Illinois

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2027, a diesel powered vehicle owned or operated by the State, any county or unit of local government, any school district, any community college or public college or university, or any mass transit agency must use a biodiesel blend that contains 19%, unless the engine is designed or retrofitted to operate on a higher percentage of biodiesel or on ultra low sulfur fuel. Allows, in December, January, February, and March, a biodiesel blend of at least 10% to be used. Effective immediately.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Specifies that the Act is not intended to circumvent the process used by the courts to address whether arrest and booking records, mug shots, body-worn camera footage, in-car camera footage, 9-1-1 audio files, crime scene photographs, or other similar law enforcement records are to be made publicly available, except when those records may be relevant to a current or potential case or claim by the requester. Increases the cap on the fee that may be imposed for black and white copies from 15 cents per page to 25 cents per page. Makes changes to the fees public bodies may charge for time spent by personnel in searching for and retrieving a requested record or examining the record for necessary redactions. Exempts from disclosure under the Act specified law enforcement records, except when those records may be relevant to a current or potential case or claim by the requester.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, no municipal official, municipal employee, or candidate for a municipal office shall engage in or permit the unauthorized use of any municipal property. Provides that no candidate for municipal office or political fundraising committee may use any municipal property or photographic or filmed image of municipal property for the purpose of influencing, in any way, the outcome of any election of any candidate for municipal office. Provides that specified expenditures made by political fundraising committees for the purpose of either financing communications expressly advocating for the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate for municipal office or soliciting funds for purpose of financing communications expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate for municipal office, if paid for and authorized by a candidate for municipal office or an authorized political committee of a candidate for municipal office or its agents, shall clearly state that the communication was paid for by the authorized political fundraising committee and shall contain a statement, either read by the candidate in a pre-recorded audio message or clearly printed, that the candidate has approved the communication.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the County Board in each county, except in counties having a population of 3,000,000 inhabitants or over, shall, at its regular meeting in June or an adjourned meeting in July, divide its election precincts so that each precinct shall contain, as near as may be practicable, 1,200 registered voters who cast a ballot in person on the day of the most recent general election (rather than 1,200 registered voters). Provides that the Board of Election Commissioners shall change the boundaries of election precincts after each decennial census as soon as practicable following the completion of congressional and legislative redistricting, and such precincts shall contain as nearly as practicable 1,800 registered voters (rather than 1,200 registered voters if the precinct is located in a county with fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants; or 1,800 registered voters if the precinct is located in a county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants). Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act of the School Code. Requires the program to include instruction on gambling and gambling disorders. Provides that instruction on gambling and gambling disorders shall include classroom instruction in grades 5 through 12, and include, at a minimum: the nature and addictive potential of gambling; the risks associated with digital gaming mechanics; the identification of gaming disorders and their impact on mental and physical health; and information on how and where to find specialized treatment and resources in the State for gambling disorders. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Genetic Information Privacy Act. Removes language exempting insurers that are issuing a long-term care policy from specified provisions. Provides that, with regard to any policy, contract, or plan offered, entered into, issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 by a health insurer, life insurer, disability insurer, or long-term care insurer authorized to transact insurance in this State, a health insurer, life insurer, disability insurer, or long-term care insurer may not: (1) cancel, limit, or deny coverage or establish differentials in premium rates based on a person's genetic information; or (2) require or solicit an individual's genetic information, use an individual's genetic test results, or consider an individual's decisions or actions relating to genetic information or a genetic test in any manner for any insurance purpose. Provides that the provisions may not be construed as: (1) preventing a life insurer, disability insurer, or long-term care insurer from accessing an individual's medical record as part of an application; or (2) prohibiting a life insurer, disability insurer, or long-term care insurer from considering a clinical diagnosis, such as a manifest disease or disorder, included in an individual's medical record for insurance purposes to the extent otherwise allowable by law. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the School Safety Drill Act. Provides that school districts and private schools in the State shall consider the use of mobile panic alert systems in the development of their school emergency and crisis response plans. Provides that the mobile panic alert system, if used, shall be known as "Alyssa's Alert" and shall be capable of connecting to diverse emergency service technologies to ensure real-time coordination between multiple first responder agencies. Provides that the mobile panic alert system, if used, must be capable of integrating with local, public-safety, answering-point infrastructures to transmit 9-1-1 calls and mobile activations. Requires the State Board of Education to conduct market research, in consultation with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, to identify whether an existing market of supply of mobile panic alert systems that satisfy the requirements under the amendatory provisions is available in the State from multiple vendors for use by school districts. Requires the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, to develop standards for a mobile panic alert system. Requires the State Board of Education to establish and administer a Mobile Panic Alert System Grant Program. Provides that school districts and private schools may apply to the State Board of Education for a Program grant to obtain a mobile panic alert system in order to better prepare for emergency responses. Provides that Program grants shall be awarded from moneys appropriated for that purpose from the Mobile Panic Alert System Grant Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change.

Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act. Provides that the State Board shall require each health care facility to submit an annual report of all capital expenditures (instead of capital expenditures in excess of $200,000). Provides that if a hospital reports zero capital expenditures, a section detailing the hospital's total purchasing budget that encompasses all goods and services purchased by the hospital in the preceding fiscal year must still be included in the report. Makes a conforming change.

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, the State Board of Education shall award competitive grants on an annual basis to school districts and other educational units that have school social work interns to assist those school districts and other educational units in the funding of school social work internships approved by the interns' educator preparation programs by providing stipends. Sets forth the stipend amount. Provides that the State Board of Education shall annually disseminate to school districts and other educational units that have school social work interns a request for applications for grants. Provides that grant applications shall be accepted on an annual basis. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish procedures for submitting requests for stipends and issuing funds to approved applicants. Provides for prioritizing grants if an appropriation is insufficient to fund all applications for grants. Provides that for any school year in which grants are awarded, the State Board of Education shall produce a report on the awarding of grants, in cooperation with the school districts and educational units that are awarded grants. Sets forth requirements for the report. Provides that the report shall be posted on the State Board of Education's Internet website each school year in which grants are awarded. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall establish and administer a grant program to support the field placement of social workers. Provides that the Board shall distribute the funds appropriated for this purpose in the form of grants to public or nonpublic institutions of higher education to expand opportunities for students who are intending to become social workers and to assist students in pursuing social-work related field placements, internships, and other work opportunities. Sets forth other requirements concerning the operation of the grant program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Removes all references and provisions requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to develop Error Reduction Implementation Plans. Instead requires the Department to develop Strengthening Best Practices Plans, as necessary, informed by principles of safety science, for the purpose of reducing child fatalities and serious harm. Provides that these plans shall (i) be guided by patterns, findings, and recommendations, as identified in the DCFS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) death or serious injury investigations and Child Death Review Teams recommendations; and (ii) address the systemic and organizational conditions that contribute to child fatalities and serious harm. Requires the Inspector General to submit proposed Strengthening Best Practices Plans to the Department's Director for review. Requires the plans to include compliance provisions, which specify methods for implementing, monitoring, and evaluating recommendations. Requires the OIG, in collaboration with the Department, to implement training and reform protocols through incubating change in each region, Department office, or Child Welfare Contributing Agency, as required. Requires the OIG to develop and submit new Strengthening Best Practices Plans, as necessary, and to work with staff designated by the Department to deliver training curriculum in order to implement each Strengthening Best Practices Plan. Provides that the OIG shall include a review of the implementation and evaluation of the plans from the previous fiscal year, as necessary, in the OIG Annual Report provided to the General Assembly and Governor.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the board of review in a county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants shall issue a certificate of error if the board of review determines that an error or mistake, other than an error of judgment as to the valuation of the property, has been made in the assessment of the property. Provides that the certificate may be used in evidence in any court of competent jurisdiction. Provides that copies of the certificate shall be given to the county clerk and the county treasurer.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the rules promulgated by the supervising authority concerning electronic monitoring and home detention shall provide that travel to and from approved employment shall not be denied based solely on the transient or mobile nature of the employment, provided that the participant gives the supervising authority sufficient notice and the employer confirms the exact routes or locations, or both, of employment at least 24 hours in advance. Provides that travel to and from approved employment shall not be denied solely for failure to provide the supervising authority with timely notice, provided that the participant gives the supervising authority sufficient notice at least 24 hours in advance of travel.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation to work with the State Fire Marshal to develop best practices when constructing or reconstructing roadways to accommodate firefighter vehicles in turning and accessing roadways for emergencies. Effective immediately.

Amends the Municipal Code and the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that no person under the age of 18 (rather than 21) shall be eligible for employment as a firefighter. Provides that no person who is 37 years of age or older (rather than 35 years of age or older) shall be eligible to take an examination for a position as a firefighter unless specified conditions are satisfied.

Creates the Restorative Justice Community Court Act. Provides that the chief judge of each judicial circuit shall establish at least one Restorative Justice Community Court and may establish additional satellite Restorative Justice Community Courts. Provides that Restorative Justice Community Courts shall be planned, operated, and evaluated in accordance with the Illinois Supreme Court Problem-Solving Court standards and shall obtain certification and maintain compliance with the requirements of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. Provides that referral to the Restorative Justice Community Court may be initiated by the court; the defendant; counsel for the defendant; probation, pretrial services, or Restorative Justice Community Court staff; or the State's Attorney. Provides that, upon admission to a Restorative Justice Community Court, the court shall enter an order staying the criminal proceedings and tolling the speedy-trial period. Provides that, upon a finding by the court that a participant has successfully completed all conditions of a Restorative Justice Community Court Agreement, including obligations to repair harm, participate in restorative processes, and comply with services and supports identified in the restorative agreement, the court shall: (1) dismiss the charge or charges underlying the participant's admission to the Restorative Justice Community Court in the interests of justice and (2) enter an order dismissing the charge or charges and expunging the record of arrest and court proceedings in accordance with the Criminal Identification Act without any statutory waiting period. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Small Communities Health and Safety Grant Program. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall use funds deposited into the Small Communities Health and Safety Competitive Grant Fund to create and administer a statewide, competitive grant for municipalities and units of local government with populations under 50,000 to make capital and infrastructure improvements that promote and support the health and safety of residents of those municipalities and to pay for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the program. Provides that the Department shall receive and consider applications from eligible municipalities and units of local government for grants. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Small Communities Health and Safety Competitive Grant Fund as a special fund in the State Treasury. Amends the Build Illinois Bond Act. Provides that, beginning in fiscal year 2027, in each fiscal year, the State Comptroller shall order transferred and the State Treasurer shall transfer from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Small Communities Health and Safety Competitive Grant Fund a portion of the amount set aside for capital improvements not to exceed $70,000,000.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, the personal needs allowance for a qualifying medical assistance recipient who is a resident in a facility licensed under the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act shall equal $100. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the personal needs allowance shall increase annually at the same rate as the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment to take effect on January 1 of each year.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Includes in the offense of mob action (1) the knowing or reckless steering of a motor vehicle so that it makes a controlled skid sideways through a turn with the front wheels pointed in a direction opposite to that of the turn if the activity results in the use of force or violence disturbing the public peace and (2) the knowing or reckless act of street racing if the activity results in the use of force or violence disturbing the public peace. Defines "street racing". Provides that the penalty for these offenses is a Class 4 felony.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Defines "compensation" and makes changes to other defined terms. Provides that a public adjuster shall not provide services, other than emergency services, until a written contract with the insured has been executed, on a form filed with and approved by the Director, and an exact copy of the contract has been provided to the insurer or its authorized representative for receiving notice of loss or damage (instead of to only the insurer). Effective immediately.

Amends the Line of Duty Compensation Act. Expands the definition of "law enforcement officer" or "officer" to include any person working as a volunteer for the State or a local governmental entity in some position involving the enforcement of the law and protection of the public interest at the risk of that person's life, including, but not limited to, volunteers assisting with parking and traffic.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions concerning the valuation of water and sewer utilities, provides that a large public utility that acquires a water or sewer utility may recommend that the large public utility adopt the existing rates of the water or sewer utility. Provides that the contractor or subcontractor shall submit evidence of meeting the requirements to be a responsible bidder to the large public utility (rather than water or sewer utility). Provides that the provisions are repealed on June 30, 2038 (rather than June 1, 2028). Provides that a large public utility, in its application to acquire a water or sewer utility or any other application requesting approval of an acquisition of a water or sewer utility, may request that the Illinois Commerce Commission expedite its review and issue an order within an expedited timeframe. Provides that, if, in its application, a large public utility requests an expedited review, the Commission shall issue a ruling approving or denying expedited review within 30 days of the filing of the application if the large public utility provides ample evidence supporting the need for expedited review. Provides that the large public utility, in its application, shall establish evidence that the expedited review is necessary which may include certain factors. Provides that, upon granting expedited review, and subject to the Commission's rules on interlocutory review, the Commission shall issue its final order no later than 5 months after the date the expedited review was granted. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, and the Vehicle Use Tax Article of the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the taxes under those Acts do not apply to a motor vehicle that is registered in the State to an Illinois resident who acquired the vehicle while the Illinois resident was stationed outside of this State as an active duty member of the military.

Creates the Office of Common Interest Community Registration Act. Creates the Office of Common Interest Community Registration within the Division of Real Estate in the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides that the Office shall require a common interest community association to register with the Office, which shall require an association to: (1) pay a registration fee of $3 per number of units in the common interest community; (2) provide any bylaws, articles of incorporation, or covenants established by the association; (3) provide the names and contact information of all board of managers or board of directors; and (4) provide a list of any management company contracted to assist with the management of an association. Provides that if a unit owner alleges that the board of managers or board of directors has violated the Act, the Office shall investigate the complaint within 60 days. Allows the Office to issue a fine against a board of managers, board of directors, or individual board member for violating the Act or any of the bylaws, articles of incorporation, or covenants established for the board of managers', board of directors', or individual board member's respective association. Allows the Office to refer any criminal activity to the State's Attorney or refer any violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 or any civil rights violation to the Attorney General. Authorizes the Office to adopt any rules necessary to implement the Act. Creates the Community Interest Community Registration Fund in the State treasury. Repeals the Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson Act. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall ensure all persons under its care are assessed for substance use disorder, as defined in the Substance Use Disorder Act. Provides that this process includes screening and assessment for opioid use disorders. Provides that for a committed person diagnosed with opioid use disorder, the Department shall offer, or facilitate access to, all medication-assisted treatment options deemed appropriate by an authorized health care professional. Provides that the Department shall not impose limitations on the types of medication assisted treatment that may be recommended by an authorized health care professional as part of a treatment plan. Provides that an individual receiving medication-assisted treatment prior to being committed to a Department of Corrections facility shall be entitled to, upon request, continue such treatment in the medication assisted treatment program for any period of time deemed medically necessary by an authorized health care professional. Provides that no person shall be denied participation in medication-assisted treatment program on the basis of a positive drug screening upon entering the Department's custody; nor shall any person receive a disciplinary infraction for such positive drug screen. Provides that no person shall be denied participation in medication-assisted treatment based on prior success or failure of any medication-assisted treatment program. Provides that for each Parole District, the Department shall develop a plan to facilitate access to medication-assisted treatment for persons diagnosed with opioid use disorder in the community following release. Provides that the Department may adopt rules for the implementation of these provisions. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Provides that each licensee shall make a reconciliation payment 3 years after the date the licensee begins operating in an amount equal to 75% of the adjusted gross receipts for the most lucrative consecutive 12-month period of operations, minus an amount equal to (i) the initial payment per gaming position paid by the specific licensee and (ii) the $15,000,000 reconciliation fee.