Illinois

Amends the Wildlife Code. Requires fur facilities to be licensed by the Department of Natural Resources in order to continue operating. Provides that a person is not eligible to obtain a fur facility license for a fur facility that was not owned or operated in the State before the effective date of the amendatory Act. Specifies that a person who owns or operates a fur facility before the effective date of the amendatory Act must obtain a fur facility license from the Department for the facility by January 1, 2028 in order to continue owning or operating the facility on or after January 1, 2028. Limits the transferability of licenses after January 1, 2028. Establishes various license application requirements. Requires the Department to inspect fur facilities before granting or renewing a fur facility license. Provides that a fur facility license may be granted by the Department only if the Department determines the facility meets certain requirements. Creates the Fur Facility Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that amounts in the Fund must be used by the Department to finance the administration and enforcement of the licensing system established by the amendatory Act. Specifies that the Department of Natural Resources must revoke the license of any person who violates the licensing requirements added by the amendatory Act and may confiscate the person's fur-bearing mammals. Establishes criminal penalties for violations of the licensing requirements added by the amendatory Act. Exempts fur facility license holders from the Code's fur-bearing mammal breeder permitting requirements. Defines various terms. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the Ticket Sale and Resale Act. Provides that a ticket seller, ticket reseller, and ticket broker shall display the full price of a ticket, including all assessed fees, to a purchaser when the price of a ticket is first shown to the purchaser and shall not increase that price during the transaction with the purchaser. Provides that the use of dynamic pricing in the course of selling a ticket is a violation of the provision. Defines "dynamic pricing".

Creates the Electronic Device Stewardship Act. Requires a producer that sells an electronic smoking device to implement and finance an electronic smoking device stewardship program, no later than 2 years after the effective date of the Act, through a producer responsibility organization that is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires a producer responsibility organization to submit an electronic smoking device stewardship plan to the Agency for approval no later than 2 years after the effective date of the Act. Establishes requirements regarding fees collected from participating producers. Sets forth procedures regarding approval of stewardship plans. Prohibits, beginning 2 years after the effective date of the Act, a producer from selling, offering for sale, distributing, or importing for sale an electronic smoking device unless the producer is in an approved producer responsibility organization in compliance with the Act, with a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for a violation. Provides an affirmative defense for a distributor or retailer for reliance on the representation of a producer or producer responsibility organization. Allows the Attorney General to recover civil penalties and any other damages and to seek injunctive relief. Provides an antitrust exemption. Requires a producer responsibility organization to submit an annual report to the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires the Agency to adopt rules and conduct an evaluation. Makes findings and states the purpose of the Act. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Changes the definition of "biometric identifier". Defines "biometric lock", "biometric time clock", "person", and "security purpose". Waives certain requirements for collecting, capturing, or otherwise obtaining a person's or a customer's biometric identifier or biometric information under certain circumstances relating to security purposes. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to apply to information captured by a biometric time clock or biometric lock that converts a person's biometric identifier or biometric information to a mathematical representation. Provides that any person aggrieved by a violation of this Act has a right of action in State court or federal court within one year from its occurrence. Requires the aggrieved person to provide the private entity 30 days a written entity alleging the specific provisions of the Act that have been violated. Provides the private entity 30 days to cure the noticed violation. Exempts a private entity if its employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that provides for different policies regarding the retention, collection, disclosure, and destruction of biometric information. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Freedom to Work Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2026, no employer shall enter into a covenant not to compete or a covenant not to solicit with any employee unless the employee's actual or expected annualized rate of earnings exceeds $300,000 per year. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall establish and administer a property tax relief pilot program. Provides that eligible homeowners shall receive a one-time direct relief payment in an amount equal to a percentage, determined by the Department by rule, of the eligible homeowner's property tax liability for the 2025 tax year. Requires the Department of Revenue to submit a report in connection with the Program to the Governor and the General Assembly. Creates the Property Tax Relief Program Fund of 2026. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used by the Department for the purpose of making property tax relief payments. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Agriculture to adopt rules establishing, implementing, and administering the Illinois Down Payment Assistant Grant Program to offer up to $20,000 grants for eligible applicants purchasing their first farms that are eligible farm purchases. Provides that, if more eligible applicants apply than grants are available, then the recipients shall be chosen with a random lottery process determined by the Department, with priority given to priority applicants. Defines terms.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a public utility shall freeze its monthly customer charge for low-income households at an amount equal to a percentage of the household's income that is no greater than the current percentage of income used to determine the amount of monthly credits administered to participants of the Percentage of Income Payment Plan under the Energy Assistance Act.

Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that the sales tax holiday period under those Acts applies from August 5 through August 14 of 2026 and from August 5 through August 14 of each year thereafter. Effective immediately.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that a person shall not knowingly mail or send or cause to be mailed or sent a letter or postcard to a recipient in the State for the purpose of soliciting or inducing the recipient to borrow money, if the letter or postcard: (1) contains language that states or implies that any response by a consumer is required; or (2) resembles a check or tax document published and mailed by the Internal Revenue Service or the Department of Revenue. Provides that any letter or postcard mailed or sent to a recipient in the State for the purpose of soliciting or inducing the recipient to borrow money shall be sent in a white envelope or postcard and include specified disclosures. Provides that a violation of the provisions constitutes an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.

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

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the use of green oscillating, flashing, or rotating lights on motor vehicles or equipment used by contractors, engineering or survey crews, or union representatives engaged in work on a highway. Provides that such lights shall not be lighted except while such vehicles are actually engaged in work on a highway.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that a foreign-influenced business entity shall not make a contribution or donation to any person or entity with the express or implied condition that the contribution or donation, or any part of the contribution or donation be used for specified political purposes. Sets forth certification requirements. Provides that the provision shall be construed to establish liability on the part of any candidate, political committee, or other recipient of certification. Provides for enforcement of the provision. Defines terms. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the Managed Care Organization Provider Assessment Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning tiered managed care assessment rates, provides that beginning July 1, 2026, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may implement a tax that is based on uniform rates, determined at a level not to exceed limitations imposed by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, that may be set at either a percentage of premium revenue or on a per member per month basis. Removes a provision requiring any upward adjustment to the Tier 3 rate to be the minimum necessary to meet federal statistical tests. In the definition of "member months", removes language exempting enrollment in a Limited Health Services Organization, a Medicare Supplement Plan, or a Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan from the calculation of member months. Expands the definition of "managed care organization" to include an entity that operates as a preferred provider organization. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Election Code. Creates the Secure Elections Infrastructure Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that, subject to appropriation, moneys in the Fund shall be distributed by the State Board of Elections as grants to election authorities for: voting machine replacement; electronic poll book upgrades; cybersecurity hardening; voter accessibility upgrades; infrastructure for secure ballot transport and storage; and capital improvements to election authority facilities that are necessary to maintain safe, secure, and effective election administration. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall establish and use a formula to distribute moneys in the Fund to election authorities.

Creates the ICE and CBP Tracker Act. Requires the Attorney General to create and maintain a statewide incident reporting system related to unlawful activity in Illinois by personnel employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and U.S. Border Protection. Makes legislative findings. Authorizes the Attorney General to adopt rules to implement the Act.

Creates the Illinois Appliance Standards Act. Directs the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to adopt minimum efficiency standards for covered products. Provides for testing, certification, and labeling of covered products. Contains provisions concerning enforcement of the Act's requirements. Provides for administrative rulemaking by the Agency. Makes findings. Defines terms.

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Provides that a landlord may not automatically report any tenant's rental payment history to a rent reporter without first obtaining consent from the tenant in writing. Provides that a landlord may not propose a credit building agreement to the tenant until the tenant has entered into a signed residential lease agreement.

Creates the West Cook Flood Prevention District Act. Establishes the West Cook Flood Prevention District for the purpose of managing the water that flows into the Town of Cicero sewer system, including connected sewer systems. Provides that the territory of the district is the corporate limits of the Town of Cicero as well as the portions of the City of Berwyn, the Village of Oak Park, and the City of Chicago from which sewage or stormwater is discharged into the Town of Cicero sewerage system or any sewer connected within those areas. Includes provisions relating to appointment of trustees, board of trustee powers, enactment of ordinances and rules, fines and criminal offenses for ordinance violations, sewer systems, sewage and stormwater agreements, fees and special assessments that may be charged, unlawful discharge into sewers of the district, acquisition of real and personal property, eminent domain, lease of property, borrowing of money and issuance of bonds, a district assistance program, contractual requirements, and other provisions about the operation of the district. Amends the Eminent Domain Act to provide that the Board of Trustees of the West Cook Flood Prevention District may acquire property by condemnation or eminent domain for general district purposes.

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that the maximum amount of notes or bonds that may be issued by the Illinois Finance Authority for any one agricultural real estate borrower may be increased by a higher amount than currently allowed if a higher amount is permitted by statute or regulation. In provisions concerning agricultural assistance loans, removes provisions providing that no proceeds from any bonds issued by the Illinois Finance Authority shall be loaned for the purchase of new depreciable agricultural property to any natural person who has a net worth in excess of $500,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the Equity in Long-term Care Quality Act and the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that funds generated from penalties imposed for non-compliance with minimum staffing standards shall be deposited into the Equity in Long-term Care Quality Fund. Sets forth requirements concerning the distribution of those moneys. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. In a provision establishing greenhouse gas emission controls, authorizes an electric generating unit or large GHG-emitting unit to continue operating if an emergency, pre-emergency, or conservative operations situation exists. Provides that no variance, adjusted standard, or other regulatory relief that is otherwise available under the Act may be granted from the Act's greenhouse gas emission controls if battery storage resources constitute at least 10% of the total State-installed generation capacity. Provides that, if battery storage resources constitute less than 10% of the total State-installed generation capacity at any time after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Environmental Protection Agency shall delay enforcement of certain greenhouse gas emission controls. Directs the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt rules to implement these requirements. Defines "battery storage resource" and "total State-installed generation capacity". Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that certain property on which a community-integrated living arrangement is located is entitled to a reduction in its equalized assessed value in an amount equal to the product that results when the number of occupants who use the community-integrated living arrangement as a primary residence is multiplied by $2,000. Provides that property qualifies for the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities even if the person with a disability is not an owner of record of the property or liable for paying property taxes if a family member of the person with a disability meets those criteria. Effective immediately.

Congratulates the athletes, coaches, and staff members of the Team Illinois delegation as they prepare for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.

Amends the State Universities Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In provisions concerning the suspension of retirement annuities for certain reemployment, provides that the provisions do not apply to an annuitant for any period of service on or after March 9, 2020 during which the annuitant returns to employment under the Article to perform a critical operation during a state of emergency or disaster that is declared by the Governor. Provides that, if an annuitant returns to employment for an employer under the Article during such a period, the annuitant is eligible to receive compensation from an employer for that service and benefits for prior service under the Article, but employee and employer contributions under the Article during that period of reemployment are not required. Provides that service and compensation earned for such reemployment shall not be used to recalculate the annuitant's benefits under the Code. For reemployment to perform a critical operation during a state of emergency or disaster declared by the Governor and that occurred on or after on or after March 9, 2020 and before the effective date of the amendatory Act: requires the System to pay to the annuitant the amount of the suspended or cancelled pension benefits with interest at the effective rate from the date of the suspension or cancellation of the benefit to the date of payment; and, if an annuitant repaid benefits to the System under the provisions, requires the System to pay to the annuitant the amount of that repayment with interest at the effective rate from the date of the annuitant's repayment of benefits to the date of the System's repayment to the annuitant. Provides that an annuitant's benefits shall not be suspended if the annuitant made an employment-related decision having reasonably relied on a statement or statements by a representative or representatives of the System that benefits would not be suspended if such a decision were made. Provides that the amendatory Act applies without regard to whether the annuitant was in service on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.