Illinois

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act and the Broadband Infrastructure Advancement Act. Provides that the Illinois Power Agency and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, respectively, shall create a specific Database and may contract with a third-party database program administrator to do so. Provides that, if the Agency or Department decides to contract with a third-party database program administrator, the third-party database program administrator shall be exempt from certain requirements in the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that the specific Database shall be a searchable database of awardees, contractors, developers, suppliers, vendors, and subcontractors for certain projects or providers that is: (i) publicly accessible; (ii) easy for people to find and use; (iii) organized by company specialty or field; (iv) region-specific; and (v) populated with information that includes, but is not limited to, project names, project size, contact information, including the addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of suppliers, vendors, or subcontractors who participate or have participated in any of the programs described in the respective Act, and the current status of such projects. Provides that a posting on the specific Database shall be made by the applicable developer prior to the start of work on a project. Requires developers to provide regular updates on the status of such projects until a project's completion. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. In provisions concerning competitive sealed bidding, provides that public notice of an invitation for bids shall be published in the Illinois Procurement Bulletin and in the BidBuy eProcurement System at least 14 calendar days before the date set in the invitation for the opening of bids. Provides that the Director of the Illinois Power Agency may create alternative bidding procedures to procure renewable energy resources smaller than 1,000 kilowatts (rather than to procure renewable energy resources) under certain provisions of the Illinois Power Agency Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Newborn Metabolic Screening Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Public Health shall provide all newborns with screening tests for rare blood disorders, as determined by the Department. Requires the Department to adopt rules.

Amends the Video Gaming Act. Provides that an applicant or licensee is not in violation of the Act or any rule of the Board and the applicant or licensee is not subject to disciplinary action, delay of Board consideration, or denial of any license based solely upon the ownership, operation, or possession of a game device if the game device is in compliance with specified Sections of the Criminal Code of 2012. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that, notwithstanding any other gambling offense provisions, a gambling offense involving a specified vending or other electronic machine or device connected to the Internet is a Class 4 felony. Prohibits any municipality from imposing any restriction or prohibition on permitted gambling activities. Makes changes to the definition of "gambling device". Amends the Prizes and Gifts Act. Makes changes to defined terms. Sets forth provisions concerning the operation of a prize and gift kiosk. Requires each business operating a prize and gift kiosk to be registered with the Department of Revenue and to register each prize and gift kiosk as a Coin-Operated Amusement Device. Provides that filing for a device other than a prize and gift kiosk shall be considered filing a false report or form with the State, and violators shall be subject to any and all penalties for that violation. Provides that the Department of Revenue and the Illinois Liquor Control Commission or its designee shall have jurisdiction. Effective immediately.

Creates the Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Program Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to establish the Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Program. Provides that the Department shall implement the program by: contracting with one or more prescription drug wholesalers and Canadian suppliers to import prescription drugs and provide prescription drug cost savings to consumers in this State; developing a registration process for health benefit plan issuers, health care providers, and pharmacies to obtain and dispense prescription drugs imported under the program; developing a list of prescription drugs, including the prices of those drugs, that meet certain requirements set forth under the Act and publishing the list on the Department's website; establishing an outreach and marketing plan to generate program awareness; ensuring the program and the prescription drug wholesalers that contract with this State comply with certain federal tracking, tracing, verification, and identification requirements; and other actions. Sets forth eligibility criteria for prescription drugs that may be imported into the State under the program. Contains provisions concerning anticompetitive behavior monitoring; program funding; program expansion; audit procedures; annual reporting requirements; the adoption of rules to implement the Act; and federal waiver or authorization requirements. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for levy years 2026 through 2030, the term "taxing district" includes each home rule taxing district. Provides that, for levy years 2026 through 2030, the extension limitation is 0% or the rate of increase approved by the voters. Contains provisions setting forth the aggregate extension for taxing districts that became subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law as a result of the amendatory Act. Sets forth powers and duties of the Department of Revenue. Limits the power of home rule units to tax. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that a person shall not distribute, or enter into an agreement with another person to distribute, materially deceptive media if: (1) the person knows the media falsely represents a depicted individual; (2) the distribution occurs within 90 days before an election; (3) the person intends the distribution to harm the reputation or electoral prospects of a candidate in an election or otherwise deceive voters; and (4) the person intends the distribution to change the voting behavior of electors in an election by deceiving the electors into incorrectly believing that the depicted individual in fact engaged in the speech or conduct depicted, and the distribution is reasonably likely to cause that result. Sets forth exceptions to the provision and penalties for violations of the provision. Effective immediately.

Creates the Local Government Building Permit Act. Provides that the Act only applies to units of local government that require a person to obtain a permit from the unit of local government before the person may construct a building within the unit of local government. Requires a unit of local government to comply with specified timelines for issuing building permits. Provides that, if a unit of local government fails to comply with the timelines, then the building permit is automatically approved by operation of law, unless the proposed building project violates published building or zoning codes. Requires a unit of local government to publish the specified information concerning building permits on its public-facing website. Provides that the fees that a unit of local government imposes to approve a building permit application may not exceed the actual cost the unit of local government incurs to review a building permit application. Provides that, if a unit of local government denies a person's building permit application, then the person may appeal the decision to the Building Permit Ombudsman. Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law. Creates the position of Building Permit Ombudsman within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Provides that the Building Permit Ombudsman shall receive, review, and resolve appeals brought under the Local Government Building Permit Act. Requires the Building Permit Ombudsman to (i) examine the issues and the information provided by both parties; (ii) make findings of fact and conclusions of law; and (iii) issue a decision to the developer and the unit of local government in response to the appeal.

Creates the Public Safety Career Pathways Act. Requires a participating public or nonpublic high school or school district to provide access to at least one Pipeline Program in a public safety field. Allows an individual 18 years of age or older to participate in a Fire and Emergency Medical Services Pathway. Provides that a law enforcement agency may establish a Cadet Program for individuals 18 to 20 years of age interested in pursuing sworn law enforcement employment. Provides that a Pipeline Program may also include training or supervised experience leading to certain other careers. Requires the State Board of Education to develop a model memorandum of understanding for institutions and local public safety partners. Requires a local public safety partner participating in a Pipeline Program to maintain all insurance required under State law. Provides that participation in a Pipeline Program does not create civil liability for a local public safety partner beyond its statutory duties, as long as the local public safety partner acts in good faith and complies with safety requirements. Provides that compensation for a Pipeline Program participant is optional and may be determined by the local public safety partner. Allows the State Board to provide tuition assistance to eligible participants in certified fire services, emergency medical services, or law enforcement preparatory programs. Requires a local public safety partner to comply with all safety requirements applicable to minors and trainees. Sets forth provisions concerning employee status, background checks, reporting, and rulemaking. Repeals the Act 5 years after the effective date. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the sentence for aggravated criminal sexual assault, which does not otherwise provide for an enhanced penalty, is a Class X felony for which 5 years shall be added to the term of imprisonment imposed by the court. Provides that the sentence for predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, which does not otherwise provide for an enhanced penalty, is a Class X felony with a minimum term of imprisonment of 11 (rather than 6) years.

Creates the Illinois Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Prohibits preparing, distributing, selling, or offering for sale kratom products intended for ingestion if they meet certain specifications, with a civil penalty of $5,000 for a first violation, $10,000 for a second or subsequent violation, and a 2-year ban on distributing or selling a kratom product for a third violation. Requires labeling of retail packages containing kratom products, preparing, distributing, selling, or offering for sale kratom products intended for ingestion if they meet certain specifications. Prohibits selling kratom products to a person under 21 years of age, with a Class B or Class A misdemeanor for a knowing and willful violation. Prohibits manufacturing, delivering, holding, offering for sale, distributing, or selling a product that contains kratom and a controlled substance, with a Class 4 felony for knowing and willful violation. Prohibits manufacturing, delivering, holding, offering for sale, distributing, or selling a product that contains a synthetically derived compound of the plant Mitragyna speciosa, with a Class B misdemeanor for knowing and willful violation. Provides an affirmative defense for a retailer for reliance upon the representations of a manufacturer, processor, packer, or distributor of food represented to be a kratom product. Requires the Department of Revenue to adopt rules to implement and administer the Act. Limits home rule powers and functions. Defines terms. Repeals the Kratom Control Act. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Eliminates the flat weight tax for all owners of trailers that are not farm trailers and that weigh 3,000 pounds or less.

Creates the Illinois Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Regulates the manufacture, processing, packaging, labeling, and retail sale of kratom products. Requires registration with the Department of Public Health and compliance with federal food safety laws. Sets standards for finished kratom products, including permitted delivery forms, age restrictions, packaging requirements, and warnings on labels. Requires certificates of analysis for each batch from accredited laboratories and mandates product liability insurance. Prohibits products attractive to children and mixing kratom with psychoactive substances. Provides reporting requirements for adverse health events and authorizes independent testing by the Department. Establishes enforcement provisions, including stop-sale orders, detention and destruction of products, civil penalties, and criminal offenses. Grants rulemaking authority to the Department.

Amends the State Universities Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Creates a deferred retirement option plan (DROP) for certain participating employees who are eligible to retire under the Article, have never received a retirement annuity from the System, and are active participants in the System. Provides that, during the period of the DROP, the System shall credit to a notional account on behalf of the DROP member an amount equal to the monthly amount of retirement annuity the DROP member would otherwise be eligible to receive had the DROP member retired on the date of the election. Provides that an eligible member may elect to participate in the DROP for a period not to exceed 5 years from the date of election. Requires a DROP member to terminate employment with the employer upon expiration of their participation in the DROP. Sets forth other provisions concerning interest on the account; termination of the DROP; contributions; administrative costs; transfer of administrative responsibility to the State Treasurer; and the tax-qualified status of the System.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the exemption for charitable purposes applies to organizations that are exempt under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that no taxing district may hold more than 150% of the previous levy year's property tax collections in cash or cash-equivalent assets. Provides that excess amounts shall be refunded to taxpayers. Effective immediately.

Creates the Caring for Caregivers Act. Provides that a taxpayer who is a family caregiver and who incurs eligible expenditures during the taxable year for the care and support of an eligible family member may apply to the Department of Revenue for an income tax credit. Provides that the credit shall be equal to 50% of the eligible expenditures incurred during the taxable year by the family caregiver for the care and support of an eligible family member, subject to certain specified limitations. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Removes language providing that no employee of the Illinois Racing Board, within a period of one year immediately preceding employment, shall have been employed or received compensation or fees for services from a person or entity, or its parent or affiliate, that has engaged in business with the Board, a licensee, or a licensee under the Illinois Gambling Act. Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Removes language providing that no employee of the Illinois Gaming Board, within a period of one year immediately preceding employment, shall have been employed or received compensation or fees for services from a person or entity, or its parent or affiliate, that has engaged in business with the Board, a licensee, or a licensee under the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975.

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

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that in a community of manufactured homes, where the water system in the community is connected to a municipal public water supply system, potable water shall be provided at each manufactured home site. Provides that where a manufactured home community owner or operator bills the residents of the community using monthly line-item charges for utilities, including, but not limited to, water, those charges shall be based on either: (i) a resident's actual usage, as measured by submeters installed on each manufactured home site within the community; or (ii) a ratio utility billing system, in the absence of submeters, in which charges for water shall be divided by certain criteria, including, but not limited to, the number of occupants per household, the square footage of the manufactured home, or other factors. Provides that the ratio utility billing system shall not bill all residents of the community equally for a water utility bill issued to the manufactured home community owner or operator by the municipal public water supply system. Provides that where a manufactured home community does not have existing submeters, submeters shall be installed at the expense of the manufactured home community owner or operator. Provides that the community owner or operator shall be considered the water supplier and is the party responsible for the water distribution system up to the individual service line at each manufactured home site. Provides that the owner or operator shall be responsible for all maintenance and associated costs of any meters and submeters, within the community, installed outside and beneath a manufactured home. Provides that the amendatory Act shall not apply to any manufactured home community that has its own water source, including, but not limited to, a well.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that a public body may charge the actual cost (rather than up to $10) for each hour spent by personnel in searching for and retrieving a requesting record or in examining the record for necessary redactions. Specifies that no fees shall be charged for the first 2 hours (rather than the first 8 hours) spent by personnel searching for or retrieving a requested record. Deletes a provision that limits the applicability of these cost recovery provisions to commercial requests.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that records in the possession of any public body created in the course of administrative enforcement proceedings, and any law enforcement or correctional agency for law enforcement purposes, that contain the name, address, or other identifying information or contact information of a person who is under the age of 18 years old and who is a victim of sexual abuse, sexual assault, or sexual violence are exempt from inspection and copying under certain provisions regarding a public body redacting the exempt information.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Prohibits information obtained from a driver's license to be collected if the information may be used to discriminate against the individual. Provides that any person or entity that obtains information must disclose to the individual that the individual's information is being collected, and such disclosure may be in the form of written consent from the individual that the individual's information may be collected. Provides that any person who's information is collected may request, and shall be provided, a copy of the information collected.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that a safety-net hospital includes a behavioral health safety-net provider that: (i) is licensed or certified by the Department of Human Services, or otherwise authorized under State law, to provide behavioral health or substance use disorder treatment services; (ii) meets specified federal requirements for being designated a disproportionate share hospital, as defined by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services; (iii) accepts admissions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no blackout periods; (iv) accepts patients who only need mental health or substance use disorder treatment; and (v) has a MIUR of at least 40% and a charity percent of at least 4%, or a MIUR of at least 50%.

Amends the Access to Justice Act. Creates the Remote Filing Task Force of 17 members. Creates an appointment process. Provides that the Task Force shall research and evaluate the existing ability of litigants to file court documents remotely across Illinois, including (1) identifying barriers for pro se litigants, people with a primary language other than English, people in crisis, people with disabilities, and people with low-literacy; (2) research and evaluate approaches to address any barriers identified by the Task Force to increase access and usability to remote filing for all Illinoisans; and (3) make recommendations to reduce barriers for litigants to remotely file court documents and improve access and usability of remote filing statewide. Requires that the Task Force submit a report containing its findings and any recommendations to the Supreme Court and the General Assembly by October 1, 2027. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved on October 2, 2027. Effective immediately.

Creates the Standardized Prior Authorization Act. Requires a health insurance issuer to maintain a complete list of services for which prior authorization is required and to make any current prior authorization requirements and restrictions readily accessible and conspicuously posted on its website or online portals to enrollees, health care professionals, and health care providers. Sets forth further provisions concerning disclosure and review of prior authorization requirements; standard prior authorizations; expedited prior authorizations; notifications of adverse determinations; appeals of adverse determinations; prohibitions on revocation of prior authorization and nonpayment by a health insurance issuer; the length of approvals; approvals for chronic conditions; continuity of prior approvals; and enforcement and administration of the Act. Requires a health insurance issuer to periodically review its prior authorization requirements and consider removal of prior authorization requirements. Provides that a failure by a health insurance issuer to comply with the deadlines and other requirements specified in the Act shall result in any health care services subject to review to be automatically deemed authorized by the health insurance issuer or its contracted private review agent. Establishes reporting and notification requirements for health insurance issuers. Grants rulemaking authority to the Department of Insurance. Repeals the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code and the Illinois Public Aid Code to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2027.