Illinois

Amends the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. Includes within the definition of "property" any overpayment made by any person to a government, governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, including, but not limited to, a payment for any tax, license, or fee that was made in excess of the amount ultimately required of the payor. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act is a restatement and clarification of existing law. Effective immediately.

Creates the Electric Transmission Facilities Siting Act. Defines terms. Requires that, in the siting of new electric transmission facilities, available corridors be used in the following order of priority: (1) existing public utility corridors; (2) highway corridors; and (3) new corridors. Provides that a public utility or developer may construct, place, or maintain a high-voltage electric service line on a public right-of-way or along a highway if (i) the public utility or developer submits a colocation request for the high-voltage electric service line to the Secretary of Transportation and (ii) the Secretary reviews and approves the colocation request. Requires a public utility or developer to develop a constructability report in consultation with the Department of Transportation and requires the public utility or developer and the Department to follow the terms and conditions of the constructability report during the planning and approval process for the siting of a high-voltage electric service line. Sets forth requirements for the content of the constructability report. Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions concerning distributed generation rebates, provides that the owner or operator of distributed generation that, before January 1, 2025 (rather than before the threshold date), is eligible for net metering under the Act may apply for a base rebate for an associated energy storage device behind the same retail customer meter as the distributed generation, regardless of whether the distributed generation applies for a rebate for the distributed generation device. Provides that, after the threshold date, a stand-alone energy storage system that is neither paired with distributed generation nor with any electric load beyond the electric load that is used by the energy storage system itself (rather than a stand-alone energy storage system) shall be compensated with a rebate of $250 per kilowatt-hour of nameplate capacity. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. In provisions concerning greenhouse gases, provides that the Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Power Agency shall file a plan to reduce or delay certain emissions reductions requirements with the Illinois Commerce Commission for review in conjunction with the integrated resource plan under certain provisions of the Public Utilities Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act. Prohibits the State or a unit of local government from creating or enforcing policies or ordinances imposing fines or criminal penalties against people experiencing unsheltered homelessness for occupying or engaging in life-sustaining activities on public property. Provides exceptions to maintain access to property or address risks to public health and safety. Creates a necessity defense for charges alleging violation of laws criminalizing life-sustaining activities while the individual was experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Defines terms. Limits the exercise of concurrent home rule powers.

Amends the Automated Traffic Control Systems in Highway Construction or Maintenance Zones Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Housing Equity, Affordability, and Development Act. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall collect a fee from landlords with more than 5 units in an amount equal to 5% of the difference between their monthly rental income for a unit and $1,200, unless the rental income for the unit is less than $1,200, to be paid into the Housing Equity, Affordability, and Development Fund. The Illinois Housing Development Authority shall create a program under the Act to assist in home purchases for households whose tenant payments to the landlord have been more than 30% of their income for a period of 12 calendar months, and whose income is less than 3.33 times the median rent for their metropolitan area; or if the household does not live in a metropolitan area, 3.33 times the median rent in the closest metropolitan area. Provides that assistance shall be limited to $15,000 per household.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Changes the repeal date of the Cemetery Oversight Act, the Community Association Manager Licensing and Disciplinary Act, the Detection of Deception Examiners Act, the Home Inspector License Act, the Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Act of 2002, the Registered Interior Designers Act, and the Landscape Architecture Registration Act to January 1, 2032 (rather than January 1, 2027). Amends the Auction License Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning necessity of license; expiration, renewal, and restoration; nonresident auctioneer reciprocity; and illegal discrimination. Repeals provisions concerning actions for compensation. Amends the Registered Interior Designers Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning the Board of Registered Interior Design Professionals; application requirements for registration; expiration, renewal, and restoration; and appropriations, investments, and audits. Amends the Landscape Architecture Registration Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning the reproducible seal; the Registered Landscape Architecture Registration Board; disposition of funds; violations and civil penalties; and grounds for discipline. Amends the Community Association Manager Licensing and Disciplinary Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning insurance and the segregation of accounts; renewals, restoration, and persons in military service; illegal discrimination; and appointment of a hearing officer. Amends the Detection of Deception Examiners Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning applications for original licenses; investigations; and applicants who are Examiners. Amends the Home Inspector License Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning the necessity of licensure; renewal; endorsement; and illegal discrimination. Amends the Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Act of 2002. Makes changes in provisions concerning necessity of a license; illegal discrimination; and investigations, notice, and hearings. Amends the Appraisal Management Company Registration Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning disciplinary actions. Repeals provisions concerning bonds of registrants. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983, the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986, and the Limited Liability Company Act. Provides that an entity may use the registered office of its appointed registered agent as the entity's principal office if: (1) the entity attests that it has no physical location other than a residential address; (2) the registered agent maintaining the registered office consents to the use of the address as the entity's principal office; and (3) the entity provides the Secretary of State with the physical address of at least one officer or director, which shall not be made available to the public.

Amends the State Revenue Sharing Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

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. Effective immediately.

Removes references to the Department of Human Services' Division of Mental Health and Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery in various Acts, including, but not limited to, the Substance Use Disorder Act, the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, the Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Act, the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, and the County Jail Act. Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act and other acts to reference the Department of Human Services' Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (rather than by the Division of Mental Health). Makes other conforming changes. Repeals the Behavioral Health Workforce Education Center Task Force Act, the Advisory Council on Early Identification and Treatment of Mental Health Conditions Act, and the Strengthening and Transforming Behavioral Health Crisis Care in Illinois Act. Repeals a provision in the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code concerning the COVID-19 public health emergency. Repeals a provision in the Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Act requiring the Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Health to initially implement the Act as a 2-year pilot program. Repeals provisions in the Health Inpatient Facility Access Act requiring the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a strategic plan on improving access to inpatient psychiatric beds.

Amends the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Exempts from the registration and certificate of title provisions of the Code any vehicle that is owned and operated by a county sheriff's office and that has externally displayed on it evidence of the county sheriff's ownership. Makes a conforming change.

Amends the Non-Support Punishment Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Act's short title.

Amends the Nitroglycerin Transportation Act. Makes a technical change concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, by January 1, 2027, the course for operation of vehicles of the first division being operated as school buses shall be available virtually. Requires, by January 1, 2027, the Secretary of State to make the written test for the operation of vehicles of the first division being operated as school buses available for completion online. Effective immediately.

Amends the Early Education Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Short Term Borrowing Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning cash flow borrowing.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

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

Amends the Township Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning contracts relating to insurance.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in consultation with the Department of Revenue, is authorized to create and award capacity building grants to municipalities whose equalized assessed value, total State sales tax disbursements, or both combined, decreased at least 30% over the 10 years preceding the issuance of the grant. Provides for the adoption of rules. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Domestic Animals Running At Large Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Grocery Initiative Act. Provides that Grocery Initiative Grants may be used to provide access to equipment that is needed to accept payment from the Women, Infant, Children's program (WIC). Makes changes to the definition of "grocery store" to include certain meat retailers, fruit and vegetable retailers, and fish and seafood retailers. Effective July 1, 2025.