Bills & Legislation

FAMILIES-INTENDED PARENTS

Amends the Parentage Act of 2015. Requires any individual who is an intended parent to undergo and pass a comprehensive criminal background check and screening before any insemination or embryo transfer. Provides that failure to do so waives any presumption that the person is the legal parent of any resulting child born through assisted reproduction. Prohibits an individual who is an intended parent from becoming the legal parent of a child resulting from the use of assisted reproduction if the intended parent has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to or nolo contendere to a list of criminal offenses. Makes the same changes to the Gestational Surrogacy Act. Amends the Illinois Fertility Fraud Act. Creates a cause of action against a health care provider by a child born as a result of assisted reproductive treatment if the health care provider failed to conduct a comprehensive criminal background check and screening of the child's intended parents that would have revealed that the intended parent had been convicted of or pled guilty to or nolo contendere to any specified violations and that child later suffered sexual abuse or sexual assault by that intended parent.

Dan Ugaste

INC TX-SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit in an amount equal to 100%, but in no event more than $250,000 per taxpayer in any taxable year, of qualified business expenses paid by a qualified small business during the taxable year. Effective immediately.

Martin McLaughlin

HIGHER ED-FED GOVT SHUTDOWN

Amends the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that if a scholarship or tuition waiver funded by the federal government has been awarded by a public institution of higher education to a student and the federal government shuts down due to a lapse in appropriations, then (i) the scholarship or waiver shall remain in effect for the duration of the shutdown and (ii) the student is not required to pay the amount that was covered by the scholarship or waiver during the award period if the institution of higher education has reasonable confidence that a disbursement from the federal government to cover the cost of the scholarship or waiver will be made upon the reopening of the federal government.

David Friess

USE/OCC TX-HOLIDAY

Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Creates a sales tax holiday period for certain school supplies from August 2, 2026 through August 11, 2026. Effective immediately.

Kevin Schmidt

SCH CD-COMPULSORY KINDERGARTEN

Amends the Compulsory Attendance Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, any pupil enrolled in the public schools who is of compulsory school age but who has not yet attended kindergarten at a public, private, or parochial school shall be required to satisfactorily complete kindergarten before advancing to first grade. Effective immediately.

Kevin Schmidt

USE/OCC TX-MEDICAL APPLIANCES

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that medical appliances are exempt from the taxes imposed under those Acts. Effective January 1, 2027.

Jed Davis

CRIM CD-TRAVELING ANIMAL ACTS

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the statute prohibiting elephants from performing in traveling animal acts applies to "covered animals" rather than just elephants. Defines "covered animal" as any of the following animals, and hybrids of those animals: (1) elephantidae; (2) felidae, but excluding a domestic cat; (3) non-human primate; or (4) ursidae. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other laws protecting animal welfare. Provides that the provisions may not be construed to limit any State law or rules protecting the welfare of animals or to prevent a unit of local government from adopting and enforcing its own animal welfare ordinances and regulations. Contains a severability provision. Effective July 1, 2026.

CRIM CD-1ST RESPONDER ENDANGER

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Daniel Capuano Memorial Act. Creates the offense of first responder endangerment. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she knowingly creates a dangerous condition and intentionally conceals the dangerous condition in a commercial property under his or her management or operational control and the dangerous condition is found to be the primary cause of the death or serious bodily injury of a first responder in the course of his or her official duties. Provides that a violation is a Class 4 felony. Defines various terms.

Mary Gill

LOTTERY-TICKET SALES AGREEMENT

Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. Allows a licensed lottery sales agent to enter into an agreement with a third-party entity to assist with processing the sale of lottery tickets on behalf of the licensed lottery sales agent. Requires the licensed sales agent to provide a copy of agreement to the Lottery Control Board within 5 business days of execution. Requires the agreement to include at least the following: (1) terminal usage cannot be commingled at the location; (2) a ticket may only be sold to a person physically located in the State; (3) a third-party entity shall not share or sell user data to an entity unaffiliated with the retailer or third-party entity; and (4) the third-party entity shall adhere to all rules established by the Board related to the sale of lottery tickets. Effective immediately.

Jay Hoffman

EMERGING ADULT SENTENCING

Creates the Emerging Adult Sentencing Act. Provides that upon a conviction by way of plea or otherwise finding of guilt, and with the express agreement of the State's Attorney and the defendant, the court may sentence a defendant who meets the eligibility requirements under the Act to a term of probation to be performed at a community-based residential workforce development center for a period of not less than one year and not more than 3 years in lieu of incarceration in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Provides that the defendant shall be monitored by the adult probation department. Provides that the defendant shall: (1) not violate any criminal statute of the State or any other jurisdiction; (2) refrain from possessing a firearm or any other dangerous weapon; and (3) attend and participate in any program activities as detailed in the individualized service plan. Provides that a defendant is eligible for the program if the defendant is between the ages of 18 through 25, at the time of the commission of the offense, and is convicted of specified felony offenses in which a period of incarceration must be imposed, other than a sentence of natural life. Provides that prior criminal history shall not preclude eligibility for sentencing under the Act. Provides that upon successful fulfillment of the terms and conditions of probation, the court shall discharge the defendant from probation. Provides that if the defendant has not previously been granted a vacation of judgment, upon motion, the court shall vacate the judgment of conviction and dismiss the criminal proceedings against him or her unless, having considered the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history, character, and condition of the individual, the court finds that the motion should not be granted. Effective immediately.

Rita Mayfield

SPECIAL CTY TAX-FOOD PANTRIES

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that taxes imposed under the Special County Occupation Tax For Public Safety, Public Facilities, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, or Transportation Law may, in addition to other things, be used for food pantries. Renames the Special County Occupation Tax For Public Safety, Public Facilities, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, or Transportation Law to the Special County Occupation Tax For Public Safety, Public Facilities, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Transportation, or Food Pantries Law. Makes conforming changes in the Simplified Sales and Use Tax Administration Act.

Amy Briel

CONSUMERS-HOSPITAL SERVICES

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that every hospital must advertise what services it provides. Provides that every hospital providing telehealth services must specify that those services are provided via telehealth. Provides that every hospital must make clearly available on its website information about what services it provides and what services are provided via telehealth.

Amy Briel

LIBRARIES-GRANTS

Amends the Illinois Library System Act. Increases the amounts to be provided by the State Librarian for annual library system grants, for annual grants to qualified public libraries in the State, and for annual school library grants. Effective immediately.

ILLEGAL RECORDING-MINORS

Creates the Civil Remedies for Nonconsensual Recording of Children Act. Creates a civil action for a child or the parent or legal guardian on behalf of a child if a person (1) makes a video record or transmits a live video of the child without the consent of the child's parent or guardian in a restroom, tanning bed, tanning salon, locker room, changing room, or hotel residence; or (2) makes a video record or transmits a live video of a child without the consent of the child's parent or guardian in a residence in which the child does not reside. Provides for exceptions. Provides that a child who proves by a preponderance of the evidence that a defendant violated the Act against the child is considered obviously and materially harmful to the child and is per se harmful and traumatic. Authorizes a prevailing plaintiff to recover: (1) the greater of: (A) economic and noneconomic damages proximately caused by the defendant's violation of the Act, including but not limited to damages for emotional distress whether or not accompanied by other damages; or (B) statutory damages, not to exceed $10,000, against each defendant found liable under the Act; (2) punitive damages; and (3) reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Provides that an action under the Act may not be brought no later than 2 years from the date the cause of action was discovered or should have been discovered with the exercise of reasonable diligence. Tolls the statute of limitation until the child becomes emancipated or attains the age of majority. Provides that if a State agency or unit of local government is required by law or ordinance to inspect a restroom, tanning bed, tanning salon, locker room, changing room, or hotel residence, the State agency or unit of local government must also inspect for hidden cameras. Provides that if a hidden camera is discovered, the owner or operator of the inspected location must post a public notice advising of the camera and the area it films. Provides that the notice must be in English and any other language that is spoken by a significant number of local residents in that area. Provides that the Act applies to causes of action accruing on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act.

GRATUITY ALLOWANCE-HOME RULE

Amends the Minimum Wage Law. Provides that the regulation of allowances for gratuities as part of the hourly wage rate is an exclusive power and function of the State. Provides that a home rule unit may not regulate allowances for gratuities as part of the hourly wage rate. Effective immediately.

Curtis J. Tarver, II

PRIV BUSINESS/VOC SCH-EXEMPT

Amends the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012. Provides that an educational institution that offers instruction or programs of study for which the participant or student is not charged any tuition or fees other than a nominal fee to cover the costs of books, tools, and similar materials shall not be considered a private business and vocational school.

Jay Hoffman

TWP CD-DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Amends the Township Code. In provisions concerning disorderly conduct at township meetings, provides that if a person who has been ordered to withdraw from a township meeting by the moderator of a township meeting because of the person's disorderly conduct refuses to withdraw, then the moderator may report the person to an appropriate law enforcement agency (rather than order any police officer or other person to take the disorderly person from the meeting and confine the person in some convenient place until the meeting is adjourned). Removes provisions providing that the person refusing to withdraw shall, for that offense, forfeit a sum not exceeding $10 for the use of the township to be recovered in a civil action in the name of the township in the circuit court.

Daniel Didech

TWP CD-WEBSITE MEETING NOTICE

Amends the Township Code. Provides that a township that has a website that the full-time staff of the township maintains shall also post on its website the notice and agenda of the annual and any special township meetings. Provides that a notice and agenda of the annual or a special township meeting that is posted on a township's website shall remain posted on the website at least until the annual or special township meeting is concluded.

Daniel Didech

TWP CD QUORUM

Amends the Township Code. Provides that 3 members of the township board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Provides that the affirmative vote of 3 members of the township board is necessary to adopt any motion, resolution, or ordinance, unless a greater number is otherwise required by State law.

TWP CD-CONTRACTS NEAR ELECTION

Amends the Township Code. Provides that a township board of trustees or township official may not enter into, amend, or renew an employment, equipment, or service contract during the 14 days before a consolidated election through the third Monday in May following the consolidated election. Provides that a township board or township official may enter into, amend, or renew a contract that does not extend more than 60 days after the third Monday of May following the consolidated election to address an emergency. Provides that an employment, equipment, or service contract entered into, amended, or renewed on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act in violation of the Section is voidable.

Daniel Didech

TOWNSHIPS DISSOLUTIONS

Amends the Township Code. Repeals provisions concerning the dissolution of townships in McHenry County. Makes conforming changes in the Election Code, the Motor Fuel Tax Law, and the Counties Code.

Daniel Didech

HWY CD-ABOLISH RD DISTRICT

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Requires a township (rather than any township in Lake County or McHenry County) to abolish a road district of that township if the roads of the road district are less than 15 centerline miles in length.

Daniel Didech

TWNSHP CD-PARK-RELATED POWERS

Amends the Township Code. Provides that a township that maintains public parks pursuant to the Township Parks Article of the Township Code shall have, in addition to the rights, powers, and obligations granted to townships under the Township Code, all the rights, powers, and obligations of a park district organized under the Park District Code, except the authority to levy taxes pursuant to Taxing Powers Article of the Park District Code.

Daniel Didech

GAS APPLIANCE LABELING

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that no person shall sell, attempt to sell, or offer to sell to a consumer in the State a non-externally vented natural gas appliance that is manufactured on or after January 1, 2027 unless a label on the gas appliance bears a specified warning message. Provides that the Attorney General may adopt rules setting forth additional requirements for the placement and formatting of the label. Provides that a person who violates the provision commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.

Michael Crawford

DCEO-MASTER REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

Creates the Master Development Plan Recognition Act. Provides that certain contributions made by the State or units of local government are considered made pursuant to a master development plan within the meaning of Section 118 of the Internal Revenue Code. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction for capital contributions that are made pursuant to a master development plan and that are included in the taxpayer's federal taxable income for the taxable year under Section 118 of the Internal Revenue Code. Effective immediately.

Jay Hoffman

CRIM PRO-PRETRIAL DETENTION

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that upon verified petition by the State, the court shall hold a hearing and may deny a defendant pretrial release if: (1) the defendant is charged with a felony offense (rather than specified felonies) and it is alleged that the defendant's pretrial release poses a real and present threat to the safety of any person or persons or the community, based on the specific articulable facts of the case; (2) the defendant is charged with a felony offense (rather than specific felonies) and has a high likelihood of willful flight to avoid prosecution; or (3) the defendant has been convicted of 2 or more of the same felonies or misdemeanors and either: (i) it is alleged that the defendant's pretrial release poses a real and present threat to the safety of any person or persons or the community, based on the specific articulable facts of the case; or (ii) the defendant has a high likelihood of willful flight to avoid prosecution. Provides that upon verified petition by the State, the court shall hold a hearing and may deny a defendant pretrial release if the defendant is charged with driving under the influence, and it is alleged that the defendant's pretrial release poses a real and present threat to the safety of any person or persons or the community, based on the specific articulable facts of the case. Changes the State's burden of proof in a pretrial detention hearing seeking the defendant's detention from clear and convincing evidence to a preponderance of the evidence.

Michael J. Coffey, Jr.

SCH CD-CHICAGO-CO-LOCATION DEF

Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. With respect to school action and facility master planning, defines "co-location" as a school action in which 2 or more separate schools, each under the direction of its own principal and local school council and maintaining a distinct program and attendance area or other enrollment, are assigned by the Chicago Board of Education to operate entirely within the same school building, but provides that the term does not include an existing school's temporary use of available, vacant, or underutilized space in a second school building to increase capacity or relieve overcrowding if: (1) that school continues to additionally operate in its current building under its own principal and local school council and to serve the same attendance area or population; and (2) the Board designates the use of the second building's space as a temporary measure for a specified period of time.

Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.

NOTARIES-APPLICATION BY FELON

Amends the Illinois Notary Public Act. Provides that every applicant for appointment and commission as a notary shall complete an application in a format prescribed by the Secretary of State stating, among other things, that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony within the 10 years immediately preceding the date of application (now, the applicant must state that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony).

PARK DISTRICT BOARD VACANCIES

Amends the Park District Code. Provides that, when the office of a member of the governing board of a park district may be declared vacant, the office is not vacant until the office is declared vacant at a meeting of the members of the board. Provides that the amendatory changes are declaratory of existing law.

Rita Mayfield

PASSENGER RAIL PLANNING ACT

Creates the Passenger Rail Planning Act. Sets forth intercity passenger rail routes serving or originating in the State. Requires the Department of Transportation to incorporate the aspirational frequencies into the Illinois State Rail Plan and the Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan. Authorizes the Department to nominate corridors for inclusion in the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program and enter into memoranda of understanding or other cooperative agreements for each identified interstate corridor to provide for shared data, joint investment prioritization, and aligned performance measures and planning schedules. Requires the Department to include a recurring section titled Progress Toward High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail within each update to the Illinois State Rail Plan and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Requires each Metropolitan Planning Organization in the State to: (1) recognize the target intercity and long-distance passenger rail frequencies; (2) identify relevant rail corridors within or adjacent to the Metropolitan Planning Organization planning area; and (3) include a narrative discussion of how regional transportation investments can support achievement of those frequency targets. Requires the Department and each Metropolitan Planning Organization to consider progress toward the target passenger rail frequencies when developing project prioritization criteria for multimodal investments. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Rita Mayfield

SCH CD-SPEC ED-NOTICES-FORMS

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. With respect to the identification, evaluation, and placement of children, requires the State Superintendent of Education to send a copy of certain revised uniform notices by July 1 of every even-numbered year to each school district and statewide organization representing those school professions involved with individualized education programs. Requires the copy of the revised uniform notices to include an updated instruction guide and access to remote training materials. Provides that a third-party software provider that creates a platform for an individualized educational assessment form shall include a footnote that includes a reference to how to contact the State Board of Education, instructions on completing an individualized educational assessment form, an instructional video on how to fill out an individualized educational assessment form, and contact information for a person at the State Board of Education who can answer questions about completing an individualized educational assessment form. Prohibits a school district from modifying or customizing its individualized educational assessment form. Provides that the State Board of Education, in its adoption of rules regarding an individualized education program, may not include in an individualized educational assessment form a separate section regarding autism consideration.

Michelle Mussman

VEH CD-SPEED CAMERAS

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the provision regarding automated speed enforcement systems in safety zones applies only to municipalities with a population of 25,000 (rather than 1,000,000) or more inhabitants in a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants.

Lisa Davis

MEDICAL CARE REFERRALS

Amends the State Finance Act to create the Women's Reproductive Health Care Fund. Amends the Health Care Right of Conscience Act. Makes a protocol provision mandatory (instead of at the request of the patient or legal representative of the patient) that the health care facility, physician, or health care personnel must: (i) refer the patient to, or (ii) transfer the patient to, or (iii) provide in writing information to the patient about other health care providers who they reasonably believe may offer the health care service the health care facility, physician, or health personnel refuses to permit, perform, or participate in because of a conscience-based objection. Provides that the injured person shall recover $5,000 in damages, and the violator shall pay to the circuit court clerk a penalty of $5,000 that is to be remitted as soon as practicable to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for deposit into the Women's Reproductive Health Care Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury. Provides that, subject to appropriation and as directed by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, all monies in the Fund shall be expended to improve women's reproductive health care and for no other purpose.

Amy Briel

1ST-GENERATION HOMEBUYER LOANS

Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Requires the Illinois Housing Development Authority (Authority) to establish and administer a First-Generation Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program to provide targeted assistance to eligible first-generation homebuyers throughout the State for the purchase of a single-family or non-commercial multi-family residence. Sets forth eligibility requirements. Permits the Authority to prioritize assistance to applicants purchasing homes in designated community priority areas, applicants with household income below 80%, and applicants purchasing homes in areas with low homeownership rates, high housing costs burdens, or limited access to affordable mortgage credit. Provides that assistance under the program shall be provided as a forgivable loan to be forgiven pro rata on a monthly basis over a 5-year period of continuous owner-occupancy. Sets forth the available loan amounts and provides that assistance funds may be used for down payments, closing costs, mortgage insurance, interest rate buydowns, or principal reduction. Permits the Authority to waive repayment in cases of documented financial hardship that is beyond the control of the homebuyer. Permits the Authority to adopt rules to implement and administer the program. Effective July 1, 2026.

Michael Crawford

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Amends the Statute on Statutes and other various Acts. Changes all occurrences of "disabled person" to "person with a disability", changes all occurrences of "a person who is handicapped" to "a person who has a disability", changes all occurrences of "physically or mentally handicapped" to "having a physical or intellectual disability", and changes all occurrences of "visually handicapped" to "visually impaired". Replaces an outdated reference to the "Disabled Person Identification Card" with "the Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card". Amends the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Changes "Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled program" to "Aid to the Aged, Blind or Persons with Disabilities program". Makes corresponding references in various Acts. Effective immediately.

CRIM CD&CD CORR-FIREARM OFFENS

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 and the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the 15-year penalty enhancement for committing various offenses with a firearm, applies only if the person committed the offense while personally armed with the firearm.

Kelly M. Cassidy

CANNABIS EQUITY COMMISSION

Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. In provisions regarding the Cannabis Equity Commission, adds to the ex officio membership the chairperson of the Agriculture Committee of the Senate, or his or her designee, who shall serve as co-chair of the Commission, and the chairperson of the Agriculture and Conservation Committee of the House of Representatives, or his or her designee, who shall serve as co-chair of the Commission, as well as members of the Illinois Black Caucus and the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus (previously, the Governor, or his or her designee, served as chair of the Commission). Further adds to the membership of the Commission one individual who is a journalist and representative of the news media with work experience covering the national and local cannabis market as well as issues related to disproportionately impacted areas. Requires appointment by the co-chairs of the Commission within 90 days after a vacancy in membership under certain provisions. Provides that the Commission shall issue an annual report to the General Assembly that includes, without limitation, an evaluation of the current market, data regarding social equity operations in the State, community reinvestment data from the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) Program, and tax revenues, as well as recommendations for policy changes that focus on supporting social equity applicants, operators, and communities harmed the most by the failed war on drugs.

Sonya M. Harper

INS CODE-PUBLIC ADJUSTERS

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Defines "compensation" and makes changes to other defined terms. Provides that a public adjuster shall not provide services, other than emergency services, until a written contract with the insured has been executed, on a form filed with and approved by the Director, and an exact copy of the contract has been provided to the insurer or its authorized representative for receiving notice of loss or damage (instead of to only the insurer). Effective immediately.

Dagmara Avelar

PROMPT PAYMENT-INTEREST

Amends the State Prompt Payment Act. Makes technical changes to eliminate obsolete provisions. Provides that, if an agency incurs an interest liability that cannot be charged to the same expenditure authority account to which the related goods or services were charged due to federal prohibitions, the agency may pay the interest from any moneys appropriated to the agency that are not otherwise prohibited to be used for the purpose of paying interest. Provides that, when a State official or agency responsible for administering a contract receives a bill or invoice from a contractor, that State official or agency shall confirm the date on which the bill or invoice was received within 15 business days of receipt and shall transmit any approved amount to the Comptroller within 30 days of receipt. Provides that a State official or agency that is responsible for administering a contract submits a voucher to the Comptroller for payment, the official or agency shall make available electronically the voucher number, the date of the voucher, and the amount of the voucher within 15 days after submitting the voucher to the Comptroller (currently, that information shall be made available promptly).

Lindsey LaPointe

PTELL-ENERGY GRANTS

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that, if a taxing district provided a property tax abatement in connection with a decommissioned nuclear power plant in a levy year prior to levy year 2027, and the taxing district was subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in that prior levy year, then, for levy year 2027, the district's aggregate extension base shall be calculated as through the district's aggregate extension for the levy year in which the abatement was granted included the amount of the abatement. Provides that, beginning in levy year 2028, if a taxing district provided a property tax abatement in connection with a decommissioned nuclear power plant in the immediately preceding levy year, then the district's aggregate extension base for the applicable levy year shall be calculated as through the district's aggregate extension for the levy year in which the abatement was granted included the amount of the abatement. Effective immediately.

Joyce Mason

PROP TX-BILL OF RIGHTS

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that each property tax bill shall contain certain specified information. Provides that each property tax bill shall contain a QR code link that provides contact information for the county assessor, the tax bill history for the property for the 5 immediately preceding taxable years, and a copy of the budget and levy ordinance for each taxing district in which the property is located. Creates a Property Taxpayer's Bill of Rights. Amends the Truth in Taxation Law to provide that each taxing district shall provide notice to taxpayers if the taxing district adopts an aggregate levy that exceeds 105% of the aggregate levy for the preceding year.

Jed Davis

WILDLIFE CD-UAV TRACKING

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that tracking wounded wild birds or wounded wild mammals by use of unmanned aircraft is permissible under certain conditions, including that: (1) the wild bird or wild mammal is wounded when a properly licensed hunter has struck the animal with a projectile fired from a legal hunting device during the open season; (2) any person operating the unmanned aircraft has obtained permission from the public or private landowner, or the landowner's authorized representative, before launching or landing the unmanned aircraft from or on the landowner's property; (3) the person operating the unmanned aircraft does not possess or control a firearm, bow, or other implement whereby wildlife could be killed or taken while afield, whether acting singly or as a group of persons while the unmanned aircraft is in flight, except this prohibition does not apply to a person lawfully carrying a concealed firearm under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act if the concealed firearm is not used to take wildlife; and (4) the unmanned aircraft is operated in a manner that does not harass any wildlife. Exempts an operator of an unmanned aircraft that meets these conditions from hunting permit requirements if the operator is not the taker of the wounded animal. Effective July 1, 2027.

Norine K. Hammond

FIRE DISTRICTS-FUND TRANSFER

Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that the board of trustees of a fire protection district may, by majority vote of the board of trustees, adopt a resolution to transfer moneys from the fire protection district's ambulance service fund to another fund controlled by the fire protection district if (1) the fire protection district has not approved another transfer from the fire protection district's ambulance service fund under the provisions in the same year; (2) the moneys remaining in the fire protection district's ambulance service fund after the transfer are sufficient to pay for the remaining obligations and costs payable from the district's ambulance service fund in the current and subsequent fiscal years; and (3) the transfer does not impair the fire protection district's finances or public safety mission, including, but not limited to, emergency medical services, ambulance services, rescue services, fire suppression services, or any other public safety endeavor established by the fire protection district. Effective immediately.

USE/OCC TX-FARM EQUIPMENT

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, "production agriculture" also includes scouting crops, inspecting or repairing fences used to raise livestock, tile mapping, and herding or inspecting livestock.

Dan Swanson

INC TX-LGDF TRANSFERS

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the amount transferred from the General Revenue Fund to the Local Government Distributive Fund. Effective immediately.

Kyle Moore

PUBLIC SAFETY CAREER PATHWAYS

Creates the Public Safety Career Pathways Act. Requires a participating public or nonpublic high school or school district to provide access to at least one Pipeline Program in a public safety field. Allows an individual 18 years of age or older to participate in a Fire and Emergency Medical Services Pathway. Provides that a law enforcement agency may establish a Cadet Program for individuals 18 to 20 years of age interested in pursuing sworn law enforcement employment. Provides that a Pipeline Program may also include training or supervised experience leading to certain other careers. Requires the State Board of Education to develop a model memorandum of understanding for institutions and local public safety partners. Requires a local public safety partner participating in a Pipeline Program to maintain all insurance required under State law. Provides that participation in a Pipeline Program does not create civil liability for a local public safety partner beyond its statutory duties, as long as the local public safety partner acts in good faith and complies with safety requirements. Provides that compensation for a Pipeline Program participant is optional and may be determined by the local public safety partner. Allows the State Board to provide tuition assistance to eligible participants in certified fire services, emergency medical services, or law enforcement preparatory programs. Requires a local public safety partner to comply with all safety requirements applicable to minors and trainees. Sets forth provisions concerning employee status, background checks, reporting, and rulemaking. Repeals the Act 5 years after the effective date. Effective immediately.

Jed Davis

WORKFORCE PIPELINE ACT

Creates the Workforce Pipeline Act. Provides that beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, each institution (defined as a public high school, school district, or nonpublic high school recognized by the State Board of Education) shall provide access to at least one Pipeline Program in a high-need occupation. Requires the State Board, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, to develop a model memorandum of understanding for an institution and a local workforce partner. Requires an employer participating in a Pipeline Program to maintain workers' compensation and general liability insurance. Provides that participation in a Pipeline Program does not create civil liability for an employer beyond the employer's statutory duties, as long as the employer acts in good faith and complies with safety requirements. Provides that an institution's chief procurement office shall establish a bid preference, not to exceed 5%, for an employer participating in a Pipeline Program. Allows a student to participate in a Pipeline Program with parental consent if under the age of 18. Provides that an institution and a local workforce partner may establish articulation agreements for credit, credentials, or hours earned. Requires an employer to comply with all safety standards applicable to minors and a mentor or supervisor to comply with an institution's volunteer or contractor background-check procedures. Requires the State Board to submit a one-page summary on Pipeline Programs to the General Assembly. Provides that nothing in the Act may be construed as a mandate requiring an institution to incur additional expenditures or establish new programs. Allows the State Board and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to adopt any rules necessary to implement the Act. Repeals the Act on July 1, 2032. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Jed Davis

CD CORR-FAMILY NOTIFICATION

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Corrections Family Notification Act. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall notify all approved visitors of a committed person when that person is: (1) placed in restrictive housing; (2) removed from restrictive housing; (3) housed in a unit subject to lockdown; or (4) returned to normal operations following a lockdown. Establishes the contents of the notification. Provides that no security-sensitive details shall be disclosed. Provides that notification shall be provided via email and SMS text message, if the visitor opts in. Provides that the Department shall maintain an online portal for visitors to update contact information and select preferred notification methods. Provides that notification of the end of confinement or lockdown must be sent within 2 hours of normal operations resuming. Provides that if a notification is sent in error, the Department shall issue a corrected notification within 2 hours of identifying the error. Provides that the Department shall publish an annual report summarizing compliance. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules necessary to implement the provision, including: (1) visitor contact management; (2) communication protocols; and (3) data privacy protections. Effective January 1, 2027.

Jed Davis

DCFS-CHILD WELFARE-INTEGRITY

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that the purpose of the amendatory Act is to ensure that individuals with felony convictions are not assigned to child protective investigations or issued a Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL). Prohibits persons with a felony conviction from holding a CWEL, performing child protection investigations, or supervising investigation staff. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services and every purchase of service agency that contracts with the Department to require all child welfare employees to undergo a fingerprint-based background check, a statewide criminal history search, and a Federal Bureau of Investigation national criminal history background check every 3 years during the term of employment. Requires the Department to revoke a child welfare employee's CWEL immediately upon discovery that the employee has a felony conviction. Prohibits POS agencies that contract with the Department from employing any person convicted of a felony to work as a child welfare employee and sets forth certain penalties for violations of the prohibition. Effective January 1, 2027.

Jed Davis

SCH SPENDING EFFICIENCY&RELIEF

Creates the School Spending Efficiency and Relief Act. Requires each school district to undertake budgetary and expenditure control actions to ensure that administrative expenditures do not exceed 15% of the school district's total operating expenditures. Requires any school district with administrative expenditures exceeding 15% of its total operating expenditures to implement a mandatory annual reduction plan that reduces administrative expenditures by 1% for such time as is required to bring the school district into compliance. Prohibits any school district that is out of compliance from hiring additional administrative personnel. Requires each school district to post an annual budget report online. Allows a school district to increase its tax levy only if the average student enrollment increases by an amount proportional to the tax levy. Requires a school district to decrease its tax levy by a proportional amount whenever the school district's average student enrollment declines. Requires any new contract for a superintendent or assistant superintendent position to be made publicly available at least 30 days prior to approval. Requires any proposal by a school district to increase expenditures on outside consultants and any consultant contract in excess of $25,000 to be made publicly available at least 30 days prior to approval. Requires each school district to enact a budget that either maintains or increases instructional spending as a percentage of total school district expenditures. Provides for a State mandate relief block grant program and a voluntary statewide purchasing consortium. Makes other changes. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2032. Effective immediately.

Jed Davis