Bills & Legislation

FOIA-RESPONSE PERIODS

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that each public body shall, promptly, either comply with or deny a request for public records within 15 business days (rather than 5 business days) after its receipt of the request, unless extended for an additional 10 business days (rather than 5 business days) for specified reasons. Provides that commercial requests must be responded to within 30 business days (rather than 21 working days).

Margaret A. DeLaRosaDemocrat

FOIA-PUBLIC INFORMATION

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides the each public body shall post a brief description of itself and other specified information on its website (rather than at each of its administrative or regional offices). Provides that, if a public body does not maintain a website, it shall also post that information at each of its administrative or regional offices.

Margaret A. DeLaRosaDemocrat

FOIA-CLOSED MTG MINUTES

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that, if the denial of a request includes a request for minutes or a verbatim record of a meeting of the public body closed to the public as provided in the Open Meetings Act that have not been previously made available for public inspection, suit may be filed under a specified provision only after a 60-day period following (i) the receipt of the request by the public body or (ii) the issuance of a binding or non-binding opinion from the Public Access Counselor, whichever is later, to allow for review of the requested records as provided under the Open Meetings Act.

Margaret A. DeLaRosaDemocrat

FOIA-EMPLOYEE LIABILITY

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that a public body and any officer or employee of a public body (rather than only a public body) that discloses records in accordance with an opinion of the Attorney General is immune from all liabilities by reason thereof and shall not be liable for penalties under the Act.

Margaret A. DeLaRosaDemocrat

OPEN MTGS-ATTENDANCE

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Allows attendance by a means other than physical presence under certain circumstances if a member of a public body is prevented from physically attending because of any reason designated in rules adopted by the public body in accordance with certain provisions in the Act.

Terra Costa HowardDemocrat

FOIA-RECURRENT REQUESTERS

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Reduces the number of record requests that must be made for a person to be considered a recurrent requester under the Act. Provides that public bodies must respond to requests from recurrent requesters with 30 (rather than 21) days after receipt of a request. Specifies that notice that requests are being treated as recurrent requests must be provided only once every 30 days. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for persons designated as recurrent requesters to knowingly obtain a public record without disclosing their status as recurrent requesters.

Martha DeuterDemocrat

FOIA-FEES AND COSTS

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. In provisions regarding the authority to charge fees and the imposition of a fee for a voluminous request, removes requirements for an accounting of all personnel hours in connection with the request for public records.

Margaret A. DeLaRosaDemocrat

STATE'S ATTORNEY-INVESTIGATOR

Amends the Counties Code. Removes a provision limiting a special investigator appointed by a State's Attorney to carrying a firearm only in the performance of the special investigator's assigned duties (currently, a special investigator shall not carry firearms except with permission of the State's Attorney and only while carrying appropriate identification indicating the special investigator's employment and in the performance of the special investigator's assigned duties).

Terra Costa HowardDemocrat

OPEN MTGS-NOTICE OF CHANGES

Amends the Open Meetings Act. In provisions regarding notice of changes to regular meeting dates, deletes requirements for publication in a newspaper or, in certain cases, posting in at least 3 prominent places within the governmental unit. Adds a requirement that notice of changes to regular meeting dates shall also be posted on the website of the public body.

Margaret A. DeLaRosaDemocrat

WATER COMMISSION-CONSTRUCTION

Amends the Water Commission Act of 1985. Provides that a commission may not receive more than $10,000 per year in compensation (currently a commission may not receive more than $10,000 per year in compensation except that no commissioner who is a member of the governing board or an officer or employee of the county or any unit of local government within the county may receive any compensation for serving as a commissioner). Allows a commission to use alternate project delivery methods, establish goals or requirements for the procurement of goods and services and for construction contracts, and accept assignment of municipal waterworks system contracts or other public improvement contracts. Gives commissions the authority to enter into design-build contracts and use a design-build delivery system. Includes definitions and requirements for the design-build delivery system. Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a water commission may construct water transmission and distribution lines within a radius of 50 miles (rather than 25 miles) outside the corporate limits of member municipalities for the purpose of furnishing water to any additional entities which contract with the commission for a supply of water.

Margaret A. DeLaRosaDemocrat

SUBSTITUTION OF GAL-DIS ADULT

Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Authorizes a petitioner, cross-petitioner, or respondent to request a one-time substitution of a guardian ad litem that must be granted if the motion to do so was made at any time before the guardian ad litem files an appearance or at the first court appearance, whichever is later.

Margaret A. DeLaRosaDemocrat

OFFSITE VITAL RECORDS STORAGE

Amends the Vital Records Act. Provides that an elected registrar with control of the internal operations of the registrar's office may contract with a records preservation company for offsite restoration, preservation, and digitization of original, photographic, or microphotographic reproductions of original records of births 100 years old and older and deaths 50 years old and older, and marriage records 75 years old and older, if the company provides the elected official the protocols used to protect the records and ensure chain of custody before the elected registrar enters into the contract, and the elected registrar affirms the that the protocols used to protect the records and ensure chain of custody meet the standards set forth by the elected official.

Robert "Bob" RitaDemocrat

FIRE DISTRICTS--DESIGN-BUILD

Amends the Counties Code. In a provision concerning the development of scope and performance criteria for design-build projects, deletes a provision that requires the county to develop preliminary design plans. Specifies that a design-build entity shall not be disqualified solely due to having previously been awarded a project or projects under any applicable public procurement statute of the State. Provides that, if a county receives one Phase I response, nothing prohibits the county from proceeding with a Phase II evaluation of the single respondent, if the county, in its discretion, finds proceeding to be in its best interest. Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. In a provision concerning the development of scope and performance criteria for design-build projects, deletes a provision that requires the municipality to develop preliminary design plans. Specifies that a design-build entity shall not be disqualified solely due to having previously been awarded a project or projects under any applicable public procurement statute of the State. Provides that, if a municipality receives one response to Phase I, nothing shall prohibit the municipality from proceeding with a Phase II evaluation of the single respondent, if the municipality, in its discretion, finds proceeding to be in its best interest. Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that the Act's competitive bidding provisions do not prohibit a fire protection district from entering into design-build contracts.

TELEHEALTH-TREAT UNI STUDENT

Amends the Telehealth Act. Provides that an out-of-state health care professional may treat a patient located in this State through telehealth if the patient is a student attending an institution of higher education in this State, but is otherwise not a resident of the State when not attending the institution of higher education.

Janet Yang RohrDemocrat

PROP TX-PTELL NEW RATE

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that a levy authorized for contributions to a Firefighters' Pension Fund for a municipality with a population of 500,000 or less is not considered a new rate. Effective immediately.

Matt HansonDemocrat

INC TX-INCREASE LGDF

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2025, the Department of Revenue shall deposit 10% of the net revenue realized from the income taxes imposed under the Act directly into the Local Government Distributive Fund as that revenue is realized. Effective immediately.

Matt HansonDemocrat

MHDD-CILA HOME MODIFICATIONS

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that, for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are receiving Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) residential services under the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program for Adults with Developmental Disabilities, beginning July 1, 2025, the Department of Human Services shall increase CILA site modification reimbursement maximums as follows: (i) a $10,000 maximum for rented locations with a lease of less than 5 years; (ii) a $15,000 maximum for new construction; and (iii) a $30,000 maximum for existing structures that are owned by the CILA recipient or the CILA agency or have a long-term lease of 5 years or more with a renewal at the end of the lease. Provides that implementation of the increases is contingent upon federal approval, if required. Requires the Department to adopt rules, including emergency rules as authorized under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Effective immediately.

Suzanne M. NessDemocrat

TAX-REMOTE RETAILER PROGRAM

Amends the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Creates the Remote Retailer Amnesty Program. Requires the Department of Revenue to establish the Remote Retailer Amnesty Program for remote retailers owing State and local retailers' occupation taxes that are administered by the Department. Provides that the Program shall operate for a period from August 1, 2026 through October 31, 2026. Provides that the Program shall include a simplified retailers' occupation tax rate designed to allow a remote retailer who participates in the Program to report and remit at the authorized simplified retailers' occupation tax rate in lieu of the retailers' occupation tax rate otherwise due on sales made to Illinois customers. Provides that, upon payment by a remote retailer of all taxes due from that remote retailer using the simplified retailers' occupation tax rate for the eligible period, the Department shall abate and not seek to collect any interest or penalties that may be applicable, and the Department shall not seek civil or criminal prosecution against the remote retailer for the period of time for which amnesty has been granted to the taxpayer. Creates conditions for the provision of amnesty and remittance of local retailers' occupation tax under the Program. Provides conditions for the depositing of the net revenue realized under the Program. Provides that the Department shall have exclusive responsibility for reviewing and accepting applications for participation in the Program, as well as reviewing the eligibility of participants in the Program. Effective immediately.

Curtis J. Tarver, IIDemocrat

SCH-MOBILE PANIC ALERT SYSTEM

Creates the Mobile Panic Alert System Act. Provides that the Act may be referred to as Alyssa's Law. Requires, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, each public school to implement a mobile panic alert system capable of connecting diverse emergency services technologies to ensure real-time coordination between multiple first responder agencies. Requires, for the 2026 fiscal year, the State Board of Education to issue a competitive solicitation to contract for a mobile panic alert system that may be used by each school district. Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code to make a conforming change. Effective January 1, 2026.

Nabeela SyedDemocrat

SCH CD-STEAM OPPORTUNITY LIST

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall compile and disseminate annually a list of Illinois organizations offering externships, internships, and volunteer opportunities to young women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Provides that each school board shall post the list disseminated by the State Board of Education in a location easily accessible to students.

SCH CD-STEAM ABSENCE EXEMPTION

Amends the Compulsory Attendance Article of the School Code. Provides that a female student in any of grades 6 through 12 who is participating in an educational program in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, subject to guidelines established by the State Board of Education, shall be permitted by a school board to have one school-day-long, excused absence per school year to participate in an externship or volunteer opportunity with an Illinois organization in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Provides that the school board may require that the student provide reasonable advance notice of the intended absence to the appropriate school administrator and require that the student provide documentation of the participation in an externship or volunteer opportunity to the appropriate school administrator.

ELEC CD-RECIEVE MAIL BALLOTS

Amends the Election Code. Provides that ballots must be received by the election authority before the closing of the polls on election day (rather than returned to the election authority postmarked no later than election day). Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Tony M. McCombieRepublican

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES-FENTANYL

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that in addition to any other penalties provided by law, a person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing any scheduled drug containing a detectable amount of fentanyl is guilty of a Class X felony and shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 9 years and not more than 40 years or fined not more than $250,000, or both. Provides that it is a Class 1 felony for which a fine not to exceed $100,000 may be imposed for any person to knowingly use an electronic communication device in the furtherance of controlled substance trafficking involving a substance containing any amount of fentanyl. Provides that this penalty shall be in addition to any other penalties imposed by law. Provides that in addition to any other penalties imposed, not less than 6 years and not more than 30 years shall be imposed with respect to any amount of carfentanil or fentanyl, or any analog thereof, in excess of 150 milligrams that is stored or transmitted as a powder, blotter paper, tablet, patch, or spray. Provides that in addition to any other penalties imposed, with respect to fentanyl, or an analog thereof, an additional sentence of 5 years shall be imposed if the fentanyl or analog thereof is in a form that resembles, or was mixed, granulated, absorbed, adsorbed, spray-dried, aerosolized as or onto, coated on in whole or in part, or solubilized with or into, a product, where the product or its packaging further has at least one of the following attributes: (1) a resemblance to the trade dress of a consumer food product, branded food product, or logo food product, or incorporates an actual or satirical version of a registered trademark, service mark, or copyright; (2) a bright color or coloring scheme; (3) the appearance of a cereal, candy, vitamin, gummy, or chewable product such as a gum or gelatin-based product; (4) a cartoon character imprint; or (5) incorporation into a separate product or package approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, or approved by a regulatory agency for food or drug products in another country, if the addition of fentanyl, carfentanil, or any analog thereof, would render the approved product an adulterated product under the standards of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or any law of this State or administrative rule. Defines "electronic communication device".

Tony M. McCombieRepublican

INS CD-COST SHARING RESTRICT

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In a provision requiring policies of group accident and health insurance to provide coverage for certain examination and testing services provided to a victim of specified criminal offenses, prohibits the policy from imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement on the coverage provided, except to the extent that the coverage would disqualify a high-deductible health plan from eligibility for a health savings account under the Internal Revenue Code. Effective January 1, 2026.

STEM OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall establish, implement, and administer a STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program, using funds appropriated from the STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program Fund, for the purpose of offering scholarships to young women pursuing degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at public universities in this State. Sets forth provisions concerning eligibility, preference and priority, the assistance awarded, funding, and rulemaking. Creates the STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Makes a corresponding change in the State Finance Act.

Tony M. McCombieRepublican

VIDEO GAMING LOCATION ADS

Amends the Video Gaming Act. Provides that a licensee under the Act may not advertise its video gaming operation using physical advertisements outside the video gaming location or on off-premises billboard signs unless the advertisement is directly and permanently affixed to a building on the video gaming location or on a permanent pole sign that is permanently affixed to a foundation. Provides that provisions regarding restrictions on advertising do not apply in the first 90 days after a video gaming location is issued a license.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

PAID LEAVE FOR ALL-BOATS

Amends the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Provides that the definition of "employee" does not include an employee who is engaged in the operation of a vessel that is documented by the United States under a specified federal law. Effective immediately.

Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.Democrat

PROP TX-VETERANS W/ DISABILITY

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities, provides that: (1) if the veteran has a service-connected disability of 30% or more but less than 50%, then the annual exemption is 30% of the assessed value of the property; (2) if the veteran has a service-connected disability of 50% or more but less than 70%, then the annual exemption is 50% of the assessed value of the property; and (3) if the veteran has a service-connected disability of 70% or more, then the property is exempt from taxation. Effective immediately.

Janet Yang RohrDemocrat

AGRICULTURE IMPACT MITIGATION

Amends the Renewable Energy Facilities Agricultural Impact Mitigation Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Agricultural Impact Mitigation Act. Makes conforming changes in the Illinois Power Agency Act and the Illinois Municipal Code. Makes the Agricultural Impact Mitigation Act's agricultural impact mitigation agreement provisions applicable to commercial wind energy facilities, battery energy storage systems, pipelines, and electric lines. Describes information to be included in the agricultural impact mitigation agreements. Requires each construction or destruction project to undergo inspection by an agricultural inspector. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to temporarily halt construction, deconstruction, or other activities on a project upon its finding of noncompliance with the provisions of an agricultural impact mitigation agreement. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.Democrat

EDGE WITHHOLDING-STEEL

Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that certain taxpayers that are primarily engaged in the recycling and melting of steel products and in the manufacturing of new steel wire and rod products may elect to claim the credit under the Act against their withholding tax liability instead of their income tax liability. Effective immediately.

Sharon ChungDemocrat

PATIENT RIGHTS-NEXT OF KIN

Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Provides that every health care facility in this State shall permit the next of kin of a patient who is on life support to remain with the patient, at the patient's bedside, irrespective of regular hours of visitation. Provides that health care facilities may institute reasonable policies, including reasonable requirements that promote the health, safety, and welfare of the next of kin, the patient, and the employees and other patients of the health care facility without revoking the basic right afforded to the next of kin of a patient who is on life support. Defines "next of kin".

Paul JacobsRepublican

72-HOUR BUDGET REVIEW ACT

Creates the 72-Hour Budget Review Act. Prohibits a hearing or vote on any appropriation bill or revenue bill for at least 72 hours after the bill is made publicly available. Provides that a vote on an amendment to an appropriation bill or a revenue bill is not in order unless that amendment is made publicly available within a specified period prior to the vote. Provides that these temporal limitations may be waived by an affirmative two-thirds vote of the full committee or house considering the legislation. Effective immediately.

Norine K. HammondRepublican

USE/OCC TAX-HEARING AIDS

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2026, hearing aids are exempt from the taxes under those Acts. Effective immediately.

Norine K. HammondRepublican

PROTECT ORDERS-VIOLATION

Amends the Stalking No Contact Order Act and the Civil No Contact Order Act. Removes language providing that a knowing violation of a stalking no contact order or civil no contact order is a Class A misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent violation of such orders is a Class 4 felony. Provides instead that: (1) violation of a stalking no contact order or civil no contact order is a Class A misdemeanor; (2) violation of a stalking no contact order or civil no contact order is a Class 4 felony if the defendant has any prior conviction of domestic battery or violation of an order of protection or any prior conviction under the law of another jurisdiction for an offense that could be charged in the State as domestic battery or violation of an order of protection; and (3) violation of a stalking no contact order or civil no contact order is a Class 4 felony if the defendant has any prior conviction of attempt, first degree murder, kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, unlawful restraint, aggravated unlawful restraint, criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, aggravated battery, aggravated domestic battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, aggravated arson, aggravated discharge of a firearm, or aggravated battery of an unborn child, of a violation of any former law of the State that is substantially similar to any such listed offense, or any prior conviction under the law of another jurisdiction for an offense that could be charged in the State as one of such offenses, when any of these offenses have been committed against a family or household member. Provides that the court shall impose a minimum penalty of 24 hours imprisonment for the respondent's second or subsequent violation of any stalking no contact order or civil no contact order, unless the court explicitly finds that an increased penalty or such period of imprisonment would be manifestly unjust. Provides that in addition to any other penalties, the court may order the respondent to pay a fine or to make restitution to the victim under the Unified Code of Corrections. Makes same changes to the Criminal Code of 2012.

Amy ElikRepublican

PROPERTY-FOREIGN NATIONALS

Amends the Property Owned By Noncitizens Act. Provides that, beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Governor shall take such actions as may be necessary to prohibit the purchase of public or private real estate located in Illinois by any noncitizens. Provides that the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shall submit to the General Assembly a report that details the history of purchases of public and private real estate located in the State by noncitizens; provides more information on the percentage of real estate located in the State that is owned by noncitizens; and offers recommendations to make it easier for citizens and harder for noncitizens to purchase real estate located in the State, including farmland. Repeals the provisions 5 years after the effective date of the Act. Makes conforming changes.

Chris MillerRepublican

DATABASE RESOURCES FOR STUDENT

Creates the Database Resources for Students Act. Provides that a school district, State agency, public library, or public university or community college may offer digital or online library database resources to students in grades kindergarten through 12 only if the provider of the resources verifies that all the resources have safety policies and technology protection measures that prohibit and prevent a user of the resources from sending, receiving, viewing, or downloading and filter or block access to child pornography, obscene materials, or materials that depict child sexual exploitation. Provides that, notwithstanding any contract provision to the contrary, if a provider fails to comply with these provisions, the school district, State agency, public library, or public university or community college shall withhold further payments to the provider pending verification of compliance. Provides that if a provider fails to timely verify that the provider is in compliance, then the school district, State agency, public library, or public university or community college shall consider the provider's act of noncompliance as a breach of contract. Provides that nothing in the Act exempts from prosecution an employee of a school district, State agency, public library, or public university or community college for a willful violation of the provisions of the Criminal Code of 2012 regarding obscenity and child pornography. Sets forth reporting provisions. Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code to provide that the Act applies to charter schools. Effective July 1, 2026.

Chris MillerRepublican

SCH CD-RIGHTS OF PARENTS

Amends the School Code. Requires a school board to ensure parents and guardians of pupils enrolled in the school district are free to petition the school board and provide public comment at all public and regularly scheduled meetings, have access to certain information, are well-informed on specified subject matters, and have the right to meet with a pupil's teacher at least twice per school year. Requires a school board to ensure curriculum and learning materials are posted on the school district's Internet website. Effective immediately.

Chris MillerRepublican

GEN ASSEMBLY-AMENDMENT GERMANE

Amends the General Assembly Organization Act. Provides that any amendment to a bill that is introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate must be germane to the title of the introduced bill. Provides that any amendment that is not germane to the title of the introduced bill shall not be considered for adoption by the house of the General Assembly in which the amendment is offered for consideration. Provides that any member of the house of the General Assembly in which the amendment is offered for consideration may object to the introduction of the amendment as not being germane to the title of the introduced bill. Provides that if such an objection is made, the question of germaneness shall be presented to the respective house for consideration. Provides that if at least a majority of the members voting on the question determine that the amendment is germane to the title of the introduced bill, then the amendment may be considered by that house. Provides that if less than a majority of the members voting on the question determine that the amendment is germane to the title of the bill, the amendment shall not be considered by that house.

Chris MillerRepublican

EDUC SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROGRAM

Creates the Education Savings Account Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall develop and implement an education savings account program for eligible pupils. Provides that education savings account payments shall be made available to parents and guardians in the manner authorized for the payment of qualified educational expenses as provided in the Act. Provides that parents and guardians shall first use education savings account payments for all qualified educational expenses that are tuition and fees for which the parent or guardian is responsible for payment at the pupil's nonpublic school prior to using the education savings account for other qualified educational expenses. Sets forth provisions regarding program eligibility, application requirements, disbursement of funds, testing requirements, and rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2025.

Chris MillerRepublican

SCH CD-E-LEARNING-MIGRANT

Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning e-learning days, provides that a school or school district that offers e-learning days may not use any real property owned or leased by a school or school district to house migrants while students are not present at a school. Provides that a school or school district may not utilize an e-learning day to house migrants on any real property owned or leased by the school or school district due to a mandate by a unit of local government that the school or school district house migrants on any real property owned or leased by the school or school district.

Chris MillerRepublican

EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROG

Creates the Education Savings Account Act. Requires the State Board of Education to create the Education Savings Account Program. Provides that a parent of an eligible student (defined as any elementary or secondary student who was eligible to attend a public school in this State in the preceding semester or is starting school in this State for the first time and who is a member of a household whose total annual income does not exceed an amount equal to 2.5 times the income standard used to qualify for a free or reduced-price lunch under the national free or reduced-price lunch program) shall qualify for the State Board to make a grant to his or her child's Education Savings Account by signing an agreement. Requires the State Board to deposit into an Education Savings Account some or all of the State aid under the State aid formula provisions of the School Code that would otherwise have been provided to the resident school district for the eligible student had the student enrolled in the resident school district. Provides that parents participating in the Program shall agree to use the funds deposited in their eligible students' accounts for certain qualifying expenses to educate the eligible student. Sets forth provisions concerning the calculation of grant amounts and other basic elements of the Program, administration of the Program, accountability standards for participating schools, and the responsibilities of the State Board and resident school districts.

Chris MillerRepublican

GENDER IN SPORTS

Creates the Gender in Sports Act. Provides that a student-athlete may participate in an intercollegiate athletics program at a postsecondary educational institution that allows only a single gender to participate in that program only if the gender of the student-athlete is the same gender as the single gender designation for that program.

Chris MillerRepublican

PEN CD-CHI POLICE/FIRE-WIDOW

Amends the Chicago Police and Chicago Firefighter Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a widow's annuity shall be equal to 66 2/3%(instead of 50%) of the retirement annuity the deceased policeman or fireman was receiving at the time of death or 66 2/3% (instead of 50%) of the retirement annuity the policeman or fireman would have been eligible for if the policeman or fireman retired from service on the day before the policeman's or fireman's death. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Angelica Guerrero-CuellarDemocrat

VEH CD-SCHOOL BUS PERMITS

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the State Board of Education, shall develop a separate classroom course and refresher course for operation of vehicles of the first division being operated as school buses. Requires all applicants to operate a first division vehicle to: (1) meet specified requirements; and (2) complete the classroom course or refresher course or complete a training course administered by the service provider in which the applicant will be employed by that covers safe driving practices with a first division vehicle, special considerations for transporting students with disabilities, emergency preparedness, and safe pick-up and drop-off procedures. Provides that an applicant to operate a first division vehicle is exempt from the requirement of demonstrating physical fitness to operate a school bus by submitting the results of a medical examination if the applicant will be providing transportation services with a provider that uses a telematics system that sends, receives, and stores telemetry data. Provides that a vehicle subject to a safety test prior to an application for a license shall be subject to tests, in the case of first division vehicles, at least every 12 months, or 10,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2025.

Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.Democrat

PROP TX-ASSESSORS

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, on and after the publication of population data from the 2030 federal decennial census, provisions concerning multi-township assessors apply to qualified townships with less than 3,000 inhabitants (currently 1,000 inhabitants). Effective immediately.

Sharon ChungDemocrat

HOMESCHOOL ACT

Creates the Homeschool Act. Requires the State Board of Education to create a Homeschool Declaration Form to be used by a homeschool administrator to submit information indicating that a child is enrolled in a homeschool program to the principal of the public school or to the school district that the homeschooled child would otherwise attend. Provides that a student enrolled in a homeschool program in which the homeschool administrator has not notified the public school or school district with the Homeschool Declaration Form is considered truant, with penalties applying. Provides that if a child in a homeschool program seeks to enroll part time in a public school or participate in any public school activities taking place on or off of school grounds, the homeschool administrator must submit proof that the child has received all required immunizations and health examinations or a signed Certificate of Religious Exemption. Sets forth requirements for homeschool administrators and programs and reporting requirements. Makes conforming and other changes in the Freedom of Information Act, the School Code, and the Illinois School Student Records Act, including requiring (rather than allowing) nonpublic schools to register with the State Board of Education.

Terra Costa HowardDemocrat

IDOR-VETERANS

Amends the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires eligible school districts to report to the Department of Revenue (i) the total amount of veterans' homestead exemptions granted for the 2024 levy year for property located in the eligible school district and (ii) the total amount of veterans' homestead exemptions granted for the current levy year for property located in the eligible school district. Provides that the Department shall certify the difference, if any, between the current levy year exemption amount and the levy year 2024 exemption amount for each eligible school district. Provides that those amounts shall be transferred from the General Revenue Fund to the Support our Veterans and Neighbors Fund. Provides that an "eligible school district" is a school district that contains residential property that is located within 45 miles of a United States military base. Creates the Support our Veterans and Neighbors Fund. Provides that moneys in the Support our Veterans and Neighbors Fund shall be used to make grants to eligible school districts.

Charles MeierRepublican

LIQUOR-ILLINOIS WINE PROMOTION

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, $0.25 of every $1 of the remainder of the tax imposed by the Act on wine that was manufactured in this State shall be deposited into the Illinois Wine Promotion Fund. Creates the Illinois Wine Promotion Fund as a special fund in the State treasury to be used by the Department of Agriculture only for the purpose of distributing grants to wine manufacturers and grape growers located in a wine trail from appropriations made from the Illinois Wine Promotion Fund for that purpose and administering and maintaining the Illinois Winery Advisory Council. Establishes the Illinois Winery Advisory Council to oversee and provide advice to the Department of Agriculture regarding the distribution of grants from the Illinois Wine Promotion Fund. Sets forth provisions concerning the membership of the Advisory Council, quarterly meetings, reimbursement of expenses, and vacancies. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change.

Charles MeierRepublican