Illinois

Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Makes changes to defined terms. Replaces references to the Health Care Availability and Access Board, the Health Care Availability and Access Stakeholder Council, and the Health Care Availability and Access Board Fund to the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, the Prescription Drug Affordability Stakeholder Council, and the Prescription Drug Affordability Board Fund. Requires Prescription Drug Affordability Board membership to also include individuals with expertise in the practice of pharmacy. Includes reimbursements from health benefit plans in provisions concerning upper payment limits for payor reimbursements. Requires the Board to maintain financial records and accounts in accordance with generally accepted governmental accounting principles. Provides that the Board shall be deemed a public body for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act; all records of the Board, including meeting minutes, cost review records, and correspondence, shall be public records subject to disclosure in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, except as otherwise provided by law; and meetings of the Board shall be open to the public in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. Requires the Board to establish an operational plan for distribution and access to a drug with an upper payment limit before the Board reviews specific drugs for affordability and establishes any upper payment limits. Provides that the Board shall prioritize establishing and implementing upper payment limits for the 10 prescription drug products with a Medicare Maximum Fair Price that went into effect in 2026 before proceeding with upper payment limits on other prescription drug products with a Medicare Maximum Fair Price or affordability reviews for any other prescription drug products. Adds more items to the list of information that may be included to conduct an affordability review. Provides that the Board may suspend an upper payment limit if it determines that there is a shortage of the drug in the State unless the Board determines that the shortage was caused by a manufacturer or its agent. Changes expertise requirements for membership of the Prescription Drug Affordability Stakeholder Council. Establishes specified exemptions for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and other State departments in provisions concerning protections and other Board considerations. Provides that any upper payment limit established by the Board shall not apply to prescription drug products purchased by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for the medical assistance program under Article V of the Illinois Public Aid Code or to a health care plan serving Medicaid populations that provides, arranges for, pays for, or reimburses the cost of any health care service for persons who are enrolled under the medical assistance program under Article V of the Illinois Public Aid Code unless, after consultation with and approval of the Director of Healthcare and Family Services, it is determined that the upper payment limit would reduce costs to the State. Provides that, if a prescription drug product subject to an upper payment limit established under the Act is intended to be made available for purchase by pharmacies, distributors, or wholesalers licensed in the State, it shall be available at a price that does not exceed the upper payment limit (rather than a wholesaler or distributor shall make any prescription drug product that is subject to an upper payment limit established under the Act available for purchase by pharmacies licensed in this State at a price that does not exceed the established upper payment limit), and, if a wholesaler or distributor acquires a prescription drug product subject to an upper payment limit at a price that exceeds the upper payment limit, the wholesaler or distributor is entitled to a chargeback or rebate equal to the difference between the price and the upper payment limit from the entity that sold the product to the wholesaler or distributor. Changes the required reporting date for the Board concerning the operation of the generic drug market in the United States to June 1, 2027 (rather than June 1, 2025). Requires the Board to notify the General Assembly if 5 years have passed without any litigation hindering Board operations. Provides that the Act is repealed 5 years after the effective date of the Act. Makes other changes. Effective 180 days after becoming law.

Amends the School Code. In a provision granting a school board the power to award certain contracts to the lowest responsible bidder, provides for an exception for contracts that give a preference to State, regional, or local suppliers (rather than only State or regional suppliers) that source local food products.

Reinserts provisions of the bill with the following changes. Requires a petition for name change to include a statement if the petitioner is a juvenile with a current felony or misdemeanor adjudication or conviction that has not been sealed or expunged, and for which a pardon has not been granted a pending charge on a felony or misdemeanor, or has an arrest for which a charge has not been filed. Provides that adults with sealed juvenile convictions or adjudications are not required to disclose the sealed convictions or adjudications on the name change petition, and such convictions and adjudications may not be considered in the proceedings. Restores current law that allows the State's Attorney to request the court order a petitioner to update the petitioner's criminal history with the Illinois State Police in certain circumstances. Requires that notice of the petition must be served on the State's Attorney if the petitioner is a juvenile with a current felony or misdemeanor conviction or adjudication that has not been sealed or expunged, and for which a pardon has not been granted, pending charge on a felony or misdemeanor offense, or has an arrest for which a charge has not been filed. Provides that notice of a name change does not have to be given to the Illinois State Police and State's Attorney for an adult with a sealed, expunged, or pardoned juvenile conviction or adjudication. Provides that the State's Attorney may file an objection if the petitioner has a pending case for a Class 2 felony or greater offense. Makes other changes.

Amends the Counties Code. Requires all county clerk offices to be closed on all legal holidays.

Amends the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act. Prohibits a park owner from increasing rent more than 3% per year. Provides that a park owner may adjust rent annually, beginning in 2027, to reflect a percentage equal to the percentage change in the consumer price index-u during the preceding 12-month calendar year that may not be more than a 5% increase in the 3% cap. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Mobile Home Tenant Protection Act.

Creates the Human Services Equitable Pay Task Force Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall establish the Human Services Equitable Pay Task Force. Requires the Task Force to examine and publish a report, by December 1, 2027 and every 2 years thereafter, that studies various issues relating to recruitment, retention, and wage inequity within the human services sector in Illinois. Provides that the Task Force shall examine, among any other issues it chooses to investigate with respect to human services, the following issues: (1) grant levels and reimbursement rate levels that human services providers have received since Fiscal Year 2021; (2) patterns in entry-level wages and wage growth among community-based providers and State agencies; (3) existing State resources and programs that assist in the development of a strong pipeline of workers for human service positions; and (4) funding interventions needed to support the findings generated from the Task Force. Sets forth the membership of the Task Force and requires the Department of Human Services to provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall receive the assistance of legislative staff and may employ skilled experts. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish criteria and guidelines for designation of a flagship cultural district. Provides that, no later than September 30, 2026, the Department shall award one flagship cultural district. Specifies that the criteria that the Department must develop for a flagship cultural district shall include a demonstration by the applicant and the community that they can provide (1) a unified and inclusive approach to creating cultural engagement opportunities within the designated geographical area and (2) strong community support for the flagship cultural district designation through participation by community organizations and state, regional, and municipal government agencies or officials. Provides that, within 12 months after being designated a flagship cultural district, the flagship cultural district shall submit a report to the Department detailing its current programs and goals for the next 4 years of its designation. Provides that, each year the district remains a flagship cultural district, it shall submit a report to the Department on the status of the programs and future developments of the district. Provides that any flagship cultural district that fails to file a report for 2 consecutive years shall lose its status as a flagship cultural district. Effective immediately.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act, various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois, and the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to establish a pathway program in which any public high school student in this State who graduates in the top 10% of the student's graduating class or meets other standardized thresholds is guaranteed admission to at least one public university. Requires the Board to submit an annual report to the General Assembly (and make the report publicly available) that includes, with respect to public universities: (1) how many in-state residents were admitted in the prior academic year compared to the number of out-of-state residents that were admitted; (2) the tuition trends for students who are residents of this State; and (3) how many university graduates continue to reside within this State following graduation. With respect to each academic program of a public university that has a limited capacity to admit students due to a high demand for admission to the program, provides that at least 70% of the students admitted to the program must be residents of this State. Beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, prohibits the governing board of each public university from increasing its in-state tuition rate for a given academic year by a percentage that exceeds the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor for the 12 months ending on the previous December 31. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to establish a workforce incentive program in which a student who enrolls in a high-need field at an institution of higher learning may receive a grant to reduce tuition costs or loan forgiveness if the student commits to working in this State for at least 3 after graduation. Provides that under the program, a student from an underserved region of this State may also receive additional admission and tuition support from the Commission.

Appropriates $1,000,000 to the University of Illinois for the expansion of biomanufacturing and alternative protein research and development at the University's integrated bioprocessing research laboratory. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that the Illinois Finance Authority and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board may jointly administer a squad car revolving loan program. Creates the Squad Car Revolving Loan Fund. Provides that loans under the program shall be paid out of the Squad Car Revolving Loan Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, if the amount of the credit for residential real property taxes exceeds the taxpayer's liability, that amount shall be refunded if the taxpayer is 65 years or older and has a federal adjusted gross income of not more than $50,000. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program Act. Provides that a recipient may receive an award through the Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program for a maximum of 4 years. With regard to eligibility for the Program, requires, among other criteria, (i) an applicant to be a full-time employee for at least 24 consecutive months as a human services professional at the time of application, (ii) an applicant to remain a full-time employee as a human services professional in the same community-based human services agency for at least 12 months follow the initial application for (rather than after receiving) the grant, and (iii) an applicant seeking a renewal award to be employed by the same community-based human services agency at the time of application and to provide evidence of continuous employment for the 12 months preceding the application for renewal. Defines "human services agency". Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2026.

Designates Illinois Route 96 from the City of Mozier to the Pike County line as the "Army Specialist Anthony William Gilman Highway".

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to establish and administer a program to strengthen this State's workforce by creating structured pipelines from public high schools into in-demand careers through public-private partnerships with employers, public community colleges, and school districts. Under the program, provides that the school board of each school district maintaining a high school shall allow the high school to partner with local employers and the community college district where the high school is located to establish a pathway program for careers in priority sectors. Requires the State Board and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to jointly approve the pathway program prior to implementation and maintain a registry of participating high schools and employers. Sets forth pathway program requirements. Provides that an employer participating in a pathway program that provides a qualifying paid internship or apprenticeship pathway shall receive from the State Board a $1,000 grant per student holding the internship or apprenticeship, not exceed $50,000 per year. Provides that at least 25% of any funds appropriated for implementation must be used to support pathway programs in high schools in high-poverty or rural school districts.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, the Illinois earned income tax credit is in an amount equal to 30% of the federal earned income tax credit. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Creates sales tax holiday periods for clothing, school supplies, diapers, wipes, and hygiene products. Provides that the sales tax periods shall run from January 1 through January 7 of 2027 and each year thereafter and from August 1 through August 7 of 2027 and each year thereafter. Requires retailers to clearly label sales tax holiday items as such in accordance with rules adopted by the Department of Revenue. Requires the Department of Revenue to establish a public awareness campaign in connection with the sales tax holiday program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Changes the name of the School and Municipal Social Work Shortage Loan Repayment Program to the Social Worker and School Counselor Shortage Loan Repayment Program. Allows a school counselor to apply for the Program. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall award a grant of up to $8,000 (rather than $6,500) per year for a maximum of 4 years to each qualified applicant. Provides that a grant shall be used for repayment of the recipient's educational loan instead of the Commission encouraging the recipient to use the grant to repay the recipient's educational loan. Makes other and conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Illinois Pesticide Act. Requires certified pesticide applicators to give written or email notice 72 hours prior to application of pesticide to schools and parks within half of a mile from the site of application. Provides other notice requirements. Defines terms.

Amends the Medicaid Technical Assistance Act. Requires the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center to collaborate with public and private partners throughout the State to identify, establish, and maintain best practices necessary for health providers to ensure their capacity to participate in the Illinois Medical Assistance Program (rather than ensure their capacity to participate in HealthChoice Illinois or YouthCare). Requires the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center to promote equitable delivery systems, remaining committed to the principle that all Medicaid recipients have accessible and equitable physical and mental health care services. Removes provisions concerning the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center's administration of network adequacy reports, and instead requires the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center to administer a network recruitment plan. Provides that by using reports and data provided by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ External Quality Review Organization on network adequacy, provider service deserts, and health care disparities by race and ethnicity, the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center shall propose for Department review and approval an annual plan for recruiting providers to participate in the Illinois Medical Assistance Program and report on outcomes of its recruitment efforts to the Department for continuous improvement. Repeals a provision requiring the Department to maximize federal financial participation for any moneys appropriated to the Department for the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center and to deposit all federal financial participation funds into the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund. Repeals a provision creating the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund. Amends the State Finance Act. Provides for the dissolution of the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund on July 1, 2026, or as soon thereafter as practical, after the transfer of all remaining funds into the Healthcare Provider Relief Fund. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Educational Partnership Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Cultural Districts Act. Provides that, if an area successfully establishes itself as a cultural district under the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law, then the area may be incorporated as a cultural district. Creates 15 cultural districts. Sets forth the method to create additional cultural districts. Provides that, unless the boundaries of a cultural district are the same as the boundaries of a county or municipality, the affairs of a cultural district shall be managed by a board of commissioners consisting of not less than 5 but not more than 9 commissioners, who shall be appointed by the presiding officer of the county board of the county in which the majority of the cultural district is located, with the advice and consent of the county board. Provides that a cultural district may sue and be sued, enter into contracts, acquire and hold real and personal property necessary for its corporate purposes, and adopt a seal. Provides that the board of commissioners of a cultural district may, for any of its authorized purposes, borrow money upon the faith and credit of the cultural district and may issue bonds. Provides that a cultural district may acquire lands for its purposes (i) by lease, (ii) in fee simple by gift, grant, legacy, purchase, or condemnation, or (iii) by easement.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning appointed boards of review in counties under township organization with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, provides that 3 citizens of the State shall comprise the board of review (currently, 3 citizens of the county). Effective immediately.

Amends the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act. Makes a technical change to a Section concerning the short title.