Illinois

Amends the Right-of-Way Article of the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any authorized emergency vehicle obviously and actually engaged in work upon a highway, whether stationary or not, and displaying flashing lights as provided in the Act. Provides that the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to an emergency worker obviously and actually engaged in work upon a highway at an emergency scene, and the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian upon a highway directly involved in the emergency scene. Makes corresponding changes to penalty provisions.

Amends the Jury Act. Increases the number of petit jurors that may be drawn to serve from 14 up to and including 16 if alternate jurors are required. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Allows the court to impanel up to and including 4 alternative jurors instead of 1 or 2. Applies to actions commenced or pending on or after January 1, 2026.

Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Deletes provision that the initial State Public defender shall be nominated by the Illinois Public Defender Association and appointed for a 2-year term by a majority vote of the Supreme Court. Provides that the initial State Public Defender shall be appointed for a 2-year term by a majority vote of the Illinois Supreme Court. Deletes provision that the State Public Defender shall adopt rules, instructions, and orders, consistent with the State Public Defender Act to further define the organization of the Office of State Public Defender and the duties of employees of the Office of the State Public Defender. Provides that the State Public Defender may (rather than shall) appoint a deputy public defender for each regional office. Provides that the Office of the State Public Defender may (rather than shall) hire and train new State-employed personnel to carry out the Office's duties under the Act. Provides that the State Public Defender must be an attorney licensed to practice law in the State whose practice of law has clearly demonstrated experience in the representation of persons accused of crime; who has been licensed to practice law in this State or in another state for at least 5 years; who has had administrative experience; and who is dedicated to the goals of providing high quality representation for eligible persons and to improving the quality of defense services generally (rather than have criminal defense experience). In the amendatory changes to the Counties Code, makes changes to the appointment provisions concerning the Chief County Public Defender and to the State reimbursement for the compensation of the Chief County Public Defender and Assistant Public Defenders. Makes other technical changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Banking Act. Makes changes to the membership of the State Banking Board of Illinois. Provides that a bank may borrow or incur an obligation and pledge assets to secure deposits. Provides that a bank may provide data processing services to a person for profit. Provides that a bank may invest in financial futures or options transactions. Provides that the board of directors of a bank may provide by resolution that stockholders may attend, participate in, act in, and vote at any annual meeting or special meeting through the use of a conference telephone or interactive technology if specified conditions are satisfied. Provides that a person who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement or false entry with intent to deceive any person or persons authorized to examine into the affairs of the bank or the subsidiary or holding company of that bank, the branch of an out-of-state bank with intent to deceive the Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate or his administrative officers in the performance of their duties under the Act shall be subject to civil penalties imposed by the Commissioner (rather than be guilty of a Class 3 felony). Provides that the Board may authorize the transfer of funds from the Bank and Trust Company Fund. Amends the Savings Bank Act. Provides that the board of directors of a savings bank may provide by resolution that members or stockholders may attend, participate in, act in, and vote at any annual meeting or special meeting through the use of a conference telephone or interactive technology if specified conditions are satisfied. Provides that a savings bank may loan funds through the purchase of fixed rate annuity contracts. Provides that a savings bank may accept deposits made by a minor and may open an account in the name of the minor, and the rules and regulations of the savings bank with respect to each deposit and account shall be as binding upon the minor as if the minor were of full age and legal capacity. Makes changes to various provisions concerning notice to allow for electronic notice. Makes other changes. Amends the Illinois Credit Union Act. Does not prohibit the furnishing of financial records of a deceased member to a public administrator of any county or other governmental jurisdiction for the purpose of facilitating burial of the customer. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

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 Hospice Program Licensing Act. Provides that, no later than December 31, 2026, the Hospice and Palliative Care Advisory Board shall submit a report to the General Assembly on the state of care for individuals experiencing a serious or life-limiting illness and their family caregivers. Requires the report to include, at a minimum, data regarding the availability of and need for hospice and palliative care services in Illinois; data showing the relative value of non-hospice adult palliative care to the State of Illinois and its citizens; evidence-based recommendations to educate health care professionals and the public about non-hospice palliative care; and recommendations for state standards for adult palliative care.

Amends various Acts by replacing all references to the "Department of Veterans' Affairs" with "Department of Veterans Affairs". Effective immediately.

Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Removes the requirement for each Legislative District to be divided into two Representative Districts. Modifies provisions concerning legislative redistricting. Provides specified requirements for each Legislative District, Representative District, and Congressional District for redistricting purposes. Replaces the current method of legislative redistricting. Provides for the creation of a sixteen-member commission, appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the most senior Supreme Court Justice of a different political party, in accordance with specified criteria. Requires the commission to adopt and file with the Secretary of State redistricting plans for Legislative, Representative, and Congressional Districts following a series of public hearings by August 1 of the year following a federal decennial census. Permits the public to submit redistricting plans during the redistricting process for consideration by the Commission. Specifies that, if a redistricting plan is not adopted by August 1 of the year following a federal decennial census, then a seventeenth member shall be appointed to the commission and redistricting plans shall be filed by September 1. Adds provisions concerning the membership of the commission and budgetary matters related to the commission. Effective upon being declared adopted and applicable to redistricting beginning in 2031 and to the election of General Assembly members beginning in 2032.

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.

Amends the Meat and Poultry Inspection Act. Provides that "amenable" includes edible portions of carcass, bird, or siluriformes fish (rather than edible portions of carcass or bird). Provides that all siluriformes, carcasses, or products entering any official establishment intended for wholesale distribution shall be inspected, handled, stored, prepared, packaged, marked, and labeled as required by provisions in the Code of Federal Regulations. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Creates the Chronic Absence Task Force within the State Board of Education to study chronic absenteeism and to support the development of a State strategy to address the ongoing challenges presented by chronic absenteeism for students in early childhood education and care programs and students in grades kindergarten through 12. Sets forth provisions concerning membership, compensation, meetings, administrative support, and public testimony. Requires the Task Force to identify strategies, mechanisms, and approaches to help families, educators, principals, superintendents, and the State Board of Education address and mitigate the high rates of chronic absence of students in State-funded early-childhood programs and public-school students in grades kindergarten through 12. Requires the Task Force to submit a report to the General Assembly and the State Board of Education no later than December 15, 2027. Dissolves the Task Force and repeals these provisions on January 31, 2028. Effective September 1, 2025.

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Defines "health care professional". Provides that simulation training by an approved sponsor as specified in a health care professional's licensing Act or applicable administrative rules shall be acceptable for the purposes of earning continuing education credit.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Makes formatting changes. Amends the Accountability for the Investment of Public Funds Act. Provides that each State agency shall make available on the Internet, and update at least monthly, no later than the end of each month (rather than by the 15th of the month), sufficient information concerning the investment of any public funds held by that State agency to identify specified information. Effective immediately.

Amends the Judicial Privacy Act. Adds administrative law judges to the definition of judicial officer in the Judicial Privacy Act.

Amends the Radiation Protection Act of 1990. Provides that all intrastate and interstate shippers or carriers (rather than intrastate and interstate carriers) of irradiated nuclear reactor fuel are required to notify the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security no less than 7 days (rather than 24 hours) prior to any transportation of irradiated nuclear reactor fuel. Changes the definition of "carrier" and "irradiated reactor fuel". Adds a definition of "shipper". Provides that the Agency may collect, store, and dispose of uncontrolled sources of radiation that have entered the public domain and that the Agency considers to be a threat to public health and safety or the environment. Authorizes the Agency to assess actual costs, as appropriate, for the collection, storage, and disposal of uncontrolled sources of radiation that have entered the public domain and that the Agency considers to be a threat to public health and safety or the environment against any person that owns, owned, possesses, or is responsible for the radioactive material entering the public domain.

Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Deletes from the engrossed bill proposed changes to provisions in the Act concerning the appointment, terms, and salaries of judges on the Court of Claims.

Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act. In provisions concerning education and training requirements, provides that a failure rate per course of 30% or greater at the first attempt on the licensure examination shall require the EMS System to submit a quality improvement plan to the Department of Public Health. Requires the EMS System to share failure rates with the EMS Lead Instructor quarterly. Provides that neither the EMS System nor the Department may take licensure action against an EMS Lead Instructor based solely on first-attempt pass rates. Requires candidates to complete the licensure examination within the timeline required by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Requires an accredited Paramedic program to be conducted only by an EMS System or an academic institution whose curriculum has been approved by the EMS System. Permits an EMS System associate hospital to allow students from an EMS System-approved and Department-approved Paramedic course to complete clinical rotations as approved by the EMS System Medical Director. Provides that the approval by the EMS System Medical Director cannot be unreasonably denied. Provides that candidates shall take the appropriate National Registry examination (rather than may elect to take the appropriate National Registry examination in lieu of the Department's examination, but are responsible for making their own arrangements for taking the National Registry examination). Provides that a person who is not an EMS personnel may operate an EMS vehicle pursuant to the Act if the specified requirements are met. Provides that a student enrolled in an EMT class may take the Department-approved EMR licensure exam after the student has completed the first 40 hours of the EMS System-approved and Department-approved EMT course. Sets forth provisions concerning Emergency Medical Services bridge programs and minimum experience and education requirements for EMS Lead Instructors. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. In provisions regarding the emergency management powers of the Governor, adds mobile support teams (MSTs) to provisions that include emergency services and disaster agencies, and changes other provisions. In provisions regarding MSTs, adds provisions with respect to mutual aid, powers of the Governor or the Director of Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security, and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Provides that the MSTs may be reimbursed and political subdivisions or body politics may (rather than shall) be reimbursed for certain expenses. Makes changes to provisions regarding the oath of office. Adds and changes definitions.

Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Makes it a non-exclusive easement. Provides that the conveyance of the authorized easement is made subject to: (1) existing public utilities, existing public roads, and any and all reservations, easements, encumbrances, covenants and restrictions of record; (2) the entering into of a shared maintenance agreement for the land subject to the easement between the Department of Natural Resources and KSS Conservation Partners, LLC; and (3) the express condition that if either the Department of Natural Resources or KSS Conservation Partners, LLC ceases to have a shared maintenance agreement for the land that is the subject of the easement, the easement automatically terminates and the land fully reverts to the State of Illinois, Department of Natural Resources. Effective immediately.

Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Makes changes to the definition of "roofing work" or "professional roofing services". In provisions concerning contracts for professional roofing services, provides that, in awarding a contract for professional roofing services, if the property owner is the State or any municipality, county, incorporated area, or school district, the property owner shall conduct a bona fide procurement process in accordance with applicable law in which the awarded vendor holds the applicable verified active licenses and a qualifying party credential issued by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (rather than a bona fide bidding process in which all of the bids are submitted by roofing contractors holding verified active licenses issued by the Department). Corrects typographical errors. Amends the Professional Geologist Licensing Act. Adds provisions concerning the applicant's or licensee's address of record and email address of record; the inclusion of the applicant's Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number on an application; and placing a license on inactive status. Makes changes in provisions concerning exemptions; restrictions and limitations; powers and duties of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; the Board of Licensing for Professional Geologists; applications for original license; examinations; qualifications for licensure; endorsement; expiration and renewal of license; returned checks and fines; disciplinary actions; injunctive actions; investigations; findings and recommendations by the Board; rehearings; appointments of hearing officers; surrender of license; violations; and confidentiality. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. In provisions concerning stipends awarded under the Pat McGuire Child Welfare Education Fellowship Pilot Program, conditions a university student's receipt of such a stipend on the student's commitment to seek and maintain full-time employment, upon graduation, in a direct service position at a child welfare contributing agency (rather than at a purchase of service agency) that is contracted with the Department of Children and Family Services.

Amends the Illinois Living Will Act. Creates an order of priority for authority to transfer a patient to another physician if the patient is unable to do so as follows: (i) the patient's surrogate decision-maker under the Health Care Surrogate Act, (ii) any person authorized by the patient to make such arrangements, and (iii) any member of the patient's family. Amends the Health Care Surrogate Act to delete the applicability of that Act if the patient has an operative and unrevoked living will under the Illinois Living Will Act.

Amends the Transportation Benefits Program Act. Provides that the Act does not apply to a covered employer in the construction industry with respect to employees with whom the covered employer has entered into a bona fide collective bargaining agreement. Makes changes to definitions.

Amends the State Universities Civil Service Act. Provides that nothing in the Act or any rules adopted under the Act prevents the parties to a collective bargaining agreement from agreeing to a provision that enhances employee rights. Effective immediately.