Illinois

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that acts submitting to the general jurisdiction of Illinois courts include (1) a corporation having its principal place of business in Illinois or (2) is a foreign business corporation that has consented to general jurisdiction in this State in accordance with the Business Corporation Act of 1983 but only if (i) the action alleges injury or illness resulting from exposure to a substance defined as toxic under the Uniform Hazardous Substances Act of Illinois whether the cause of action arises within or without the State, and (ii) as long as jurisdiction is proper as to one or more named co-defendants under the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a corporation consents to general jurisdiction upon registering to do business in Illinois after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983 to make conforming changes. Provides that a corporation that obtains or continues to maintain the right to transact business in Illinois consents to the exercise of general jurisdiction under the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a corporation consents to general jurisdiction upon registering to do business in Illinois after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that a corporation that has previously registered to business in Illinois consents to general jurisdiction upon the next date after the effective date of the amendatory Act on which the filing of its annual report is due regardless of whether or not it then files its annual report. Effective immediately.

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Eddie Thomas Act. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that no later than December 1 of each year, the Department of Corrections shall prepare a report to be published on its website that contains, at a minimum, the following information about hospice and palliative care in its institutions and facilities during the prior fiscal year: (1) demographic data of committed persons who received hospice and palliative care; (2) data on the number of committed persons in the Department's hospice and palliative care programs; (3) data on the timing of hospice and palliative care programming; (4) the number of committed persons in the custody of the Department who died; (5) policies and administrative directives of each Department institution and facility regarding the institution of hospice and palliative care; (6) the staff available for hospice and palliative care; and (7) the cost of the Department's hospice and palliative care programs. Provides that all such data shall be anonymized to protect the privacy of the committed persons involved in the hospice and palliative care programs.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes changes in provisions and sets forth provisions concerning: the cancellation of pensions as a result of re-employment under the Chicago Teachers Article; persons who held elective office under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article; the transfer of service credit; employer contributions; establishing credit for military service and certain other service; the ordinary disease benefit under the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Article; the computation of service under the Chicago Teachers Article; indemnification of trustees; the occupational disease benefit under the Chicago Firefighters Article; the election of members to Board of the Firefighters' Pension Investment Fund; the calculation of final rate of earnings and survivors insurance benefits under the State Universities Article; the optional defined contribution benefit under the Downstate Teachers Article; the deferred compensation plan under the State Universities Article; an estimated payment for members eligible to receive an alternative retirement annuity under the State Employees Article; an additional employer contribution for employing affected annuitants under the State Universities Article; and other provisions. Amends the State Mandates Act to requirement implementation without reimbursement. Certain provisions are effective immediately

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning the daily pupil attendance calculation, allows for participation in a supervised career development experience (instead of a supervised career development experience or any work-based learning experience) in which student participation and learning outcomes are approved (instead of directed) by a licensed educator for assessment of competencies. Provides that participation (instead of participation in a work-based learning experience) may include, but is not limited to, scheduled events of local, State, and national youth organizations, career and technical education student organizations, FFA associations, and 4-H programs as part of organized competitions, exhibitions, or conferences (instead of scheduled events of State FFA associations, the National FFA Organization, and 4-H programs as part of organized competitions or exhibitions). Allows for participation in any work-based learning experience, including supervised agricultural experiences, in which student participation and learning outcomes are approved by an educator who holds an Educator License with Stipulations with a Career and Technical Educator endorsement and a work-based learning designation, as required by rule. Allows for participation in a youth apprenticeship in which student participation and outcomes are approved (instead of directed) by a licensed educator for assessment of competencies. Provides that a student and the student's parent or legal guardian are responsible for obtaining coursework that is missed while the student participates in an activity from the student's teacher; makes related changes. Requires school district attendance policies to be updated, added to a district's student handbook, and publicly posted to reflect the activities allowed to be counted toward the calculation of clock hours of school work. Provides that these policies shall include, at a minimum, an approval process for students to attend allowable activities and provisions for making up missed coursework that do not penalize a student.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State to issue special registration plates designated as Air Medal plates to residents of this State who meet the eligibility requirements prescribed by the Secretary of State. Provides that the plates shall display the Air Medal. Provides that in all other respects, the design, color, and format of the plates shall be within the discretion of the Secretary.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides for the transportation of students for any curriculum-related or career-related activity (rather than curriculum-related school activity). Provides that such transportation may additionally include transportation to a college, university, or student job site developed through a partnership with a school or an experience that a school determines will contribute to a student's college or career readiness. Amends the School Code to make conforming changes. Makes changes concerning terminology.

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 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 Illinois State Police Law. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, all 9-1-1 telecommunicators who provide dispatch for emergency medical conditions shall be required to be trained, utilizing the most current nationally recognized emergency cardiovascular care guidelines, in high-quality telecommunicator cardiopulmonary resuscitation (T-CPR). Defines telecommunicator cardiopulmonary resuscitation for the purposes of the provisions.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 concerning abused, neglected, and dependent minors. Changes the provisions concerning Family Support Program services. Changes the program to publicly funded community and residential services. Provides that, if the minor is determined eligible for publicly funded community or residential services and the necessary publicly funded community or residential services are available for the minor, the court shall conduct a hearing within 14 days upon notification to all parties. Provides that, for minors in the temporary custody of the Department of Children and Family Services, the court shall determine whether urgent and immediate necessity exists to continue the minor in the custody of the Department and whether the Department's custody of the minor should be vacated. Provides that for minors in the guardianship of the Department, the court shall determine whether the respondent is fit, willing, and able to care for the minor and whether it is in the minor's best interest to return to the custody of the respondent. Restores a provision which states that if the court determines that the minor shall continue in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Children and Family Services shall remain fiscally responsible for providing services to the minor. Provides that the provisions do not apply to: (1) a minor for whom the court has not yet completed an adjudicatory hearing and for whom a petition has been filed under the Act alleging that the minor is a neglected minor, other than a minor left at a psychiatric hospital beyond medical necessity, or an abused minor; or (2) a minor who the court has adjudicated under the Act as either (i) a neglected minor, unless the primary basis for the finding is that the respondent left the minor at a psychiatric hospital beyond medical necessity, or (ii) an abused minor.

In provisions concerning automated external defibrillators, provides that the facility shall provide maintenance and oversight of the automated external defibrillator in accordance with the Automated External Defibrillator Act and develop policies and procedures consistent with current medical practice regarding the use of automated external defibrillators. Provides that a nursing facility must comply with specified provisions of the Act by January 1, 2030. Removes provisions requiring the facility to contract with or employ a physician to be the automated external defibrillation medical director for the facility. Removes provisions amending the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, the MC/DD Act, ID/DD Community Care Act, the Illinois Public Aid Code.

Amends the Student Loan Servicing Rights Act. Creates within the Act an Article concerning educational income share agreements. Contains provisions concerning: monthly payment affordability; maximum annual percentage rates; limits on the duration of income share agreements; risk sharing; limits on covered income; fees; restrictions on security interests; discharge of obligations; prohibitions on cosigners; limits on acceleration; assignment of wages; limitations on garnishment; use of multiple agreements; required disclosures; early completion of the agreement; assumption of increases in future income; receipts; and adjustment of dollar amounts. Provides that the Attorney General may enforce a violation of the Educational Income Share Agreements Article of the Student Loan Servicing Rights Act as an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Makes other changes. Amends the Consumer Installment Loan Act and the Interest Act to make conforming changes. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are severable. Effective immediately.

Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act of the Illinois Municipal Code. Extends the estimated dates of completion of redevelopment projects and the retirement of obligations issued to finance redevelopment project costs for various ordinances adopted by the City of Lewistown, the City of Elgin, the City of Carbondale, the City of Pittsfield, the City of Fairview Heights, the City of Vienna, the Village of Lyons, and the Village of Bridgeview. Effective immediately.

Reinserts the contents of the bill with the following additions. Provides that training shall be provided in person when available. Provides that a school district shall provide support for substitute personnel by ensuring that recommendations are implemented, including, without limitation, that maps indicating all school exits are prominently displayed in every classroom and the information packet given to full-time-equivalent employees includes district-approved materials outlining evacuation and lockdown procedures.

Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following change: Exempts from the requirements under the Act tiny homes constructed for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness if the tiny home is constructed by a specified nonprofit organization that exclusively funds and administers projects and services (rather than tiny homes) for veterans. Effective immediately.

Amends the Sanitary District Act of 1917. Provides that the board of trustees of the Bloomington and Normal Water Reclamation District may enter into an agreement to sell, convey, or disburse treated wastewater to a private entity located within 50 miles of the District's boundaries. Provides that the Bloomington and Normal Water Reclamation District may accept wastewater for treatment from a private entity located within 50 miles of the district's boundaries. Provides that the Bloomington and Normal Water Reclamation District may acquire and accept, by gift, grant, purchase, or otherwise fee simple interest or any lesser interest as may be desired in real property necessary to carry out its powers under the provisions. Effective immediately.

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 Digital Voice and Likeness Protection Act. Provides that a provision in an agreement between an individual and any other person for the performance of personal or professional services is unenforceable only as it relates to a new performance, fixed on or after January 1, 2026, by a digital replica of an individual if specified conditions are satisfied. Provides that the failure to include a reasonably specific description of the intended uses of a digital replica shall not render a provision in an agreement unenforceable when the uses of the digital replica are consistent with the terms of the contract for the performance of personal or professional services and the fundamental character of the photography or sound track as recorded or performed. Provides that the requirements do not affect any other provision of a contract. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Student Investment Account Act. Allows the State Treasurer to originate, guarantee, acquire, and service refinance loans; invest in, and enter into contracts with, institutions that provide refinance loans; deposit funds with financial institutions that provide refinance loans; establish specific criteria governing the eligibility of entities to participate in the making of refinance loans; charge and collect premiums for insurance on refinance loans; and deduct from a State employee's salary, wages, commissions, and bonuses the recovery of a refinance loan debt. Removes language allowing the State Treasurer to: enter into income share agreements with participants, facilitate income share agreements between participants and eligible income share agreement providers, and perform other acts as may be necessary or desirable in connection with income share agreements; enter into contracts and guarantee agreements as necessary to operate the Student Investment Account with income share agreement providers or qualified income share agreement organizations; establish specific criteria governing the eligibility of entities to participate in the making of income share agreements; pay income share agreement providers or qualified income share agreement organizations an administrative fee in connection with services provided pursuant to the Student Investment Account; charge and collect premiums for insurance on income share agreements; and deduct from a State employee's salary, wages, commissions, and bonuses the recovery of an income share agreement. Allows (rather than requires) the State Treasurer to establish fees to cover the costs of administration, recordkeeping, marketing, and investment management related to the Student Investment Account. Removes language allowing moneys in the Student Investment Account Assistance Fund to be used to provide assistance to income share agreement participants. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the University of Illinois Chicago Urban Transportation Center shall conduct a study that includes the following: (1) a comprehensive review of the City of Chicago's website multi-year crash data on North and South DuSable Lake Shore Drive; (2) the available research on potential effectiveness of cameras powered by artificial intelligence in improving compliance and reducing crashes and road fatalities on North and South DuSable Lake Shore Drive; (3) an analysis of driving behavior to detect risky driving patterns and to address the DuSable Lake Shore Drive crash corridors; (4) an assessment of the effectiveness of psychological deterrence in reducing habitual speeding; and (5) an assessment of how fatalities can be reduced using these cameras powered by artificial intelligence and other technical options that may be available in place of cameras powered by artificial intelligence. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this provision.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county recorder may not impose a fee for filing a restrictive covenant modification to an unlawful restrictive covenant (currently a county recorder may impose a fee for filing a restrictive covenant modification to an unlawful restrictive covenant in an amount not to exceed $10). Provides that a county recorder may not charge a fee for any copies of records necessary for filing a restrictive covenant modification to an unlawful restrictive covenant.

Amends the Illinois Physical Therapy Act. In provisions concerning telehealth services, provides that physical therapists may use telehealth to perform an initial physical therapy evaluation if certain criteria are met. Removes language providing that initial physical therapy evaluations without a referral or established diagnosis may only be performed by a licensed physical therapist and cannot be performed via telehealth unless necessary to address a documented hardship. Provides that a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant may require a patient to undergo an in-person visit instead of providing telehealth services. Removes language providing that the use of telehealth as a primary means of delivering physical therapy must be an exception and documentation must support the clinical justification. Provides that a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant may engage in the practice of telehealth services in this State to the extent of the physical therapist's or the physical therapist assistant's scope of practice as established in the Act and consistent with the standards of care for in-person services. Provides that the provisions concerning telehealth services shall not be construed to authorize the delivery of physical therapy services in a setting or in a manner not otherwise authorized by law. Provides that a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant working under the general supervision of a physical therapist treating a patient located in the State through telehealth services must be licensed or authorized to practice physical therapy in the State. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may, in consultation with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Early Childhood, exempt physical therapists and physical therapist assistants providing physical therapy services as part of the Illinois Early Intervention Program, an individualized education program, or a federal Section 504 plan through a school system from the amendatory provisions by rule to address service delays. Provides that nothing in the amendatory provisions shall be construed to allow noncompliance with any requirements under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Early Intervention Services System Act, the Department of Early Childhood Act, or any other State or federal law or rules. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Requires, on or before July 1, 2025 and each fiscal year thereafter, the State Board of Education to report specified information for each assessment contract it enters into. Requires the State Board to make the compiled information available on its Internet website. Requires the State Board to engage with certain groups to enhance the transparency around assessments. Allows the State Board to adopt rules to carry out its responsibilities under the provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning definitions. In provisions concerning written collaborative agreements, provides that, in the case of home birth services provided by a certified nurse midwife, a written collaborative agreement may permit, but shall not prohibit, a certified nurse midwife to provide home birth services within the scope of the certified nurse midwife's training and experience. Provides that, if a collaborating physician does not provide home birth services, home birth services may be provided by a certified nurse midwife working under a written collaborative agreement with the collaborating physician if the services are provided in a federal primary care Health Professional Shortage Area with a Health Professional Shortage Area score greater than or equal to 12 or a maternity care desert. Provides that an advanced practice registered nurse certified as a nurse midwife may provide out-of-hospital birth services in a licensed birth center without a written collaborative agreement if the advanced practice registered nurse certified as a nurse midwife is granted clinical privileges for out-of-hospital birth services by the clinical director of the birth center. Provides that a physician shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of an advanced practice registered nurse solely on the basis of having signed a collaborative agreement, an order, a standing medical order, a standing delegation order, or another order or guideline authorizing an advanced practice registered nurse to perform certain acts, unless the physician has reason to believe that the advanced practice registered nurse lacked the competency to perform the act or acts or committed willful and wanton misconduct. Removes provisions concerning definitions; prescriptive authority; and full practice authority. Makes other changes.

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.