Illinois

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, no later than January 1, 2027, the Secretary of State shall develop standards concerning the collection of personal identification information on forms used by the public to conduct business with the State. Provides that, no later than January 1, 2028, each State agency shall make changes to all forms prescribed by that State agency for use by the public to conform to the standards developed by the Secretary of State. Effective immediately.

Creates the Calumet City Community Medical District Act. Creates the Calumet City Community Medical District with boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of Calumet City. Creates the Commission of the District with 9 appointed commissioners and 3 ex officio commissioners. Contains provisions related to the operation of the District, rights and powers of the District and Commission, acquisition, management, and disposition of property, and other provisions. Amends the Eminent Domain Act and State Finance Act making conforming changes. Amends the Court of Claims Act replacing a reference to a dissolved medical district commission with the Calumet City Community Medical District Commission and the other existing medical district commissions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a complainant before the board of review or the Property Tax Appeal Board may represent himself or herself or designate a representative to appear before the board on his or her behalf. Provides that the description of rules and procedures provided by the board of review to the public must include an explanation that the taxpayer may appear pro se or be represented by any other person, including but not limited to an attorney, accountant, or other tax representative. Provides that the assessor or the board of review has the burden of proving any contested matter of fact by a preponderance of the evidence (currently, the plaintiff has the burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence).

Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Provides that the moneys received by the Department of Revenue under the Act on taxes imposed on the sale of motor fuel sold on the Chain O'Lakes shall be remitted back to the Chain O'Lakes - Fox River Waterway Management Agency or to the Department of Natural Resources and shall be used for waterway purposes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Anti-Click Gambling Data Analytics Collection Act. Provides that no entity that operates a remote gambling platform or a subsidiary of the entity shall collect data from a participant with the intent to predict how the participant will gamble in a particular gambling or betting scenario. Effective immediately.

Amends the Student Confidential Reporting Act to provide that any report or information submitted to a similar independent school helpline to the Safe2Help Illinois program is also confidential, may not be released except as otherwise provided in the Act or in the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, and is not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that a person who intentionally discloses information in violation of the added provision commits a Class C misdemeanor. Defines "similar independent school helpline". Amends the Freedom of Information Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985. Reduces the hours or credit hours required of education or training for various licenses under the Act. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Energy Transition Act. Provides that the Clean Jobs Workforce Hubs Network shall incorporate targeted outreach, recruitment, training, and placement services specifically for participants seeking careers within the climate, environmental, and clean energy sector. Defines "climate, environmental, and clean energy sector". Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall collect, track, and report certain information concerning the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program. Provides that the information shall be disaggregated by race, gender, geography, and equity status.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning with taxable year 2026, the amount of the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities shall be the greater of (i) $2,000 or (ii) an amount that, when deducted from the property's value as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue, will cause the total aggregate property tax liability for the property for the taxable year for which the exemption is claimed to equal a specified base amount. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that an individual shall be eligible for benefits (rather than ineligible for benefits) for any week with respect to which it is found that the individual's total or partial unemployment is due to a stoppage of work which exists because of a labor dispute at the factory, establishment, or other premises at which he is or was last employed. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that for a 3-member body, 2 members of the body constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of 2 members is necessary to adopt any motion, resolution, or ordinance unless a greater number is otherwise provided. Provides that a Chicago Police District Council may hold a closed meeting involving public safety concerns to discuss (i) an ongoing, prior, or future law enforcement or official misconduct investigation or allegation thereof involving specific individuals or (ii) other topics that if discussed in an open meeting would pose an unreasonable risk to an ongoing criminal investigation or an unreasonable risk to the safety of specific individuals. Provides that an agenda for each regular meeting of a public body must be posted the principal office of the public body if such an office exists. Provides that if a public body has a website that is maintained by its full-time staff but does not have a principal office or single building where meetings are regularly held, that body is deemed to have complied with the requirement to post physical notice at the office or building of the meeting if the notice is timely posted on the public body's website. Excludes from the definition of "meeting" for a Chicago Police District Council a gathering of 2 members, except if gathered for a regularly scheduled meeting or otherwise gathered to adopt any motion, resolution, or ordinance. Provides a Chicago Police District Council may hold meetings by audio or video conference without the physical presence of the members under certain conditions except for required regularly scheduled meetings.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that any taxing district may, after the determination of the assessed valuation of its property, order the county clerk to abate any portion of its taxes on any qualified condominium property. Provides that the amount of the abatement may not exceed the special assessments imposed against the property by the condominium association during the taxable year. Provides that "qualified condominium property" means a condominium that is located in a low-income community and with respect to which the condominium association has imposed a special assessment for repairs during the taxable year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that one month of creditable service shall be granted for the first month of participating employment, even if earnings are not reported for that month. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Creates the Illinois Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall enter into partnerships with drug companies or manufactures to: (i) increase competition, lower prices, and address shortages in the market for generic prescription drugs; (ii) reduce the cost of prescription drugs for public and private purchasers, taxpayers, and consumers; and (iii) increase patient access to affordable drugs. Provides that such partnerships shall be made with the intent to ensure the wide availability of generic prescription drugs to public and private purchasers, providers and suppliers, and pharmacies as appropriate. Requires that such drugs must be produced or distributed by a drug company or generic drug manufacturer that is registered with the United States Food and Drug Administration. Sets forth price setting criteria and a list of the most common generic prescription drugs that are to be produced and distributed through the partnerships. Requires the Department to consult with other State agencies, licensed health care service plans, health insurers, hospitals, and pharmacy benefit managers in maintaining the list of generic prescription drugs. Contains provisions concerning minimum drug procurement thresholds; reporting requirements; and other matters. Makes implementation of the Act subject to appropriation. Effective immediately, except that certain provisions take effect on January 1, 2029.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that required notification by the court under the Act does not prevent the Department of Juvenile Justice from exercising its release authority under the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that, if a youth is released to aftercare supervision prior to the date set by the court for reporting, the Department shall ensure that a report is given to the court that complies with the requirements of the Act. Provides that the Department shall also make reasonable efforts to facilitate the youth's appearance in court, if required. Provides that, if the court sets a court date after a youth's anticipated release from a Department facility, this does not prevent the Department from exercising its release authority under the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that if a youth is released to aftercare supervision prior to the date set by the court for the youth's return, the Department shall make reasonable efforts to facilitate the youth's appearance in court.

Amends the Sports Wagering Act. Defines "sports wagering". Provides restrictions on pool sports wagering. Provides that the Illinois Gaming Board may issue master sports wagering licenses to persons to conduct sports wagering over the Internet or by mobile applications. Provides that applicants shall pay the Board a nonrefundable $250,000 application fee for a master sports wagering license. Provides that the initial fee for a master sports wagering license for an online sports wagering operator is $15,000,000. Provides that the master sports wagering license is valid for 4 years. Sets forth a $1,000,000 license renewal fee and a privilege tax on the fantasy contest operator licensee's adjusted gross fantasy contest receipts based on specified rates. In a provision concerning voluntary self-exclusion programs for sports wagering, includes fantasy contests. Allows the Board to regulate the conduct of fantasy contest operators under the Act. Creates provisions concerning fantasy contests and legislative intent; definitions; board powers; licensure; conduct of contests; duties of licensees; audits and recordkeeping; and responsible gaming. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that participants of fantasy contests conducted in accordance with the Sports Wagering Act shall not be convicted of gambling. Makes changes in provisions concerning recoverable gambling losses. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to authorize emergency rulemaking. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a qualified small business may apply to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for an income tax credit in an amount equal to the amount paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year for qualified advertising with a local news organization. Provides that the credit may not exceed $2,500 per eligible taxpayer in any taxable year. Provides that the aggregate amount of all tax credits awarded by the Department under the amendatory Act in any calendar year may not exceed $3,000,000. Effective immediately.

Creates the Public Banking Option Act. Establishes the Illinois Bank Account Board under the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for the purpose of protecting consumers who lack access to traditional banking services from predatory, discriminatory, and costly alternatives. Sets forth provisions concerning the actions required by the Board to create the Illinois Bank Account Program, including establishing a process by which an individual may open an Illinois Bank Account, which shall be designed to maximize Program participation; the mechanisms by which an account holder may deposit funds into an Illinois Bank Account for no fee; a process through which an account holder may elect to have a portion, up to the entirety, of the account holder's paycheck or earnings due for labor or services performed directly deposited by electronic fund transfer into the account holder's Illinois Bank Account; a process through which employers and hiring entities shall be required to remit through a payroll direct deposit arrangement each worker's elected payroll contribution to the worker's Illinois Bank Account in accordance with the worker's election; and mechanisms by which an account holder can withdraw funds from an Illinois Bank Account using an Illinois Bank Account debit card for no fee; a process, available to all account holders for no fee, through which an account holder may arrange for payment to a registered payee using a preauthorized electronic fund transfer from an Illinois Bank Account; a process and terms and conditions for becoming a registered payee; voluntary automatic disbursement rules to assist an account holder in managing automated payments to registered payees based on the availability of funds in the account holder's account; and other specified actions. Establishes duties concerning the Program for employers with more than 25 employees, hiring entities with more than 25 independent contractors performing the same or similar labor or service, and landlords or a landlord's agent. Grants the Department rulemaking authority to implement the provisions of the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that medical appliances are exempt from the taxes imposed under those Acts. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Chief Procurement Office for General Services shall determine the automatic license plate readers and ALPR systems for use in the State. Allows a law enforcement agency to enter into a contract with a vendor for the installation, use, or maintenance of ALPR systems approved by the Chief Procurement Office. Provides that a law enforcement agency may use ALPR systems only: (1) as part of a criminal investigation into an alleged violation of State law or any ordinance of any county, city, or town where there is a reasonable suspicion that a crime was committed; (2) as part of an active investigation related to a missing or endangered person, including whether to issue an alert for the person, or a person associated with human trafficking; or (3) to receive notifications related to a missing or endangered person, a person with an outstanding warrant, a person associated with human trafficking, a stolen vehicle, or a stolen license plate. Provides that system data shall be purged after 21 days of the date of its capture and audit trail data shall be purged after 2 years of the date of its capture. Sets forth provisions on the disclosure of system of data and audit trail data. Requires a law enforcement agency that uses ALPR systems to maintain records sufficient to facilitate public reporting, the production of an audit trail, and discovery in criminal and civil proceedings, appeals, and post-conviction proceedings. Sets forth policies for law enforcement agencies to establish in the use of ALPR systems. Requires a law enforcement agency to report on its use of the ALPR systems to the Illinois State Police, the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Provides that a notification by ALPR systems does not, by itself, constitute reasonable suspicion as grounds for a law enforcement agency to stop a vehicle. Provides that any person who willfully and intentionally queries, accesses, or uses ALPR systems for a specified purpose, or who willfully and intentionally sells, shares, or disseminates system data or audit trail data, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Requires a law enforcement agency to take measures to promote public awareness on the use of ALPR systems. Makes other changes. Makes a conforming change in the Freedom of Information Act.

Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Central Management Services, in conjunction with the 5 State-funded retirement systems, may enter into a contract with an administrator to establish and conduct a State Retiree Medicare Primacy Coordination Audit and Assistance Program to identify relevant individuals eligible for Medicare but not enrolled in Medicare, and to assist those individuals with enrolling in Social Security and Medicare. Provides that the State Retiree Medicare Primacy Coordination Audit and Assistance Program shall conduct an annual audit of the State health benefits program for everyone covered under the State Employees Group Insurance Program, the Teachers' Retirement Insurance Program, and the College Insurance Program for the purpose of identifying participants and their dependents who are eligible for Medicare under federal law and shall also ensure that those annuitants, retirees, benefit recipients, survivors, or dependents who are eligible for Medicare are enrolled in Medicare with Medicare as their primary health care benefits coverage and the State Health Benefits Program being the secondary provider of their health care benefits coverage. Provides that the State Retiree Medicare Primacy Coordination Audit and Assistance Program shall assist any annuitant, retiree, benefit recipient, survivor or their dependents who becomes disabled, and is not enrolled in Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare, with enrolling in and obtaining Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare benefits. Provides that the administrator of the State Retiree Medicare Primacy Coordination Audit and Assistance Program shall provide the Department, the 5 State-funded retirement systems, and the General Assembly with an annual report. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Judicial Privacy Act to expand coverage to federal judicial officials and State judicial officials that includes judges and clerks of the State and federal judicial system. Amends "personal information" that may be protected to include financial, date of birth, race and ethnicity, and biometric information. Provides the method of making a written request to protect personal information by a federal and State judicial official. Creates form for the written request. Allows a court file or document to be sealed. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Department of Natural Resources to authorize the operation of non-highway vehicles on the roadways under its jurisdiction if the Department determines that the public safety will not be jeopardized. Provides that a county board or township located in a county that permits the use of a non-highway vehicle on its roadways shall not be deemed liable for crashes involving the use of a non-highway vehicle on its roadways. Subjects 2-wheeled non-highway vehicles to the same safety requirements as motorcycles.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that, notwithstanding the provisions of the Act that physicians may issue multiple prescriptions (3 sequential 30-day supplies) for the same Schedule II controlled substance, authorizing up to a 90-day supply, provides that prescriptions for non-opioid, non-narcotic controlled substances found in Schedule II, where a 90-day supply, but in no event more than a 90-day supply, may be dispensed at any one time.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, if a voter is unable to submit a vote by mail ballot, it shall be sufficient for the voter to submit to the election judges an affidavit executed before the election judges specifying that the voter received a vote by mail ballot, but the vote by mail ballot was misplaced or destroyed, and was unable to bring the vote by mail ballot to the polling place. Makes conforming changes.