Illinois

Congratulates Waubonsie Valley High School on its 50th anniversary.

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the purpose of a grant to the Chicago Park District for costs associated with the reconstruction of the field house at Ogden Park in the City of Chicago. Effective July 1, 2026.

Congratulates Andrew Freiheit on his induction into the Samuel K. Gove Illinois Legislative Internship Hall of Fame and thanks him for his years of exceptional public service.

Creates the Court Access, Safety, and Participation Act. Makes legislative findings concerning access to the courts. Creates a privilege from civil arrest for a person who in good faith is attending a State court proceeding or who is going to, remaining at, or returning from the place of the court proceeding. Provides that a person who violates provisions of the Act is liable for civil damages for false imprisonment, including actual damages and statutory damages of $10,000, if that person knew or reasonably should have known that the person arrested is a person duly and in good faith attending a State court proceeding in which the person is a party, a witness, a potential witness, or a court companion of a party, witness, or potential witness while going to, remaining at, and returning from the court proceeding. Authorizes a court to grant any equitable or declaratory relief it deems appropriate and just. Prohibits an action from being commenced under the Act against the Illinois court system or any Illinois court system personnel acting lawfully under duty to maintain safety and order in the courts. Provides that nothing in the Act affects any right or defense of any person, police officer, peace officer or public officer, or any Illinois court system personnel acting lawfully under their duty to maintain safety and order in the courts. Makes other changes. Specifies that the provisions of the Act are severable. Effective immediately.

Declares October 13, 2025 as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day in the State of Illinois. Encourages all residents to join in the national effort to raise awareness by illuminating local landmarks in teal, green, and pink and supporting the urgent need for increased metastatic breast cancer (MBC) research funding.

Declares November 13, 2025 as Genetic Counselor Appreciation Day in the State of Illinois. Recognizes that the sequencing of the human genome is one of the most significant scientific accomplishments of the past hundred years and expresses support for genetic counselors, who are using this research to improve the lives of many throughout the State.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. In provisions concerning the reports a municipality is required to provide to the Comptroller under the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act, provides that, beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act, if a municipality fails to file the Tax Increment Financing Report within the time required, then the Comptroller may order the municipality to cease all distributions from its Special Tax Allocation Fund for redevelopment project costs other than debt service on bonds until the municipality files the Tax Increment Financing Report. Requires the municipality to comply with the Comptroller's orders.

Amends the Industrial Hemp Act. Provides that no hemp cannabinoid shall be bottled and sold for purchase in a package or container that contains caffeine, including, but not limited to, ready to drink beverages. Defines "hemp cannabinoid".

Declares the week of September 21 through September 27, 2025 as Surgical Technology Week in the State of Illinois. Honors these dedicated healthcare professionals for their hard work and expertise in patient safety in the operating room that often goes unnoticed. Recognizes their educators for providing them with specialized training in surgical technology.

Amends the Budget Stabilization Act. Provides that, in addition to any other transfers that may be provided by law, the Comptroller shall transfer from the General Revenue Fund to the Pension Stabilization Fund the following amounts: $300,000,000 for Fiscal Year 2030; $400,000,000 for Fiscal Years 2031 through 2033; and $600,000,000 for Fiscal Years 2034 through 2049.

Congratulates Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP) on achieving its 50th anniversary while continually making extraordinary contributions to our communities. Commends the organization's unwavering commitment to justice and opportunity and its ongoing efforts to create a more equitable and compassionate society.

Amends the Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Act. Makes changes concerning definitions; the Program Board; program policy; grant eligibility; institution and institutional representative responsibilities; applying for, determining, and administering awards; award conditions; penalties; the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act; and applicability. Repeals a Section concerning continuing participants. Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Makes changes concerning the Minority Teachers of Illinois scholarship program, the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program, Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License scholarships, the School and Municipal Social Work Shortage Loan Repayment Program, and the iGROW Tech Scholarship Program. Repeals a Section concerning equal opportunity scholarships. Amends the Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program Act to remove a provision with respect to reserving a portion of funds for awards to certain minority applicants. Amends the Transitions in Education Act to make a conforming change. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Modifies the definition of "criminal offense" for the purposes of the Act to include, among other things, an arrest under the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act. Provides that a petitioner may petition the circuit court to expunge the records of the petitioner's arrests and charges not initiated by arrest when each arrest or charge not initiated by arrest sought to be expunged resulted in, among other things, extradition to another state under the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act. Provides that a court may not consider an outstanding legal financial obligation established, imposed, or originated by a court, law enforcement agency, or a municipal, State, county, or other unit of local government when ruling upon a petition to seal criminal records of adults and minors prosecuted as adults.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the maximum income limitation for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption shall be (i) $75,000 for taxable year 2026, (ii) $77,000 for taxable year 2027, and (iii) $79,000 for taxable year 2028 and thereafter. Provides that no annual tax sale shall be held on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act and before March 10, 2026. Provides that no scavenger sale shall be held on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act and before March 10, 2026. Provides that deadlines for applications for judgment and order of sale are tolled until March 10, 2026. Amends the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. Makes changes concerning the maximum household income. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable years 2026 and thereafter, the maximum income limitation for the senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption is $75,000 (currently, $65,000). Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable years 2026 and thereafter, the maximum reduction for the general homestead exemption is $10,000 in all counties. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that certain homestead property that is owned by a person who will be 67 years of age or older during the taxable year is exempt from property taxes levied by a school district. Effective immediately.

Recognizes that politically motivated violence, whether in the form of a mass shooting or a mass deployment of masked troops empowered to instill fear, is a threat to our democracy. Condemns politically motivated violence in all of its forms, whether caused by individuals radicalized by extreme rhetoric or by extremists who use political violence to advance their own agendas.

Amends the Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to name the chairperson of the Program Board. Requires the Program Board to name the vice chairperson of the Program Board and make any necessary subcommittee appointments. Provides that the members of the Program Board shall serve 2-year terms and shall continue to serve until a replacement or reappointment is determined. Adds additional responsibilities of the Program Board. Requires institutions of higher education to verify that student applicants meet the eligibility requirements for DFI grants. Adds eligibility requirements for an award under the Act. Sets forth responsibilities for DFI institutions and DFI representatives. Requires a student to apply directly to the qualified institution of higher education that he or she plans to attend. Provides that in determining the recipients of awards, the Program Board shall favor recipients who received awards in previous years and who maintain conditions of eligibility and have made satisfactory academic progress toward a degree, as long as no student receives assistance for more than 4 years. Adds an additional condition for acceptance of a DFI award. Provides that if the obligation of the award is not met, repayment of the funds awarded shall (rather than may) be required according to procedures developed by the Board of Higher Education (rather than the Program Board). Provides that all grants are subject to the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act shall first apply beginning with awards made for the 2025-2026 academic year. Repeals a provision concerning continuing participants. Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act regarding the Minority Teachers of Illinois scholarship program. Changes the name of the scholarship program to the Teachers of Illinois scholarship program. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to determine how to verify whether an applicant is a qualified student and to award teacher scholarships to qualified students who demonstrate that they satisfy requirements. Requires the annual teacher scholarship amount to be computed by the institution. Provides that each teacher scholarship awarded shall be in an amount sufficient to pay the total cost of attendance (rather than tuition and fees and room and board costs). Requires applicants to submit an application annually, as well as complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Adds additional factors for the Commission to consider when prioritizing the allocation of funds. Removes language providing that at least 35% of the funds appropriated for awarded scholarships in each fiscal year shall be reserved for qualified male minority applicants, with priority being given to qualified Black male applicants, and if the Commission does not receive enough applications from qualified male minorities, then the Commission may award a portion of the reserved funds to qualified female minority applicants. Requires each recipient of a teacher scholarship to sign and submit a teaching agreement or promissory note to the Commission. Provides that recipients of a teacher scholarship are also required to provide the Commission with evidence of compliance with program requirements. Provides that if a recipient of a teacher scholarship fails to fulfill the teaching obligation, the scholarship converts to a loan with a repayment period of 10 years. Requires the State Board of Education to furnish all appropriate data referenced within the definition of a qualified student on a timely basis to the Commission. Provides that institutions shall also submit eligibility information for qualified students in sufficient time for the Commission to make award announcements. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act shall first apply beginning with awards made for the 2025-2026 academic year. Amends the Transitions in Education Act to make a related change. Makes other changes, and adds a severability clause. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that notwithstanding any prior exclusion, any person incarcerated under an indeterminate sentence on the effective date of the amendatory Act whose minimum term was 20 years or more as of February 1, 1978, may elect to be resentenced under the 1978 determinate sentencing law. Provides that the election must be made in writing to the Department of Corrections, which shall inform all eligible persons within 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall provide all necessary forms and assistance to eligible persons. Provides that upon election, the person's indeterminate sentence shall be converted to a determinate sentence consistent with the 1978 sentencing structure and the offense for which the person was convicted. Provides that time served shall be applied retroactively, and the person shall be credited with all sentence credits and earned time applicable under the law in effect since the date of original commitment. Provides that any person whose recalculated determinate sentence has been fully served shall be immediately released to a mandatory supervised release term under the terms applicable to the offense class and sentence length at the time of original sentencing. Provides that the Prisoner Review Board shall schedule hearings for eligible persons who elect the option within 180 days after receiving their request. Provides that thereafter, continued review shall occur no less frequently than every 12 months, unless earlier action is deemed by the Board to be appropriate. Provides that nothing in the provision shall be construed to require parole or mandatory supervised release for any person who does not elect the option, or who is otherwise ineligible. Effective immediately.

Creates the Insurance Fairness and Consumer Protection Law Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that insurers must submit a request for approval to the Department of Insurance for any proposed rate increase for homeowners insurance premiums or automobile insurance premiums. Prohibits implementing any rate increase without prior written approval of the Department. Prohibits using nondriving factors, such as credit score, occupation, and education level, to determine automobile insurance premiums. Provides that, for homeowners insurance, factors unrelated to the insured property's location, age, and condition shall not be considered in rate setting. Requires a public disclosure and comment period for any proposed rate increase exceeding 10% in a 12-month period. Prohibits an insurer from increasing premiums by more than 15% per year for any policyholder without exceptional justification, which must include specified evidence. Sets forth provisions concerning definitions; penalties; reimbursement of consumers; market conduct actions; Department approval of rate increases; and rulemaking. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Restores certain provisions of the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code concerning citizenship of employees of a sheriff's department and police officer applicants to the form in which they existed before their amendment by Public Act 103-357. Effective immediately.

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Keeping Sex Workers Safe Act. Creates the Sex Workers' Bill of Rights Act. Provides that sex workers shall not be subject to criminal prosecution for engaging in consensual sex work. Provides that law enforcement agencies are prohibited from arresting, charging, or prosecuting individuals solely for performing or engaging in sex work. Provides that sex workers, whether employed, contracted, or self-employed, shall be afforded the same rights and protections as other workers under Illinois law, including, but not limited to: (1) minimum wage and hour protections; (2) protection against discrimination, harassment, and unsafe working conditions; (3) access to workers' compensation and health benefits if applicable; and (4) protection of privacy and freedom from surveillance. Provides that employers, clients, or those benefiting from the services of sex workers must ensure safe working conditions, including protection from violence, exploitation, and human trafficking. Provides that sex workers operating as independent contractors shall be treated as legitimate sole proprietors or businesses under Illinois law. Provides that sex workers have the right to control their work, negotiate fair contracts, and receive payment for their services without interference or exploitation. Provides that sex workers shall not be discriminated against in access to housing, public services, financial services, or healthcare based on their occupation. Provides that all laws protecting workers from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics shall apply equally to sex workers. Defines "sex work" and "sex worker". Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Repeals the offenses of prostitution and patronizing a prostitute. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the duration of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card shall be the lifetime of the holder of the Card (rather than 10 years). Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that the duration of a concealed carry license is the lifetime of the licensee (rather than 5 years). Provides that a Firearm Owner's Identification Card or concealed carry license issued before the effective date of the amendatory Act shall be valid during the Card holder's or licensee's lifetime regardless of the expiration date on the Card or license.