Illinois

Creates the Transportation Network Driver Labor Relations Act. Defines "transportation network driver" as an individual who operates a motor vehicle that: (i) is owned, leased, or otherwise authorized for use by the individual; (ii) is not a taxicab or for-hire public passenger vehicle; (iii) is used to provide transportation network company services; and (iv) operates under the license of a transportation network company. Provides that transportation network drivers have the right of self-organization, to form, join, or assist transportation network driver organizations, and to bargain collectively. Sets forth provisions concerning unfair work practices; the prevention of unfair work practices; the designation of bargaining representatives; administrative fees; bargaining, impasse resolution procedures, and final determinations by the Department of Labor; applicability of other labor standards; rulemaking; and public records. Amends the Freedom of Information Act and the Labor Dispute Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that either the court or the State's Attorney, or both, (rather than the State's Attorney) or an entity designated by the State's Attorney, may establish community mediation programs designed to provide citizen participation in addressing juvenile delinquency. Provides that prior to entering a sentence, the court shall require the parties involved to consider participation in a restorative practice, such as a conference or circle as defined in the Code of Civil Procedure, to identify and repair harm to the extent possible, address trauma, reduce the likelihood of further harm, and strengthen community ties by focusing on the needs and obligations of all parties involved through a participatory process. Provides that participation in the process shall be voluntary by all parties, and any resulting agreement shall contain only reasonable and proportionate obligations. Provides that the agreement shall be recommended to the court as an alternative to sentencing.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Changes the name of the School and Municipal Social Work Shortage Loan Repayment Program to the Social Worker and School Counselor Shortage Loan Repayment Program. Allows a school counselor to apply for the Program. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall award a grant of up to $8,000 (rather than $6,500) per year for a maximum of 4 years to each qualified applicant. Provides that a grant shall be used for repayment of the recipient's educational loan instead of the Commission encouraging the recipient to use the grant to repay the recipient's educational loan. Makes other and conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2026.

Creates the Disposable Food Service Container Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2030, a person may not sell or distribute in this State a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam. Specifies that the prohibition does not apply to any activity authorized under an ordinance or resolution adopted by a unit of local government on or before January 1, 2024 or with respect to sales made to a unit of local government for use by the unit of local government for its internal operations. Sets forth penalties for violations of the Act. Limits home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act. Prohibits a park owner from increasing rent more than 3% per year. Provides that a park owner may adjust rent annually, beginning in 2027, to reflect a percentage equal to the percentage change in the consumer price index-u during the preceding 12-month calendar year that may not be more than a 5% increase in the 3% cap. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Mobile Home Tenant Protection Act.

Amends the Clerks of Court Act. Authorizes a circuit court clerk of any county to develop and maintain a will depository. Provides a procedure for the clerk to accept for safekeeping a testamentary instrument executed in compliance with the Probate Act of 1975, including a will, codicil, trust, or trust and one or more trust amendments. Allows a depositor to deposit a will with the clerk if the depositor certifies in writing that the depositor is unable to locate the testator after a diligent search. Creates a procedure for the clerk to follow in accepting, keeping, and returning these documents. Allows the clerk to charge a fee of $25 for each will deposited, and the clerk may not collect a separate fee for additional documents concurrently deposited in relation to a single testator or for a single joint will prepared for a husband and wife.

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. In the definition of "abused child", provides that an abused child means a child whose parent or immediate family member, or any person responsible for the child's welfare, or any individual residing in the same home as the child, or a paramour of the child's parent commits the act of grooming a child for the purpose of establishing or attempting to establish a romantic or sexual relationship (rather than commits the offense of grooming, as defined in the Criminal Code of 2012). Effective immediately.

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. In provisions concerning written notification to specified persons on the final determination of an indicated finding of abuse or neglect, requires the Department of Children and Family Services to include in such notification: (1) a statement of the allegation and the indicated finding; (2) the length of time the indicated finding shall be maintained in the State Central Register; (3) notice of the right to request an administrative appeal of the indicated finding; (4) the time period within which an administrative appeal must be requested; (5) the manner in which to request an administrative appeal; and (6) notice of the right to request a copy of the investigative file that pertains to the subject, including the manner in which such a request may be made, regardless of whether the subject requests an administrative appeal, and that any records provided are subject to redaction or withholding as required by State or federal law.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that the purpose of the amendatory Act is to authorize the Department of Human Services to identify, develop, and manage the administrative infrastructure needed to support existing and future short-term universal newborn home visiting services. Provides that in carrying out this work, the Department may consider the recommendations contained in the Early Childhood Comprehensive Services grant report when adopting rules to support implementation. Provides that by January 1, 2028, the Department of Human Services may do the following: (1) create and maintain a list of the voluntary universal newborn home visiting models that align with the State's priorities for approach and outcomes and that may inform future local implementation or support existing State grants; (2) coordinate with relevant State agencies to support implementation of State-administered funding for local programs; request, collect, and report available data from universal newborn home visiting implementers and develop recommendations for future data collection and data infrastructure; and develop criteria for prioritizing future State funding, including the identification of communities for potential universal newborn home visiting implementation; and (3) consult, coordinate, and collaborate with relevant stakeholders when designing the infrastructure to support universal newborn home visiting services. Provides that funds received for the purposes of the amendatory Act shall supplement, and not supplant, existing or new federal, State, or local funding for these universal newborn home visiting services. Permits the Department to adopt rules. Effective July 1, 2027.

Declares May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month in the State of Illinois. Calls upon all Illinoisans to engage in supporting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research, advocating for increased funding, and standing in solidarity with those affected by this relentless disease.