Illinois

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that assessment complaints shall be filed with the board of review within 60 calendar days (currently, 30 calendar days) after publication of the assessment list.

Creates the Workforce Pipeline Act. Provides that beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, each institution (defined as a public high school, school district, or nonpublic high school recognized by the State Board of Education) shall provide access to at least one Pipeline Program in a high-need occupation. Requires the State Board, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, to develop a model memorandum of understanding for an institution and a local workforce partner. Requires an employer participating in a Pipeline Program to maintain workers' compensation and general liability insurance. Provides that participation in a Pipeline Program does not create civil liability for an employer beyond the employer's statutory duties, as long as the employer acts in good faith and complies with safety requirements. Provides that an institution's chief procurement office shall establish a bid preference, not to exceed 5%, for an employer participating in a Pipeline Program. Allows a student to participate in a Pipeline Program with parental consent if under the age of 18. Provides that an institution and a local workforce partner may establish articulation agreements for credit, credentials, or hours earned. Requires an employer to comply with all safety standards applicable to minors and a mentor or supervisor to comply with an institution's volunteer or contractor background-check procedures. Requires the State Board to submit a one-page summary on Pipeline Programs to the General Assembly. Provides that nothing in the Act may be construed as a mandate requiring an institution to incur additional expenditures or establish new programs. Allows the State Board and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to adopt any rules necessary to implement the Act. Repeals the Act on July 1, 2032. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the General Provisions, Downstate Police, Downstate Firefighter, Chicago Police, Chicago Firefighter, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), State Employees, and State Universities Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. With regard to police officers, firefighters, and similar public safety employees, removes Tier 2 limitations on the amount of salary for annuity purposes; provides that the automatic annual increases to a retirement pension or survivor pension are calculated under the Tier 1 formulas; and provides that the amount of and eligibility for a retirement annuity are calculated under the Tier 1 provisions. Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that, each fiscal year, the Comptroller shall pay to each unit of local government that makes a certification of certain employer costs under the Illinois Pension Code or under a specified provision of the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act an amount equal to 40% of the total amount certified by the unit of local government. Creates a continuing appropriation of that amount. Amends the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act. Provides that a unit of local government that provides health insurance to police officers and firefighters shall maintain the health insurance plans of these employees after retirement and shall contribute toward the cost of the annuitant's coverage under the unit of local government's health insurance plan an amount equal to 4% of that cost for each full year of creditable service upon which the annuitant's retirement annuity is based. Makes other and conforming changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Creates the Negligent Testing for Paternity Act. Creates a civil cause of action if an entity negligently performs genetic testing for paternity. Authorizes the aggrieved person to recover actual damages, including, but not limited to, emotional distress. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Creates a statute of limitation of two years from the date when the person knew or should have reasonably known of the negligence. Applies to all conduct occurring on or after January 1, 1980. Effective immediately.

Creates the Master Development Plan Recognition Act. Provides that certain contributions made by the State or units of local government are considered made pursuant to a master development plan within the meaning of Section 118 of the Internal Revenue Code. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction for capital contributions that are made pursuant to a master development plan and that are included in the taxpayer's federal taxable income for the taxable year under Section 118 of the Internal Revenue Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Banking Act. Requires a bank to confirm the identification of a payee and verify endorsements are proper before processing a check for which the name of a borrower or other payee is relied upon for payment, credit, or loan disbursement. Provides that a bank may satisfy the verification requirements through the specified commercially reasonable means of identification. Exempts checks processed solely through automated check clearing processes without manual review, that are authorized by federal law. Amends the Public Adjusters Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Establishes proof of licensure requirements for licensed public adjusters.

Creates the Short Line Railroad Infrastructure Modernization Act. Provides that (i) any railroad company that is located wholly or partly within the State and that is classified by the United States Surface Transportation Board as a Class II or a Class III railroad and (ii) any owner or lessee of a rail siding, industrial spur, or industry track located on or adjacent to any railroad in the State may apply to the Department of Transportation for an income tax credit. Provides that the amount of the credit shall be equal to 50% of the qualified railroad reconstruction or replacement expenditures incurred by the eligible taxpayer during the taxable year, but not to exceed certain specified limitations. Provides that the credit may be transferred to an eligible transferee. Amends the Freedom of Information Act and the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Advanced Technology Leadership Act. Sets forth findings. Defines terms. Sets forth provisions concerning the qualification of credits under the Act. Provides that, beginning calendar year 2027, each covered data center shall self-generate or procure and then retire eligible energy attribute certificates equal to the certain percentages of the covered data center's annual State electricity consumption. Provides that a covered data center's compliance requirement shall be otherwise met by retirements of eligible energy attribute certificates produced by eligible energy facilities that are physically interconnected and located in the applicable grid region. Requires a covered data center to retire eligible energy attribute certificates that are matched on an hourly basis to the certain percentages of the covered data center's total State electricity consumption for the following compliance years. Provides that covered data centers shall account for and comply with the Act exclusively through the retirement of eligible energy attribute certificates. Requires the Illinois Power Agency to, on an ongoing basis, identify facilities that meet the definition of covered data center. Provides that the Agency shall strive to minimize administrative expenses in the implementation and regulation of activities related to the Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Pension Equity Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2027, for all purposes under the Code (including, without limitation, the calculation of benefits and employee contributions), the annual earnings of a Tier 2 sheriff's law enforcement employee shall not include overtime and shall not exceed $145,649.97 (instead of $108,600, as adjusted annually beginning in 2011) plus the lesser of (i) 3% of that amount or (ii) the annual unadjusted percentage increase (instead of one-half the annual unadjusted percentage increase) in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with September 2026. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2028, that amount shall annually thereafter be increased by the lesser of (i) 3% of that amount, including all previous adjustments, or (ii) the annual unadjusted percentage increase (instead of one-half the annual percentage increase) in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1, including all previous adjustments. Provides that, as soon as practical on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, with regard to benefits earned for the years 2012 through 2026, the Fund shall recalculate benefits for Tier 2 sheriff's law enforcement employees based on the annual salary limitation that was in effect for that year for Tier 2 police officers under the Downstate Police Article. Provides that the changes shall not result in any retroactive adjustment of any employee contributions. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act. In a provision setting forth the specified household income eligibility limits used to determine eligibility for reduced vehicle registration fees and free transit services, provides that the Department on Aging shall (rather than may) adopt rules such that on January 1, 2026, and thereafter, the specified household income eligibility limits shall be changed to reflect the annual cost of living adjustment in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits. Effective immediately.

Creates the Health and Wellness Impact Note Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to prepare health and wellness impact notes on bills introduced in the General Assembly.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in counties in which the county board so provides, by ordinance or resolution, owners of income-producing properties in the county shall file physical descriptions of their properties with the chief county assessment officer upon request of the chief county assessment officer. Sets forth the period of time during which those provisions apply. Provides that the request for information shall include an individualized statement specifying all physical description information that the assessor's office has on record or recorded against the property and shall contain a statement that the owner may confirm the information if no changes are required. Imposes certain penalties if the property owner fails to respond to a request for information. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to provide that financial records and data related to real estate income, expenses, and occupancy submitted by or on behalf of a property owner to a chief county assessment officer, except if submitted as part of an assessment appeal, are exempt from disclosure. Effective immediately.

Amends the Police Officers' Pension Investment Fund Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that meetings of committees of the board may be conducted by audio or video conference, without the physical presence of a quorum of the members if the chairperson of the board determines that an in-person meeting would pose a risk to the health or safety of members of the board or the public and that conducting a meeting by an audio or video conference is in the best interest of the board and the public. Sets forth provisions concerning notice, public participation, voting, verbatim records, and costs.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, $0.25 of every $1 of the remainder of the tax imposed by the Act on wine that was manufactured in this State shall be deposited into the Illinois Wine Promotion Fund. Creates the Illinois Wine Promotion Fund as a special fund in the State treasury to be used by the Department of Agriculture only for the purpose of distributing grants to wine manufacturers and grape growers located in a wine trail from appropriations made from the Illinois Wine Promotion Fund for that purpose and administering and maintaining the Illinois Winery Advisory Council. Establishes the Illinois Winery Advisory Council to oversee and provide advice to the Department of Agriculture regarding the distribution of grants from the Illinois Wine Promotion Fund. Sets forth provisions concerning the membership of the Advisory Council, quarterly meetings, reimbursement of expenses, and vacancies. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Exempts from inspection and copying a law enforcement record created for law enforcement purposes and contained in a shared electronic record management system if the law enforcement agency or criminal justice agency (rather than only the law enforcement agency) that is the recipient of the request did not create the record, did not participate in or have a role in any of the events which are the subject of the record, and only has access to the record through the shared electronic record management system.

Amends the Employee Classification Act. Provides that a developer, general contractor, and subcontractor are jointly and severally liable for any subcontractor's failure to properly classify persons performing services as employees unless specified conditions are satisfied. Provides that it is a violation for a developer or a general contractor to utilize a subcontractor at any tier who commits a violation of the Act unless specified conditions are satisfied. Makes conforming and other changes. Defines terms.

Amends the Court of Claims Act. Provides that exhaustion of remedies is not required for any person who files a claim in the court for damages based on the Code of Civil Procedure provisions pertaining to actions for personal injury based on childhood sexual abuse. Contains a statement of findings and intent. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act applies to all actions pending or commenced on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act and to any action that would not have been time barred under the statute of limitations or statute of repose under the Code of Civil Procedure affecting childhood sexual abuse before the effective date of the amendatory Act.

Amends the Bond Authorization Act. Provides that the authority of a public corporation to levy taxes in connection with the payment of bonds or other evidences of indebtedness ceases upon the maturity date of the bond or other evidence of indebtedness or upon the discharge of the debt, whichever comes first. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. In provisions concerning cybersecurity efforts, modifies the amendatory changes made by Public Act 100-587 to conform with the amendatory changes made by Public Act 100-623. Makes technical changes.

Amends the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. Provides that, at a minimum, the rules of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation regarding continuing education shall permit continuing education credits to be earned for: (1) verified attendance at lectures and scheduled courses or workshops at local, regional, national, or international conferences concerning speech-language pathology, audiology, or related disciplines if the lectures, scheduled courses, or workshops meet the criteria set forth in the Illinois Administrative Code; (2) verified attendance at lectures, workshops, or in-service programs concerning speech-language pathology, audiology, or related disciplines if the lectures, workshops, or in-service programs meet the criteria set forth in the Illinois Administrative Code; and (3) presentation before an audience of speech-language pathologists, audiologists, or related professionals at lectures, workshops, or in-service programs concerning speech-language pathology, audiology, or related disciplines if the lectures, workshops, or in-service programs meet the criteria set forth in the Illinois Administrative Code.

Amends the Election Code. In provisions concerning the counting of vote by mail ballots and ballots cast by absent electors in military or naval service, provides that the counting of those ballots shall begin 7 calendar days before election day (rather than on election day after the closing of the polls). Provides that an election authority shall not release the results of any counting done under the provisions until after the closing of the polls on election day.

Amends the State Employee Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a contributing employee may establish additional service credit for periods of full-time employment with the federal government or a unit of state or local government located outside Illinois for which he or she does not qualify for credit under any other provision of the State Employee Article of the Code, provided that (i) the amount of service credit established by a person under the provision shall not exceed 9 years, (ii) the amount of service credit established by a person under the provision for federal employment, when added to the amount of all military service credit granted to the person under the State Employee Article, shall not exceed 14 years, and (iii) any credit received for the federal or out-of-state employment in any federal or other public employee pension fund or retirement system has been terminated or relinquished. Prohibits credit from being established under the provision for any period of military service or for any period for which credit has been or may be established under the alternative formula provisions of the State Employee Article of the Code. Requires the applicant for the additional service credit to submit a written application to the State Employees' Retirement System of Illinois within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, including documentation of the federal or out-of-state employment satisfactory to the System's Board, and pay to the System (1) employee contributions at the rates provided in the Article based upon the person's salary on the last day as a participating employee prior to the federal or out-of-state employment, or on the first day as a participating employee after that employment, whichever is greater, plus (2) an amount determined by the Board to be equal to the employer's normal cost of the benefits accrued for that employment, plus (3) regular interest on items (1) and (2) from the date of conclusion of the employment to the date of payment. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Extends the period of eligibility within which a hospital, that would have qualified for the rate year beginning October 1, 2011 or October 1, 2012, shall be a Safety-Net Hospital. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that, if a person is determined to pose a clear and present danger to himself, herself, or to others by a physician, clinical psychologist, or qualified examiner, whether employed by the State, by any public or private mental health facility or part thereof, or by a law enforcement official or a school administrator, then the physician, clinical psychologist, or qualified examiner shall notify the Department of Human Services and a law enforcement official or school administrator shall notify the Illinois State Police and the appropriate local law enforcement agency (rather than shall notify the Illinois State Police), within 24 hours of making the determination that the person poses a clear and present danger.

Amends the Educational Service Regions Article of the School Code. Provides that when a vacancy occurs in the office of regional superintendent of schools and more than 28 months remain in that term and the vacancy occurs at least 130 days before the next general election, appointment to fill the vacancy shall be until the next general election (rather than if more than 28 months remain in that term, the appointment shall be until the next general election). Provides that if the vacancy occurs during the time provided for filing nomination papers for county offices for the primary in the next even-numbered year following commencement of the term of office in which the vacancy occurs, the time for filing nomination papers for the primary shall not be more than 120 (rather than 91) days nor less than 113 (rather than 85) days prior to the date of the primary.