Department shall consider if there is reasonable cause to suspect that the alleged maltreatment is the result of blatant disregard on the part of an adult or agency who is an eligible perpetrator. Provides that, if so, the Department shall accept a report alleging abuse or neglect identifying the adult or agency as the alleged perpetrator. Permits the Department to also consider whether a child welfare service referral would be appropriate.

POSSESSION DISPUTES-PETS

Creates the Companion Animal Custody Equity Act. Provides that in a possession dispute involving a companion animal, a court may consider the well-being of the companion animal regardless of the marital status of the parties. "Companion animal" means a domesticated dog or cat that resides in a household. Authorizes the court to issue temporary possession or caregiving orders, including limited visitation, if necessary to reduce stress or disruption to the companion animal. Provides that for companion animals 10 years of age or older, courts may give additional consideration to factors including continuity of environment, emotional stability, stress minimization, and maintenance of established routines. Provides that a court may, if appropriate, order mediation between the parties to resolve issues related to companion animal possession.

RUUPA OVERPAYMENTS

Amends the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. Includes within the definition of "property" any overpayment made by any person to a government, governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, including, but not limited to, a payment for any tax, license, or fee that was made in excess of the amount ultimately required of the payor. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act is a restatement and clarification of existing law. Effective immediately.

MHDDSA-ONE'S OWN HOME-DEFINED

Amends the Developmental Disability and Mental Disability Services Act. Provides that in one's "own home" means that an adult with a mental disability lives alone; or that an adult with a mental disability is in full-time residence with his or her parents, legal guardian, or other relatives; or that an adult with a mental disability is in full-time residence in a setting not subject to licensure under the Nursing Home Care Act, the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, the ID/DD Community Care Act, the MC/DD Act, or the Child Care Act of 1969 with 5 (rather than 3) or fewer other adults unrelated to the adult with a mental disability who do not provide home-based services to the adult with a mental disability.

Amy L. Grant

RAIL CROSSING NEAR SCHOOLS

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires every rail carrier operating within the State to install, operate, and maintain pedestrian crossing gates at every grade crossing located within 1.5 miles of a school. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall have the authority to (i) determine the number, type, and location of the signs, signals, gates, or other protective devices and (ii) prescribe the division of the cost of the installation and subsequent maintenance of the signs, signals, gates, or other protective devices between the rail carrier or carriers, the public highway authority or other public authority in interest, and, in instances involving the use of the Grade Crossing Protection Fund, the Department of Transportation.

Nabeela Syed