Bills & Legislation

PROP TX-SOUTH SUBURBAN CREDIT

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the South Suburban Property Tax Relief Homestead Exemption Pilot Program. Provides that, for taxable years 2026 through 2030, certain qualified homestead property that is used as the primary residence of an individual who has occupied the property for at least 5 continuous years as of January 1 of the taxable year is eligible for a credit against the property taxes imposed on that property. Provides that the amount of the credit is the lesser of (i) the property tax liability for the property for the applicable taxable year or (ii) $5,000. Contains provisions concerning applications for the pilot program. Provides that the Cook County Assessor may not award credits under the pilot program for more than 7,500 properties in any taxable year. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the South Suburban Property Tax Relief Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used to make reimbursements to taxing districts that are affected by the South Suburban Property Tax Relief Homestead Exemption Pilot Program. Makes changes to provisions concerning the Cannabis Regulation Fund to provide for transfers to the South Suburban Property Tax Relief Fund. Amends the Video Gaming Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Thaddeus JonesDemocrat

501(C)(3) LOBBYING FEE EXEMPT

Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Directs the Secretary of State to grant a waiver of the lobbyist registration fee for any not-for-profit entity with an annual budget of less than $5,000,000 that is classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including a waiver for any lobbyist that exclusively lobbies on behalf of such an entity.

Maurice A. West, IIDemocrat

FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE TUITION

Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that the Illinois Community College Board shall develop and maintain a program to provide free tuition at one community college in each R3 Area (designated as such under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act) using money appropriated from the Cannabis Regulation Fund. Authorizes the Board to adopt any rules necessary. Amends the State Finance Act to make related changes.

Rita MayfieldDemocrat

INS-COST SHARING/DRUG REBATES

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026 that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall require that a covered individual's defined cost sharing for each prescription drug shall be calculated at the point of sale based on a price that is reduced by an amount equal to at least 100% of all rebates received in connection with the dispensation or administration of the prescription drug. Provides that an insurer shall apply any rebate amount in excess of the defined cost sharing amount to the health plan to reduce premiums. Provides that the provisions shall not preclude an insurer from decreasing a covered individual's defined cost sharing by an amount greater than the stated amount at the point of sale. Provides that the Department of Insurance may adopt rules to implement the provisions.

Rita MayfieldDemocrat

AGG BATTERY DELIVERY DRIVER

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits aggravated battery when, in committing a battery, other than by discharge of a firearm, he or she knows the individual battered to be a person employed as a delivery driver or courier while in performance of the person's employment.

Rita MayfieldDemocrat

INC TX-INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the maximum amount of the credit for instructional materials and supplies is $1,000 for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025 (currently, $500). Effective immediately.

Rita MayfieldDemocrat

CD CORR-ELECTRONIC MONITORING

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the rules promulgated by the supervising authority concerning electronic monitoring and home detention shall provide that travel to and from approved employment shall not be denied based solely on the transient or mobile nature of the employment, provided that the participant gives the supervising authority sufficient notice and the employer confirms the exact routes or locations, or both, of employment at least 24 hours in advance. Provides that travel to and from approved employment shall not be denied solely for failure to provide the supervising authority with timely notice, provided that the participant gives the supervising authority sufficient notice at least 24 hours in advance of travel.

Rita MayfieldDemocrat

EPA-GREAT LAKES CCR PROTECTION

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that owners and operators of CCR surface impoundments at electric generating plants that are bordering Lake Michigan shall close the CCR surface impoundment by removal by off-site disposal, pursuant to specified provisions and requirements. In additional provisions, requires an owner or operator to remove from his or her site, for off-site disposal, all CCR generated by a facility that is not disposed of, treated, stored, or abandoned in a CCR surface impoundment, and remediate all soil and groundwater impacted by that CCR, in accordance with specified requirements. Requires owners or operators to submit specified plans and reports to the Environmental Protection Agency. Provides that an owner or operator shall post with the Agency a performance bond or other security for the purpose of ensuring removal and remediation in accordance with the provisions. Provides that the Agency may enter into such contracts and agreements as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of the provisions. Provides that neither the State, nor the Director of the Agency, nor any State employee shall be liable for any damages or injuries arising out of or resulting from any action taken under the provisions. Contains other provisions. Contains a severability provision. Effective immediately.

Rita MayfieldDemocrat

PROP TX-TIF INFO-BILL

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that there shall be printed on each tax bill, or on a separate slip mailed with each tax bill, a list of each redevelopment project that (i) is associated with a TIF district in which the property is located and (ii) has been completed during or before the taxable year for which the bill is prepared or is in the process of being completed during that taxable year.

Rita MayfieldDemocrat

USE/OCC TAX-FIREARMS

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Imposes a 3.75% surcharge on firearms and firearm component parts. Sets forth provisions concerning the distribution of the proceeds. Effective immediately.

Rita MayfieldDemocrat

JUV CT-COMMITMENT-AGE

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that a minor found to be guilty may be committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice if the minor is at least 14 (rather than 13) years and under 20 years of age, provided that the commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice shall be made only if the minor was found guilty of a felony offense or first degree murder. Provides that when a minor of the age of at least 14 (rather than 13) years is adjudged delinquent for the offense of first degree murder, the court shall declare the minor a ward of the court and order the minor committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice until the minor's 21st birthday, without the possibility of aftercare release, furlough, or nonemergency authorized absence for a period of 5 years from the date the minor was committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that on or after July 1, 2026 and before July 1, 2027, any minor 12 years of age or older arrested pursuant to the Act if there is probable cause to believe that the minor is a delinquent minor and that secure custody is a matter of immediate and urgent necessity, in light of a serious threat to the physical safety of a person or persons in the community or in order to secure the presence of the minor at the next hearing, as evidenced by a demonstrable record of willful failure to appear at a scheduled court hearing within the past 12 months, may be kept or detained in an authorized detention facility. Provides that on or after July 1, 2027, minors age 12 years of age and under 13 years of age and charged with first degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated battery in which a firearm was used in the offense, or aggravated vehicular hijacking, may be kept or detained in an authorized detention facility. Provides that no minor under 13 (rather than under 12) years of age shall be detained in a county jail or a municipal lockup for more than 6 hours. Provides that instead of detention, minors under the age of 13 who are in conflict with the law may be held accountable through a petition under the Minors Requiring Authoritative Intervention Article of the Act, or may be held accountable through a community mediation program.

Rita MayfieldDemocrat

INC TX-BLOOD DONATION

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit of $250 for taxpayers who make 4 or more qualified donations of human whole blood or human blood components during the taxable year. Effective immediately.

Maurice A. West, IIDemocrat

GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

LOCAL GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Fire Department Promotion Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

LOCAL GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning veteran's and educational preference.

Rick RyanDemocrat

LOCAL GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning appointments by the board of fire and police commissioners.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

LOCAL GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning an election against organization as a fire protection district.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

LOCAL GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning an election against organization as a fire protection district.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE BENEFITS-TECH

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning downstate firefighters.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

TOLL HWY-TOLL RATES-FREE

Amends the Toll Highway Act. Allows an individual who is a veteran or active duty member of the United States Armed Forces to use any toll highway in the State without paying the toll if the veteran or active duty member of the United States Armed Forces displays a military license plate offered by the Secretary of State while using the toll highway.

Maurice A. West, IIDemocrat

INC TX-EMPLOYEE RAISES

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that an employer with 250 or fewer full-time equivalent employees during the reporting period may claim a credit against the withholding payments for each qualified employee. Provides that a qualified employee is an employee who receives a raise from an employer, whose post-raise annual salary attributable to that employer is not less than $31,200, and who continues to be employed by the employer during the reporting period for which the credit is taken.

Maurice A. West, IIDemocrat

EDUCATION-TECH

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.

Steven ReickRepublican

PEN CD-TEACHERS-FORFEITURE

Amends the Downstate Teacher and Chicago Teacher Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that none of the benefits provided for in either Article shall be paid to a person if the person first becomes a member on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act and a board, after an administrative hearing, determines that the person sexually abused a student. Provides that an employer must notify a board if a retiring member has been accused of sexually abusing a student. Provides that a board may, through an administrative hearing, review the claim of sexual abuse and may order that benefits be forfeited. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act shall not operate to impair any contract or vested right acquired before the effective date of the amendatory Act nor to preclude the right to a refund. Provides that all teachers entering service on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall be deemed to have consented to the provisions of the amendatory Act as a condition of membership. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Steven ReickRepublican

INC TX-PROP TX CREDIT

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, if the amount of the credit for residential real property taxes exceeds the taxpayer's liability, that amount shall be refunded if the taxpayer is 65 years or older and has a federal adjusted gross income of not more than $50,000. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision. Effective immediately.

Steven ReickRepublican

PROP TX-SENIOR FREEZE-CPI

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable year 2026, the maximum income limitation for the senior freeze shall be $73,700 for all qualified property (currently, $65,000). Provides that the maximum income limitation shall be adjusted each year according to the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. Effective immediately.

Steven ReickRepublican

STATE GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Steven ReickRepublican

STATE GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Steven ReickRepublican

STATE GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Steven ReickRepublican

STATE GOVERNMENT-TECH

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Steven ReickRepublican

GUARDIAN-ADULT W/ DISABILITIES

Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that if guardianship is necessary under law and the petition for guardianship is filed by a person, corporation, nonprofit organization, or other entity with no legally recognized relationship to the alleged person with a disability, the court shall appoint the State Guardian or county public guardian as the temporary and permanent guardian of the person or estate or both except in counties in which there is no sitting county public guardian.

Margaret A. DeLaRosaDemocrat

PROP TX-EXTENSION LIMITATION

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning in taxable year 2026, no county clerk may extend against any property an annual property tax that exceeds the amount generated by multiplying the property tax liability for the property in the immediately preceding taxable year by one plus the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period ending in September of the immediately preceding taxable year, unless the increase in the property tax liability is the result of improvements to the property or the result of the removal of one or more exemptions that were granted with respect to the property for the immediately preceding taxable year. Effective immediately.

Rita MayfieldDemocrat

POLICE TRAINING-BACK THE BADGE

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Creates within the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board a Recruitment Division. Provides that the Division shall establish a Back-the-Badge Program, which shall establish recruitment plans for law enforcement agencies. Provides that the Division shall determine and prioritize specific characteristics that a law enforcement agency and community desire in their police officers. Provides that the Division shall cooperate with law enforcement agencies to determine a strategy to hire and retain sworn police officers who are diverse and reflective of the community and the priorities of the law enforcement agencies.

Jason R. BuntingRepublican

$TEACH IL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Appropriates $8,000,000 to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the administration of scholarships under the Teach Illinois Scholarship Program. Effective July 1, 2025.

Jed DavisRepublican

INS CD-CANCER SCREENINGS

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In a provision concerning coverage of certain cancer screenings, adds having a high level of CA-125, as indicated by a blood test screening, to the definition of "at risk for ovarian cancer". Provides that "surveillance tests for ovarian cancer" means all medically viable methods for the detection and diagnosis of ovarian cancer, including, but not limited to, ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imagings (MRIs), x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and CA-125 blood test screenings (instead of an annual screening using (i) CA-125 serum tumor marker testing, (ii) transvaginal ultrasound, (iii) pelvic examination). Effective January 1, 2027.

Jed DavisRepublican

ONLINE AGE VERIFICATION-MINORS

Creates the Online Age Verification for Material Harmful to Minors Act. Requires any commercial entity that knowingly or intentionally publishes or distributes material harmful to minors on the Internet from a website that contains a substantial portion of such material to verify that any person attempting to access such material is 18 years of age or older. Provides that verification must be done through the use of (i) a commercially available database that is regularly used by businesses or governmental entities for the purpose of age and identity verification or (ii) another commercially reasonable method of age and identity verification. Provides that any commercial entity that violates the Act shall be subject to civil liability for damages resulting from a minor's access to such material harmful to a minor and reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Exempts from liability providers or users of an interactive computer service on the Internet, as defined.

Jed DavisRepublican

LOC GOV EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE

Amends the Decennial Committees on Local Government Efficiency Act. Provides that a governmental unit may form a committee (rather than must form a committee) to study local efficiencies and report recommendations regarding efficiencies and increased accountability to the county board in which the governmental unit is located.

Patrick SheehanRepublican

DONATE BLOOD-MRNA VACCINES

Amends the Illinois Clinical Laboratory and Blood Bank Act. Requires a blood bank to test or have tested donated blood for evidence of any COVID-19 vaccine and any other messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine components, and requires a blood donor to disclose during each blood donor screening process whether the blood donor has received a COVID-19 vaccine or any other mRNA vaccine during the donor's lifetime. Requires blood or blood components to include on their labels a designation that the blood or blood components tested positive for evidence of a COVID-19 vaccine or any other mRNA vaccine component or was drawn from a blood donor who disclosed the donor have received a COVID-19 vaccine or any other mRNA vaccine during the donor's lifetime. Provides that the Department of Public Health must adopt rules to implement the changes made by the amendatory Act.

Jed DavisRepublican

ADVISORY COMMITTEE SPECIAL ED

Creates the Local Advisory Committees on Special Education Act. Allows each school district or regional cooperative program providing special education services to establish and appoint a local advisory committee on special education if a local advisory committee is requested by more than 3 parents or guardians of the students receiving the services. Establishes the membership and responsibilities of a local advisory committee and the duties of the school district or regional cooperative program. Provides that members of a local advisory committee shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2026.

Jed DavisRepublican

SCH CD-BIAS & SUPPORT TRAINING

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Establishes findings. Requires teachers, administrators, and school support personnel to complete training to develop cultural competency, including understanding and reducing unconscious bias and stigmatizing assumptions about persons with disabilities. Sets forth the requirements of the training. Effective July 1, 2025.

Jed DavisRepublican

DHS-CCAP-CHILD CARE WORKERS

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision concerning the child care assistance program, expands the categories of families eligible for assistance to include, beginning January 1, 2026, all child care workers with incomes at or below 325% of the federal poverty level for each family size.

Charles MeierRepublican

GUN-FREE ZONE LIABILITY ACT

Creates the Gun-Free Zone Liability Act. Provides that the State is liable for harm or damage suffered by a concealed carry licensee or any individual otherwise legally entitled to carry a firearm if the harm or damage occurs in a gun-free zone, as defined by State law, and the harm or damage could have been reasonably avoided if the individual had been allowed to carry his or her concealed firearm in that gun-free zone. Provides that liability includes, but is not limited to, medical expenses, compensation for pain and suffering, loss of income, property damage, and wrongful death claims brought by the victim's estate. Provides that the plaintiff must establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the harm or damage suffered could have been reasonably avoided or mitigated if the plaintiff had been permitted to carry a concealed firearm, and that the plaintiff is otherwise in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations regarding firearm possession and use. Provides exceptions. Provides that any individual who is harmed, if the harm or damage occurred in a gun-free zone, may bring a civil action against the State of Illinois in the circuit court of the county of the plaintiff's residence. Provides that if the plaintiff prevails, he or she is entitled to full compensatory damages, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees, and any other relief the court deems just and equitable. Contains a severability provision. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Jed DavisRepublican

ELEC CD-DECEASED VOTERS

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the county clerk of the county where a decedent last resided shall (rather than may) issue certifications of death records from an electronic reporting system for death registrations as provided in the Vital Records Act and shall (rather than may) use that system to cancel the registration of any person who died during the preceding month.

Jed DavisRepublican

EDUC-TRADE COURSES-METT

Amends the School Code. Allows a METT Educator District License for teaching a course in manufacturing, engineering, technology, or a trade (METT) to be issued to an applicant who has at least 10,000 working hours in a trade. Provides that a METT Educator District License may be issued to qualified individuals who have not obtained a bachelor's degree or an equivalent number of hours in an educational program at an institution of higher education. Provides that a METT Educator District License is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the license being issued and may be renewed. Provides that a METT Educator District License is valid only for the teaching of a course that the State Board of Education has identified as related to the work experience of the licensee. Sets forth other provisions regarding the license. Amends the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Provides that the State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity or the Department of Labor, shall expand a database to identify METT labor shortages. Provides that by July 1, 2028, school districts in identified regions shall be notified by the State Board and shall participate in a College and Career Pathway Endorsement program and offer a METT endorsement. Makes other changes.

Jed DavisRepublican

SCH CD-CHAPLAINS

Amends the School Code. Allows each school board to employ or accept as a volunteer a certified chaplain to provide to a school support, services, and programs for students, staff, and parents as assigned by the school board. Sets forth the selection process, certification requirements, and amount of chaplains a school may employ or accept as a volunteer. Requires a chaplain to submit to a fingerprint-based criminal history records check and check of the Statewide Sex Offender Database and the Statewide Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database before the chaplain begins employment or volunteering at a school. Prohibits a chaplain from being employed or accepted as a volunteer if the chaplain is registered or is required to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act or the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act. Provides that no person shall have a cause of action against a chaplain for any action taken or statement made in adherence with the provision of support, services, or programs for students, staff, or parents. Establishes exceptions to a chaplain's liability immunity.

Jed DavisRepublican

LIMITATIONS-VICTIM UNDER 18

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that when the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons and related offenses may be commenced at any time (rather than within 25 years of the victim attaining the age of 18 years).

Nicole La HaRepublican

PROP TX-GOLD STAR PARENT

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that homestead property that is owned and used as a primary residence by a Gold Star Parent is exempt from taxation under the Code. Effective immediately.

Travis WeaverRepublican

STUDENT-ATHLETE ENDORSEMENT

Amends the Student-Athlete Endorsement Rights Act. Provides that if a student-athlete earns more than $250,000 from the use of the name, image, likeness, or voice of the student-athlete, then any academic scholarship granted to the student-athlete shall be reduced by $1 per dollar the student-athlete earns over $250,000.

David FriessRepublican

INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS-GENDER

Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that any athletic team or sport that is under the jurisdiction of an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and student must be expressly designated as (i) a male athletic team or sport, (ii) a female athletic team or sport, or (iii) a coeducational athletic team or sport. Provides that an athletic team or sport designated as being female is available only to participants who are female, based on their biological sex. Requires a school district or nonpublic school to obtain a written statement signed by a student's parent or guardian or the student verifying the student's age, biological sex, and that the student has not taken performance enhancing drugs; provides for a penalty for false or misleading statements. Prohibits a governmental entity or an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and students from entertaining a complaint, opening an investigation, or taking any other adverse action against a school district or nonpublic school for maintaining athletic teams or sports in accordance with these provisions.

Regan DeeringRepublican

SCH CD-EDUCATOR LICENSE-RENEW

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Allows a lapsed Professional Educator License to be immediately reinstated upon payment to the State Board of Education by the applicant of the lesser of a $50 penalty or a $10 penalty for each year the license has lapsed. Effective immediately.

Regan DeeringRepublican

SCH CD-TEACHER-FIRST RESPONDER

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that a candidate for a State educator license who is either a former or active first responder or a military service member shall receive a refund for any costs associated with completing a test of content area knowledge or a teacher performance assessment. Provides that no former or active first responder or military service member may be charged an application fee under provisions regarding a Professional Educator License, an Educator License with Stipulations, a Substitute Teaching License, and a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. Effective July 1, 2025.

Regan DeeringRepublican