During legislative action from April 6-10, 2026, several bills tracked by the Illinois State Association of Counties (ISACo) were approved by the House and now move to the Senate for consideration. The bills are listed below:
HB 4336 amends the Counties Code, the Township Code, and the Illinois Municipal Code to clarify the scope of building permit fee waivers for veterans with a disability. Within the revised provisions, the definition of building permit fees is expanded to ensure it is not interpreted narrowly. The language now specifies that these fees include, but are not limited to, standard permit fees, plan review or plan examination fees, inspection fees, and reinspection fees. By codifying these specific categories, the amendment aims to protect eligible veterans from administrative costs that might otherwise hinder necessary home modifications or construction projects. ISACo opposes the bill.
HB 4418 amends the Environmental Protection Act to address the presence of plastic materials in environmental runoff. Under the new provisions, the Environmental Protection Agency is mandated to develop and implement requirements for a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, or similar best management practices, within one year of the Act's effective date.
These new standards will be integrated into National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued to facilities governed by specific federal regulations. The primary objective of these requirements is to regulate and control the discharge of plastic pellets and other preproduction plastic materials in stormwater runoff, ensuring that industrial facilities mitigate the environmental impact of these materials on local water systems. ISACo has no position on the bill.
HB 4512 amends both the Cook County Forest Preserve District Act and the River Conservancy Districts Act to update the competitive bidding thresholds for various contracts. These changes specifically affect agreements entered into by the Cook County Forest Preserve District and River Conservancy Districts for work, materials, or supplies.
Under the new guidelines, the bid threshold is set at $60,000 for contracts involving supplies or materials and $30,000 for contracts involving labor or work. Additionally, the amendment allows for a lower threshold to be applied to any of these categories if mandated by specific board policy. These administrative updates are slated to take effect immediately. ISACo has no position on the bill.
HB 4537 amends the Local Governmental Acceptance of Credit Cards Act to ensure greater flexibility and autonomy for local jurisdictions in managing their financial transactions. Under the new provisions, no agreement or contract with a local governmental entity may prohibit or discriminate against the use of the State Treasurer’s E-Pay program as established under the State Treasurer Act. Furthermore, this protection extends to any other payment processing system that a local governmental entity has independently procured for its operations. ISACo supports the bill.
HB 4541 amends the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act to explicitly include overpayments made to any government, agency, or instrumentality within the legal definition of "property." This definition encompasses payments for taxes, licenses, or fees made in excess of what was ultimately required, and the Act clarifies that these changes serve as a restatement of existing law rather than a new mandate.
The bill introduces specific regulations regarding "asset purchasers," defined as large business associations that generate at least $100 million in annual gross receipts, employ 100 or more full-time domestic employees, or trade equity securities on a federal exchange. While the Act exempts asset purchase agreements arising from bankruptcy, corporate dissolution, or receivership proceedings, it establishes strict filing requirements for all other claims made by these entities. Specifically, an asset purchaser must provide a complete, unredacted copy of the purchase agreement and a formal attestation from the seller confirming the business meets the size criteria and is aware that the unclaimed property could have been recovered from the administrator without a fee. These provisions are set to take effect immediately. ISACo has no position on the bill.
HB 4592 amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to ensure that cash remains a valid form of payment at retail businesses in Illinois. The bill mandates that any retail establishment with staff present to accept in-person payments cannot refuse cash for sales under $500, nor can they post signage stating that cash is not accepted. While the law protects the use of legal tender, it does not require businesses to accept bills larger than $20 and provides for specific exceptions to the requirement. By preempting home rule, the bill ensures a single, uniform standard for cash acceptance across the state. Violations of these provisions would be classified as petty offenses subject to fines. Overall, the goal is to protect the financial inclusion of residents who rely on cash and prevent the rise of "cashless" businesses that could exclude unbanked consumers. ISACo opposes the bill.
HB 4614 amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and the Probate Act of 1975 to refine the duration of guardianship and the procedural requirements for "youth in care." Under the updated provisions of the Juvenile Court Act, custody or guardianship for a minor placed with a relative or other legal guardian generally continues until the minor reaches 18 years of age, unless otherwise directed by the court. However, for minors committed to a probation officer, an authorized agency, or the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the law extends the potential duration of custody or guardianship until the age of 21.
The bill also incorporates technical updates to the Juvenile Court Act. These changes specifically address court reviews of placement decisions, focusing on the establishment of permanency goals and the handling of supplemental petitions to reinstate wardship.
The amendment also establishes a crucial link between the Probate Act and the Juvenile Court Act regarding minors transitioning out of DCFS care. When a petition is filed to appoint a guardian for a "youth in care," the court must ensure its findings are consistent with existing juvenile court review standards. Furthermore, any motion to modify or vacate such a guardianship, or to restore custody to a parent who was a respondent in the original juvenile case, must be reviewed according to the supplemental provisions for reinstating wardship. These integrated legal standards are designed to ensure continuity and protection for vulnerable minors and are effective immediately. ISACo has no position on the bill.
HB 4667 amends the Counties Code to place new limitations on the adjustment of recording fees for public entities. The bill provides that the minimum recording fee for documents filed by units of local government, state agencies, or public utilities may only be increased on an annual basis, rather than at any time. This restriction applies to first and second-class counties and is designed to provide more predictable budgeting for public bodies that frequently record legal instruments. County recorders would be responsible for adhering to this annual schedule for fee adjustments. The goal is to ensure fiscal consistency and prevent sudden administrative cost increases for government agencies and utilities. ISACo has no position on the bill.
HB 4867 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to modify regulations regarding the use of specialized lighting on motor vehicles and equipment. The introduced version of the bill proposed an exemption to the prohibition of green oscillating, flashing, or rotating lights for vehicles owned by the State, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, local governments, and contractors. This exemption was specifically intended for vehicles engaged in maintenance or construction within project limits, provided the green lights were used in conjunction with amber or amber and white lights.
The bill was amended to replace the original text to broaden and refine these permissions. The amended language allows for the use of green oscillating, flashing, or rotating lights on vehicles operated by contractors, engineering crews, survey crews, or union representatives while they are actively engaged in work on a highway. To ensure public safety and clarity for other motorists, the amendment mandates that these green lights may only be activated while the vehicles are performing work within the highway zone. ISACo has no position on the bill.
HB 4909 provides that individuals for whom a municipality has contributed to both the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) and a Taft-Hartley pension plan at a rate of $5 per hour or less since July 16, 2014 are deemed employees under the IMRF Article of the Illinois Pension Code for that period through the effective date of the Act. The bill also establishes that, going forward, individuals will be considered employees under IMRF if the municipality contributes $5 per hour or less to a Taft-Hartley pension plan on their behalf. The legislation includes a conforming change and specifies that it must be implemented without reimbursement under the State Mandates Act. Overall, the bill expands IMRF eligibility for certain workers based on employer pension contribution levels. ISACo opposes the bill.
HB 5181 amends the Election Code, the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Children and Family Services Act, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Energy Conservation and Coal Development Act, the Illinois Finance Authority Act, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act, the Balanced Budget Note Act, the State Finance Act, the Illinois Income Tax Act, the Illinois Pesticide Act, the Illinois Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Act, the Habitat Endowment Act, the Illinois Vehicle Code, the Public-Private Partnerships for Transportation Act, the Unified Code of Corrections, and the Adoption Act to make changes to provisions concerning specified funds. Amends the State Employee Housing Act, the Illinois Lottery Law, the Military Code of Illinois, the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Department of Veterans Affairs Act, the Illinois Procurement Code, the School Code, the Hospital Licensing Act, the Prevention of Unnecessary Institutionalization Act, the Adult Protective Services Act, the Autism Spectrum Disorders Reporting Act, the Illinois Solid Waste Management Act, the Recycled Newsprint Use Act, the Illinois Cool Cities Act, and the Illinois Chemical Safety Act to make various changes. ISACo has no position on the bill.
HB 5187 makes changes to regional planning governance in southwestern Illinois by modifying the structure and composition of the Southwestern Illinois Metropolitan and Regional Planning Commission. The bill establishes a 34-member commission with 27 voting members and 7 nonvoting at-large members, specifies how members are appointed from counties, port districts, municipal organizations, and State and regional entities, and outlines procedures for handling Commission funds. Overall, the bill restructures regional planning governance to define representation and administrative processes more clearly. ISACo has no position on the bill.
HB 5302 amends the County Department of Corrections Division of the Counties Code, the Unified Code of Corrections, and the County Jail Act. Provides that, upon the release of a prisoner or committed person from a county correctional institution, county jail, or Department of Corrections correctional institution or facility, the sheriff, warden, or Department shall provide the prisoner or committed person with an opioid antagonist if the prisoner was incarcerated for drug-related charges or was identified as having a substance use disorder. ISACo has no position on the bill.
HB 5316 amends the Nuclear Safety Law of 2004 to expand the emergency response powers of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). The bill grants IEMA and the Office of Homeland Security the legal right to enter both public and private property to take environmental samples in response to a disaster or incident that causes, or threatens to cause, radioactive contamination consistent with the regulatory requirements of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The goal is to ensure the state can respond rapidly and accurately to nuclear emergencies by removing barriers to environmental data collection. ISACo has no position on the bill.