Illinois

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2027, an amount equal to 10 cents of every fee collected for the sale of new or used tires at retail shall be allocated to the Department of Public Health for a grant to the Illinois Lyme Association's Tick Research, Education, and Evaluation project. Increases an extra fee collected for the sale of new or used tires at retail for the Emergency Public Health Fund, beginning July 1, 2027, from 50 cents per tire to 60 cents per tire.

Amends the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act. Adds an occupational therapist to the individuals that the Act does not prohibit from performing or advertising activities that are considered to be the practice of applied behavior analysis under the Act. Provides that any member, partner, shareholder, director, officer, holder of any other ownership interest, or agent of a business organization that provides behavior analysis services who makes clinical decisions regarding patient care without being licensed or exempt under the Act shall be deemed to have violated the provisions concerning unlicensed practice, violation, and civil penalty. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Act and any rules adopted under the Act, a public school, school district, charter school, or nonprofit organization that is exempt or qualified for exemption from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may employ or contract with a licensed behavioral analyst regardless of whether each individual who owns, operates, or manages the public school, school district, charter school, or nonprofit organization holds a currently valid license issued under the Act. Provides that a public school, school district, charter school, or nonprofit organization that is exempt or qualified for exemption from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may employ, contract with, or otherwise engage a licensed behavioral analyst to perform services within his or her scope of practice if the licensed behavioral analyst holds a currently valid license under the Act. Amends the Professional Service Corporation Act. Adds the practice of applied behavior analysis by persons licensed under the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act to the list of personal services that, when combined, constitute "related professions" and "related professional services". Amends the Professional Limited Liability Company Act. Adds the practice of applied behavior analysis by persons licensed under the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act to the list of professional services that may be combined under a single professional limited liability company. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions regarding the notice of intention not to renew a policy of insurance, provides that no company may impose renewal premium increases of more than 10% for policies of fire and extended coverage insurance that are subject to certain cancellation requirements, unless the company mails or delivers by electronic means to the named insured and the Department of Insurance notice of the increase in renewal premium at least 60 days before the policy renewal or anniversary date. Creates the Rates for Fire and Extended Coverage Insurance Article. Contains provisions concerning the purpose and applicability of the Article. Prohibits rates from being excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, as specified. Sets forth provisions concerning determinations and notice from the Department and hearings on the notice. Provides that credible State-specific loss experience shall be used in the development of rates whenever that data is available and statistically reliable. Authorizes insurers, in order to meet actuarial standards of credibility, to supplement State-specific loss experience with countrywide, regional, or out-of-state loss experience. Effective January 1, 2027.

Creates the Digital Age Assurance Act. Provides that an operating system provider shall: (1) provide an accessible interface at account setup that requires an account holder to indicate the birth date or age of the user of that device for the purpose of providing a signal regarding the user's age bracket to applications available in a covered application store; and (2) provide a developer who has requested a signal with respect to a particular user with a digital signal by a reasonably consistent real-time application programming interface that identifies, at a minimum, which age bracket pertains to the user. Provides that a developer that receives a signal in accordance with the Act shall be deemed to have actual knowledge of the age range of the user to whom that signal pertains across all platforms of the application and points of access of the application. Limits the use of data collected under the Act. Provides that a person that violates the Act shall be subject to an injunction and a specified civil penalty. Sets forth provisions concerning nondiscrimination and the scope of the Act. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish criteria and guidelines for designation of a flagship cultural district. Provides that, no later than September 30, 2026, the Department shall award one flagship cultural district. Provides that the criteria that the Department must develop for a flagship cultural district shall include a demonstration that the applicant and the community (1) can provide a unified and inclusive approach to creating cultural engagement opportunities within its designated geographical area and (2) can provide strong community support for the flagship cultural district designation through participation by community organizations and state, regional, and municipal government agencies or officials. Provides that, within 12 months after being designated a flagship cultural district, the flagship cultural district shall submit a report to the Department detailing its current programs and goals for the next 4 years of its designation. Provides that, each year the district remains a flagship cultural district, it shall submit a report to the Department on the status of the programs and future developments of the district. Provides that, any flagship cultural district that fails to file a report for 2 consecutive years shall lose its status as a flagship cultural district. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Community Housing Reintegration Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund may be used to provide housing-related costs for eligible persons who are either (i) transitioning out of congregate long-term care settings into less restrictive independent and community-based housing or (ii) facing impending placement in a congregate long-term care facility due to lack of affordable accessible housing. Amends the Property Tax Code. Increases the real estate transfer tax from $0.50 per $500 of valuation to $0.75 per $500 in valuation. Provides that a portion of the proceeds from the real estate transfer tax shall be deposited into the Community Housing Reintegration Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Time Standardization Act. Exempts the State from daylight saving time requirements under the federal Uniform Time Act of 1966.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, no building code adopted by a county or municipality may prohibit residential buildings from having a single stairway serving as an exit for all units if the building: (1) has not more than 6 stories above grade plane; (2) is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in the interior exit stairway; (3) has all dwelling unit doors serving as an exit equipped with self-closing devices; (4) is equipped with smoke detection throughout all common areas and individual dwelling units; (5) has at least one emergency escape and rescue opening for each individual dwelling unit; and (6) has not more than 4 individual dwelling units on a floor. Limits home rule powers.

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Community Housing Reintegration Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund may be used to provide housing-related costs for eligible persons who are either (i) transitioning out of congregate long-term care settings into less restrictive independent and community-based housing or (ii) facing impending placement in a congregate long-term care facility due to lack of affordable accessible housing. Amends the Property Tax Code. Increases the real estate transfer tax from $0.50 per $500 of valuation to $0.75 per $500 in valuation. Provides that a portion of the proceeds from the real estate transfer tax shall be deposited into the Community Housing Reintegration Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a municipality shall complete its initial plan review within (1) 15 business days after receipt of a complete application for a one-family residential project or 2-family residential project or (2) 30 business days after receipt of a complete application for any multifamily, mixed-use, or commercial project. Provides that, if a municipality fails to complete its plan review within the deadlines established under the provisions, then the applicant may retain a qualified third-party plan reviewer. Provides that a municipality shall accept any plan review submitted by a qualified third-party plan reviewer as meeting the municipality's requirements if the review demonstrates compliance with the applicable building codes. Provides that, if a municipality fails to conduct a required inspection within 2 business days, then the applicant may retain a qualified third-party inspector. Provides that a municipality may require reasonable documentation demonstrating that a qualified third-party plan reviewer or qualified third-party inspector meets the qualification requirements, including proof that the qualified third-party plan reviewer's or qualified third-party inspector's licensure or certification is current and active. Provides that a municipality may not charge plan review or inspection fees for any portion of the review process or inspection process performed by a qualified third-party plan reviewer or qualified third-party inspector. Provides that a qualified third-party plan reviewer or qualified third-party inspector shall disclose any potential conflict of interest to the applicant and the municipality before accepting an engagement. Limits home rule powers.

Amends the Public Funds Investment Act. Provides that a public agency may invest any public funds in any security that matures or that may be tendered for purchase at the option of the holder within not more than 7 years of the date on which it is acquired and that has the highest rating category (AAA) assigned by Standard & Poor's corporation, Moody's investors service, or other similar nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that for charges alleging violations under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Illinois Human Rights Act, if the EEOC issues a right to sue, the Department will issue a Departmental right to sue. Provides that if the complainant does not file a written request with the Department to review the EEOC's determination within 35 days after receipt of the Department's notice, the Department shall issue to the complainant, within 10 business days after the expiration of the 35-day period, a Departmental right to sue notice stating that the complainant has the right, within 90 days after receipt of the Department's notice, to either file the complainant's own complaint with the Human Rights Commission or commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court. Requires the Department, within 10 days of the date on which the charge was filed, to serve a copy of the charge on the respondent and provide all parties with a notice of the complainant's right to opt out of the investigation within 60 days to commence an action in circuit court and the complainant's right to request a Departmental right to sue notice after 60 days has elapsed to file in the Human Rights Commission or commence a civil action in circuit court. Provides that within 10 business days of receipt of the complainant's request to opt out of the investigation, the Director shall issue an opt out notice to commence an action in circuit court to the parties. Provides that a Departmental right to sue notice does not constitute a finding of substantial evidence or of a lack of substantial evidence. Requires that any Departmental right to sue notice to state that the complainant shall have 90 days from the date of receipt of the notice to either file the complainant's own complaint with the Human Rights Commission or commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court.

Mourns the passing of Dominic Constantino Giacomini of Springfield.

Mourns the passing of Michael Quinlan of Oak Brook.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, at least 5 days prior to a career-related event being held, a school district, other than the Chicago school district, must notify the nearest military recruiter about the career-related event. Provides that the notification requirement is satisfied if, at the beginning of the school year, the school district sends a calendar of career-related events being held during the school year to the military recruiter. Provides that if a military recruiter provides at least 2 days' notice to a school district that the military recruiter intends to attend a career-related event, the school district or a school shall provide accommodations to the military recruiter that include a prominent location at the career-related event either in the facility or on the grounds where the career-related event is being held. Provides that if a military recruiter sends an advertisement for military careers and opportunities to a school district for display, the school district shall require each school to display the advertisement in the school counselor's office or in the main office of the school. Provides that if a school or school district does not comply with the requirements, a military recruiter may send notice of noncompliance to the regional office of education with jurisdiction over the school or school district. Effective July 1, 2026.

Mourns the passing of Alice M. (Ondrla) Dunn of Oak Park.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. In provisions concerning the Prepare for Illinois' Future Program, requires the Program to offer students test preparation services for the Test of Essential Academic Skills. Provides that the other preparation programs for professional exams that the Program is required to offer students may include exams for insurance, allied health care, emergency medical services, firefighting, and fitness and wellness services. Provides that, in establishing the Program, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission may (rather than shall) consider, among other factors, whether a vendor can provide test preparation for multiple admission and professional exams (rather than whether the test and licensure exam preparation and credentialing programs can be provided by a single vendor). Provides that the Commission may not require a vendor to provide test preparation for all such admission and professional exams.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person shall not take, hold, conceal, or destroy mail addressed to another person with the intent to defraud any person or deprive the person to whom the mail was addressed of the mail. Provides that a person who violates this provision is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 3 felony for a second or subsequent offense. Provides that the provision applies if the victim of the offense is an individual whether the individual whose mail is obtained, or attempted to be obtained, is alive or deceased at the time of the violation. Provides that the provision does not prohibit a person from being charged with, convicted of, or sentenced for any other violation of law committed by that person using mail obtained in violation of the provision or any other violation of law committed by that person while violating or attempting to violate the provision. Defines "mail" and "person". Effective immediately.

Congratulates the DeGeratto family and Buddy Bear Car Wash on the City of Chicago designating "Buddy Bear Way" as an honorary street name. Commends Buddy Bear Car Wash and the DeGeratto family for their extraordinary and lasting contributions to the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois.

Mourns the death of Ernest "Todd" Collins II of Central Lake, Michigan, formerly of River Forest and Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Mourns the death of William Jean "Bill" Meriwether Jr.

Mourns the death of Dr. John B. Dale of Brimfield.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a taxpayer shall be allowed an income tax credit in an amount equal to 1.3% of the qualified research expenses made by the taxpayer in Illinois. Provides that the taxpayer is not required to have obtained a research and development credit with respect to his or her federal income taxes to qualify for the Illinois research and development credit.

Mourns the passing of James "Jim" L. Dooley of River Forest.

Mourns the death of Joan Kay Cully.