Bills & Legislation

STUDENT JOURNALISTS-LIABILITY

Amends the Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act. Provides that any student or student media adviser may institute proceedings for injunctive or declaratory relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the rights to free speech or free press. Provides that nothing shall be construed to create any private action on behalf of a student other than to seek injunctive relief allowing the publication of the speech in question. Allows a court to award reasonable attorney's fees to a plaintiff that substantially prevails.

Nabeela SyedDemocrat

AG-DROUGHT & CLIMATE-STUDY

Amends the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Directs the Department of Agriculture to study: (1) the specific actions that can be taken and the practices that can be implemented to mitigate the impacts of drought and climate change on agriculture in the State; (2) the costs, benefits, and feasibility of establishing and implementing financial and technical assistance programs to mitigate the impacts of drought and climate change on agricultural producers in the State; (3) the costs, benefits, and feasibility of using agricultural land management to realize greenhouse gas reductions and maximize carbon sequestration opportunities in the State; (4) the costs, benefits, and feasibility of using floatovoltaics in State waterways; and (5) the costs, benefits, and feasibility of establishing within the Department an Agricultural Drought and Climate Resilience Office for the purpose of providing agricultural producers with the voluntary technical assistance, nonregulatory programs, and incentives necessary to harden the State's agricultural sector to the coming impacts of drought and climate change. Allows the Department to enter into a contract or grant agreement with one or more organizations or institutions with expertise in environmental and agricultural issues for the purpose of completing the tasks delegated to the Department in these provisions. Authorizes the Department, in conducting the required cost-benefit analyses, to take into account the value of ecosystem services. Directs the Department to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly within 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Sonya M. HarperDemocrat

VEH CD-CHANGE TO SPEED LIMIT

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, on and after October 1, 2025, the default speed limit is 20 (instead of 30) miles per hour within an urban district, and 10 (instead of 15) miles per hour in an alley within an urban district. Requires, by September 1, 2025, the Secretary of State to communicate the speed limit change to every licensed driver in the State via direct postal mail and a broad statewide communications campaign. Provides that a county, municipality, or township with speed enforcement authority may only issue warnings for violations during the first 60 days after the change of the speed limit is enacted. Effective immediately.

Maura HirschauerDemocrat

HIGHER ED-ASSISTANCE REPEALS

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Repeals provisions regarding the State scholar program, the Merit Recognition Scholarship program, the Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access grant program, the student to student grant program, the Teach Illinois Scholarship Program, grants for persons raised by a grandparent, the Southern Illinois University's Achieve Program, medical assistant grants, the police training academy job training scholarship program, and the adult vocational community college scholarship. Repeals the Public Interest Attorney Assistance Act, the Child Welfare Student Loan Forgiveness Act, and the Community College Transfer Grant Program Act.

Dan SwansonRepublican

SCH CD-ADMIN CONTRACTS

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district shall not enter into an agreement that rescinds an employment contract entered into with an administrative employee in exchange for a payment that exceeds an amount greater than 6 time the monthly salary of the employee, due to the unsatisfactory performance of the employee's duties.

Rita MayfieldDemocrat

INCLUSIVE VENTURE INVESTMENT

Creates the Inclusive Venture Investment Act. Provides that the State Treasurer shall create a Direct Matching Funds Program. Provides that the purpose of the program shall be to leverage State-managed funds for investments in minority-owned venture capital firms, minority-owned financial managers, and minority-led startups. Sets forth provisions for investment requirements and incentives; administration; transparency and reporting; oversight and compliance; confidentiality; and rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2026.

Maurice A. West, IIDemocrat

$IDOT-PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE

Appropriates $90,000,000 to the Department of Transportation for various passenger rail services. Effective July 1, 2025.

Justin CochranDemocrat

AGING-DHS-GRANT ASSISTANCE

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging, the Children and Family Services Act, the Department of Human Services Act, and the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law. Requires the Department on Aging, and the Departments of Children and Family Services, Human Services, and Public Health to provide technical assistance in the form of training to local governmental entities and not-for-profit human service entities located within Illinois that request such assistance for the purpose of procuring grants. Requires the Departments to prioritize entities that: (i) are current grant recipients and are routinely noncompliant with grant award requirements; and (ii) have lost Department grant funding in the last 5 years and are seeking to reapply for grant funding. Requires the Departments to adopt rules. Effective July 1, 2025.

Camille Y. LillyDemocrat

VETERAN REGISTRATION FEES

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2026 registration year, the standard registration fee for passenger motor vehicles of the first division and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds shall be $100 for any Illinois vehicle owner who has been issued a drivers license with a veteran's designation.

Ryan SpainRepublican

ICC TELECOM BOX REMOVAL

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to adopt rules to allow a land owner to request to have an unused telecommunications utility box removed from the land owner's property by the telecommunications carrier.

Ryan SpainRepublican

GRADUATED LICENSE SUSPENSION

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, if a graduated driver's license holder is convicted of violating provisions stating that a graduated driver's license holder who is under the age of 18 when he or she receives the license may not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger in the vehicle who is under the age of 20, unless any additional passenger or passengers are siblings, step-siblings, children, or stepchildren of the driver, then the graduated license shall be suspended for 6 months.

Ryan SpainRepublican

EXECUTIVE & GA PAY RAISES

Amends the Salaries Act and the General Assembly Compensation Act. Removes changes made by Public Act 102-1115.

Ryan SpainRepublican

MEDICAID-EXTENDED HOSP STAYS

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that for an extended hospital stay beyond medical necessity due to multiple failed attempts to place an emergency room patient who presented for dementia or other long-term care needs into a nursing or other long-term care facility, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reimburse the hospital at a rate calculated to cover the entire hospital stay if (i) the hospital presents documentation, as prescribed by the Department, of multiple unsuccessful attempts to place the patient in a nursing or other long-term care facility and (ii) if each nursing or long-term care facility the hospital solicited for placement gave a substantially similar reason for denying the patient admission.

Ryan SpainRepublican

DCFS-CRIM CHECKS-SSN BAN

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Prohibits the Department of Children and Family Services from requiring Department volunteers to list or provide their social security numbers on any form prescribed by the Department that authorizes a criminal history record or background check. Requires the Department to amend its rule on authorization forms in accordance with the amendatory Act. Excludes the social security number of a Department volunteer from the definition of "background information." Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that no person appointed to serve as a court appointed special advocate shall be required to list or provide his or her social security number on any form prescribed by the court that authorizes a criminal history record or background check.

Ryan SpainRepublican

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE PROGRAM

Creates the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Act. Requires the Department of Employment Security to establish and administer a Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program that provides family and medical leave insurance benefits to eligible employees. Sets forth eligibility requirements for benefits under the Act. Contains provisions concerning disqualification from benefits; premium payments; the amount and duration of benefits; the recovery of erroneous payments; hearings; defaulted premium payments; elective coverage; employment protection; coordination of family and medical leave; defined terms; and other matters. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Account Fund. Provides phase-in periods for the collection of money and making of claims for benefits under the Act. Effective January 1, 2027.

Sonya M. HarperDemocrat

GAMING-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE

Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Provides that the Illinois Gaming Board shall not require individuals hired exclusively to perform functions that are not related in any way to gaming operations to hold an occupational license. Provides that the Board may issue a non-gaming identification badge upon payment of a non-refundable annual fee set by the Board. Sets forth eligibility requirements for a non-gaming identification badge. Effective immediately.

COMPETITIVELY NEUTRAL ENERGY

Creates the Transparent, Inclusive, and Competitively Neutral Energy Policy Act. Sets forth findings. Provides that the energy procurement process shall be transparent, inclusive, and competitively neutral and shall provide due consideration to the unique advantages of each developer from all segments of the energy sector and recognize that more inclusive procurements result in greater competition among developers and lower costs for consumers.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

FY27 BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Designates September of each year as National Scarring Alopecia Awareness Month.

SCH CD-EDUCATOR LICENSURE

Amends the School Code. Allows, if an assessment is determined to be non-uniform, a provisional in-state educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations to be issued to a candidate who has completed an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education and who has not successfully completed an applicable content area test but who: holds at least a bachelor's degree; has completed an approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution; has passed an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness; and has attempted an applicable content area test that has been determined to be non-uniform and has not attempted any uniform content area tests. Provides that the process by which the State Board of Education evaluates content area tests shall be public information and shall be made available on the website of the State Board. Requires the State Board to evaluate each content area test after it has been administered for at least 10 months, but not more than 12 months, and shall determine that a content test is non-uniform. Provides that if a content test is determined to be non-uniform, the State Board shall: convene one or more committees to review the content, bias, and passing score requirements of that content test and recommend changes to improve uniformity; offer the most recent uniform content area test for the same license or endorsement as an option until the new assessment is determined to be uniform; provide an opportunity to attempt the most recent uniform content area test for the same license or endorsement to candidates who attempted but did not pass the most recent version of the content area test; and implement a process by which candidates who attempted but did not pass the content test may apply for provisional licensure. Provides that if the State Board finds that the content area test forms available as of January 1, 2025 are not uniform in the level of difficulty as compared to previous forms of those exams, any candidate for licensure who attempted any content area test in the form that was available as of January 1, 2025, and whose best scores in each subsection of the same content area exam, taken across multiple attempts on the same form of the exam, equal or exceed the passing score for that content area exam as of January 1, 2025, shall be determined to have passed that content area exam.

Laura Faver DiasDemocrat

SPARKLER EXCISE TAX ACT

Creates the Ground-Based Sparkler Purchaser Excise Tax Act. Imposes a tax, beginning July 1, 2025, upon purchasers for the privilege of using ground-based sparklers and not for the purpose of resale at the rate of 6% of the purchase price of ground-based sparklers. Prohibits certain retail combinations or bundles. Requires every retailer required to collect the tax to apply to the Department of Revenue for a certificate of registration. Provides that any retailer required to collect the tax shall be liable to the Department for the tax, whether the tax has been collected, and any such tax shall constitute a debt to the State. Provides for the making of returns. Provides that from the revenue collected, the Department shall pay 25% into the Fireman's Annuity and Benefit Fund, 25% into the Firefighters' Pension Investment Fund, and 50% into the General Revenue Fund. Provides for recordkeeping requirements. Establishes penalties for violations of the Act. Provides that the Department shall have full power to administer and enforce the Act. Allows for the arrest of any person who violates the Act, the search of any place of business to inspect all ground-based sparklers, and the seizure of any ground based-sparklers without a warrant. Sets forth hearing requirements after seizure. Allows the Department to adopt rules. Amends the Fireworks Regulation Act of Illinois. Allows a municipality to prohibit the sale and use of ground-based sparklers on public property. Prohibits ground-based sparklers from being sold to a person under the age of 18 years. Amends the Pyrotechnic Use Act. Prohibits ground-based sparklers from being sold to a person under the age of 18 years. Effective July 1, 2025.

Robert "Bob" RitaDemocrat

NONOPIOID ALTERNATIVES ACT

Creates the Nonopioid Alternatives for Pain Act. Allows the Department of Public Health to develop and publish on its website a nonopioid alternatives pamphlet, with certain requirements. Prohibits a health insurance issuer to deny coverage of a nonopioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that coverage shall not be denied for a nonopioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug. Requires that nonopioid drugs preferred on a specific list for the treatment or management of pain shall not be disadvantaged or discouraged with respect to coverage relative to any opioid or narcotic drug for the treatment or management of pain. Effective July 1, 2027.

Janet Yang RohrDemocrat

PARK DIST - COMPETITIVE BIDS

Amends the Park District Code. Provides that all competitive bids for contracts involving an expenditure in excess of $50,000 (rather than $30,000), or a lower amount if required by board policy, must be sealed by the bidder and must be opened by a member or employee of the park board at a public bid opening at which the contents of the bids must be announced. Amends the Conservation District Act and the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act. Provides that specified contracts related to supplies, materials, or work involving an expenditure in excess of $50,000 (rather than $30,000), or a lower amount if required by board policy, must be competitively bid. Effective immediately.

Debbie Meyers-MartinDemocrat

PENCD-CHI POLICE-BOARD MEMBERS

Amends the Chicago Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a board of 9 (instead of 8) members shall constitute a board of trustees of the fund. Provides that the board shall consist of 4 persons appointed by the mayor of the city; 4 (instead of 3) policemen employed by the city, at least one of whom shall be a lieutenant (instead of a lieutenant or of a rank superior to lieutenant), one of whom shall be of the rank of sergeant, and 2 (instead of one) of whom shall be of the rank of investigator or a rank inferior to that rank; and one annuitant of the fund. Provides that any newly created elected position on the board shall be filled in the same manner as provided for vacant positions.

Stephanie A. KifowitDemocrat

PEN CD-CHI POLICE&FIRE-TIER 2

Amends the Chicago Police and Chicago Firefighter Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the Tier 2 monthly retirement annuity shall be increased on the January 1 occurring either on or after (i) the attainment of age 55 (instead of age 60) or (ii) the first anniversary of the annuity start date, whichever is later. Provides that each annual increase shall be calculated at 3% (instead of 3% or one-half the annual unadjusted percentage increase in the consumer price index-u, whichever is less) of the originally granted retirement annuity. In a provision specifying an annuity reduction factor for each year a retiring Tier 2 policeman or fireman is under the age of 55, provides that the retirement annuity of a policeman or fireman who is retiring after attaining age 50 with 20 or more years of service shall not be reduced. Makes a conforming change. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Stephanie A. KifowitDemocrat

PEN CD-POLICE & FIRE-VARIOUS

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a Tier 2 investigator for the Department of the Lottery is entitled to an annuity under the alternative retirement annuity provisions only if the person has withdrawn from service with not less than 20 years of eligible creditable service and has attained age 55. Authorizes an investigator for the Department of the Lottery to establish eligible creditable service under the alternative retirement annuity provisions. Provides that a specified educational requirement for persons employed by the Department of Juvenile Justice shall no longer determine eligibility to earn eligible creditable service under the alternative retirement annuity provisions and authorizes the conversion of service credit to eligible creditable service. Establishes a deferred retirement option plan for certain police officers, firefighters, sheriff's law enforcement employees, and deputy sheriffs in the Cook County Police Department who are otherwise eligible to retire under which a participant may continue in active service for up to 5 years while having his or her retirement pension paid into a special account. Provides that the election to participate in the deferred retirement option plan must be made before January 1, 2030. Provides that the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act (Article 20 of the Code) is adopted and made a part of the Downstate Police, Downstate Firefighter, Chicago Police, and Chicago Firefighter Articles. In the Chicago Teacher Article of the Code, makes changes to how days of validated service are computed. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Makes other changes.

Stephanie A. KifowitDemocrat

HIGHWAY WORK ZONE SAFETY ACT

Creates the Highway Work Zone Safety Act. Requires the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Illinois State Police, to establish the Highway Work Zone Speed Control Program for the purposes of enforcing the speed limits established for construction or maintenance speed zones. Requires the Illinois State Police, in conjunction with the Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, to set up and operate automated traffic control systems in highway construction and maintenance speed zones to detect violations of posted work zone speed limits. Allows the Department of Transportation or the Illinois State Police to employ automated traffic control system operators to operate automated traffic control systems in construction or maintenance speed zones. Provides, with exceptions, that information and photographs or recorded images collected under the Program are not discoverable by court order as evidence in a proceeding. Requires information and photographs or recorded images collected under the Program to be destroyed not later than 2 years after the date the information and photographs or recorded images are collected. Provides that information and photographs or recorded images collected under the Program are the exclusive property of the State and not the property of the manufacturer or vendor of the automated traffic control system. Prohibits the use of a photograph or recorded image obtained through the use of an automated traffic control system for the purpose of enforcing a traffic offense. Provides that a person who owns a motor vehicle that is identified by an automated traffic control system as operating in a construction or maintenance speed zone at a speed in excess of the posted speed limit commits a civil law violation that is punishable by a minimum fine of $100 and a maximum fine of $200. Grants rulemaking authority to the Department of Transportation to implement and administer the Act. Makes other changes. Makes corresponding changes in the Freedom of Information Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Repeals the Automated Traffic Control Systems in Highway Construction or Maintenance Zones Act. Effective January 1, 2027, except provisions regarding procurement and rulemaking are effective immediately.

MEDICAID-NURSING FACILTY RATES

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval, beginning on January 1, 2026, the reimbursement rates for the support component of the nursing facility rate for facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled or intermediate care facilities and for facilities licensed under the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013 shall be the rate in effect on June 30, 2024 increased by the percent change in the Consumer Price Index-U from September 2016 to September 2025. Effective immediately.

Robert "Bob" RitaDemocrat

LIQUOR-DELIVERY TO RETAILER

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that a distributor of wine or spirits shall deliver to any retailer within any geographic area in which that distributor has been granted by a wholesaler the right to sell its trademark, brand, or name at least once every 2 weeks if the retailer agrees to purchase at least $200 of wine or spirits from the distributor every 2 weeks. Removes language setting forth a $50 minimum purchase of wine or spirits for a retailer located in a county with a population of less than 3,000,000 that is not adjacent to a county with a population of at least 3,000,000 inhabitants. Makes a conforming change.

Robert "Bob" RitaDemocrat

LIQUOR-COOPERATIVE PURCHASING

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Creates a cooperative agent license. Provides that a cooperative agent license shall allow the holder to act on behalf of a cooperative purchase group. Establishes a fee for licensure as a cooperative agent. Provides that a licensee with a combined on-premises and off-premises license may make purchases for on-premises use only through an on-premises cooperative purchase group and may make purchases for off-premises use only through an off-premises cooperative purchase group. Provides that cooperative purchase groups, cooperative agents, and the cooperative agents' owners, officers, principals, employees, and their spouse may not: (1) receive cash or anything of value from a retail licensee, importing distributor, distributor, non-resident dealer, or manufacturer as part of a cooperative purchasing agreement; (2) be employed by, consult for, or have an ownership interest in any business or enterprise that provides marketing services or activities on behalf of manufacturers, non-resident dealers, foreign importers, importing distributors, or distributors; or (3) accept things of value from, or provide marketing services or activities on behalf of, manufacturers, non-resident dealers, foreign importers, importing distributors, and distributors. Makes conforming and other changes. Provides that it is the duty of every cooperative agent and cooperative purchase group to make books and records available upon reasonable notice for the purpose of investigation and control by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission or any local liquor commission having jurisdiction over a licensee member of a cooperative purchase group. Makes changes concerning the surety bond a cooperative purchase group is required to retain. Changes references from "cooperative purchasing group" to "cooperative purchase group" to conform to the defined term.

Robert "Bob" RitaDemocrat

DOMESTIC FRANCHISE TAX-REPEAL

Amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983. Provides that, on or after January 1, 2026 and prior to January 1, 2027, the first $100,000 in liability is exempt from the franchise tax payable by domestic corporations. Provides that, in the case of a domestic corporation, no payment is required for a franchise tax that would have been due and payable on or after January 1, 2027. Repeals the provision concerning franchise taxes payable by domestic corporations on January 1, 2027. Effective immediately.

Tony M. McCombieRepublican

FUEL RECOVERY FEE PROHIBITION

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall not authorize any charges based upon changes in the cost of fuel. Removes provisions concerning the Commission's ability to authorize the increase or decrease of a public utility's rates and charges based upon changes in the cost of fuel used in the generation or production of electric power, changes in the cost of purchased power, or changes in the cost of purchased gas through the application of fuel adjustment clauses or purchased gas adjustment clauses and based upon expenditures or revenues resulting from the purchase or sale of emission allowances through such fuel adjustment clauses as a cost of fuel. Removes provisions concerning a public utility's ability to, at any time during the mandatory transition period, file with the Commission proposed tariff sheets that establish the rate of the provided utility to be applied pursuant to the public utility's fuel adjustment clause at the average value for such rate during the preceding 24 months, provided that such average rate results in a credit to customers' bills, without making any revisions to the public utility's base rate tariffs.

Amy ElikRepublican

UTILITY ACQUISITION NOTICE

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a water or sewer utility owned by the State or any political subdivision thereof and being acquired by a large public utility must inform the public of the terms of its acquisition by the large public utility by holding a public meeting prior to the acquisition and mailing a notice to the public residing in the area that the water or sewer utility operates (rather than publishing a notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the area that the water or sewer utility operates). Provides that the notice shall include (i) information about the public meeting being held prior to the acquisition, (ii) information on what public body will be making the decision regarding the sale of the water or sewer utility, and (iii) an estimate of the potential rate increases that may be incurred in the next 5 years due to the acquisition, including the maximum rate increase that the large public utility estimates rate payers would incur each year for the next 5 years. Provides that, for a period of 5 years after the acquisition of the water or sewer utility, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall deny any proposed rate increase that exceeds the maximum estimated rate increase provided in the notice.

TAX-SCHOOL EXTRACURRICULAR

Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, for the purposes of those Acts, a corporation, limited liability company, society, association, foundation, or institution organized and operated exclusively for educational purposes shall include nonprofit corporations that solely conduct extracurricular activities on behalf of tax-supported public schools.

Amy ElikRepublican

ESTATE TAX-PHASE OUT

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Provides that the amount of the taxes imposed under the Act shall be reduced in each year by 20%. Provides that no tax shall be imposed under the Act for persons dying on or after January 1, 2030 or for transfers occurring on or after January 1, 2030. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2031. Effective immediately.

Joe C. SosnowskiRepublican

BIPA-ACTION APPLICABILITY

Amends the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Provides that the changes made by Public Act 103-769 apply to pending actions as of August 2, 2024, and any actions commenced and complaints filed on or after August 2, 2024. Effective immediately.

Jeff KeicherRepublican

DNR-MINE WORKINGS MAP PORTAL

Amends the Fluorspar Mines Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall, no later than July 1, 2026, create and maintain an online underground mine workings portal. Provides that the portal shall be accessible to the general public without a fee. Provides that the portal shall allow access to all maps filed with the Department of Natural Resources. Requires the portal to allow a user to locate underground mine workings maps by searching for a street address.

Amy ElikRepublican

PEN CD-IMRF-SLEP DISABILITY

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision concerning eligibility for total and permanent disability benefits, provides that if the participating employee was a sheriff's law enforcement employee at the time disability was incurred, the participating employee shall be deemed to have engaged in gainful activity only if that participating employee is employed as a sheriff's law enforcement employee or in a substantially similar capacity. Provides that the amount of the monthly total and permanent disability benefit shall be 100% of the final rate of earnings on the date disability was incurred if the participating employee was a sheriff's law enforcement employee at the time disability was incurred. Provides that a person who was a sheriff's law enforcement employee at the time disability was incurred may receive earnings from a participating municipality or participating instrumentality if that person is not employed as a sheriff's law enforcement employee because of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or be of a long continued and indefinite duration. Provides that such a person must report to the Fund, in a form and manner prescribed by the Fund, the amount of earnings received for that employment, and the amount of the disability benefits to which that person is entitled shall be reduced by the amount of earnings received for that employment. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amy ElikRepublican

MEDICAID-THERAPAUTIC RECREATON

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, to submit the necessary application to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to amend the State's home and community-based services waiver programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities to provide coverage under the Home-Based Services Program for any therapeutic recreation programs offered by park districts, health clubs, and community colleges.

Charles MeierRepublican

FILM TX CREDIT-SPENDING

Amends the Film Production Services Tax Credit Act of 2008. Provides that accredited productions shall be considered Category 1 productions or Category 2 productions. Provides that a Category 1 production is an accredited production that meets the following criteria: (1) at least 75% of all principal filming or taping days of the accredited production that occur at any soundstage facility within or without Illinois occur at a qualified production facility; and (2) at least 20% of the total expenditures for the accredited production are for (i) tangible property that will be used at a qualified production facility or for the use of the qualified production facility; (ii) the performance of services at a qualified production facility; or (iii) any combination of (i) and (ii). Makes changes concerning the amount of the credit. Makes changes concerning the number of nonresident employees whose wages may be considered Illinois labor expenditures. Makes changes concerning the definition of "qualified production facility". Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make changes concerning withholdings for loan out company employees. Effective immediately.

Margaret CrokeDemocrat

MEDICAID-TARDIVE DYSKINESIA

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to develop, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Health, recommended screening guidelines for tardive dyskinesia for providers serving patients prescribed antipsychotic medications under the medical assistance program in State-operated residential facilities and community-based settings. Provides that the recommended screening guidelines shall be based on current, nationally accepted, evidence-based recommendations for the assessment and treatment of tardive dyskinesia, and shall include structured assessment tools, which can be both quantitative and qualitative. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, to develop communication strategies and educational materials to be offered to health care providers regarding tardive dyskinesia, the recommended screening guidelines, and any subsequent revisions. Provides that in developing the information to be disseminated, the Departments of Healthcare and Family Services, Human Services, and Public Health shall consult with a statewide association representing physicians licensed to practice medicine in all its branches and a statewide association representing psychiatrists.

Lindsey LaPointeDemocrat

EDGE-PHARMACY

Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that certain taxpayers that are primarily engaged in the business of pharmacy, health, and wellness may elect to claim the Credit under the Act against their obligation to pay over withholding taxes under the Illinois Income Tax Act.

Margaret CrokeDemocrat

STALKING-HARASSMENT

Amends the Stalking No Contact Order Act. Adds to the definition of "stalking" to include harassment that is conduct that is not necessary to accomplish a purpose that is reasonable under the circumstances, would cause a reasonable person emotional distress, and causes emotional distress to the petitioner. Creates a rebuttable presumption that the following conduct is presumed to cause emotional distress: (i) creating a disturbance at the petitioner's place of employment or school; (ii) repeatedly telephoning the petitioner's place of employment, home, or residence; (iii) repeatedly following the petitioner about in a public place or places; (iv) repeatedly keeping the petitioner under surveillance by remaining present outside his or her home, school, place of employment, vehicle, or other place occupied by the petitioner or by peering in the petitioner's windows; (v) threatening the safety of the petitioner's minor child or family member; or (vi) threatening physical force, confinement, or restraint on one or more occasions. Effective immediately.

CONTROLLED SUB-EPHEDRINE

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that the law concerning limitations on the over-the-counter sale of ephedrine without a prescription does not apply to the sale of any product dispensed or delivered by a practitioner or pharmacy according to a prescription issued by a prescriber authorized by the State or another state for a valid medical purpose and in the course of professional practice.

$DCEO-ROUTE 66

Appropriates the sum of $4,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for grants to certified convention bureaus for the development of tourism, education, preservation, and promotion of the 100th anniversary of Route 66, of which not more than $500,000 shall be used for marketing expenses. Appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for expenses relating to the Route 66 Centennial Celebration in accordance with the plan developed by the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission. Effective July 1, 2025.

Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.Democrat

US & ILLINOIS FLAGS ONLY

Amends the Flag Display Act. Prohibits State institutions, including public school buildings, from displaying any flags other than the national flag of the United States or the flag of the State of Illinois.

Chris MillerRepublican

HOSPICE PROGRAM BOARD REPORT

Amends the Hospice Program Licensing Act. Provides that, no later than December 31, 2026, the Hospice and Palliative Care Advisory Board shall submit a report to the General Assembly on the state of care for individuals experiencing a serious or life-limiting illness and their family caregivers. Requires the report to include, at a minimum, data regarding the availability of and need for hospice and palliative care services in Illinois; data showing the relative value of non-hospice adult palliative care to the State of Illinois and its citizens; evidence-based recommendations to educate health care professionals and the public about non-hospice palliative care; and recommendations for state standards for adult palliative care.

GAMING-SPORTS WAGERING LICENSE

Amends the Sports Wagering Act. Provides that applicants for a master sports wagering license shall pay an application fee of $250,000 and a license fee of $15,000,000. Removes provisions concerning the number of master sports wagering licenses to online sports wagering operators and public notice requirements. Provides that a master sports wagering licensee may conduct sports wagering over the Internet or through a mobile application. Removes provisions concerning eligibility requirements for a master sports wagering license, the duty of disclosure for an applicant, and outreach requirements for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Gaming Board. Makes a conforming change. Effective immediately.

Robert "Bob" RitaDemocrat

VID GM&CRIM CD-GAMBLING DEVICE

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Changes the definition of "gambling device" to include any vending or other electronic machine or device, including, without limitation, a machine or device that awards credits and contains a circuit, meter, or switch capable of removing and recording the removal of credits that offers a person entry into any contest, competition, sweepstakes, scheme, plan, or other selection process that involves or is dependent upon an element of chance for which the person may receive a gift, award, or other item or service of value if that offer is incidental to or results from: (A) the purchase of an item or service of value; or (B) the purchase or gratuitous receipt of a coupon, voucher, certificate, or other similar credit that can be redeemed for or applied towards an item or service of value from such machine or device or elsewhere. Provides that participants in a game of skill or chance where money or other things of value can be won but no payment or purchase is required to participate shall not be convicted of gambling except where participation in such game of skill or chance is accomplished using a gambling device prohibited by these changes to the definition. Provides that a gambling offense involving such a gambling device is a Class 4 felony. Amends the Video Gaming Act. Removes a provision allowing for the use of a game device without a license if the game device is used in an activity that is not gambling under the Criminal Code of 2012. Effective immediately.

Robert "Bob" RitaDemocrat