Illinois

Amends the Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act. Provides that an employer shall not retaliate against an employee or deprive an employee of employer-issued equipment because the employee used employer-issued equipment to record domestic violence, sexual violence, gender violence, or any other crime of violence committed against the employee or a family or household member of the employee. Provides that an employer shall grant an employee access to any photographs, voice or video recordings, sound recordings, or any other digital documents or communications stored on an employer-issued device relating to domestic violence, sexual violence, gender violence, or any other crime of violence committed against the employee or a family or household member of the employee. Provides that the provisions do not prohibit an employer from complying with an investigation, court order, or subpoena for a device, information, data, or documents. Provides that the provisions shall not be construed to relieve an employee of obligations to comply with an employer's reasonable employment policies or to perform the essential functions of employment.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that the Secretary of State may maintain a petty cash fund in excess of $1,000, solely for the purpose of making change, at any Secretary of State Motor Vehicle Facility. Provides that those funds may be retained on the premises of the facility.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. In a provision regarding wastewater reuse, provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the use of treated municipal wastewater from a publicly owned treatment works is authorized for irrigation and industrial use (rather than only irrigation) when conducted in accordance with a permit issued under certain provisions of the Act.

Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. In provisions concerning local partnerships, provides that each public college or university shall provide at least 3 licensed mental health professionals (instead of 3 on-site licensed clinical professional counselors or licensed clinical social workers) or less than 3 if the benchmark ratio falls under 3. Provides that the mental health professionals must be employed by the public college or university. Provides that service hours for the mental health professionals should be informed by campus utilization data and may include in-person and telehealth modalities to ensure access to the mental health professionals. Removes language requiring the professionals to be available on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. excluding holidays.

Reinserts the provisions of the bill, as amended by House Amendment No. 1, with the following change: Provides that an establishment must report to the Department of Public Health any incident or accident that results in significant physical harm or injury to a resident or any situation where a resident requires outside emergent medical treatment (rather than immediate medical attention, including admission to the hospital) as a direct result of an incident or accident.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision concerning suspensions of retirement annuities during employment with a participating employer, provides that an annuitant receiving a sheriff's law enforcement employee annuity shall be considered a participating employee if the annuitant returns to work as a school security guard employed by a participating employer and works more than 999 hours annually. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall establish an online portal that allows units of local government to submit forms electronically to the Department. The online portal shall provide a tracking feature for the submission as well as a point of contact at the Department of Transportation.

Reinserts the provisions of the bill, as amended by House Amendment No. 1, with the following changes. Provides that the web-based signature requirement does not apply to a nominating or candidate petition or a referendum petition.

Amends the Consumer Electronics Recycling Act. Adds and changes definitions. Changes references to residential covered electronic devices (CEDs) to references to CEDs from covered entities. Adds a nonprofit organization or recycler to certain provisions regarding the use of a retail or private network (rather than only retail) collection site with the agreement of the applicable retailer under certain local agreements. Changes references to retail collection sites to references to retail or private network collection sites. Adds to requirements for certain agreements, including those to be reduced to writing and included in the manufacturer e-waste program plan. Adds to requirements for the manufacturer e-waste program plan. Adds conditions in certain provisions regarding the applicable county, municipal joint action agency, or municipality. Adds certain waivers for charges for shortfalls in provisions regarding collection of CEDs. Adds requirements for the Advisory Electronics Task Force to submit certain information to the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as to communicate regarding certain updates and certain feedback. Adds provisions regarding education and consumer awareness requirements. Deletes an automatic repeal provision.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires an applicant for a license as an instructor for a driving school to, among other requirements, have held a valid driver's license for any 2-year period preceding the date of application for an instructor's license, including a temporary visitor's driver's license, and be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Amends the Stalking No Contact Order Act. Adds to the definition of "stalking" to include harassment that is conduct that is not necessary to accomplish a purpose that is reasonable under the circumstances, would cause a reasonable person emotional distress, and causes emotional distress to the petitioner. Creates a rebuttable presumption that the following conduct is presumed to cause emotional distress: (i) creating a disturbance at the petitioner's place of employment or school; (ii) repeatedly telephoning the petitioner's place of employment, home, or residence; (iii) repeatedly following the petitioner about in a public place or places; (iv) repeatedly keeping the petitioner under surveillance by remaining present outside his or her home, school, place of employment, vehicle, or other place occupied by the petitioner or by peering in the petitioner's windows; (v) threatening the safety of the petitioner's minor child or family member; or (vi) threatening physical force, confinement, or restraint on one or more occasions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall issue a school bus driver permit with a restriction valid for the operation of a first division vehicle being operated as a school bus or a multifunction school activity bus designed to carry up to 15 passengers when being used for curriculum-related activities to those applicants who have met all the requirements of the application and screening process. Allows the Secretary of State to adopt changes to implement provisions regarding school bus driver permits. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Provides that on and after January 1, 2026, a person may not sell, distribute, or offer for sale baby food in the State that contains toxic heavy metals that exceed the limits established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Defines "toxic heavy metal" as arsenic, cadmium, lead, or mercury and defines other terms. Provides that beginning January 1, 2026, each manufacturer of baby food shall test a representative sample of each production aggregate of the manufacturer's final baby food product for each toxic heavy metal. Requires monthly testing. Beginning January 1, 2027, requires each manufacturer of baby food to make certain information publicly available. Provides that if a consumer believes, based on information gathered through the use of the code included on the baby food product label, that baby food is being sold in the State with toxic heavy metals that exceed limits established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the consumer may report that baby food to the Department of Public Health.

Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Defines "institution of higher education". In provisions concerning the public list of qualified courses, provides that, to help the Department of Early Childhood determine whether an institution of higher education's early childhood college courses meet the requirements under the Illinois Administrative Code, each institution of higher education shall submit, in a format and on a time line prescribed by the Department of Early Childhood, information about such courses. Removes advocacy organizations from organizations that the Department of Early Childhood is required to seek input and feedback from regarding the development of a process to verify early childhood courses. Removes provisions permitting the Department of Early Childhood to contract with a third party organization to perform the duties required under the amendatory provisions. Provides that any applicable State staff (rather than relevant licensing representatives) must be trained on the use of the course list, the prohibitions for the course list, and the impartial oversight review process. Makes other changes.

Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Makes changes to the accreditation standards of low-speed electric bicycles, personal e-mobility devices, and traction batteries for low-speed electric bicycles and personal e-mobility devices. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to: (1) assemble or recondition a traction battery using cells removed from used lithium-ion batteries; or (2) sell or offer for sale a lithium-ion traction battery that uses cells removed from used lithium-ion batteries. Provides that a violation of any of the provisions of the Act is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Makes changes to definitions. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Illinois Drug Reuse Opportunity Program Act. Requires the Illinois Department of Public Health: (1) to develop, maintain, and publish on its website information regarding the names and locations of pharmacies participating in the program; (2) to educate pharmacies in the State about the program and how to participate in it voluntarily; (3) to develop and publish educational materials to allow program participants and the Department to inform the general public about the purposes and benefits of the program; and (4) to collect information from participants and publish the information in an annual report to the General Assembly by December 31 of each calendar year, beginning December 31, 2026. Specifies that records maintained under the Act are subject to access by the Department upon request. Defines "Department".

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may issue Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal license plates to Illinois residents that served in the United States Armed Forces after July 1, 1958 and participated in U.S. military operations, U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations, or U.S. operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations. Provides that the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal license plates shall expire according to the staggered multi-year procedure established by the Code. Provides that the Secretary has discretion as to the design, color, and format of the plates. Provides that the plates are not required to designate "Land of Lincoln".

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that a day care home or group day care home may be exempt from licensure (rather than is not required to be licensed) if it serves dependent children of military personnel, is located on a military base or federal or government property, and is certified as a child development program by a branch of the U.S. Effective immediately.

Amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act. Provides that the executive director of the District, with the advice and consent of the board of commissioners, may appoint a deputy executive director. Makes conforming changes. Provides that the deputy executive director must be selected solely upon administrative and technical qualifications and without regard to political affiliations and shall serve under the direct supervision of the executive director.

Amends the Personnel Code. In provisions regarding positions in the State service subject to the jurisdiction of the Department of Central Management Services with respect to selection and tenure on the basis of merit and fitness, provides that, unless prohibited by federal law, the administration of certain federal programs shall continue to be conducted by State employees subject to the Personnel Code. Makes a technical change to the classification of certain provisions as pertaining to merit and fitness.

Amends Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act. Defines "transfer articulation agreement". Sets forth the purpose of the Act. Provides that a State university shall (rather than the General Assembly encourages State universities) to facilitate the seamless transfer of credits toward a baccalaureate degree. Provides that a State university shall enter into a transfer articulation agreement with the community college district to provide a seamless pathway for transfer. Provides that if, within 180 calendar days of the community college's initial request to enter into a transfer articulation agreement with the State university, the community college and State university do not reach agreement on the transfer articulation agreement, then the community college and State university shall jointly implement the provisions of the Model Transfer Articulation Agreement. Provides that a Model Transfer Articulation Agreement shall be developed through a Transfer Articulation Committee by December 31, 2025. Requires each community college and State university to publish the institution's process and timeline for reviewing and making decisions regarding transfer credit requests on the institution's website. Removes language regarding the Board of Higher Education's reviews and reports. Provides instead that, by May 1, 2026, and May 1 of each subsequent year, each State university shall report to the Board of Higher Education specified information. Effective immediately.

Creates the Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act. Provides that a person who sells or offers for sale complex rehabilitation technology in the State shall meet certain requirements. Requires a supplier of complex wheelchairs, except in certain specified circumstances, to offer service and repairs to the consumer of a complex wheelchair for the useful life expectancy of the complex wheelchair. Provides that an original equipment manufacturer may redact documentation to remove trade secrets from the documentation before providing access to the documentation if the usability of the redacted documentation for the purpose of providing services is not diminished. Allows an original equipment manufacturer to withhold information regarding a component of, design of, functionality of, or process of developing a part, embedded software, firmware, or a tool, if the information is a trade secret and the usability of the part, embedded software, firmware, or tool for the purpose of providing services is not diminished. Specifies that a violation of the Act is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Specifies that the Act applies with respect to complex wheelchairs sold or in use on or after the effective date of the Act. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 and that provides coverage for complex rehabilitation technology shall not require prior authorization, medical documentation, or proof of continued need to complete medically necessary repairs for consumer-owned complex rehabilitation technology unless certain conditions exist. Provides that a Medicaid managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 and that provides coverage for complex rehabilitation technology shall not require prior authorization, medical documentation or proof of continued need to complete medically necessary repairs for consumer-owned complex rehabilitation technology under the total value of $1,500. Requires acceptance or denial of repairs over $1,500 to be made within 7 days of request of preauthorization. Requires a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 and that provides coverage for a complex rehabilitation technology to provide coverage for rented complex rehabilitation technology during the time the primary complex rehabilitation technology is under repair. Makes conforming changes to the State Employees Group Insurance Act, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Effective January 1, 2026.

Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following change. In provisions concerning the powers, duties, and functions of the Department of Natural Resources, adds the ability to authorize any officer or Department employee to enter upon, inspect, and examine, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner, the records and properties of persons licensed or certified under the Act to the extent such records and properties relate to the safe and proper storage, handling, and use of explosive materials. Makes grammatical changes.

Amends the Adoption Act. Provides that a person may commence an adoption proceeding for a youth in care only if the youth in care is placed with the petitioning person or persons by the Department of Children and Family Services at the time the petition is filed, and the Department has provided its consent to the adoption or has otherwise approved the adoption. Requires the Department to adopt rules or procedures or both as to what constitutes its approval of the adoption. Provides that a person whose rights have been terminated under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 does not have to be made a defendant in a petition for adoption. Provides that the following persons must be given notice of a petition for adoption unless the person has been determined not to be a parent of the child or has had parental rights terminated by a court of competent jurisdiction: (i) any person who is recorded on the child's birth certificate as the child's parent; (ii) any person who is openly living with the child or the child's mother at the time the proceeding is initiated and holds out the child as that person's child; (iii) any person who has been identified as the child's parent by the mother in a written, sworn statement, including an Affidavit of Identification; or (iv) any person who was married to the child's mother on the date of the child's birth or within 300 days before the child's birth, unless that person has been determined not to be the parent of the child or has had parental rights terminated by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Provides that any person hauling or transporting timber that is subject to the Timber Buyers Licensing Act (rather than timber) on any highway in the State shall be required to show proof of ownership. In provisions concerning violations, removes the requirement that every person hauling a tree or trees shall be subject to the Act, and upon the request of a designated law enforcement officer to stop hauling the tree or trees, must stop immediately and provide required proof of ownership. Repeals provisions concerning the written consent of a timber grower or subsequent seller to haul or transport any tree or forest product on highways of the State. Makes other changes.