Illinois

Creates the Alexander/Pulaski Medical District Act. Creates the Alexander/Pulaski Medical District covering specified areas from the City of Cairo to north of the City of Pulaski in Alexander County and Pulaski County. Creates the Commission of the District with 9 appointed commissioners and 3 ex officio commissioners. Contains provisions related to the operation of the District; rights and powers of the District and Commission; acquisition, management, and disposition of property; and other provisions. Amends the Eminent Domain Act and State Finance Act. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Court of Claims Act. Replaces a reference to a dissolved medical district commission with the Alexander/Pulaski Medical District Commission and the other existing medical district commissions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Student Investment Account Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code and the Wildlife Code. Provides that the fee for an annual or a 3-year fishing or hunting license is $5 for resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces after returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States as an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the Illinois National Guard, or the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces.

Creates the Statewide Responsible Bidder Standards Act. Provides that each local public body shall maintain, within its procurement ordinances, administrative rules, and bid documents, language requiring that any bidder on a public contract certify or provide evidence that: (1) the bidder and the bidder's proposed subcontractors are duly organized and in good standing under applicable law and authorized to do business in the State; (2) the bidder and the bidder's proposed subcontractors are properly registered with the Department of Revenue and the Department of Employment Security; (3) the bidder and the bidder's proposed subcontractors maintain workers' compensation insurance and maintains liability insurance in amounts required by the local public body; (4) the bidder and the bidder's proposed subcontractors will comply with all applicable State and federal labor and employment laws governing wages, safety, and equal opportunity; (5) the bidder and the bidder's proposed subcontractors are not currently debarred, suspended, or otherwise ineligible under any State or federal debarment list applicable to public contracts; and (6) the bidder submitted certifications and documents with the bid that are true and correct. Provides that failure to comply with the requirements of the Act shall not invalidate any contract awarded in good faith. Provides that a local public body that does not have a procurement ordinance, policy, or rule containing the minimum responsible bidder standards set forth in the Act in effect on the effective date of the Act shall adopt the required ordinance, policy, or rule within 180 days after the effective date of the Act. Provides that, if a local public body has a procurement ordinance or policy containing a responsible bidder provision in effect on the effective date of the Act, then the local public body shall be deemed in compliance with the Act and shall not be required to adopt new legislation to conform to the Act. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that whether or not a county is subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, if that county has enjoyed, and continues to enjoy, an aggregate extension increase of not less than 4.5% per year, and this aggregate extension increase has been enjoyed and is enjoyed cumulatively and in compound fashion for a period of not less than 3 years, then in the fourth and in all succeeding years the county shall be subject to an aggregate extension limitation increase that shall not exceed 3% per year. Provides that an exception to this countywide aggregate extension increase of 3% per year shall be enjoyed by a county that successfully seeks approval by referendum from release from this cap on countywide aggregate extensions.

Amends the Student Online Personal Protection Act. Provides that a student, school, or parent that has been injured or aggrieved by a violation of the Act may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction against the person or entity that violated the Act. Specifies that the provisions establishing a private right of action do not limit the Attorney General's enforcement authority under the Act.

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Permits an incumbent or retired judge of the Illinois Supreme, Appellate, or circuit court who has a concealed carry license to carry a firearm on or into: (i) any building designated for matters before a circuit court, the Appellate Court, or the Supreme Court, or any building or portion of a building under the control of the Supreme Court; and (ii) any bus, train, or form of transportation paid for in whole or in part with public funds, and any building, real property, and parking area under the control of a public transportation facility paid for in whole or in part with public funds. Effective immediately.

Amends the Condominium Property Act. Provides that the board of managers may not restrict lawful unit owner participation in meetings through arbitrary forum closures, selective muting, viewpoint-based exclusion, or other actions intended to suppress dissent except as reasonably necessary to maintain order and conduct association business. Provides that the officers and members of the board or managing agent may not retaliate against a unit owner for requesting records, attending meetings, filing a complaint, or otherwise exercising rights under this Act. Provides that violations of the Act, including, but not limited to, the timely providing access or copies of association records, may be referred to the Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson for enforcement. Provides that violations of this Act by a licensed community association manager may be referred to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for enforcement. Provides that beginning January 1 following the effective date of the amendatory Act, at least one member of the board of managers of each condominium association shall complete a training program approved by the Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson covering fiduciary duties, ethical governance, record-keeping requirements, and anti-retaliation obligations. Provides that the Office of the Ombudsperson may receive and review complaints relating to condominium governance, managing agent conduct, and compliance with this Act. The Office may provide information and assistance to unit owners, boards of managers, and managing agents; request documentation relevant to a complaint; refer matters for investigation or enforcement as appropriate; identify systemic issues, and recommend corrective actions. Provides that the Office of Ombudsperson may not adjudicate disputes, impose penalties, or award damages but may establish or contract for a voluntary, low-cost mediation program to assist in resolving disputes arising under the Act. Provides legislative intent. Defines terms.

Proposes to amend the Executive Article of the Illinois Constitution. Prohibits a person from serving more than two terms as Governor. Effective upon being declared adopted. Applies to the gubernatorial election in 2030 and thereafter.

Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that an election to claim the credit against the taxpayer's withholding tax liability also applies to certain taxpayers that are primarily engaged in the business of pharmacy, health, and wellness and that have a corporate headquarters and distribution centers located in Illinois.

Amends the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act. Changes the definitions of "public body" in the Acts to include a nongovernmental organization that receives the lesser of $10,000 or 20% of its funding from the State.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that an exemption for farm machinery and equipment applies if the equipment is used for certain purposes (currently, primarily used for those purposes).

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Increases the rate of reimbursement by 20% for providers of private duty nursing services for medically fragile and technology dependent children and for nursing and personal care services for non-waiver customers beginning January 1, 2027, subject to federal approval. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for an owner of an agricultural asset that sells or rents that agricultural asset to a beginning farmer. Sets forth the amount of the credit. Creates an income tax credit for a beginning farmer who participates in a financial management program approved by the Department of Agriculture. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code, the Township Code, and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county, township, or municipality shall not enact or enforce an anti-growth law affecting property unless the anti-growth law is enacted or enforced (1) following a disaster declared by the Governor that occurred within the jurisdiction of the county, township, or municipality; or (2) to provide for the extension or acquisition of public infrastructure, public services, or water resources. Limits home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Creates a process for one parent to file a petition to terminate the parental rights of the other parent in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, declaration of invalidity of marriage, or any proceeding in which parental responsibilities are allocated under the Act or in a proceeding under the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015. Provides that a court may terminate parental rights if the petitioning parent proves by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent parent has abandoned the child; or engaged in a prolonged failure, without good cause, to provide reasonable financial support for or to maintain meaningful contact or visitation with the child, although able to do so. Provides defenses if the court finds that the failure to support or maintain contact or visitation was due to interference or obstruction by the petitioning parent; a court-ordered limitation, restriction, or suspension of parenting time; or other good cause beyond the respondent parent's control. Provides that an order of termination does not extinguish any child support arrearages accrued before termination unless expressly ordered by the court.

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that the Illinois Finance Authority shall have power to issue revenue bonds for energy storage projects that seek State-level energy storage credits or utility cost recovery. Provides that the Authority shall coordinate with the Illinois Power Agency to ensure that the financing terms of the revenue bonds are structured to minimize costs to State ratepayers. In provisions concerning Clean Coal, Coal, Energy Efficiency, PACE, and Renewable Energy Project financing, provides that bonds issued by the Authority shall be limited obligations of the Authority and payable solely from the revenues and receipts derived from the energy storage projects for which the bonds are issued. Requires the bonds to contain on their face a certain statement. Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. In provisions concerning the Planning and Procurement Bureau, provides that an energy storage project shall not be eligible for the procurement of energy storage credits under provisions concerning the equity accountability system unless the owner or developer of the energy storage project demonstrates, as a condition of bid eligibility, that the energy storage project's long-term debt financing is secured through bonds issued by the Authority. Provides that the Agency shall not execute any procurement plan or enter into contracts for energy storage or renewable energy credits that would result in the average retail customer's bill exceeding cost-control caps set forth in certain provisions of the Public Utilities Act, unless the excess amount is approved by the General Assembly. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to conduct an annual Energy Affordability and Rate Impact Study. Sets forth requirements for the content of the Study. In provisions concerning distributed generation rebates, provides that, if a Multi-Year Integrated Grid Plan or any subsequent integrated resource plan submitted by a utility or the Commission includes a proposal to increase, suspend, or otherwise exceed any existing statutory rate caps or cost-control benchmarks in certain provisions of the Act, such adjustment shall not take effect unless specifically approved by a joint resolution of the General Assembly. Amends the Environmental Protection Act by repealing provisions concerning greenhouse gases. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public-Private Partnerships for Transportation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Counties Code, the Township Code, and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, if a county, township, or municipality does not approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove a development document within 90 days after receiving the development document, any required review of the document may be performed by a person who is not the applicant or the person whose work is the subject of the application if that person is (A) employed by the county, township, or municipality to review development documents; (B) employed by another unit of local government to review development documents if the county, township, or municipality has approved the person to review development documents; or (C) a licensed professional engineer, structural engineer, or architect. Provides that, if a county, township, or municipality does not conduct a required development inspection within 90 days after receiving a development document for a development permit that would require an inspection, then the inspection may be conducted by a person who is not the owner of the land or improvement to the land that is the subject of the inspection or a person whose work is the subject of the inspection if that person is (A) certified to inspect buildings by the International Code Council; (B) employed by the county, township, or municipality as a building inspector; (C) employed by another unit of local government as a building inspector if the county, township, or municipality has approved the person to perform inspections; or (D) a licensed professional engineer, structural engineer, or architect. Provides that a county, township, or municipality may not impose a fee related to the review of a development document or a development inspection conducted under the provisions. Provides that a person may appeal to the county board, the township board, or the corporate authorities of the municipality (1) a decision to conditionally approve or disapprove a development document made by the county, township, or municipality or a person authorized perform the review of the document under the provisions or (2) a decision regarding a development inspection conducted by the county, township, or municipality or a person authorized to perform the development inspection under the provisions. Limits home rule powers.

Amends the Illinois State Police Act. Provides that all persons appointed as Illinois State Police officers shall, at the time of their appointment, be citizens of the United States or persons with proof of a permanent resident card (rather than only citizens of the United States). Amends Counties Code. Provides that, if a person is a person with proof of a permanent resident card, then the sheriff of any county or the corporate authorities of any municipality may not deny employment to that person on the basis that the person is not a citizen of the United States. Provides that, if a person with a proof of a permanent resident card is an Illinois State Police officer or Department of Corrections officer and the person's permanent resident card becomes invalid, then the Director of State Police and the Board or the sheriff of any county or the corporate authorities of any municipality shall provide the person with 6 months from the date that the person's permanent resident card became invalid to receive a new permanent resident card or to have the person's invalid permanent resident card to be reissued. Defines "person with proof of a permanent resident card". Effective July 1, 2026.

Creates the Rights Against Forced Arbitration Act. Provides that a seller may not require an Illinois consumer to agree to a provision that would do either of the following: (1) require the Illinois consumer to arbitrate outside of Illinois for a claim arising in Illinois for the purchase of consumer goods or services; or (2) require the Illinois consumer to arbitrate a controversy arising in Illinois under the substantive law of a state other than Illinois. Provides that any provision of a contract that violates the Act is voidable by the Illinois consumer, and if a provision is rendered void at the request of that consumer, the matter shall be adjudicated in Illinois and Illinois law governs the dispute. Provides that in addition to injunctive relief and any other remedies available, a court may award a consumer who is enforcing rights under this Act reasonable attorney's fees incurred in enforcing those rights.

Creates the Palliative Care and Quality of Life Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall, no later than January 1, 2027, publish proposed rules to implement the Act, and shall make a good faith effort to consult with affected provider groups, advocate organizations, and other individuals and groups identified by the Department to be critical to the development of applicable rules. Provides that a community-based palliative care provider shall make available the specified services to adult patients pursuant to rules adopted by the Department. Establishes compliance requirements following the adoption of rules implementing the Act. Sets forth provisions concerning provider entity standards, penalties for violations of the Act, the palliative care work group, and the Palliative Care Public Awareness and Education Program.

Amends the Illinois Plumbing License Law. In provisions concerning plumbing contractors, provides that the Department of Public Health shall provide notices to each licensee regarding application for registration on or before July 1 of each year. Requires the Department to accept application materials on and after July 1 of each year.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that as part of the required minimum 4-hour professional development leadership training, each voting member of a board of trustees shall complete a minimum of one hour of training covering the topic of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.