Illinois

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Allows the parent or guardian of a student or a student if the student is at least 18 years of age or emancipated to request an impartial, federal Section 504 due-process hearing. Within 3 business days after receipt of the request, requires a school district, special education joint agreement, or other educational entity to appoint a qualified, impartial hearing officer and to notify the hearing officer of the appointment. Requires a hearing officer to disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest to the parties. Sets forth requirements for the request, the notification of a hearing officer appointment, the response to complaints, and amendments to hearing requests. Sets forth the responsibilities of the hearing officer and the hearing procedures. Sets forth the qualification requirements to be a hearing officer. Requires the State Board of Education to create a training module for hearing officers, conduct the training, and determine whether an individual is appropriately qualified. Provides that the provisions apply to all Section 504 impartial due-process hearings requested after January 1, 2027 in cases regarding the identification, evaluation, eligibility, accommodations, or educational placement of a student who, because of a disability, is in need of or is believed to be in need of accommodations or services from a school district, special education joint agreement, or other educational entity. Provides that nothing in the provisions may be construed to require a party in a Section 504 complaint to exhaust administrative remedies prior to commencing a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Amends the State of Illinois Recreational Use of Leased Land Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title and purpose.

Amends the Farm Fresh Schools Program Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Higher Education Fair Admissions Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Agricultural Experiences Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning sanctions against TANF recipients.

Amends the Illinois Banking Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Illinois Labor Relations Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $2,855,100.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, in the case of petitions for the office of multi-township assessor, petitions shall be filed with the election authority not more than 141 (currently, 113 days) nor less than 134 days before the consolidated election. Provides that an election authority shall, except as otherwise provided under the Code, allow a voter who is in line to vote at the time an early voting polling place closes to cast a ballot. In provisions concerning primary election ballots, provides that the lettering of candidate names on a ballot shall be in both capital and lowercase letters in conformance with standard English language guidelines, unless compliance is not feasible due to the election system used by the election authority. Provides that election authorities may authorize service of objections to candidate nominations through electronic mail in lieu of personal service under specified circumstances. Requires each election authority to post certain election results on its website. Creates the universal vote centers pilot program. Sets forth provisions concerning name standardization. Requires election authorities to establish curbside voting for individuals with disabilities. Provides that, for specified applications, change of address forms, or recertifications of a driver's license or State identification card, the application, form, or recertification shall serve as a dual-purpose application when the applicant presents specified identification (rather than meets the requirements of the federal REAL ID Act of 2005). Modifies requirements of the dual-purpose application. Modifies the content of the written notice required to be given by the Office of the Secretary of State to each applicant and requires the Office of the Secretary of State to determine whether each applicant is currently registered to vote in Illinois and the applicant's registration address. Provides that, if an applicant provides the Secretary of State with an identification document which demonstrates that the applicant is not a United States citizen, the application shall not serve as a dual-purpose application. Requires election authorities to establish a website for eligible voters to request vote by mail ballots. Authorizes a reduction in the number of election judges in each precinct. Provides that an election authority shall test the voting devices and equipment in 5% of the voting devices used in early voting and at vote centers (rather than 5% of the voting devices used in early voting). Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to make conforming changes. Amends the Downstate Forest Preserve District to correct a cross-reference to a Public Act. Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that a prohibition on fundraising during session does not apply to a constitutional officer of the executive branch or a General Assembly member who is a candidate for federal office if the fundraising function is held outside of Sangamon County. Makes changes in provisions concerning personnel policies and ethics commissions. Amends the School Code. In the School Board Association Article of the Code, provides that a school board association may offer and provide scholarships or other reimbursements to school board members, and a school board member may receive scholarships or other reimbursements from an association for reasonable travel and lodging expenses to attend meetings or other events hosted by the association which are reasonably related to the school board member's duties and will contribute to the professional development of the school board member. In the Chicago School District Article of the Code, provides that all petitions for the nomination of members of the Chicago Board of Education shall be filed with the board of election commissioners and shall be prepared, filed, and certified as outlined in the Election Code (rather than providing that all petitions for the nomination of members of the Chicago Board of Education shall be filed with the board of election commissioners within the time provided for in the Election Code, except that petitions for the nomination of members of the Chicago Board of Education for the 2024 general election shall be prepared and certified as outlined in the Election Code). In the Educational Service Regions Article of the School Code, provides that, when a vacancy occurs in the office of regional superintendent of schools and more than 28 months remain in that term and the vacancy occurs at least 130 days before the next general election, appointment to fill the vacancy shall be until the next general election (rather than if more than 28 months remain in that term, the appointment shall be until the next general election). In the School Board and Chicago Board of Education Articles of the School Code, provides that, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, the school district shall provide all eligible students graduating from high school with the opportunity to register to vote. Amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act. Makes a change concerning compensation of the members of the board. Amends the Open Meetings Act, if and only if Senate Bill 243 of the 104th General Assembly becomes law, to make a change in provisions regarding meetings on election days. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Persons under 21 Years of Age and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person who is less than 16 years of age may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle that is designed to accommodate passengers if the operator is 18 years of age or older.

Amends the Community Service Education Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Automated License Plate Recognition System Act. Sets forth provisions regarding authorized uses of an automated license plate recognition system, data retention, prohibited uses of an automated license plate recognition system, restrictions, requirements for use, preservation and disclosure, required data collection, reporting requirements, admissibility, privacy, penalties, and a private right of action. Makes a conforming change in the Freedom of Information Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that all National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits authorizing a discharge from a facility designated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a major facility, shall, at a minimum, require for publicly owned treatment works, periodic sampling of influent, effluent, and biosolids for all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances for which there are accredited wastewater analytical methods and, for all other facilities, periodic effluent sampling for all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances for which there are accredited wastewater analytical methods. Provides that the Agency shall require any NPDES permit application for a discharge of wastewater that has potential to contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances to fully characterize the discharge through sample results for all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances for which there are accredited wastewater analytical methods. Provides that the Agency shall not issue any permit under specified provisions for the land application of a sludge or biosolids unless the application includes sample results for the sludge or biosolids for all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances for which there are accredited wastewater analytical methods. Provides that any permit issued under specified provisions for the land application of a sludge or biosolids shall require, at minimum, periodic sampling of the sludge or biosolids for all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances for which there are accredited wastewater analytical methods.

Amends the Adult Education Act and the Public Community College Act. With respect to the annual report on adult education for the preceding school year by the Illinois Community College Board, removes the requirement to include a summary of State reimbursement for adult basic education, adult secondary education, English language acquisition, high school credit, integrated English literacy and civics education, and bridge and integrated education and training programs in coordination with vocational skills training. Provides that any public community college district maintaining adult educations classes for the instruction of those persons who, among other requirements, are 17 (rather than 16) years of age or older are entitled to claim an apportionment of State reimbursement. Allows classes in adult education to include digital literacy. Removes language providing that the maximum generation rate for reimbursement per credit hour or per unit of instruction shall be equal to the community college system reimbursement rate for adult education divided by one-third. Provides that State adult education funds, other than matching funds, are not subject to the authorizing federal law. Removes language providing that approved programs for adult education may assess students up to $6 per credit hour or unit of instruction per semester per student. Removes language requiring an education plan to be established for each adult learning participating in the instructional programs. Requires each adult learner participating in the instructional programs to complete an assessment of foundational skills to appropriately place the adult learner in an instructional program. Makes other and conforming changes.

Amends the Downstate Police and Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Removes language providing that a person may not elect to participate in IMRF with respect to his or her employment as a chief of police of a participating municipality, unless that person became a participating employee in IMRF before January 1, 2019. Makes conforming changes. In the Downstate Police Article, provides that, on and after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a municipality is not required to establish a defined contribution plan. Provides that a municipality is required to maintain a defined contribution plan for persons who began participating in the defined contribution plan before the effective date of the amendatory Act. In provisions authorizing certain police officers to elect to participate in the defined contribution plan, restricts participation to police officers who first became police officers before the effective date of the amendatory Act and to municipalities that established a defined contribution plan before the effective date of the amendatory Act. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Amends the Oil and Gas Lien Act of 1989. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title of the Act.

Amends the Township Code. In provisions concerning disorderly conduct at township meetings, provides that if a person who has been ordered to withdraw from a township meeting by the moderator of a township meeting because of the person's disorderly conduct refuses to withdraw, then the moderator may report the person to an appropriate law enforcement agency (rather than order any police officer or other person to take the disorderly person from the meeting and confine the person in some convenient place until the meeting is adjourned). Removes provisions providing that the person refusing to withdraw shall, for that offense, forfeit a sum not exceeding $10 for the use of the township to be recovered in a civil action in the name of the township in the circuit court.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that owners and operators of CCR surface impoundments at electric generating plants that are bordering Lake Michigan shall close the CCR surface impoundment by removal by off-site disposal, pursuant to specified provisions and requirements. In additional provisions, requires an owner or operator to remove from his or her site, for off-site disposal, all CCR generated by a facility that is not disposed of, treated, stored, or abandoned in a CCR surface impoundment, and remediate all soil and groundwater impacted by that CCR, in accordance with specified requirements. Requires owners or operators to submit specified plans and reports to the Environmental Protection Agency. Provides that an owner or operator shall post with the Agency a performance bond or other security for the purpose of ensuring removal and remediation in accordance with the provisions. Provides that the Agency may enter into such contracts and agreements as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of the provisions. Provides that neither the State, nor the Director of the Agency, nor any State employee shall be liable for any damages or injuries arising out of or resulting from any action taken under the provisions. Contains other provisions. Contains a severability provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Health Center Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Department of Early Childhood Act. Provides that beginning July 1, 2026, the authority and responsibility to conduct a fingerprint-based criminal history check on providers of day care at day care centers, part day child care facilities, day care homes, and group day care homes shall transfer to the Department of Early Childhood from the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that the Department shall require that each day care license applicant and each applicant, employee, and volunteer of a licensed day care facility to authorize an investigation to determine if such applicant, employee, or volunteer has ever been charged with a crime and if so, the disposition of those charges. Contains provisions on the submission of such persons' fingerprints to the Illinois State Police to be checked for a fee against State and federal criminal history record databases. Provides that any conviction information obtained during the criminal history records checks shall be provided, upon request, to the applicant, employee, and volunteer. Contains provisions on the probationary hiring of employees or volunteers authorizing a criminal background investigation. Makes conforming changes to the Child Care Act of 1969. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the rules and regulations of the Department of Corrections shall provide that sentence credit may be provided to an inmate who was held in pre-trial detention prior to his or her current commitment to the Department of Corrections and successfully completed a substance abuse program (rather than a full-time, 60-day or longer substance abuse program), county jail or detention facility work assignments, parenting program, or re-entry planning facilitated (rather than provided) by the county department of corrections or county jail or other provider. Provides that the rules and regulations shall also provide that sentence credit may be provided to a committed person who participated in supervised community work or activities prior to his or her commitment to the Department of Corrections. Provides that the rules and regulations shall also provide that any inmate who was held in pre-trial detention prior to his or her confinement to the Department of Corrections, engaged in self-improvement programs, volunteer work, or work assignments that are not otherwise eligible activities shall receive up to 0.5 days of sentence credit for each day in which the inmate is engaged in these activities.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Creates the Drone Safety and Interference Prevention Act. Creates the offenses of (1) unlawful imaging of an emergency response activity; (2) unlawful operation over critical infrastructure facilities; and (3) unlawful operation of a drone over a correctional institution or facility. Defines these offenses and establishes penalties. Provides that a private person or entity operating a drone in the State is prohibited from equipping or using on the drone any firearm, weaponized laser, kinetic impact projectile, chemical agent or irritant, or any other lethal or non-lethal weapon. Provides that a law enforcement officer may seize a drone and any attached equipment, including any image-capturing devices, storage media, or weapons, if the officer has probable cause to believe the drone was used or operated in violation of the Act. Provides that any drone or equipment seized under the Act is subject to forfeiture in accordance with the Criminal Code of 2012 and the Forfeiture Article of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963, as applicable. Provides that the State may use forfeited drones and equipment for law enforcement purposes, including training and counter-drone operations. Provides that prior to forfeiture, the court shall provide notice and an opportunity for hearing to the owner or operator of the drone, unless the drone was abandoned or unclaimed. Provides that, if the court determines, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the drone was used in violation of the Act, the drone shall be forfeited to the State. Provides that any images or data seized under the provision shall be retained only if there is a reasonable suspicion they contain evidence of a crime. Provides that all other data must be deleted within 30 days unless relevant to an ongoing investigation. Provides that the State, any unit of local government, any law enforcement agency or any officers or agents of those entities that are acting reasonably and in good faith to enforce the Act are not civilly liable for damage to or loss of a drone, except for willful or wanton misconduct. Provides that the Act shall be enforced by State and local law enforcement agencies. Provides that enforcement data under the Act shall be reported through the Illinois State Police's existing Uniform Crime Reporting program. Contains a severability provision. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that any plan of health or accident insurance that provides coverage for prescription drugs and that is issued amended, renewed, or delivered on or after January 1, 2027 must include any amount paid by the insured or paid on behalf of the insured by another person when calculating the insured's overall contribution to any out-of-pocket maximum or other cost-sharing requirement. Provides an exception for a high-deductible health plan to the extent that providing coverage would disqualify that plan from eligibility for a health savings account.