Illinois

Amends the Property Tax Code. In a provision concerning the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, provides that, for taxable years 2026 and thereafter, "maximum income limitation" means $85,000 for all qualified property.

Amends the Genetic Information Privacy Act. Adds legislative findings. Defines "neurotechnology" and "neurotechnology data". Prohibits insurers from using genetic testing or neurotechnology data (rather than only genetic testing) for nontherapeutic purposes or underwriting, with limited exceptions. Prohibits employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, and licensing agencies from requesting, requiring, or using neurotechnology data in employment decisions, subject to specified exceptions. Adds new provisions governing confidentiality, consent, privacy policies, and security requirements for entities collecting neurotechnology data. Regulates disclosure to government agencies and sets conditions for clinical research. Makes conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying Qualifications Based Selection Act. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be deemed to prohibit or restrict agencies from establishing or maintaining affirmative action contracting goals for veterans. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that "artificial intelligence" has the meaning given to that term in the Illinois Human Rights Act. Prohibits a person licensed under the Act from allowing artificial intelligence to prescribe medication if the person licensed under the Act does not maintain full control and responsibility for the prescription. Establishes penalty provisions for violations of provisions concerning the use of artificial intelligence to prescribe medication. Grants the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation investigatory authority for those violations and rulemaking authority regarding the authorized use of artificial intelligence to prescribe medication. Effective immediately.

Creates the Kratom Prohibition Act. Prohibits the purchase, possession, sale, or distribution of any product containing kratom. Authorizes certified local health departments that adopt an ordinance to enforce the Act and impose fines. Provides that violations are Class B misdemeanors with a minimum fine of $500 for selling or furnishing kratom. Defines terms. Repeals the Kratom Control Act.

Creates the Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act. Provides that, beginning one year after the effective date of the Act, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall provide $500 monthly cash payments to 3,250 low-to-moderate-income families in the State for a period of 2 years. Provides that the recipients of the monthly cash payments shall be determined by lottery. Provides that the Department may not limit how the recipients of the monthly cash payments use the monthly cash payments or require the recipients of the monthly cash payments to provide receipts demonstrating how the recipients of the monthly cash payments use the monthly cash payments. Requires the Department to adopt rules to implement the Act. Provides that the Act is repealed 5 years after the effective date of the Act.

Creates the Artificial Intelligence Public Safety and Child Protection Transparency Act. Provides that a frontier artificial intelligence model developer or large chatbot provider shall write, implement, comply with, and clearly and conspicuously publish on its website a public safety and child protection plan. Provides that the Attorney General shall establish a mechanism to be used by a large frontier developer, a large chatbot provider, or a member of the public to report a safety incident related to specified artificial intelligence models or chatbots. Sets forth provisions concerning the protection of whistleblowers; third party audits of large frontier developers; and civil penalties. Provides for rulemaking by the Attorney General. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to create an add-on payment for safety-net hospitals with a Level 1 Trauma designation, equal to at least $35,000,000 per hospital, per year.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Authorizes the Department of Public Health to conduct a study on lung cancer biomarkers, including, but not limited to, the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene. Provides that the study may focus on identifying genetic variations in lung cancer that are linked to increased risks, genetic variations that are linked to treatment resistance, and genetic variations that are linked to specific disease subtypes. Provides that the Department of Public Health may enter into contracts, grants, or other agreements for the purpose of completing the study. Provides for the repeal of these provisions on January 1, 2029.

Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Removes language providing that no employee of the Illinois Racing Board, within a period of one year immediately preceding employment, shall have been employed or received compensation or fees for services from a person or entity, or its parent or affiliate, that has engaged in business with the Board, a licensee, or a licensee under the Illinois Gambling Act. Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Removes language providing that no employee of the Illinois Gaming Board, within a period of one year immediately preceding employment, shall have been employed or received compensation or fees for services from a person or entity, or its parent or affiliate, that has engaged in business with the Board, a licensee, or a licensee under the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax deduction for any amounts paid by the taxpayer's employer on behalf of the taxpayer as part of an educational assistance program. Creates an income tax deduction for any amounts paid by the taxpayer on behalf of an employee of the taxpayer as part of an educational assistance program. Provides that the deductions are limited to the first $5,250 of such assistance so furnished to any individual. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Exempts from the provisions of the unlawful possession of weapons statute, the carrying or possession of certain weapons by qualified retired law enforcement officers, as defined in the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004, as recognized under Illinois law, in specified locations.

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Illinois Newborn Equity Support Transfer (NEST) Program Act. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer, subject to appropriations, the Illinois Newborn Equity Support Transfer (NEST) Program to provide direct cash assistance to eligible participants by July 1, 2026. Defines "participant" to mean any individual who gives birth in Illinois while enrolled in or eligible for Medicaid through Moms and Babies. Permits the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement the NEST Program. Provides that program participants shall receive a $1,500 lump sum payment in or around the third trimester of pregnancy, prior to delivery; and a $500 monthly cash payment for the first 6 months following delivery. Requires the Department to submit reports to the General Assembly on a biennial basis that summarizes (1) the number of program participants and distribution across the State, (2) outcomes related to maternal and child health, housing stability, and economic security, or other outcomes identified by the Department in collaboration with stakeholders, and (3) recommendations for program improvements or additional populations beyond Medicaid enrollment to include as participants. Provides that cash disbursements made to participants under the NEST Program shall be considered "guaranteed income" as described in the Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act for purposes of determining eligibility for assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, in consultation with the Sangamon County Board and the City of Springfield, to conduct a study on the lending practices and borrower outcomes within Sangamon County and analyze any information collected in connection with that study. Provides that the study shall encompass all financial institutions and lending entities licensed or regulated by the Department that operate within Sangamon County or are municipally authorized by the City of Springfield. Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the specified entities, to conduct a countywide transit equity analysis study and analyze any information collected in connection with that study. Amends the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act. Requires the Illinois Housing Development Authority, in consultation with the Sangamon County Board and the City of Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development, to conduct a countywide housing and community revitalization study and analyze any information collected in connection with that study. Establishes reporting requirements related to each study under each of the relevant Acts. Sets a repeal date of December 31, 2029 for the provisions concerning each study under each of those Acts.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, beginning January 1, 2027, to recompute the STAR rating of nursing facilities who had their antipsychotic medication quality measure score suppressed and their STAR rating set to one due to audit action by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Requires quality payments to such nursing facilities to be made based on the recomputed score. Provides that in order to facilitate the recomputation, nursing facilities may provide the Department with documentation regarding the status of the suppression of the score and STAR rating as well as the quarterly report issued by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that lists the long-stay rating points for the quarter.

Creates the Responsibility in Firearm Legislation (RIFL) Act. Establishes a firearms manufacturer licensing program in the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, with certain requirements, including that the sum of all fees for firearms manufacturer licenses shall be equal to the public health costs and financial burdens from firearm injuries and deaths. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2028, a manufacturer of firearms may not operate in this State without a license from the Department and that a manufacturer who violates this provision is subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000,000 per month. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2028, a retailer may not sell a firearm to a consumer in this State from a manufacturer who does not have a license from the Department and that a retailer who violates this provision is subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation, with certain requirements. Establishes the RIFL Fund as a special fund in the State treasury, with certain limitations. Provides that the proceeds from fees under the licensing program shall be deposited into the RIFL Fund. Establishes a financial assistance program in the Department with moneys from the RIFL Fund for financial assistance to victims of firearms and for other purposes. Provides that the Department shall contract with a program administrator to administer the financial assistance program, with certain requirements. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules for financial assistance to victims of firearms, with certain requirements, including regarding exemption from certain State taxes. Provides that the Department may contract with a program administrator to implement or administer any part of the Act, with certain requirements. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall report certain information to the Department. Provides that the Department may provide for other civil penalties of no more than $1,000 per violation. Provides that the Attorney General may enforce the Act. Makes other provisions. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the Election Code. In provisions concerning ballot forfeiture, provides that any civil penalty paid after the State Board of Elections transmits the list of all candidates whose political committees have not paid an assessed civil penalty shall not result in the election authority placing the candidate who paid the civil penalty on the ballot. Provides that, if a candidate forfeits his or her ballot under the provision, then that candidate may not be appointed to fulfill the resulting vacancy. In provisions concerning the making of nominations, provides that any vacancy in nomination occurring after certification shall be filled at least 45 days before the election for which there is a vacancy (rather than within 8 days after the event creating the vacancy). In provisions concerning the delivery of ballots, provides that, if a consolidated primary election is required, vote by mail ballots for the consolidated election shall be mailed no later than 5 business days after the completion of the canvass of the consolidated primary election. Makes other changes.

Creates the Legal Deserts Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts may establish a program to provide grants or reimbursements to compensate an individual lawyer or law firms that relocate or open an office within a geographic area for the purpose of providing legal services to individuals residing within a legal desert. Provides that the grants or reimbursements may cover marketing expenses, compensation for an attorney or up to 2 attorneys per firm, or other eligible expenses identified by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that "alcoholic liquor" and "alcohol-infused products" does not include frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor. Provides that "frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor" means ice cream or other frozen desserts that are made with liquor, wine, beer, cider, or any combination thereof and that contain more than 0.5% but not more than 5% of alcohol by volume. Provides that no person shall sell a package of frozen desserts that contains more than 5% alcohol by volume. Provides that no person shall sell, give, or deliver frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor to a person under the age of 21. Provides that a person under the age of 21 may not purchase, possess, or consume frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor. Provides that no person shall sell a package of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor for consumption off the premises or for consumption on the premises unless it contains specified notices and warnings. Provides that no manufacturer or distributor of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor shall sell the product to a person intending to sell at retail individual servings of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor or packages of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor for consumption off the premises, unless, with each shipment, the manufacturer or distributor provides a written notice that frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor may be sold at retail only if the retailer complies with specified requirements and provides a written copy of those requirements. Provides that frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor are subject to all applicable food safety laws, rules, standards, and requirements, including, but not limited to, the provisions of the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to make a conforming change.

Creates the Emergency Co-Response Grant Act. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall, subject to appropriation, make grants to law enforcement departments to establish or maintain a co-response unit. Defines terms, including "co-response unit" to mean a unit of a law enforcement department featuring a specially trained team focused on de-escalation that includes at least one law enforcement officer and at least one clinician or trained civilian directly dispatched to emergency calls in which a behavioral health crisis is likely to be involved. Establishes requirements for applications for grants and use of grant moneys from the Emergency Co-Response Grant Fund. Requires each law enforcement department receiving a grant under the Act to submit a report to the General Assembly, the Governor, and the Agency, which shall also be posted on each law enforcement department's website, after July 1, 2031 but before January 1, 2032 on the programmatic and fiscal savings associated with co-response units, key conclusions, populations served, the benefits conferred or realized, and resulting policy recommendations to provide guidance to the General Assembly, the Governor, and the Agency in fully implementing and scaling permanent units. Requires joint adoption of rules to implement the Act, including requirements for law enforcement department co-response units receiving grants under the Act. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2033. Amends the State Finance Act creating the Emergency Co-Response Grant Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Reduces the number of record requests that must be made for a person to be considered a recurrent requester under the Act. Provides that public bodies must respond to requests from recurrent requesters with 30 (rather than 21) days after receipt of a request. Specifies that notice that requests are being treated as recurrent requests must be provided only once every 30 days. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for persons designated as recurrent requesters to knowingly obtain a public record without disclosing their status as recurrent requesters.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that beginning October 1, 2026, for rate year 2027 and thereafter, the Medicaid inpatient utilization rate, as defined and used in the determination of eligibility for specified inpatient adjustment payments to hospitals, shall be modified to exclude, from both the numerator and denominator, all days reimbursed by the Department of Human Services for mental health services provided under a specified provision of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 as contracted by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Effective immediately.

Creates the Lead Service Line Replacement Bonding Act. Authorizes the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to issue up to $2,000,000,000 in bonds to provide funding for the Lead Service Line Replacement Loans Program. Defines key terms. Provides that bond proceeds may be used for loans to replace lead service lines, principal forgiveness or negative interest loans for disadvantaged communities, costs of issuance and administration, and refinancing or refunding of similar obligations.

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that the prohibition against carrying a firearm into any building, parking area, or portion of a building under the control of an officer of the executive or legislative branch of government does not apply to any rest areas under the control of the Department of Transportation or to buildings located in rest areas under the control of the Department of Transportation. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Requires the Director of Central Management Services to designate one or more individuals who are employees of the Department of Central Management Services to serve as Health Care Ombudspersons. Requires the employees that are designated as Health Care Ombudspersons to monitor and respond to members' email and telephone questions to the Department of Central Management Services regarding the benefits that are available under the Act and the eligibility of members for those benefits. Requires contact information for the Health Care Ombudspersons to be included in any communications sent by the Department of Central Management Services regarding group health insurance benefits and to be readily available on the Department's website. Specifies that the primary goal of the Health Care Ombudspersons shall be to answer questions and generate information useful to participants in the program of group health benefits provided under the Act and, when possible, to resolve any issues between members and third-party providers of services established under this Act.