Illinois

Mourns the death of Janell Farmer of Quincy.

Congratulates Sheila Quirk-Bailey, DM on her retirement as president of Illinois Central College (ICC). Thanks her for her outstanding service, leadership, and dedication to the students and communities of ICC as well as higher education and workforce advancement in Illinois.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, in matters a sheriff deems essential to preventing or assisting with disasters or events of civil disorder, the sheriff may authorize plain clothes to be worn by auxiliary deputies as long as the auxiliary deputies are carrying proper identification while performing this function. Provides that auxiliary deputies may only carry firearms while in the performance of their assigned duties (rather than while in uniform and in the performance of their assigned duties).

Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Directs the Secretary of State to grant a waiver of the lobbyist registration fee for any not-for-profit entity with total expenses of less than $1,000,000 in the most recent fiscal year that is classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including a waiver for any lobbyist that exclusively lobbies on behalf of such an entity.

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 Provides that the provisions are repealed on June 30, 2038 (rather than June 1, 2028).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.

Creates the Make Polluters Pay Act. Amends the Drug Take-Back Act. Provides that any person who violates the act is liable for a civil penalty of $10,000 (rather than $7,000). Amends the Consumer Electronics Recycling Act. Provides that any person who violates the Act is liable for a civil penalty of $10,000 (rather than $7,000) Amends the Paint Stewardship Act. Provides that any person who violates the Act is liable for a civil penalty of $10,000 (rather than $7,000).

Mourns the death of Robert "Bob" Pulford.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall ensure that a committed person and the committed person's correspondents are not charged any fee, surcharge, or cost for mail communication or mail scanning services that exceed the standard postage rate set by the United States Postal Service. Provides that the Department shall not charge the committed person or correspondent any fee, surcharge, or cost for any incoming mail addressed to and received by the committed person, including any material received through mail scanning services. Provides that the Department shall not charge the committed person any fee, surcharge, or cost for outgoing mail delivery or mail scanning services that exceeds the postage rate set by the United States Postal Service for any outgoing mail. Provides that the Department or any third-party vendor that the Department contracts with, shall not impose any fee, surcharge, or cost to the committed person above the United States Postal Service rate for mail communication, including the delivery or scanning of mail. Provides that the Department shall not use the provision of voice communication services, mail communication, mail scanning services, or any other communication services to supplant in-person contact visits. Provides that the Department shall not receive revenue, directly or indirectly, from the provision of voice communications, mail communication, mail scanning services, or other communication services to a person in custody in any institutions and facilities of the Department. Provides that beginning July 1, 2027, the Department shall annually report to the General Assembly on the status of any communication services contracts and plans to consolidate contracts to maximize purchasing power for voice communication services, mail communication services, and all other communication services. Provides that the Department shall post the report on its website. Effective immediately.

Congratulates the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC) on achieving its 20th anniversary of hosting the 79th Street Renaissance Festival. Thanks GAGDC for its enduring contributions to community, culture, safety, and celebration.

Urges the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Pritzker Administration to delay cuts to Direct Service Professional (DSP) service hours set to begin January 1,2026, until such time as the State is prepared to implement the "Zero Hour" Staffing Model, to protect the services depended on by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Reverts provisions regarding greenhouse gases to the language existing before changes made by amendment under P.A. 102-662. Repeals a provision defining "clean energy". Effective immediately.

Creates the Not-for-Profit Health Insurance Reserve Cap Act. Prohibits a not-for-profit health insurance company from maintaining reserves in excess of 125% of the minimum solvency standards required by the Department of Insurance by the end of each calendar year. Requires each not-for-profit health insurance company to submit an annual financial report to the Department detailing the company's reserve levels. Provides that any excess reserves shall be utilized for all the specified purposes during the applicable calendar year. Provides that the Department shall monitor and enforce compliance with the Act.

Congratulates St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago on achieving 100 years of operation.

Congratulates Lois Preston on receiving her master's degree in computer science at the age of 87.

Amends the Downstate Police, Downstate Firefighter, and Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Establishes an accelerated pension benefit payment in lieu of any pension benefit under which an eligible person may elect to receive an amount determined by the Fund to be equal to 60% of the present value of his or her pension benefits in lieu of receiving any pension benefit. Establishes an accelerated pension benefit payment for a reduction in annual retirement annuity and survivor's annuity increases, as applicable, under which a Tier 1 member may elect to receive an accelerated pension benefit payment equal to 70% of the difference of the present value of the automatic annual increases to a Tier 1 member's retirement annuity and survivor's annuity using the formula applicable to the Tier 1 member and the present value of the automatic annual increases to the Tier 1 member's retirement annuity using a specified formula and survivor's annuity using a specified formula. Provides that, upon receipt of a member's irrevocable election to receive an accelerated pension benefit payment, the Fund shall transfer the amount of the accelerated pension benefit payment into the member's eligible retirement plan or qualified account. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that, notwithstanding other provisions of law to the contrary, any person serving as a guard of youth at a Department of Juvenile Justice Youth Center must: (1) be over the age of 21 and (2) have a high school diploma or equivalent. Provides that no social work experience or college education is required to serve as a guard of youth at a Department of Juvenile Justice Youth Center.

Mourns the death of Bishop Dr. Claude Porter.

Recognizes rock band REO Speedwagon on its nearly six decades of legendary musical and cultural impact in the State of Illinois and across the world.

Mourns the passing of Ethel Lucille Jesse of Girard and Decatur.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that no person shall use, or cause or allow the use of, any site on which a former waste disposal operation is located in a manner that is inconsistent with the closure of the waste disposal operation. Lists prohibited uses.

Mourns the death of Jeffrey William "Jeff" Fred of Effingham.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a defendant in an action alleging malpractice or negligence against an architect, engineer, or surveyor may request an affidavit of merit within 56 days after the complaint or notice of the action is served on the defendant. Provides that within 56 days after a request for an affidavit of merit is made, the plaintiff in the action shall file an affidavit of merit signed by an individual who the plaintiff reasonably believes meets certain requirements. Provides that the court may grant one extension of time for filing an affidavit of merit. Provides for the dismissal of an action, with or without prejudice. Provides that a defendant's objection to an affidavit of merit shall be raised in a motion filed within 90 days after the affidavit of merit is served. Provides that if the court determines that an affidavit of merit does not fully comply with the requirements, the court shall allow the plaintiff 56 days to file one or more affidavits of merit that correct the deficiencies identified by the court. Provides that a defendant shall participate in discovery in the action as required by court rules. Provides that an affidavit of merit is not required in an action for breach of contract against an architect, engineer, or surveyor that does not involve the standard of care.

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Provides that each recurring nonoptional fee must be on the real estate listing or an accompanying link to a website for the residential property and on the first page of the lease agreement in a clear and conspicuous manner as part of the total cost of the rent. Provides that if such a fee is not explicitly included in the cost of rent, a landlord may not charge the fee on a recurring basis, and the tenant is not liable for the fee on a recurring basis. Provides that all one-time nonoptional fees must be detailed on the first page of a lease agreement in a clear and conspicuous manner, and a landlord may not charge the fee, and the tenant is not liable for payment of the fee if a fee is not explicitly contained. Prohibits a landlord from requiring a tenant to acquire or maintain an insurance policy intended to provide coverage for damage or injury occurring in common areas of residential property. Provides that any person alleging a violation of any provision of the Landlord and Tenant Act may bring a civil action against a person or entity who is alleged to have violated the Act seeking actual damages, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees and costs.

Congratulates Robert Jones, Ph.D. on concluding his tenure as chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and as vice president of the University of Illinois System after nine years of successful leadership.

Mourns the passing of Andrea L. (Parson) Brown of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.