Illinois

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services' Inspector General to, at the request of the Secretary of Early Childhood, exercise one or more specified statutory powers as if those powers related to the Department of Early Childhood. Requires the Inspector General to report his or her findings to the Secretary of Early Childhood.

Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. In provisions amending the Fair Patient Billing Act, provides that, for any legal action initiated against a patient for unpaid medical debt, a hospital may not file for or be granted a lien upon that patient's primary residence (rather than that patient's primary residence or any other real property owned by the patient). Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that no judgment relating to unpaid medical debt may create a lien on real property owned by the patient against whom the judgment is entered that is the primary residence of the patient. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. Includes within the definition of "property" any overpayment made by any person to a government, governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, including, but not limited to, a payment for any tax, license, or fee that was made in excess of the amount ultimately required of the payor. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act is a restatement and clarification of existing law. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Strengthen Illinois Homes Fund. On or before July 1, 2028, and depending on availability of funds, provides that the Department of Insurance shall identify areas of need to administer a pilot grant program known as the Strengthen Illinois Homes Program. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in conjunction with the Department of Insurance, to develop a standard application and grant award rubric for the eligible program grantees. Establishes program requirements for contractors. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Establishes notice requirements for companies providing flood coverage. Creates the Climate Risk Disclosure Article, which may be referred to as the Climate Risk Disclosure Law. Requires all companies, corporations, and organizations subject to the Article to, upon direction from the Department, participate in climate surveys issued by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Creates the Strengthen Illinois Homes Article, which may be referred to as the Strengthen Illinois Homes Act. Provides that, for homeowners insurance policies, an insurer shall provide an actuarially justified premium discount or insurance rate reduction to a specified owner. Provides that the Director of Insurance may adopt rules that establish standard discount amounts, targets, or benchmarks for the coverage of insurable property meeting the specified mitigation program standards. Provides that an insurer writing homeowners insurance policies that provide coverage of an insurable property that is a nonfortified insurable property shall offer an optional rider, endorsement, or supplemental policy provision that provides the insured a right to receive claim payments for the cost to upgrade an insurable property to mitigation program standards for a specified claim. Makes other changes. Amends the Dental Service Plan Act, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and the Limited Health Service Organization Act to establish conforming requirements.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. In provisions concerning the regulation of air pollution, water pollution, drinking water, hazardous waste, and landfills, provides that the Illinois Pollution Control Board shall not adopt any standards that are less stringent than those existing in Board regulations. Provides that various provisions of the Act shall not be construed to limit the right of a person to submit to the Board, or for the Board to adopt, regulations more stringent than the regulations promulgated by the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Mourns the passing of Brother Patrick Michael Martin, C.F.C.

Mourns the death of Kenneth Louis Morgan Sr.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act for a person to advertise, display, or offer a price for goods or services that does not include all mandatory fees or surcharges. Provides that nothing prohibits a person from charging a reasonable postage or shipping fee that is actually incurred by the person to ship goods to a consumer. Sets forth alternative means of compliance for various service providers and financial institutions. Sets forth exceptions and limitations to the provisions.

Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that an owner, officer, or employee of a person required to be licensed under the Act is not required to be licensed to engage in activities conducted by the licensee under the Act. Removes a provision that any person who engages in the business regulated by the Act without the license required by the Act shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony. Provides that the Act does not apply to a merchant or merchant platform that makes a buy-now-pay-later loan available to a consumer through an agreement with a licensed buy-now-pay-later lender, if the merchant or merchant platform does not originate, underwrite, service, or hold an interest in any buy-now-pay-later loan. Provides that the Act also does not apply to a person who buys, acquires, or holds a partial interest in a loan as a passive investor, but does not otherwise originate, underwrite, or service the loan or control the servicing of the loan. Provides that a person that (i) was providing buy-now-pay-later loans in the State before January 1, 2028 and (ii) submits an application for a license on or before January 1, 2028 shall be deemed a provisional licensee authorized to continue operating under the Act until the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation acts on the application. Provides that any loan made under and in compliance with the Act is not required to comply with the Consumer Installment Loan Act or the Payday Loan Reform Act. Removes provisions concerning action for damages. Makes changes to provisions concerning definitions; applicability; examinations and prohibited activities; suspension, revocation of licenses, and fines and other discipline; underwriting; and consumer protections. Effective immediately.

Amends the Swimming Facility Act. Prohibits the Department of Public Health from requiring a person seeking to perform construction, installation, or major alteration of a swimming facility to be prequalified more than once every 2 years. Provides that a person seeking to perform construction, installation, or major alteration of a swimming facility is not required to prequalify with the Department of Public Health before performing the construction, installation, or major alteration of a swimming facility if the person is registered and in good standing with the Secretary of State, is certified as a Certified Builder Professional by the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance or holds an equivalent credential as determined by the Department of Public Health, and ensures all trade-specific work is performed by individuals licensed under applicable State law. Provides that the Department of Public Health may require evidence of such credentials to be submitted before issuing a permit for construction or major alteration. Grants the Department of Public Health rulemaking authority to implement the prequalification exemption.

Amends the Ticket Sale and Resale Act. Provides that a ticket reseller shall not sell or offer for sale a ticket that the ticket reseller does not own or have actual or constructive possession of at the time of listing or advertising for sale. Provides that, if a ticket is sold on a ticket resale marketplace, the ticket resale marketplace shall ensure that the ticket reseller is compliant with the provision. Provides that a violation of the provision constitutes an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Defines terms. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, if the retailer or serviceman reports less than $50,000 in sales during the month for which the return is filed, then the vendor's discount for that retailer or serviceman shall be 3.5% (currently, 1.75%) of the amount collected or $5 per calendar year, whichever is greater. Effective immediately.

Creates the Responsible Gun Manufacturing Act. Provides that it is unlawful for a person to manufacture a convertible pistol. Provides that it is unlawful for a certified licensee, as defined in the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act, to sell, offer to sell, exchange, give, transfer, or deliver any convertible pistol. Provides that a violation of the Act is punishable by a civil penalty of $10,000, which shall be paid to the Illinois State Police. Provides that, if the person who committed the violation is a certified dealer, at the discretion of the Illinois State Police, the Illinois State Police shall suspend or revoke the certified dealer's license under the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act. Provides that the civil penalty and license suspension or revocation shall be assessed by the Illinois State Police after a hearing is held in accordance with the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act. Provides that a second violation of the Act is punishable by a civil penalty of $25,000, which shall be paid to the Illinois State Police, and, if the person who committed the violation is a certified dealer, the Illinois State Police shall revoke the certified dealer's license pursuant to the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act. Provides that the civil penalty and license revocation shall be assessed by the Illinois State Police after a hearing is held in accordance with the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act. Provides exemptions. Provides that the Illinois State Police may adopt rules to implement the Act. Provides for emergency rulemaking by the Illinois State Police to implement the Act. Defines "convertible pistol" as any semiautomatic pistol with a cruciform trigger bar that can be readily altered by hand or with common household tools so that it can be converted into a machine gun by the installation or attachment of a switch. Provides that "convertible pistol" does not include hammer-fired semiautomatic pistols. A tab or other piece of material on a pistol frame is not sufficient to prevent ready alteration so that the pistol can be converted into a machine gun by the installation or attachment of a switch, and will not prevent such pistol from qualifying as a convertible pistol, if that tab or other piece of material can be readily removed with common household tools. Defines other terms. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to make conforming changes.

Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Makes changes to definitions of the terms "abortion-related health care services", "electronic health network", and "patient". Adds definitions of the terms "coded private health care information", "covered entity", and "private health care information". Deletes the definition of "protected health information". Provides that an electronic health network shall prevent the disclosure of a patient's coded private health care information (rather than specified electronic medical information) to a provider, business entity, other electronic health network, or health information exchange located outside this State unless the disclosure is for certain enumerated purposes. Makes changes concerning the prerequisites for disclosure to a covered entity. Makes changes concerning the technological capabilities an electronic health network must develop. Provides that, if the Department of Public Health adopts rules regarding the definition of private health care information, the Department shall consider any necessary exceptions to segregation in the rules it adopts. Specifies that the Act shall not be construed to require health care providers to use electronic health networks. Makes changes in a provision concerning patient directions to share medical information. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2027.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, the additional standard exemption for taxpayers who have attained the age of 65 before the end of the taxable year and their spouses is $2,000 (currently, $1,000). Effective immediately.

Amends, repeals, and reenacts various Acts. Restores the statutes to the form in which they existed before their amendment by Public Acts 101-652, 102-28, and 102-1104. Makes other technical changes. Effective immediately.

Recognizes and Commemorates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America on July 4, 2026. Encourages all citizens, communities, educational institutions, civic organizations, and businesses within Illinois to participate in commemorative events and activities that reflect on our history, celebrate our achievements, and reaffirm our commitment to the ideals of liberty, equality, self-government, and federalism. Encourages educational institutions across Illinois to enhance civics education, ensuring that future generations understand the critical importance of active civic participation, the principles of federalism, and the decentralized governance that protects liberty and promotes responsive government.

Amends the School Code. Provides for dyslexia screening guidelines and rules. Requires the State Board of Education to provide technical assistance for specific learning disabilities to school districts. Provides that, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, each school district must screen students in grades kindergarten through second for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener. Sets forth what the screening must include. Provides for additional screening for a student who is determined to be at risk, or at some risk, for dyslexia to determine if the student has the characteristics of dyslexia. Requires the use of a multi-tiered system of support framework if screening indicates that a student has some risk factors for dyslexia or has the characteristics of dyslexia. Sets forth provisions concerning exceptions to screening, dyslexia intervention services, and reporting. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the School Code. Provides for dyslexia screening guidelines and rules. Requires the State Board of Education to provide technical assistance for specific learning disabilities to school districts. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each school district must screen students in grades kindergarten through second for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener. Sets forth what the screening must include. Provides for additional screening for a student who is determined to be at risk, or at some risk, for dyslexia to determine if the student has the characteristics of dyslexia. Requires the use of a multi-tiered system of support framework if screening indicates that a student has some risk factors for dyslexia or has the characteristics of dyslexia. Sets forth provisions concerning exceptions to screening, dyslexia intervention services, and reporting. Effective July 1, 2025.

Congratulates John T. Dabrowski on his retirement from public service. Wishes him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Congratulates Associated Research on the occasion of its 90th anniversary. Commends the company's contributions to electrical safety testing, product innovation, manufacturing, and customer support. Extends best wishes for its continued success.

Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that a manufacturer, common entity, or distributor, other than a manufacturer or distributor that was lawfully licensed to sell new motor vehicles directly to customers in the State before January 1, 2022, shall not own, operate, or directly sell new vehicles in the State. Makes changes in provisions concerning definitions; unfair competition and practices; and warranty agreements.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, 8 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a municipality shall, on any lot located in a residential zoning district that permits single-family dwellings, allow (1) on an area of not more than 2,500 square feet, at least one detached single-family dwelling unit; (2) on any lot with an area of more than 2,500 square feet and not more than 5,000 square feet, up to 4 dwelling units; (3) on any lot with an area of more than 5,000 square feet and not more than 7,500 square feet, up to 6 dwelling units; and (4) on any lot with an area of more than 7,500 square feet, up to 8 dwelling units, including cottage clusters. Provides that each municipality shall permit accessory dwelling units in all zoning districts that permit single-family dwellings without additional requirements for lot size, setbacks, aesthetic requirements, design review requirements, frontage, space limitations, or other controls beyond those required for single-family dwelling units without an accessory dwelling unit. Provides that, if a municipality fails to complete its plan review within the deadlines established under the provisions, then the applicant may retain a qualified third-party plan reviewer. Provides that, if a municipality fails to conduct a required inspection within 2 business days, then the applicant may retain a qualified third-party inspector. Provides that municipalities authorized to levy impact fees must calculate fees using the statewide formula structure issued by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the corporate authorities of a municipality shall not establish minimum automobile parking requirements for (A) residential dwellings of less than 1,500 square feet; (B) affordable housing projects under the Illinois Affordable Housing Act; (C) assisted living establishments; (D) ground level nonresidential spaces in mixed-use buildings; or (E) buildings undergoing a change of use from nonresidential to residential. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, no building code adopted by a county or municipality may prohibit residential buildings from having a single stairway serving as an exit for all units if the building satisfies specified requirements. Limits home rule powers. Makes other changes.

Recognizes the City of Galena on celebrating its bicentennial in tandem with America 250 in 2026.