Illinois

Amends the School Code. Provides that no later than 30 days before a school district submits to the voters of that district a question on whether to issue bonds or increase the school district's property tax rate, the school district must send informational material to each resident of voting age in the school district; defines "informational material". Specifies what must be included in the informational material. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall not authorize any charges based upon changes in the cost of fuel. Removes provisions concerning the Commission's ability to authorize the increase or decrease of a public utility's rates and charges based upon changes in the cost of fuel used in the generation or production of electric power, changes in the cost of purchased power, or changes in the cost of purchased gas through the application of fuel adjustment clauses or purchased gas adjustment clauses and based upon expenditures or revenues resulting from the purchase or sale of emission allowances through such fuel adjustment clauses as a cost of fuel. Removes provisions concerning a public utility's ability to, at any time during the mandatory transition period, file with the Commission proposed tariff sheets that establish the rate of the provided utility to be applied pursuant to the public utility's fuel adjustment clause at the average value for such rate during the preceding 24 months, provided that such average rate results in a credit to customers' bills, without making any revisions to the public utility's base rate tariffs.

Creates the Illinois Youth Protection and Nicotine Accountability Act. Prohibits flavored electronic cigarettes. Provides for inspections, enforcement, and penalties with respect to the ban on flavored electronic cigarettes, and limits home rule powers. Creates the Youth Protection and Nicotine Accountability Fund as a special fund in the State treasury, with certain requirements. Provides for a tax on e-cigarettes, with certain penalties and with enforcement and rulemaking by the Department of Revenue. Provides for the Department of Public Health to develop educational curricula and a statewide campaign. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall establish and maintain the Illinois Nicotine Exposure Reporting Database for certain purposes. Requires the Department to submit a report regarding the Database within 10 years, and after 10 years the provisions regarding the Database shall be inoperative. Makes findings and declares purposes. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that the school board of a school district maintaining any of grades 9 through 12 shall require all students who are at least 16 years of age to receive a heart screening and, if a student is 16 years old, to receive another heart screening at the age of 18 years.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that, beginning in 2026, the Governor's Office of Management and Budget shall, at the time set forth for the submission of the State budget under the State Budget Law, provide to the Chairperson and the Minority Spokesperson of each of the appropriations committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, a report of (i) all full fiscal year transfers made among line-item appropriations under a specified provision of the Act in the previous fiscal year and during the current fiscal year to date, and (ii) all projected full fiscal year transfers to be made among line-item appropriations under that provision for the remainder of the current fiscal year and the next fiscal year, based on estimates prepared by the Governor's Office of Management and Budget. Provides that the report shall include a detailed summary of estimates upon which projected line-item transfers are based. Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Container Fee and Deposit Act. Provides for a deposit value of 10 cents to be paid by consumers on each beverage container sold in the State by a dealer for consumption. Provides that, upon the return to a dealer or person operating a redemption center, the dealer or redemption center shall pay the value of the deposit back to the consumer as a refund. Sets forth requirements for administration of the program. Provides certain exemptions to the program. Requires that the refund value be clearly indicated on all beverage containers sold in the State. Provides for the Environmental Protection Agency to certify redemption centers. Prohibits snap-top beverage containers. Provides that persons violating the Act shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. Prohibits the manufacture of certain beverage containers. Prohibits the disposal of beverage containers at sanitary landfills. Provides that deposits not passed on to the consumer through bottle redemption shall be distributed as follows: 75% to the Agency for environmental and conservation-related programs and 25% to each distributor in proportion to the number of beverage containers sold by each distributor in the State. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois Container Fee and Deposit Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Board of Higher Education shall award a grant to a statewide association of public pension funds affiliated with a public institution of higher education to develop and deliver an in-person financial literacy training program for public employees. Provides that the program shall consist of in-person training regarding retirement income, including pension benefits, Social Security benefits, and employer-sponsored deferred compensation and retiree healthcare savings plans and shall also include instruction in financial planning and important elements of consumer finance, such as debt, educational savings, budgeting, and related subjects. Provides that the program shall include recorded programs to assist public employees who work on nontraditional shift assignments.

Amends the Mechanics Lien Act. Provides that an agreement to waive any right to enforce or claim any lien under this Act, whether upon conditional or unconditional terms, or an agreement to subordinate the lien, where the agreement is in anticipation of and in consideration for the awarding of a contract, subcontract, or payment, either express or implied, to perform work or supply materials for an improvement upon real property is against public policy and unenforceable.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that, by no later than January 1, 2026, the Department of Central Management Services shall, by rule, establish a program to allow the active members of TRS and their dependent beneficiaries to participate in the program of group health benefits made available under the Act to TRS benefit recipients and TRS dependent beneficiaries, including the program of group health benefits for Medicare-primary members and their Medicare-primary dependents, in lieu of health benefits otherwise provided by the school district. Provides that the Department of Central Management Services shall adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer the program, including, but not limited to, the manner of electing to participate in the program, eligibility for participation in the program, and contributions for coverage through the program. Effective immediately.

Creates the Uniform Special Deposits Act. Provides that the Act applies to a special deposit under an account agreement that states the intention of the parties to establish a special deposit, regardless of whether a party to the account agreement or a transaction related to the special deposit, or the special deposit itself, has a reasonable relation to the State. Provides that a special deposit must serve at least one permissible purpose stated in the account agreement from the time the special deposit is created in the account agreement until termination of the special deposit. Provides that, unless the account agreement provides otherwise, a bank is obligated to pay a beneficiary if there are sufficient actually and finally collected funds in the balance of the special deposit. Provides that a court may enjoin a bank from paying a depositor or beneficiary only if payment would constitute a material fraud or facilitate a material fraud with respect to a special deposit.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the purpose of the Article regarding nonprofit risk organizations.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, provides that the term "household" does not include an exempt family member who uses the residence as his or her principal place of residence for less than 12 months during the taxable year and that the term "household income" does not include the income of an exempt family member if the exempt family member used the residence as his or her principal place of residence for less than 12 months during the calendar year preceding the taxable year. Provides that the term "exempt family member" means the applicant's son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter and the spouse of the applicant's son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates a senior citizens homestead school levy exemption for property that is improved with a permanent structure that is occupied as a primary residence by an applicant who (i) is 65 years of age or older during the taxable year, (ii) has a household income that does not exceed the maximum income limitation, (iii) is liable for paying real property taxes on the property, (iv) is an owner of record of the property or has a legal or equitable interest in the property as evidenced by a written instrument, if no individual residing at the real property is or will be enrolled in a public school. Effective immediately.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that the firearm open season set annually by the Director of Natural Resources between the dates of November 1 and December 31, both inclusive, shall include (1) a period before Thanksgiving of at least 4 consecutive days, (2) a period after Thanksgiving of at least 5 consecutive days, and (3) a total period of not more than 14 days. Makes technical changes.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may certify a taxpayer for an exemption from any State or local use tax or retailers' occupation tax on building materials that will be incorporated into real estate at a megaproject site. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that a retailer that makes a qualified sale of building materials to be incorporated into real estate at a megaproject site may deduct the receipts from such sales when calculating the taxes imposed by those Acts. Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Megaproject Assessment Freeze and Payment Law. Provides that a "megaproject" is a project that meets certain investment and job creation specifications. Provides that the megaproject property is eligible for an assessment freeze. Provides that megaproject property may be granted an abatement. Provides that a company that operates a megaproject shall enter into an agreement with the municipality in which the project is located and other local taxing districts to make certain special payments. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that all Commuter Rail Board trains shall carry naloxone or another opioid antagonist in case of an emergency. Provides that the opioid antagonist shall be stored in easily accessible places throughout the train cars. Provides that train conductors or others trained in the use of opioid antagonists are the only people authorized to administer the medication. Provides that the Commuter Rail Board shall adopt rules to implement the provisions. Amends the Good Samaritan Act. Provides that a Commuter Rail Board train conductor or other individual trained in the use and administration of opioid antagonists who in good faith dispenses or administers an opioid antagonist under the provisions in the Regional Transportation Authority Act is not liable for civil damages as a result of the conductor's or other individual's acts or omissions, except for willful or wanton misconduct on the part of the conductor or other individual, in dispensing or administering the opioid antagonist. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Removes the requirement for the Illinois Power Agency to annually determine the amount of utility-scale renewable energy credits it will include each year from the self-direct renewable portfolio standard compliance program. Provides that the self-direct credit amount for each renewable energy credit supplied shall be determined annually and is equal to the volumetric charge collected under a provision in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the approved self-direct credit amount shall be multiplied by each renewable energy credit procured by participating self-direct customers for up to 100% of the self-direct customer's annual consumption. Provides that the self-direct customer's utility bill credit amount shall consist of a credit towards the utility-scale renewable energy portion of the volumetric charge and shall not include a credit toward the portion of the volumetric charge associated with procuring renewable energy credits through existing and future contracts under the Adjustable Block Program, the Solar for All Program, and a specified provision of the Act.

Creates the Riparian Protection and Water Quality Practices Act. Requires landowners who own property that is adjacent to a water body identified and mapped on a buffer-protection map to maintain a buffer to protect the State's water resources. Sets forth requirements concerning the types of buffers that must be installed and the timelines for their installation. Requires soil and water conservation districts to develop and submit to each local water management authority a summary of watercourses within their jurisdiction by July 1, 2026. Requires local water management authorities to incorporate these recommendations into their comprehensive water management plans. Exempts certain lands from the requirements of the Act. Allows the Department to withhold funding from local authorities that fail to implement the Act. Contains provisions concerning judicial review of decisions of the Department of Natural Resources. Specifies that the Act applies to State property. Defines terms.

Repeals the School Construction Bond Act. Amends the Statute on Statutes, the General Obligation Bond Act, and the Prevailing Wage Act to make conforming changes.

Creates the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program Act. Creates the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program within the University of Illinois system to provide a stable funding source for the veterinary care of retired police dogs. Provides that the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois shall contract with a not-for-profit corporation to administer and manage the Program. Sets forth the required criteria a not-for-profit corporation must meet to be selected for a grant award. Subject to appropriation, requires the Board of Trustees to make grants to the not-for-profit corporation to be the disbursing authority for the Program. Provides that annual disbursements to a former handler or an adopter of a retired police dog to reimburse him or her for the cost of the retired police dog's veterinary care may not exceed $1,500 per dog. Requires the Board of Trustees to adopt rules to implement the Act. Makes a conforming change in the Illinois Vehicle Code.

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that dog breeders must genetically test or have their dogs genetically tested for diseases that cause early death or physical impairments. Provides that if the dog breeder finds that a dog he or she breeds has a genetic defect or mutation that causes early death or physical impairments, the dog breeder must have that dog sterilized.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Exempts from disclosure any studies, drafts, notes, recommendations, memoranda, and other records in which opinions are expressed, or policies or actions are formulated, except that a specific record or relevant portion of a record is not exempt if the record has remained in draft form for more than a 12-month period and public dollars were spent by a unit of local government to conduct such a study.

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Provides that, upon motion, a court may order that a court file, pleadings, or portions of the court file that are filed under the Act be placed under seal if the court finds that the action or portions of the court file are sufficiently without a basis in fact or law. Provides that this may include, but not be limited to, a lack of jurisdiction or that placing the court file or portions of it under seal is in the interests of justice, and that those interests are not outweighed by the public's interest in the court file. Provides that nothing in the Act allows for the sealing of the court file or any portion of the court file pertaining to whether any order of protection has previously been entered in the proceeding or any other proceeding in which any party, or a child of any party, or both, if relevant, has been designated as either a petitioner, respondent, or protected person. Provides that nothing in the Act allows for or may interfere with the payment of child support, income withholding for support, or the reporting of an entry of an order for support.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall establish the Returning Police Officers Loan Repayment Assistance Program to assist police officers who have left law enforcement with repayment of student loans and in order to help place officers into areas of the State that are the most under-staffed and in need of additional officers. Sets forth qualifications for applicants. Provides that each award under the Program shall be equal to $6,000 per year (i) for up to 5 years or (ii) until the applicant's student loans are paid off, whichever is sooner. Provides that an applicant has one year from the date that the first student loan assistance payment is received to begin work in a shortage area. Provides that applicants currently working in shortage areas are eligible for the Program, but those who left law enforcement due to reasons other than retirement or a permanent disability shall be given priority for the Program. Provides for rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Provides that no veteran who otherwise meets the eligibility requirements for admission into a Veterans Home shall be denied admission on account of a prior conviction for a crime of violence as defined in the Crime Victims Compensation Act if the veteran completed his or her sentence 20 or more years prior to applying for admission into the Veterans Home.