Illinois

Amends the Swimming Facility Act. Makes changes to defined terms. Provides that permits for construction or major alteration of a swimming facility are valid for a period of 2 years (rather than one year) from the date of issue. Provides that it is lawful for a licensee to operate a cold spa in a manner that complies with the provisions of the Act and the rules adopted under the Act, subject to the specified conditions. Establishes rulemaking provisions for the Department of Public Health concerning the operation of a cold spa.

Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Provides that employers shall provide the State labor organization with a copy of the information provided to the exclusive representative. Effective immediately.

Creates the Historical Cost of Attendance Disclosure Act. Requires each public or private college or university to post its cost of attendance on its website for each of the 10 academic years immediately preceding the effective date of the Act and for every academic year thereafter. Requires the posted cost of attendance to delineate which expenses are included in the Internal Revenue Service's Form 1098-T and which expenses are not included in Form 1098-T.

Provides that, by July 1, 2026, the State Board of Education shall provide a form, posted publicly on its website, for organizations to submit opportunities for high school students to participate in externships, internships, or volunteer work related to career and technical education career pathways. Requires the opportunities submitted to be reviewed and approved by the State Board of Education. Requires the State Board of Education to post a list of approved opportunities on its website and share the list with all school districts annually. Provides that, by July 1, 2027 and by July 1 each year thereafter, the State Board of Education shall compile and publish a report on its website listing the total number of organizations that submitted opportunities for high school students the previous year, and the report shall be disaggregated by the career areas under which each opportunity fell.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation to consult with all Class 1 and short line railroads and relevant businesses engaged in the railroad industry in preparation of the State Rail Plan. Creates the Freight Rail Transportation Coordinating Committee. Amends the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act. Authorizes an authorized representative to sign the disclosure with knowledge of the information required by the disclosure. Authorizes disclosure by providing a copy of the most recent proxy statement or other official corporate document filed in the previous calendar year with the Securities and Exchange Commission or similar federal regulatory body. Amends the Eminent Domain Act. Allows a party authorized to take property to file a complaint in circuit court if the owner agrees on the compensation to be paid but (i) is unable to convey clear title or provide all required documents to convey title or comply with any State or federal legal requirements to complete an acquisition by agreement; or (ii) the acquiring agency does not receive needed documents to enable processing of or the issuance of a warrant for the payment of compensation to the property owner. Provides that for property being acquired by the Department of Transportation under the Illinois Highway Code, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall issue its final order within 6 months after the date that the petition is filed unless the Commission extends the period for issuing a final order. Provides that the Commission may extend the 6-month period for issuing a final order for up to an additional 3-month period on its own motion or on a petition filed with good cause by any party. Provides that the Commission may grant such an extension for good cause. Provides that if the Commission extends the period for issuing a final order, then the schedule for the proceeding may not be further extended beyond the 3-month period, and the Commission shall issue its final order within the extension period. Authorizes the Commission to have the power to establish an expedited schedule for making its determination on a petition filed by the Department in less than 6 months if it finds that the public interest requires the setting of an expedited schedule. Allows notice to property owners to be sent, in addition to the United States Postal Service, by a designated private delivery service as defined by the Internal Revenue Service if the service provides the same function as certified mail with return receipt, or the letter is personally served. The Department of Transportation shall report to the General Assembly no later than January 31 of each year the number of cases filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission under this Article during the previous year and the length of time taken, in months, to issue each final order during the previous calendar year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Hypodermic Syringes and Needles Act. Provides that if the pharmacy has sterile hypodermic syringes or needles in stock, a pharmacist, based on the pharmacist's professional and clinical judgment, shall sell sterile hypodermic syringes or needles to any qualifying individual when sterile hypodermic syringes or needles are required for the proper utilization or administration of medications, including any counseling or referrals to relevant healthcare services.

Amends the Flag Display Act. Permits the United States national flag to be displayed on the grounds of a courthouse (rather than only on the top of a courthouse).

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law. Provides that, in conjunction with applications for licensure and renewals (rather than only for licensure), the Division of Professional Regulation of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall request, and applicants may voluntarily provide, demographic information that includes sex, ethnicity, race, disability, primary language spoken, anticipated date of retirement, type of employment, and zip code (rather than only sex, ethnicity, race, and disability).

Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. Provides that "practice of pharmacy" includes the assessment and consultation of patients and dispensing of contraceptives, including emergency contraception (rather than the dispensation of hormonal contraceptives). In provisions concerning the dispensation of contraceptives, changes the contraceptives dispensed to contraceptives, including emergency contraception (rather than hormonal contraceptives). Makes conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the medical assistance program shall cover patient care services provided by a pharmacist for contraceptives, including emergency contraception (rather than hormonal contraceptives). Makes conforming changes.

Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following addition: Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act is intended to include an employee of a hospital licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act or operated under the University of Illinois Hospital Act or a hospital affiliate.

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning special education joint agreements, provides that, for any member district entering into, amending, renewing, or withdrawing from a joint agreement after the effective date of the amendatory Act, (i) for a member district withdrawing from a joint agreement, the member district's school board shall hold a public hearing on the member district's intent to withdraw at least 18 months before the member district's proposed withdrawal date and a written notice of the member district's intent to withdraw and the details of the public hearing shall be sent to the other member districts of the joint agreement no less than 10 days before the public hearing; (ii) a member district that intends to withdraw from a joint agreement shall adopt a comprehensive plan in accordance with certain provisions and submit the plan to the member district's regional office of education or intermediate service center, whichever is applicable; (iii) upon the receipt of a member district's comprehensive plan, the regional superintendent of schools or the executive director of the intermediate service center, whichever is applicable, shall ensure certain criteria are met and shall notify the State Board of Education and the other member districts of the joint agreement of his or her approval of the member district's withdrawal; (iv) a joint agreement shall include provisions for the dissolution of assets in the event the joint agreement is dissolved and provisions for the distribution of assets in the event a member district withdraws from the joint agreement; and (v) a joint agreement shall include a requirement for an annual presentation of the joint agreement's fiscal year budget and the calculation of member and usage fees to all member districts.

Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a pensioner, annuitant, applicant for a refund, disability beneficiary, or other beneficiary does not have the right to transfer or assign his or her pension, annuity, refund, or disability benefit, or any part thereof, by mortgage or otherwise; except that an annuitant or disability beneficiary may direct, in writing, that a monthly payment be made to an association or organization with which the annuitant or disability beneficiary or the annuitant's or disability beneficiary's surviving spouse may be affiliated by virtue of his or her fire service or for hospitalization insurance purposes.

Amends the School Code. Allows a student enrolled in grade 7 or 8 to enroll in a required high school course if the course is offered by the high school that the student would attend and the student participates in the course where the student attends school as long as the student passes the course and the end-of-course examination given at the high school granting the credit for the same course, demonstrating proficiency at the high school level.

Amends the Illinois Pesticide Act. Makes changes to provisions regarding the costs of product registration fees, business registration fees, multi-year commercial applicator license fees, private pesticide applicator license fees, multi-year commercial not-for-hire pesticide applicator license fees, multi-year commercial operator license fees, multi-year commercial not-for-hire-pesticide operator license fees, pesticide dealer registration fees for multi-year registration periods, and certain duplicate license fees. Makes changes to provisions regarding the length of validity of certification as a private pesticide applicator. Provides that, subject to appropriation, sufficient available education courses, and successful procurement and implementation of any requisite tracking software, certified applicators, licensed operators, or registered pesticide dealers may elect to take education courses or an examination to meet the requirements for the renewal of certifications, licenses, permits, or registrations under the Act. Allows the Department of Agriculture to adopt rules. Defines terms.

Amends the Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act. Provides that each targeted methamphetamine precursor package shall contain no more than 3,600 (rather than 3,000) milligrams of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, their salts or optical isomers, or salts of optical isomers. Deletes a provision which specifies that no retail distributor operating a pharmacy, and no pharmacist or pharmacy technician, shall knowingly distribute to a single person more than 2 targeted packages in a single retail transaction. Amends the Methamphetamine Precursor Tracking Act. Provides that, on and after October 1, 2025, any manufacturer of products containing methamphetamine precursors sold in or brought into the State must, on a monthly basis, pay fees to the Central Repository. Provides that the Central Repository shall be responsible for setting the fee levels required. Provides that at the request of the Illinois State Police, manufacturers required to pay fees shall be required to provide written documentation demonstrating that they have paid such fees. Provides that the sale of methamphetamine precursors in or brought into the State by a manufacturer who has failed to pay fees required by the provision is guilty of a petty offense and subject to a fine of $500 for a first offense; $1,000 for a second offense occurring within 3 years of the first offense; and $5,000 for a third or subsequent offense occurring within 3 years of the prior offenses. Effective immediately.

Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Removes changes to provisions concerning applications under the Carbon Dioxide Transportation and Sequestration Act. In provisions concerning the compensation for damages to the surface of a landowner's property, provides that such compensation includes compensation to return the surface estate, including soil conservation practices, such as terraces, grassed waterways, and other conservation practices, to the condition of the surface (rather than to a condition as near as practicable to the condition of the surface) prior to accessing the property; compensation for damage to the productive capability of the soil resulting from compaction or rutting if the parties are incapable of reaching resolution for such issues under the mitigation agreement and certain requirements are met (rather than such compensation shall include, but is not limited to, compensation for when a pipeline applicant accesses a property where excessively wet soil conditions would not allow normal farming operations due to increased risk of soil erosion, rutting, or compaction); and compensation for damage to surface and subsurface drainage, including compensation such that the applicant who has been granted a certificate of authority under the Act shall compensate the affected landowner to permanently restore drainage to the condition of the drainage (rather than to a condition as near as practicable to the condition of the drainage) prior to accessing the property. Provides that an applicant shall comply with the requirements of the agreement that governs the mitigation of agricultural impacts. Makes other changes.

Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Further amends the Department of Human Services Act. Removes a repealer provision concerning the creation of the Autism Research Checkoff Fund. Instead provides that, on July 1, 2025, or as soon thereafter as practical, the State Comptroller shall direct and the State Treasurer shall transfer the remaining balance from the Autism Research Checkoff Fund into the Autism Awareness Fund. Provides that upon completion of the transfers, the Autism Research Checkoff Fund is dissolved, and any future deposits due to that Fund and any outstanding obligations or liabilities of that Fund shall pass to the Autism Awareness Fund. Provides that the provision creating the Autism Research Checkoff Fund is repealed on January 1, 2026. Amends the Department of Early Childhood Act. Extends early intervention services to children who have been found eligible for early childhood special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and have an individualized education program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a prescriber shall not be required to issue prescriptions for a substance classified in Schedule II, III, IV, or V electronically if the prescription is issued by a licensed veterinarian within 7 (rather than 2) years after November 17, 2023 (the effective date of Public Act 103-563).

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning identification cards and suicide prevention information, provides that each school district that serves pupils in any of grades 6 through 12 and that issues an identification card to school employees serving any of grades 6 through 12 shall provide on the identification card the same contact information concerning suicide prevention that is required to be provided on a pupil's identification card.

Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Requires a hospital to provide written information, which may be provided electronically, on the Early Intervention program to any parent or legal guardian whose child is admitted to the neonatal intensive care department. Provides that with a parent or legal guardian, a hospital staff member familiar with the Early Intervention program shall initiate prior to discharge from the hospital written referrals to the Early Intervention program for all children admitted to the neonatal intensive care department who qualify for early intervention services. Amends the Department of Early Childhood Act. In provisions concerning the system of early intervention services to be administered by the Department of Early Childhood on and after July 1, 2026, requires the statewide system of coordinated, comprehensive, interagency, and interdisciplinary early intervention programs to include in its public awareness program, a special focus on the early identification of infants who automatically qualify for early intervention services, including, but not limited to, those who qualify on account of having a birth weight less than 1,000 grams.

Amends the School Code. Prohibits a child from being denied a free public education through secondary school while in the State based on the child's or the child's parent's or guardian's perceived or actual citizenship or immigration status. Prohibits a school (defined as a public school, school district, or governing body organized under the Code and its agents) from excluding a child from participation in or denying a child the benefits of any program or activity on the grounds of that child's perceived or actual immigration status or the child's parent's or guardian's actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status. Prohibits a school from using policies or procedures or engaging in practices that have the effect of excluding a child from participation in or denying the benefits of any program or activity or the effect of excluding participation of the child's parent or guardian from parental engagement activities or programs because of the child's perceived or actual immigration status or the child's parent's or guardian's actual or perceived immigration status. Prohibits a school from performing certain other actions. Requires a school to develop procedures for reviewing and authorizing requests from law enforcement agents attempting to enter a school or school facility by July 1, 2026. Requires a school to adopt a compliance policy. Allows any party aggrieved by a violation of specified provisions to bring a civil lawsuit no later than 2 years after the violation occurred. Provides that, if the court finds that a willful violation has occurred, the court may award actual damages. Makes other changes.

Amends the School Code. Authorizes the State Board of Education to award grants to school districts in the State for the purpose of incentivizing those districts to conduct reorganization feasibility studies. Provides that, to be eligible for a grant under these provisions, the board of the school district that is applying for the grant shall (i) negotiate a proposed agreement to secure the services of a third-party consultant who will conduct the reorganization feasibility study; (ii) adopt a resolution that is signed by the board president of the district and calls for the initiation of a school district reorganization feasibility study in accordance with the terms of the proposed agreement and any rules adopted by the State Board of Education; and (iii) submit the completed agreement form, the signed board resolution, and such other information as the State Board of Education may, by administrative rule, require, to the regional office of education or the executive director of the intermediate service center for the district for approval. Provides that, upon receipt of a complete application from a district, the regional office of education or the executive director of the intermediate service center shall either (i) approve the agreement and send the agreement to the State Board of Education or (ii) disapprove the agreement and return the agreement to the district with a letter of explanation. Authorizes the State Board of Education to award grants under these provisions to districts for which it receives an approved agreement. Requires the State Board of Education to annually notify each school district in the State of the availability of grant funds and to provide with that notice specified information. Provides that, every 2 years, each board that receives a notice may include the question of whether to pursue this grant funding as an action item on the agenda at one of its meetings. Authorizes the State Board of Education to provide a school district up to the maximum reimbursement amount set by the State Board of Education, for the purpose of covering all or part of the costs borne by the school district to conduct a reorganization feasibility study. Directs the State Board of Education, in awarding these grants, to prioritize districts that are contiguous with one another, districts that have similar property tax rates, districts with similar per-pupil adequacy funding, and, beginning in State fiscal year 2030, other districts that have been identified as priority districts by the State Board of Education pursuant to rules it adopts. Prohibits a school district from being awarded a grant under these provisions in any 2 consecutive award cycles. Allows the State Board of Education to adopt any rules it deems necessary to implement and administer this program of grant funding, including, but not limited to, rules establishing the criteria that must be met by the third-party consultants who will perform the feasibility studies, rules describing minimum criteria to be included in agreements executed with the third-party consultants who will perform the feasibility studies described in this Section, and, beginning in State fiscal year 2030, rules identifying additional types of school districts to be prioritized for grant funding under these provisions. Directs the State Board of Education, in State fiscal year 2035, and every 5 years thereafter, to reevaluate and, if necessary, amend the rules identifying additional types of school districts to be prioritized for grant funding. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Makes changes to the membership of the Commission on Youth Sports. Provides that the Department of Human Services may delay the implementation of provisions concerning administrative support if the Department is unable to find a third party to provide administrative support to the Commission. Repeals the Act on December 31, 2028. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Provides that, if a hospital charges a facility fee for outpatient services separate and distinct from a professional fee, then the hospital shall develop a policy to inform patients as soon as reasonably practicable that they may be subject to a facility fee. Provides that the policy shall include, but not be limited to, the method the facility will use to inform patients that they may be charged a facility fee; the services and operating expenses generally covered by facility fees; the reason for charging a facility fee on the patient or patient's health plan; and contact information to allow the patient to request more information.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that, with respect to life insurance final expense policies, no life company authorized to issue those policies in the State shall refuse to insure an individual; refuse to continue to insure an individual; limit the amount, extent, or kind of coverage available to an individual; or charge an individual a different rate for the same coverage solely on the basis that an insured or applicant has been convicted of a felony. Provides that nothing in the provisions shall be construed to require a life company to issue or otherwise provide coverage for a life insurance policy to a person who is actively incarcerated pursuant to a felony conviction. Defines "final expense policy".