Illinois

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that using an electronic communication device includes recording a video, holding a device in one's hand or lap, composing, sending, or reading any text-based communication, or browsing the Internet. Provides that a person is presumed to be in use of an electronic communication device while driving if the electronic communication device is observed in the person's hand while the vehicle is in motion or stopped in traffic. Changes the penalties for the use of an electronic communication device while driving to: for a first offense, a fine not to exceed $250 (instead of $75); for a second offense, a fine not to exceed $500 (instead of $100) and the person must complete a Distracted Driving Safety Course; and for a third or subsequent offense, a fine not to exceed $750 (instead of $125) and a suspension of the person's driver's license for a period of not less than 3 months and not more than 6 months. Includes exceptions for a public transit or commercial driver using a digital dispatch device within the scope of employment and a driver using the phone for a brief, specific purpose while the vehicle is fully and completely stopped at a red light, as long as the purpose is achieved and the electronic communication device use ceases before the light turns green. Requires that the exception for a driver using an electronic communication device in hands-free or voice-operated mode must be 18 or older. Authorizes a municipality to establish an automated distracted driving enforcement program. Provides for the implementation of a distracted driving awareness campaign. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2026 assessment year, the valuation of property in any general assessment year may not exceed (i) 101% of the value of the property in the previous tax year if the property is residential or (ii) 102% of the value of the property in the previous tax year if the property is not residential. Provides that the limitation does not apply if the increase in value is due to an addition, modification, or improvement to the property or if there has been a change in ownership of the property during the previous tax year. Preempts the power of home rule units to tax.

Creates the Tortious Interference with Parent-Child Relationship Act. Contains findings and purposes concerning the parent-child relationship. Creates a civil cause of action for a parent or child if a third party's tortious conduct injures either the child or the parent or otherwise unreasonably harms, prevents, or terminates a parent-child relationship. Authorizes recovery of damages including loss of society, companionship, consortium, parent-child relationship, emotional distress, mental anguish, or economic loss. Provides that the Act applies to all conduct occurring on or after January 1, 1980. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Repeals provisions concerning an addition modification related to the business interest deduction taken under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act. Provides that the Chicago Transit Authority shall, subject to appropriation, no later than July 1, 2026, establish a program that allows persons 18 or younger who enrolled as a student in a participating institution to use the Authority's buses and trains for transportation to youth programs or youth services without charge. Effective immediately.

Amends the Hospital Emergency Service Act. Provides that every hospital required to be licensed by the Department of Public Health pursuant to the Hospital Licensing Act which provides general medical and surgical hospital services, except for specified long-term acute care hospitals and rehabilitation hospitals, shall have at least one licensed physician who specializes in emergency medicine staffing the emergency department at all times. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a law enforcement officer shall not wear any mask or neck gaiter while interacting with the public in the performance of the officer's duties, except for medical grade masks that are surgical or N95 respirators designed to prevent the transmission of airborne diseases and diseases, masks designed to protect against exposure to smoke during a state of emergency related to wildfires, or protective gear used by Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team officers necessary to protect their faces from harm while they perform their SWAT responsibilities. Provides that "mask" does not include a face shield if it does not conceal the wearer's face and does not include a clear mask that does not conceal the wearer's face. Provides that while executing law enforcement duties, a law enforcement officer shall display on the uniform that the officer wears: (i) the officer's name or badge number and (ii) the agency in which the officer is employed. Provides that the provisions do not apply to an officer while the officer is engaged in an undercover assignment. Provides that moneys from fines received for convictions under this provision shall be deposited into a special fund in the State treasury to be known as the Immigrant Family Services Fund and shall be used by the Department of Human Services to provide immigrant family services as determined by the Secretary of Human Services. Establishes penalties for violations. Defines terms. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the Sports Wagering Act. Provides that the tax imposed on each master sports licensee for each individual wager placed with the master sports licensee for sports wagering over the Internet or through a mobile application shall end on July 1, 2026. Effective immediately.

Creates the Mental Health Warning for Social Media Act. Provides that the operator of a social media platform shall ensure that a clear and conspicuous mental health warning label that complies with specified requirements: (1) appears each time a user accesses the social media platform; and (2) remains visible until the user takes specified actions. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall develop guidelines establishing requirements for the warning labels. Provides that the operator of a social media platform shall display a clear and conspicuous pop-up notification at least once every 30 minutes that a user has actively used the platform that informs the user of specified information. Provides that a violation of any of the provisions of the Act is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change.

Amends the Energy Efficient Building Act. Provides that each builder who completes construction on a newly constructed residential building in the State shall cause an energy audit to be completed on the building resulting in a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index Score. Amends the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act. Provides that, subject to certain exceptions, prior to the transfer of title of a dwelling, the seller shall obtain an energy audit resulting in a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index Score of the dwelling. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois State Police Law and the Illinois Police Training Act to require instruction during training on the policies and procedures for administering a lethality assessment, including referrals to domestic violence services. Amends the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Provides that, on or before January 1, 2028, every law enforcement agency shall provide to all of its law enforcement officers instruction on the policies and procedures for administering a lethality assessment as part of basic training. Provides that, on or before July 1, 2028, a law enforcement officer investigating an alleged incident of domestic violence shall administer a lethality assessment if the allegation of domestic violence is against an intimate partner, regardless of whether an arrest is made. Provides that if a victim does not, or is unable to, provide information to a law enforcement officer sufficient to allow the law enforcement officer to administer a lethality assessment, the law enforcement officer must document the lack of a lethality assessment in the written police report and refer the victim to the nearest locally certified domestic violence center. Prohibits a law enforcement officer from including in or attaching to a probable cause statement, written police report, or incident report the domestic violence center to which a victim was referred. Prohibits a law enforcement officer from administering a lethality assessment if the law enforcement officer has not received training on administering a lethality assessment. Makes a conforming change in the Freedom of Information Act.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Requires bidders who submit a bid to a State agency for a contract to supply the State agency with firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories and contractors who are awarded those contracts to make certain certifications and provide the State agency with certain information. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Authorizes the Chicago Board of Education, by resolution, to provide for the compensation of its members. Specifies that the compensation provided for Board members may include, but is not limited to, reimbursement for expenses incurred while in the performance of their duties.

Amends the Illinois Power of Attorney Act. Creates rights for patients with a health power of attorney. Provides that all individuals undergoing surgery, hospitalization, or any medical procedure shall have the right to designate a designated representative in a health care power of attorney on their behalf in the event of incapacitation. Provides that patients and their designated representatives are guaranteed the following rights: (1) the right to receive clear, comprehensive information about proposed treatments, including risks, benefits, and alternatives, in a language and format they understand, before agreeing to any procedure; (2) the right to view, request, and receive copies of all medical records, and the assurance of confidentiality in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and related privacy laws; (3) the right to appeal medical decisions, including denial of treatment, discharge, or transfer; (4) the right to request and receive a second opinion from another qualified medical professional or specialist, including those outside the treating facility, without fear of delay, retaliation, or obstruction; and (5) the right to medical interpretation services for patients or their designated representative who do not speak or understand English fluently, including access to certified medical translators and translated documents, at no cost to the patient. Creates a State Patient Rights and Advocacy Commission to oversee implementation of the Act, monitor compliance by health care providers, and respond to violations. Provides that any health care provider or institution found to be in violation of the Act is subject to disciplinary sanctions, which may include: civil fines; suspension or revocation of professional licenses; facility accreditation review or suspension; and mandatory corrective action plans and staff retraining.

Amends the Local Records Act. Provides that, except as otherwise provided by law, no public record shall be disposed of by any officer or agency unless in compliance with an application for authority to dispose of local records (rather than unless the written approval of the appropriate Local Records Commission is first obtained). Defines "application for authority to dispose of local records".

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that property that qualifies for the senior citizens homestead exemption is exempt from taxation under the Code. Effective immediately.

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Nautica Horton Act. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to reimburse a deceased minor's parent or any other relative for the cost of any funeral and burial or cremation services charged to or paid by the parent or relative if the minor's death occurred while the minor was under the care of or receiving services from the Department and the parent or relative lacks the resources to assume such costs.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that the Board of Trustees of Community College District No. 510 shall change the name of the Allied Health & Nursing Center at South Suburban College to the Frank M. Zuccarelli Allied Health Center.

Creates the Transmission Ownership and Reliability Act. Defines terms. Provides that all new electric transmission facilities located wholly or partly within the geographic boundaries of the State shall be owned, operated, and maintained exclusively by a Commission-regulated and investor-owned utility. Provides that any entity proposing to construct a new electric transmission facility in the State shall obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity under the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the construction of electric transmission facilities shall comply with all provisions of the Electric Transmission Systems Construction Standards Act and that third-party constructors shall adhere to prevailing wage, safety, and diversity requirements under that Act. Sets forth rulemaking provisions. Provides that any entity that constructs or operates an electric transmission facility in violation of the Act may be subject to monetary penalties, revocation of certification, or transfer orders issued by the Commission. Amends the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act. Provides that, to qualify as a "community-based organization", an organization must demonstrate, among other things, a plan to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL). Creates the Transmission Efficiency and Cooperation Law within the Public Utilities Act. Provides that an incumbent electric transmission owner has the right to construct, own, and maintain an electric transmission line that has been approved for construction in a transmission plan and that will connect to facilities that are owned by the incumbent electric transmission owner and are or will be under the functional control of a regional transmission operator. Provides that the right to construct, own, and maintain an electric transmission line belongs individually and proportionally to each incumbent electric transmission owner, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing. Provides that proportionality shall be determined based on the location of the electric transmission line relative to each incumbent electric transmission owner's retail service territory. Provides that an incumbent electric transmission owner may assign its right to construct, own, and maintain an electric transmission line to a transmission affiliate. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the University of Illinois Hospital Act and Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that a hospital shall ensure that all employees of the hospital have a panic button attached to their staff identification card. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no policy of accident or health insurance that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 may limit or otherwise alter coverage available to an insured based solely on that insured's weight or body mass index. Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Provides that no physician may make a diagnosis or determination of treatment based solely on a patient's body mass index. Establishes disclosure requirements for hospitals concerning the use of body mass index in diagnosis and treatment. Provides that any physician, medical student, resident, advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse, physician assistant, licensed behavior analyst, licensed assistant behavior analyst, or clinical psychologist who conducts medical, behavioral, or psychological assessments shall only use methodology recommended by peer-reviewed clinical practice guidelines or methodology established through evidence-based standards that are widely recognized by professional medical, behavioral, or psychological organizations, respective to the form of assessment, when conducting those assessments.

Amends the Farm Fresh Schools Program Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the valuation of wind energy devices, provides that, for taxable year 2027 and thereafter, the real property cost basis is $588,000 per megawatt of nameplate capacity (currently, $360,000 per megawatt of nameplate capacity). In provisions concerning the valuation of solar energy systems, provides that, for taxable year 2027 and thereafter, the real property cost basis is $446,000 per megawatt of nameplate capacity (currently, $218,000 per megawatt of nameplate capacity). Effective immediately.

Creates the Provenance Data Requirements Act. Provides that a generative artificial intelligence tool provider shall apply provenance data, either directly or through the use of third-party technology, to wholly-generated synthetic content generated by the provider's generative artificial intelligence tool. Sets forth additional requirements on generative artificial intelligence tool providers, large online platforms, and manufacturers of capture devices. Defines terms.

Amends the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act. Provides that required health coverage benefits and education benefits are contingent on the law enforcement officer being killed in the line of duty. Provides that a surviving spouse shall not be required to submit a notarized affidavit or other notarized documentation attesting that the surviving spouse has not been remarried as a condition of eligibility for any benefit, payment, or right guaranteed under the Act. Effective immediately.