Illinois

Amends the School Code. Removes language allowing school districts that collect biometric information from students to adopt specified policies. Instead, prohibits a school district from purchasing or otherwise acquiring biometric systems to use on students. Provides that a school district may not do any of the following with respect to students: (1) obtain, retain, possess, access, request, or use biometric systems or biometric information derived from biometric systems; or (2) enter into an agreement with a third party for the purpose of obtaining, retaining, possessing, accessing, or using, by or on behalf of the school district, biometric systems. Provides that, within 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, if a school district is in possession of student biometric information, then the school district shall destroy the biometric information and provide certified documentation of destruction to the State Board of Education. Provides that, within 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, any school district that has contracted with a third party to obtain, collect, or store student biometric information shall require the third party to destroy all biometric information in its possession and confirm in writing the completion of this destruction to the school district. During the 30-day period in which a school district may still have student biometric information in its possession, prohibits the school district from selling, leasing, or otherwise disclosing the biometric information to another person or entity unless: (1) the individual who has legal custody of the student or the student, if he or she has reached the age of 18, consents to the disclosure; or (2) the disclosure is required by court order. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Program Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Public-Private Partnership for Civic and Transit Infrastructure Project Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Collective Bargaining Freedom Act. Provides that employers that are licensed under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act or the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act and labor organizations may, anywhere within the entire State of Illinois, execute and apply agreements requiring membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment.

Amends the Department of Insurance Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Insurance to conduct a study to better understand the gaps in health insurance coverage for uninsured residents, including the reasons why individuals are uninsured and whether insured individuals are insured through an employer-sponsored plan or through the Illinois health insurance marketplace. Requires the Department to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly 12 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Amends the Hospital Licensing Act and the University of Illinois Hospital Act. Provides that hospitals licensed under the Act shall provide health insurance coverage to all of their workforce.

Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Acts. Sets forth a statement of legislative findings and intent. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Defines "thermal energy" and "thermal energy network". Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to initiate a proceeding within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act to support the development of pilot thermal energy networks. Provides that within 10 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, every gas public utility, electric public utility, or combination public utility serving over 100,000 customers shall file with the Commission a petition seeking Commission-approval of at least one and no more than 3 proposed pilot thermal energy network projects. Requires every gas public utility, electric public utility, or combination public utility constructing or operating a Commission-approved pilot thermal energy network project to report to the Commission, on a quarterly basis and until completion of the pilot thermal energy network project, the status of each pilot thermal energy network project. Requires every gas public utility, electric public utility, or combination public utility constructing or operating a Commission-approved pilot thermal energy network project to demonstrate that it has entered into a labor peace agreement with a bona fide labor organization that is actively engaged in representing its employees. Requires the Commission to adopt specified rules within 4 years after the completion of the construction of all thermal energy network projects. Provides that a gas public utility, electric public utility, or combination public utility required to develop a pilot thermal energy network project shall be permitted to recover all reasonable and prudently incurred costs associated with the development, construction, and operation of one or more pilot thermal energy network projects through general rates or through rates set in a Multi-Year Rate Plan. Effective immediately.

Declares April 1, 2025 as Skip the Plastic Day in the State of Illinois. urges all residents, businesses, and visitors to reduce plastic waste and protect our environment. Commends all businesses that willingly participate in Skip the Plastic Day by only offering single-use plastic items, including straws and cutlery, by request and that take proactive steps toward reducing plastic waste. Commends all residents who refuse the use of single-use plastic items.

Amends the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Congratulates Richard Veenstra on the occasion of his retirement as Mayor of Addison.

Amends the Environmental Barriers Act. Requires the Attorney General to provide, by January 31, 2026 and every January 31 thereafter (rather than by July 31, 2020 and every July 31 thereafter), data on the Attorney General's website about annual enforcement efforts performed under the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the River Conservancy Districts Act. Provides that a trustee on a board representing a river conservancy district that embraces Jackson County may be removed for incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office by the appropriate appointing presiding officer or officers, without the advice and consent of the corporate authorities, by filing a written order of removal with the appropriate county or municipal clerk or clerks.

Amends the Financially Distressed City Law of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, if a financially distressed city or the city's Financial Advisory Authority is awarded a State grant, any moneys the financially distressed city or Authority would be required to match under the grant are waived unless the moneys under the grant come from federal moneys that require the match. Provides that a municipality's status as a financially distressed city may not negatively impact a decision of whether or not to award a State grant to the municipality or negatively impact the amount of moneys received by the municipality from a State grant. Provides that, in addition to a request by the corporate authorities of a municipality to be certified and designated as a financially distressed city, the State Comptroller may conduct a preliminary review of the municipality's finances and establish a review team to make recommendations to the Governor for a municipality to be certified and designated as a financially distressed city. In the provisions concerning review by the State Comptroller, review team, and Governor, expands the categories allowing a municipality to become a financially distressed city. Includes provisions allowing the municipality's Financial Advisory Authority to commence an action in circuit court to enforce the Law if the corporate authorities or employees of the municipality materially violate the provisions of the Law. Makes conforming and other changes.

Amends the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Compensation Review Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to file an amendment to the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program for Adults with Developmental Disabilities that removes the 5 hour per day billing maximums placed on providers of community day services. The amendment shall not modify monthly and yearly billing maximums for providers of community day services. Effective January 1, 2026.

Creates the Economic Development Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title of the Act.

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 Illinois Gas Pipeline Safety Act. Provides that any person who has received a permit from the United States Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must submit a copy of the permit to the Illinois Commerce Commission within 2 weeks of the approval of the permit. Provides that the copy of the permit shall be publicly available on the Illinois Commerce Commission's website. Provides that any person who intends to engage in the transportation of gas via a pipeline facility or who owns or operates pipeline facilities shall file with the Illinois Commerce Commission a notice prior to the construction of a pipeline facility which shall be publicly available on the Commission's website. Sets forth requirements for the content of the notice. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Treasurer's Bank Services Trust Fund Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Economic Development Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may issue an instruction permit to a child who is not less than 15 years of age if the child receives permission from a driver education teacher or administrator from a school offering an approved driver education course (rather than if the child is enrolled in an approved driver education course).

Amends the State Employee Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning contributions by the State.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning downstate police.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.