Illinois

Appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the University of Illinois for the purpose of increasing the extension service trust fund allocation for the University of Illinois Extension program to enable the University of Illinois Extension program to achieve the stated purpose of the Farmland Transition Commission under the Farmland Transition Commission Act, which includes examining current barriers individuals ages 25 through 40 years old face when trying to purchase or access farmland, reviewing current incentives and policies to encourage the transfer of farmland to current or prospective farmers ages 25 through 40 years old, and compiling resources about and assisting current and prospective farmers ages 25 through 40 years old with barriers in purchasing or otherwise accessing farmland for farm operations. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Act. Provides that, on August 1, 2026, and August 1 of each year thereafter, the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the General Revenue Fund to the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Fund a sum equal to the difference between (i) $15,000,000 and (ii) the amount appropriated to the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Fund by the General Assembly for the award of African-American HIV/AIDS Response Grants in the then current State fiscal year. Directs the Department of Public Health to adopt specified revisions to the rules in the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code Part 691) concerning the award of African-American HIV/AIDS Response Grants. Repeals provisions in the Act concerning African-American HIV/AIDS Response Officers and the HIV/AIDS Response Review Panel. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning the Medicaid Access Adjustment payments to nursing facilities, provides that for dates of service beginning January 1, 2027, the Medicaid Access Adjustment shall be increased by $5.75 to $10.50 per diem. Provides that beginning January 1, 2027, facilities located outside of Rate Areas 6, 7, and 8 shall have the Medicaid percent of occupied bed days to be at least 60% of all occupied bed days adjusted quarterly to qualify for the Medicaid Access Adjustment. Provides that the remaining facilities shall have their threshold remain at 70%.

Mourns the passing of Allan Mellis.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act, Energy Efficient Building Act, Illinois Power Agency Act, Public Utilities Act, and related statutes to establish comprehensive environmental, water, and energy regulations for hyperscale data centers. In the Environmental Protection Act, requires cumulative impact assessments, public notice, and community benefits agreements for data centers; prohibits nondisclosure agreements; and creates the Data Center Community Intervenor Compensation Fund and Hyperscale Data Center Public Benefits and Affordability Fund funded by annual fees based on peak demand. Mandates water resource planning, quarterly water usage reporting, water scarcity plans, and Water Impact Permits with public hearings and renewal every 5 years. Requires compliance with stringent energy codes and annual energy and water reporting to the Illinois Commerce Commission. Expands renewable energy procurement programs, establishes a hyperscale data center self-direct program, and strengthens equity, transparency, and labor standards in clean energy initiatives. Creates the Residential Automated Solar Permitting Platform Act to require municipalities and counties to adopt a residential automated solar permitting platform on or before July 1, 2027, and authorizes persons to file a civil action against a municipality or county in violation.

Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Ratifies and approves the Nurse Licensure Compact, which allows for the issuance of multistate licenses that allow nurses to practice in their home state and other compact states. Provides that the Compact does not supersede existing State labor laws. Provides that the State may not share with or disclose to the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators or any other state any of the contents of a nationwide criminal history records check conducted for the purpose of multistate licensure under the Nurse Licensure Compact. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Provides that in fixing the salaries of employees, a school board or the governing board of a joint agreement shall pay to employees an hourly rate of not less than (i) $20 for the 2027-2028 school year, (ii) $21 for the 2028-2029 school year, and (iii) $22 for the 2029-2030 school year. Provides that the minimum hourly rate for each school year thereafter shall equal the minimum salary rate for the previous school year increased by a percentage equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the previous school year. Provides that "employee" means any employee of a school district or joint agreement who provides educational support services to the district or joint agreement, including, but not limited to, custodial employees, transportation employees, food service providers, classroom assistants, administrative staff, or paraprofessional educators. Provides that an employee's salary shall include any amount paid by the school district or joint agreement on behalf of the employee, as employee contributions, to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. Effective immediately.

Declares April 2026 as Fraud Prevention Month in the State of Illinois and encourages all Illinoisans to learn the red flags of scams and to support community and advocacy efforts that help prevent scams, protect consumers, and assist fraud victims. States that preventing fraud is a shared responsibility, and increasing awareness during Fraud Prevention Month empowers all Illinoisans, especially older adults, to protect themselves, their families, and their financial security.

Creates the Home for Good Act. Provides that the Home for Good Program is created as a statewide coordinated program designed to provide housing and services to persons released from an Illinois Department of Corrections facility on or after January 1, 2027 (targeted population). Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) shall be responsible for providing appropriate resources to potential applicants to acquire, develop, and rehabilitate permanent affordable housing units and transitional housing units that are designated exclusively for the targeted population. Provides that the granting and application process shall follow the existing program model of the Housing for Justice Involved Individuals Program. Requires IHDA to be responsible for providing site-based rental housing subsidies to community-based organizations who work with the targeted population. Requires the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA), beginning January 1, 2027, to provide appropriate resources to community-based organizations who work with the targeted population. Provides that such resources shall be used to provide case management and reentry navigation services to Program participants; and to make supportive services available to Program participants. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the Executive Director of ICJIA shall ensure that regional networks of participating community-based organizations and housing providers are established to collaborate and provide services and housing to the targeted population. Contains provisions requiring a housing needs assessment tool be administered to all individuals who are exiting Illinois Department of Corrections custody; that on January 1, 2027, or as soon thereafter as reasonably possible, the Executive Director of IHDA to create a Home for Good Institute to provide training and technical assistance to community-based organizations who intend to acquire, develop, rehabilitate, or operate permanent and transitional housing units for the targeted population; the establishment of the Interagency Reentry Workgroup; the establishment of the Home for Good Advisory Committee; reporting requirements; rulemaking authority to implement the Act; and other matters. Effective immediately.

Congratulates the Illinois Chiropractic Society on achieving its 100-year anniversary, providing a century of leadership and advocacy for chiropractic physicians in Illinois.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that, in addition to any other disposition authorized by law, the court shall order any person arrested for patronizing a person engaged in the sex trade to participate in the Epstein Accountability Program and pay a fine based on the defendant's net income. Provides for the distribution of the fines. Establishes an education program to be known as the Epstein Accountability Program, which shall consist of an instructional program on prostitution and human trafficking schemes offered in one or more locations throughout the State. Establishes who may establish the program in various areas of the State. Provides that the program shall include information intended to increase the person's awareness of: (1) the causes of prostitution and its relationship to human trafficking; (2) the health and safety risks connected with prostitution, including its impact on the community; (3) the consequences of convictions for prostitution or human trafficking, including penalties for subsequent convictions on both patronizers and victims; and (4) the pervasiveness of human trafficking as well as the long-term physical and psychological harms of prostitution and human trafficking on its victims. Provides that a program must be approved by the Attorney General. Provides that the Attorney General shall notify the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts that the program has been established and approved by the Attorney General.

Creates the Police Mental Health Leave Act. Provides that a law enforcement officer suffering from a mental illness as a result of a traumatic event shall be entitled to use 5 days of paid mental health leave during any 12-month period. Requires a law enforcement agency to adopt a mental health leave policy that includes specified provisions. Sets forth provisions concerning existing leave policies; employee protections; retaliation; and recordkeeping. Provides for a private right of action.

Amends the School Code. Authorizes the Chicago Board of Education, by resolution, to provide for the compensation of its members.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that an amount equal to 10% of the net revenue realized from the State income tax during the preceding month shall be transferred from the General Revenue Fund to the Local Government Distributive Fund (currently, the amount transferred is equal to the sum of (i) 6.47% of the net revenue realized from the tax imposed upon individuals, trusts, and estates during the preceding month; (ii) 6.85% of the net revenue realized from the tax imposed upon corporations during the preceding month; and (iii) 6.47% of the net revenue realized from the tax imposed upon electing pass-through entities). Effective immediately.

Declares July 28, 2026 as Hepatitis B Awareness Day in the State of Illinois. Urges promotion of hepatitis B vaccination as a highly effective and safe public health measure and supports removal of barriers to vaccination. Encourages development of an effective and actionable state hepatitis B strategic plan, as well as establishment of a hepatitis B working group to develop measurable goals.

BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the two Houses shall convene in Joint Session on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 12 o'clock noon for the purpose of welcoming and celebrating retiring United States Senator Richard J. Durbin and to invite him to address the General Assembly.

Commends the City of Crest Hill on the 84-year anniversary of the dedication of the Lidice Memorial. Expresses the deepest gratitude to Crest Hill and its residents for their multigenerational dedication to maintaining such a worthy, globally-recognized endeavor. Urges remembrance of the martyred Village of Lidice by Illinoisans, Americans, and people across the world as a moment in history that should never be forgotten.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, subject to federal approval, beginning January 1, 2027, any individual age 22 to 64 who is diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia and is determined to be a person with a disability by the Social Security Administration shall be eligible for services in a supportive living dementia care setting if the individual meets all other eligibility requirements to receive services in a supportive living dementia care setting in accordance with specified administrative rules. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to apply for any federal waiver necessary to implement the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. In provisions concerning per diem reimbursement for a community-integrated living arrangement provider, provides that, if it is determined by third-party medical personnel that a resident that required a medical absence is unable to return to the community-integrated living arrangement, or if the resident dies during the medical absence, the provider shall receive 100% of the per diem reimbursement for up to 20 medical absence days. Effective immediately.

Commends the members of the Stonewall Stitchers for their long-standing service. Thanks them for their dedication and contributions to the community.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a Tier 2 investigator for the Department of the Lottery is entitled to an annuity under the alternative retirement annuity provisions only if the person has withdrawn from service with not less than 20 years of eligible creditable service and has attained age 55. Authorizes an investigator for the Department of the Lottery to establish eligible creditable service under the alternative retirement annuity provisions. Provides that a specified educational requirement for persons employed by the Department of Juvenile Justice shall no longer determine eligibility to earn eligible creditable service under the alternative retirement annuity provisions and authorizes the conversion of service credit to eligible creditable service. Establishes a deferred retirement option plan for certain police officers, firefighters, sheriff's law enforcement employees, and deputy sheriffs in the Cook County Police Department who are otherwise eligible to retire under which a participant may continue in active service for up to 5 years while having his or her retirement pension paid into a special account. Provides that the election to participate in the deferred retirement option plan must be made before January 1, 2030. Provides that the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act (Article 20 of the Code) is adopted and made a part of the Downstate Police, Downstate Firefighter, Chicago Police, and Chicago Firefighter Articles. In the Chicago Teacher Article of the Code, makes changes to how days of validated service are computed. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Makes other changes.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, from July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, use and occupation taxes on motor fuel and gasohol are imposed at the rate of 1.25%. Makes corresponding changes concerning the distribution of proceeds. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Establishes the Pathways for Community Integration Network (PCIN) program within the Department of Human Services. Provides that the program shall create a network of multilingual community integration providers providing access to an array of services to remove barriers to opportunity and to foster pathways to safety, well-being, and economic security for the State's Limited English Proficient (LEP) and related populations. Requires each PCIN organization to adhere to the PCIN model and, with partner organizations, deliver the full model of care. Provides that the PCIN model of care includes the following components: comprehensive case management, core integrated services, co-location of services, community education, and community alliance. Permits the Department to engage with PCIN organizations and technical assistance providers to build the capacity of PCIN organizations and the network as a whole. Requires the Department to establish a PCIN formal certification process that outlines the standards for recognition within 2 years of the PCIN program's implementation. Provides that a community organization must demonstrate capacity to deliver all program components to be awarded certification and be formally recognized as a PCIN provider. Permits the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement the PCIN program.

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 sell, offer for sale, or display for sale adhesive-based traps in the State.

Amends the Smart Start Illinois Act. Provides that Head Start programs and Early Head Start programs may be deemed eligible to participate in the Smart Start Child Care Workforce Compensation Program to the extent that appropriations are made available for new program entrants and shall not result in the reduction, reallocation, or displacement of funding for existing recipients. Provides that a provider participating in the Smart Start Child Care Workforce Compensation Program may simultaneously receive funding through Head Start or Early Head Start programs; and that receipt of funding under one program shall not disqualify or otherwise limit eligibility for funding under the other, provided that: (1) funds are used in accordance with the requirements of each respective program; and (2) funds are not used to supplant existing federal Head Start or Early Head Start funding, but may be used to supplement and enhance workforce compensation and program quality.