Bills

HB0021 - FOIA/LOCAL RECORDS-JUNK MAIL

Amends the Freedom of Information Act and the Local Records Act. In the definition provisions of those Acts, defines the term "junk mail" and specifies that the term "public record" does not include junk mail.

HB0023 - OPN MTG-EMERGENCY DEFINED

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Defines the terms "bona fide emergency" and "exigent circumstances". Provides that, if a quorum of the members of a public body is physically present at a meeting, a majority of the public body may allow a member of that body to attend the meeting by other means if the member is prevented from physically attending because of, among other things, exigent circumstances concerning a family member (rather than because of, among other things, a family or other emergency). Makes technical changes.

HB0026 - REMOTE MEETINGS-SEVERE WEATHER

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that an open or closed meeting subject to the Act may be conducted by audio or video conference, without the physical presence of a quorum of the members, if the National Weather Service has determined that all or part of the jurisdiction of the public body is located within an area that is subject to a severe weather alert on the day of the meeting. Makes conforming changes. Makes other technical changes.

HB0031 - OMA-AUTOMATED REQUEST

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Defines "automated request" as a request that a public body has a reasonable belief was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence or submitted without any specific, affirmative action taken by a human. Provides that a public body shall respond to an automated request within 5 business days after receipt and provide certain types of notice to the requester. Provides procedures for the requester to dispute having the request treated as an automated request. Adds automated requests to certain provisions regarding requests for a commercial purpose and voluminous requests. Allows a public body to charge requesters for the costs of any search for and review of the records or other personnel costs associated with reproducing the records associated with an automated request. Provides that a person whose request to inspect or copy a public record is treated as an automated request may not file a request for review with the Public Access Counselor, with certain exceptions.

HB0049 - COUNTIES CD-AUXILIARY DEPUTIES

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, in matters a sheriff deems essential to preventing or assisting with disasters or events of civil disorder, the sheriff may authorize plain clothes to be worn by auxiliary deputies as long as the auxiliary deputies are carrying proper identification while performing this function. Provides that auxiliary deputies may only carry firearms while in the performance of their assigned duties (rather than while in uniform and in the performance of their assigned duties).

HB0073 - OBSTRUCT JUSTICE-BODY CAMERAS

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person, in addition to other elements of the offense, obstructs justice when, with intent to prevent the apprehension or obstruct the prosecution or defense of any person, he or she knowingly takes a body camera or any part of a body camera from a person known to be a peace officer. Provides that a violation, if the body camera or any part of the body camera is taken from the peace officer during the commission of an offense that has caused great bodily harm to the officer or another person, is a Class 1 felony. Provides that any other violation of this provision is a Class 2 felony.

HB0076 - CD CORR-REENTRY PRGM-REIMBURSE

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that if the county jail located in the county where the committed person was residing immediately before his or her conviction for the offense for which he or she is serving sentence in the Department of Corrections has a reentry program for committed persons, the Department of Corrections shall reimburse the county for any expenses incurred in the transfer of the committed person to the sheriff of the county where the reentry program is located, including the housing of the committed person transferred to the reentry program.

HB1031 - CRIM CD-IMPEDE FIRST RESPONDER

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is unlawful for a person, after receiving a warning not to approach from a first responder who is engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty, to violate the warning and approach or remain within 14 feet of the first responder with the intent to: (1) interrupt, disrupt, hinder, impede, or interfere with the first responder's ability to perform the first responder's duty; (2) threaten the first responder with physical harm; or (3) harass the first responder by interfering with the first responder performing the first responder's duty. Provides that a violation is a Class A misdemeanor. Defines "first responder" and "harass".

HB1035 - GRANT ACC-PUB SAFETY AGENCIES

Amends the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Provides that the Governor's Office of Management and Budget shall adopt rules pertaining to expedient and efficient processing of grants awarded to public safety agencies though the State's awarding agencies, including those awards provided through the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board. Provides that the rules pertaining to the issuance of awards to public safety agencies shall include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) in accordance with the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act, continued uniform administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for State and federal pass-through awards to non-federal public safety entities; (2) an application process for public safety agencies that proceeds to process applicants, upon the receipt of their application on a first-come, first-serve basis; and (3) an award process that proceeds on a chronological case-by-case basis where a public safety agency's award is processed with no delay upon that agency's completion of all requirements, including the application process, reporting requirements, monitoring, and all other considerations and regulations as required under the Act. Provides that the Grant Accountability and Transparency Unit and the Office of the State Comptroller shall consider and determine revised factors when determining permanent or temporary cease payments, the garnishment of funds, or any other action by a State agency to hinder receipt of an award by a public safety agency recipient or subrecipient. Provides that those factors shall be disseminated to all State agencies that award grants to public safety agencies. Effective immediately.

HB1104 - LOC GOV EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE

Amends the Decennial Committees on Local Government Efficiency Act. Provides that a governmental unit may form a committee (rather than must form a committee) to study local efficiencies and report recommendations regarding efficiencies and increased accountability to the county board in which the governmental unit is located.

HB1163 - COUNTIES CD-SOLAR&WIND ENERGY

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a commercial wind energy facility owner or solar energy facility owner must file a land reclamation plan and a recycling plan with the Department of Agriculture prior to the required public hearing on the siting of a facility. Provides that the land reclamation plan must outline how the property on which a facility has been constructed will be returned to the state the property existed prior to the construction of the facility upon removal of the facility. Provides that the recycling plan must outline how the material used to construct the facility will be recycled. Provides that a commercial solar energy facility may not be sited on property where the property's soil's crop productivity index is greater than 110. Effective immediately.

HB1207 - CRIM PRO-PRETRIAL SERVICES

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that the pretrial services agency supervising and monitoring a defendant on pretrial release shall immediately notify the law enforcement agency of the defendant's primary residence and contact information and the office of the State's Attorney that charged the defendant if the person on pretrial release violates a no contact order.

HB1230 - EPA-AIR QUALITY FUND

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Creates the Air Quality Enforcement and Mitigation Fund. Makes a conforming change to the State Finance Act. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency shall expend 30% of moneys from the Fund for staffing and other functions of the Agency that benefit environmental protection communities and are related to one or more specified purposes. Directs the Agency to establish an Air Quality Community Impact Grant Program to provide grants to nonprofit entities, local health departments, local environmental departments, and school districts to carry out the purposes of the Act. Requires 70% of moneys from the Fund to be expended for grants under the Program for specified purposes in communities affected by violations of the Act. Requires the Agency to adopt rules to implement the Program. Provides that the Agency, in collaboration with environmental interest groups, shall develop a process to identify environmental protection communities. Requires the Agency to post on its website and make publicly available an annual report on the purposes for which grants were awarded under the Program. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

HB1253 - WORKERS COMP-CAUSATION

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Provides that an injury arises out of and in the course of employment only if the accident significantly caused or contributed to both the resulting condition and the disability. Provides that an injury does not arise out of and in the course of employment if (1) the hazard or risk was not incidental to employment and was a hazard or risk to which the general public is also exposed, (2) the injury did not occur at a time and place and under circumstances reasonably required by the employment, or (3) the disability resulted from a personal risk. Limits conditions under which repetitive or cumulative trauma is compensable. Provides that gradual deterioration or progressive degeneration of the body caused by aging is not compensable as repetitive or cumulative trauma. Effective immediately.

HB1254 - WORKERS COMP-BENEFIT RATES

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Makes changes to the compensation periods for accidental injuries resulting in the loss of or the permanent and complete loss of use of the thumb, fingers, or toes; the amputation of an arm, foot, or leg; the enucleation of an eye; and other injuries to reduce the compensation to the amounts in effect for injuries occurring before February 1, 2006. Effective immediately.

HB1255 - WORKERS COMP-PRIOR INJURY

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Provides that, in computing the compensation to be paid to an employee who, before the accident for which the employee claims compensation, had before that time sustained an injury resulting in a permanency award or settlement, the award or settlement shall be deducted from any award made for the subsequent injury. Provides that, if an employee received an award or settlement for a shoulder injury between 2012 and the effective date of the amendatory Act, then the award or settlement shall be converted to the appropriate number of weeks for an arm and the credit taken against any award or settlement shall be taken on the arm. Effective immediately.

HB1257 - WORKERS COMP EMPLOYEE TRAVEL

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act concerning injuries sustained by employees during travel. Provides that accidental injuries sustained while traveling to or from work do not arise out of and in the course of employment, except under specified circumstances. Provides that the injury may arise out of and in the course of employment if, at the time of the injury, the employee was performing acts the employer instructed the employee to perform, acts that the employee had a common law or statutory duty to perform while performing duties for his or her employer, or acts that the employee might be reasonably expected to perform incident to his or her assigned duties. Effective immediately.

HB1258 - WORKERS COMP-SHOULDER-HIP

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Provides that, for purposes of awarding compensation for injuries, an injury to the shoulder shall be considered an injury to a part of the arm and an injury to the hip shall be considered an injury to a part of the leg. Effective immediately.

HB1259 - WORKERS COMP-SPINAL INJURY

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Provides that for purposes of computing compensation for an employee who had a prior compensated injury to the spine, the prior compensation shall be deducted from compensation awarded for a subsequent injury to the same part of the spine. Effective immediately.

HB1282 - INC TX-LGDF TRANSFERS

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the amount transferred from the General Revenue Fund to the Local Government Distributive Fund. Effective immediately.

HB1301 - RURAL HOSPITAL TASK FORCE

House Bill 1301 proposes the creation of the Rural Hospital Task Force within the Department of Public Health. The primary objectives of this Task Force are to investigate the current state of rural hospitals and to provide recommendations aimed at preventing further closures and potentially expanding services offered by these hospitals. 

The Task Force is mandated to convene on at least four separate occasions to conduct its business. It is required to submit all findings and recommendations to the General Assembly before January 1, 2027, after which the Task Force will be dissolved, and the Act will be repealed on that date. 

Benefits to Counties:

The establishment of the Rural Hospital Task Force presents several potential benefits to counties, particularly those in rural areas:

1. Improved Healthcare Access: By assessing the challenges faced by rural hospitals and recommending strategies to prevent their closure, the Task Force aims to ensure that residents in rural counties continue to have access to essential healthcare services.

2. Economic Stability: Hospitals often serve as significant employers and economic drivers in rural communities. Preventing hospital closures can help maintain employment levels and support local economies.

3. Enhanced Services: The Task Force’s recommendations may lead to the expansion of services provided by rural hospitals, offering residents access to a broader range of healthcare options locally.

4. Data-Driven Policy Making: With the Task Force’s findings, counties will have access to comprehensive data and analyses, enabling them to advocate for policies and resources tailored to their specific healthcare needs.

HB 1301 seeks to address the challenges faced by rural hospitals in Illinois, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that rural counties maintain robust healthcare infrastructures to serve their populations effectively.

HB1314 - COUNTY ETHICS COMMISSION

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. In provisions requiring governmental entities to adopt ordinances or resolutions regulating specified ethical concerns, provides that a governmental entity may create an ethics commission to satisfy the requirements.

HB1329 - CO-RESPONDER UNIT-MCHENRY CNTY

Amends the Co-Responder Pilot Program Division of the Illinois Municipal Code. Adds the McHenry County Sheriff's Office to the offices to which the Division is applicable and requires the Office to establish a co-responder unit no later than 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act and hire specified personnel. Makes conforming changes, including in the Counties Code. Provides that, along with the duties described elsewhere in the Division, the unit's social workers are responsible for following up with victims (rather than conducting follow-up visits for victims) who may benefit from mental or behavioral health services.

HB1397 - QUICK-TAKE WILL COUNTY

Amends the Eminent Domain Act. Provides that quick-take powers may be used for a period of no more than 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act by Will County for the acquisition of certain described property for the purpose of road construction. Repeals the new provisions 3 years after the effective date. Effective immediately.

HB1403 - $LAW ENFORCEMENT CAMERA GRANTS

Appropriates $80,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Law Enforcement Training Standards Board for deposit into the Law Enforcement Camera Grant Fund to assist units of local government in Illinois with full compliance with the mandates of the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act. Contains provisions on legislative findings. Effective immediately.

HB1420 - COUNTY WIND/SOLAR FACILITIES

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county may consider public comment concerning commercial wind energy facilities and commercial solar energy facilities.

HB1567 - FINANCE-SQUAD CAR PROGRAM

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.

HB1571 - LAND BANK AUTHORITY ACT

Creates the Land Bank Authority Act. Authorizes the corporate authorities of a municipality or county, or 2 or more municipalities or counties, to create a land bank by ordinance (for the corporate authorities of a home rule municipality or county), by entering into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement (for the corporate authorities of 2 or more municipalities and counties), or by authority already provided to a county, municipality, or other taxing district prior to the effective date of the Act. Includes provisions relating to legislative findings and purpose, definitions, and interpretation of the Act. Effective immediately.

HB1595 - OMA-IMRF BENEFITS POSTING

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that, within 6 business days after an employer participating in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund approves a budget, that employer must post on its website the total compensation package for each employee having a total compensation package that exceeds $125,000 (rather than $75,000) per year. Provides that, at least 6 days before an employer participating in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund approves an employee's total compensation package that is equal to or in excess of $200,000 (rather than $150,000) per year, the employer must post on its website the total compensation package for that employee. Effective January 1, 2026.

HB1601 - COUNTIES-MOTOR FUEL

Amends the County Motor Fuel Tax Law in the Counties Code. Provides that any county (currently, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Will, and McHenry counties only) may impose a tax upon all persons engaged in the business of selling motor fuel. Provides that, in addition to other uses currently allowed by law, the proceeds from the tax shall be used for the purpose of maintaining and constructing essential transportation-related infrastructure.

HB1606 - VEH CD-STREET RACING/SIDESHOWS

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that no person shall gather in a public street, commercial parking lot, or any other area open to the public for the purpose of street racing or a street side show. Provides that a vehicle used in street racing or a street side show or used to interfere with the flow of traffic to facilitate street racing or a street side show is subject to forfeiture. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Makes corresponding changes.

HB1740 - FOIA-OFFICER-WORN BODY CAMERAS

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that, if a request for public records for officer-worn body camera recorded audio or video is received by a public body, the public body shall either comply with or deny the request within 15 business days (rather than 5 days) after its receipt of the request. Allows an extension to the time to respond to a request for officer-worn body camera recorded audio or video to 15 business days (rather than 5 business days).

HB1801 - PROP TX-OMITTED PROPERTY

Amends the Property Tax Code. In counties with fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants, provides that property that receives an erroneous homestead exemption for the current assessment year or for any of the 3 prior assessment years may be considered omitted property. Provides for penalties and interest to be imposed on that omitted property. Provides that any arrearage of taxes or interest that might have been assessed against that omitted property shall not be chargeable to certain bona fide purchasers of the property. Effective immediately.

HB1831 - COUNTIES CD-NUISANCE

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that each county shall have power to declare what are nuisances, including, but not limited to, sound amplification, construction noise, and noise from off-road vehicles, and to take all necessary measures to abate nuisances within the county's jurisdiction.

HB1883 - $DCEO/KANE COUNTY STATE'S ATTY

Appropriates $3,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the Office of the Kane County State's Attorney for its operational expenses. Effective July 1, 2025.

HB1893 - HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE

HB 1893 aims to reduce environmental and public health risks by requiring manufacturers to manage the lifecycle of hazardous household products. The legislation shifts responsibility from local governments to producers through a statewide stewardship program.

Key Provisions

Stewardship Program Requirement

Manufacturers must establish or participate in a stewardship program for the collection, transportation, and proper disposal of hazardous products beginning January 1, 2027. 

By requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for the collection and proper disposal of household hazardous waste (like paints, cleaners, solvents, batteries, etc.), the bill helps divert these materials away from landfills, where they can pose serious environmental and safety risks.

Positive Impacts on Landfills

Reduced Contamination: Hazardous substances can leach into soil and groundwater when disposed of improperly. This bill ensures safer handling and disposal, reducing contamination in and around landfill sites.

Waste Stream Diversion: By creating alternative collection and recycling programs, the bill keeps toxic or chemically active products out of municipal waste streams and ultimately out of landfills.

Extended Landfill Lifespan: Removing bulky or difficult-to-manage waste types helps optimize landfill capacity, potentially extending the useful life of existing sites.

Incentivized Product Redesign: With manufacturers bearing end-of-life costs, there may be motivation to design less toxic, more recyclable products, further reducing long-term landfill impacts.

Covered Products

Includes paints, pesticides, cleaners, solvents, automotive fluids, batteries, and similar household chemicals.

Manufacturer Obligations

• Submit detailed stewardship plans to the Illinois EPA

• Provide statewide collection access, including in rural and underserved areas

• Fund the entire program—no cost to local governments

• Conduct public education and outreach

• Submit annual reports on performance, collection data, and accessibility

State Oversight and Compliance

• Illinois EPA will review and approve plans

• Non-compliance may result in enforcement actions or penalties

• Data reporting is required to track success and improve outcomes

The bill intends to implement extended producer responsibility by holding manufacturers accountable for their products’ environmental impact. It aims to improve public access to safe disposal options, reduce the volume of hazardous waste entering landfills and ecosystems, and encourage the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly product designs.

HB1927 - CONSERVATION-OPEN SPACE FUND

House Bill 1927 intends to amend the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. The bill’s primary objective is to ensure that funds allocated for open space acquisition and development remain dedicated to their intended purpose. Specifically, HB 1927 stipulates that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, moneys in the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund may not be appropriated, assigned, or transferred to another State fund. 

This legislative initiative seeks to protect the integrity of the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund by preventing the diversion of its resources to other state funds. By doing so, the bill aims to ensure that the financial resources designated for the acquisition and development of open spaces are used exclusively for those purposes, thereby supporting environmental conservation and community recreation projects across Illinois.

HB1930 - $VIOLENCE PREVENTION GRANTS

Provides that specified amounts are appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to specified units of local government for non-competitively awarded grants to community-based organizations that address violence prevention using a culturally competent approach and that are capable of decreasing violence in the specified representative districts. Provides for the types of prevention, services, and programs the grants shall support. Effective July 1, 2025.

HB2334 - FOIA-CYBERSECURITY

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that electronic requests for public records must appear in their entirety within the body of the electronic submission and that no public body shall be required to open electronically attached files or hyperlinks to view or access the details of such a request. Effective immediately.

HB2341 - $IDPH-LOCAL HEALTH PROT GRANT

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for local health protection grants for health protection programs. Effective July 1, 2025.

HB2350 - BODY CAMERAS-AUXILIARY OFFICER

Amends the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act. Provides that an auxiliary officer is a law enforcement officer for purposes of the Act. Amends the Law Enforcement Camera Grant Act. Specifies that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board must make grants to units of local government in Illinois and Illinois public universities for, among other things, purchasing or leasing officer-worn body cameras and associated technology for auxiliary officers and training auxiliary officers. Defines "auxiliary officer" for purposes of both Acts.

HB2351 - BD HIGHER ED-MEDICAL RESIDENCY

Amends the Comprehensive Healthcare Workforce Planning Act. Requires the State Healthcare Workforce Council to coordinate the State's health workforce education and training to develop a health workforce that meets the State's health care needs. Requires the Council to work with graduate medical education and training programs, health professions, and consumer representatives to address specified issues. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to establish a program to provide: (1) funding for medical residency positions that are not funded by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or other established funding source; (2) technical assistance for entities that wish to establish a residency program; and (3) startup funding for entities that wish to establish a residency program. Sets forth provisions concerning the application process and priority. Requires the Board to establish an application process for an entity seeking funding. Provides that the State Healthcare Workforce Council shall provide information annually to the Board related to workforce shortages to assist in the development of the application and shall be responsible for reviewing applications and making recommendations to the Board regarding funding recipients. Creates the Medical Residency Education Fund to expand graduate medical education opportunities in the State and maximize the delivery of medical care and physician services to specific areas of the State where there is a recognized unmet priority need for medical care and physician services. Makes other changes. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act.

HB2354 - COUNTIES CD-LEASE OF PROPERTY

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the lease of real estate is permitted when a vacant property, structure, or facility owned by the county can be used in the interest of the public or for the benefit and enjoyment of residents of the county.

HB2355 - COUNTIES CD-LEASE OF PROPERTY

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the lease of real estate is permitted when a property, structure, or facility owned by Kane County can be used for athletic purposes in the interest of the public or for the benefit and enjoyment of residents of the county if the property, structure, or facility acquired by Kane County was being used for athletic purposes prior to the county acquiring the property, structure, or facility. For leases entered into under this provision after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the lease must require (i) the lessee to allow any organization that used the land at the time the lease is executed to continue to use the land for the leased purposes during the term of the lease and (ii) the lessor to continue, during the term of the lease, to employ, in the same capacity, any persons who provided services on the land at the time the lease is executed.

HB2377 - PAID LEAVE-ACCRUAL OF LEAVE

Amends the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Provides that for the purpose of calculating the accrual of paid leave, only hours actually worked by an employee shall be considered. Provides that an employee shall not accrue paid leave for any hours that an employee was scheduled to work but did not actually work. Provides that, if paid leave is taken due to an emergency, an employer may require that an employee provide documentation of the emergency upon returning to work. Makes other changes.

HB2393 - FOREST PRESERVE-REVENUE

Amends the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act. Allows the board of a forest preserve district to establish a special forest preserve district retailers' occupation tax and service occupation tax after referendum of the voters. Allows the tax to used exclusively for general purposes, including education, outdoor recreation, maintenance, operations, public safety at the forest preserves, trails, acquiring and restoring land, and any other lawful purposes or programs determined by the board of that district. Includes referendum language and additional ballot informational language. Incorporates provisions from the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to implement the tax. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Special Forest Preserve Retailers' and Service Occupation Tax Fund. Effective immediately.

HB2423 - MEDICAID-MATERNAL HLTH-DOULAS

House Amendment 2

House Floor Amendment 2 to HB 2423 introduces requirements that support the integration of Medicaid-certified doulas into obstetric and birthing care settings in Illinois, particularly for patients enrolled in the state’s medical assistance program.

Key Provisions:

1. Policy Requirements for Hospitals and Birthing Centers

Within six months of the amendment’s enactment, all hospitals with licensed obstetric beds and birthing centers must:

• Adopt and maintain written policies and procedures allowing Medicaid patients to have an Illinois Medicaid certified and enrolled doula of their choice accompany them.

• Permit doulas to provide support before, during, and after childbirth on the facility premises.

2. Doula Not Counted Against Guest Limits

A certified Medicaid doula must not be counted as a support person or included in any facility-imposed guest quota limits, ensuring separate and protected access.

3. Transparency and Communication

Facilities must post a summary of their policies on their website, including:

• Contact information for coordination between the facility and Medicaid-enrolled doulas or doula organizations.

4. Limitations and Liability Protections

The amendment:

• Does not require patient access to doulas if such access is inconsistent with accepted medical practices.

• Does not alter or expand hospital malpractice liability, preserving current protections under Illinois law.

5. Documentation Requirement for Doulas

Doulas must provide written proof of certification and Medicaid enrollment upon request from the hospital or birthing center.

6. Regulatory Support

The Departments of Healthcare and Family Services and Public Health may create standing recommendations to ensure compliance with federal CMS requirements and to promote access to preventive services.

Potential County Impact:

• County Hospitals: County-operated or affiliated hospitals with obstetric services will need to update policies, train staff, and develop communication procedures to ensure doula access.

• Public Health Role: County health departments may play a role in coordinating doula networks, supporting Medicaid enrollment for doulas, and ensuring compliance.

• Patient Support and Outcomes: The amendment may improve maternal health outcomes and patient satisfaction for Medicaid enrollees, particularly in underserved areas.

In summary, this amendment enhances support for birthing individuals on Medicaid by guaranteeing their right to doula services in approved settings, formalizing facility responsibilities, and safeguarding both patient safety and hospital liability protections.

HB2463 - INC TX-LGDF TRANSFERS

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the amount transferred from the General Revenue Fund to the Local Government Distributive Fund. Effective immediately.

HB2465 - OMA-SERVICE MEMBER ATTENDANCE

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that, if a quorum of the members of the public body is physically present, a majority of the public body may allow a member of that body to attend the meeting by other means if the member is prevented from physically attending because of performance of active military duty as a service member. Defines "active military duty" and "service member".

HB2578 - FOIA-PERSON

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Changes the definition of "person". Allows, within 5 business days after its receipt of the request, a public body that has a reasonable belief that a request was not submitted by a person to require the requester to verify orally or in writing that the requester is a person. Provides that the deadline for the public body to respond to the request shall be tolled until the requester verifies that he or she is a person. Provides that, if the requester fails to verify that he or she is a person within 30 days after the public body requests such a verification, then the public body may deny the request.

HB2686 - REVENUE-LOCAL DISTRIBUTIONS

Amends the State Finance Act and the State Revenue Sharing Act. Provides that certain provisions concerning distributions from the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund and from the Local Government Distributive Fund constitute an irrevocable and continuing appropriation. Effective immediately.

HB2689 - PROP TX-VETERANS COMMISSIONS

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the tax bill shall include the dollar amount of tax due that is used to fund a Veterans Assistance Commission.

HB2720 - PROP TX-VETERANS-PTELL

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that special purpose levies made for the purpose of funding a Veterans Assistance Commission are not included in a taxing district's aggregate extension.

HB2722 - FOIA-PRELIMINARY DRAFT-STUDY

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Exempts from disclosure any studies, drafts, notes, recommendations, memoranda, and other records in which opinions are expressed, or policies or actions are formulated, except that a specific record or relevant portion of a record is not exempt if the record has remained in draft form for more than a 12-month period and public dollars were spent by a unit of local government to conduct such a study.

HB2756 - ISP-ACTIVE SHOOTER ALRT SYSTEM

Amends the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall develop a coordinated program for an emergency alert system to notify people when an active shooter situation is occurring in the State. Provides that, on the request of a local law enforcement agency or as the Illinois State Police determines appropriate to assist a local law enforcement agency regarding an active shooter, the Illinois State Police shall activate the alert system and notify appropriate participants in the alert system if the local law enforcement agency or the Illinois State Police determines that the situation meets certain specified criteria. Provides that the Illinois State Police may adopt rules to implement the provisions.

HB2784 - COUNTY GARBAGE HAULER CONTRACT

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county may make contracts with any city, village, or incorporated town or with any person, corporation, or county, or any agency created by intergovernmental agreement, for more than one year and not exceeding 30 years, relating to the collection and final disposition, or relating solely to either the collection or final disposition of garbage. Provides that a county may contract with private industry to operate a designated facility for the disposal, treatment, or recycling of garbage, and may enter into contracts with private firms or local governments for the delivery of garbage to such facility. Provides that payments required in regard to a contract for garbage disposal shall not be regarded as indebtedness of the county for the purpose of any debt limitation imposed by any law. Effective immediately.

HB2840 - WORKERS COMP-FEE SCHEDULE

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Makes existing medical fee schedules inoperative after August 31, 2026. Provides that the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission shall establish new medical fee schedules applicable on and after September 1, 2026 in accordance with specified criteria. Provides for 4 non-hospital fee schedules and 14 hospital fee schedules applicable to different geographic areas of the State. Sets forth a procedure for petitioning the Commission if a maximum fee causes a significant limitation on access to quality health care in either a specific field of health care services or a specific geographic limitation on access to health care. Effective immediately.

HB2881 - FOIA-COMMERCIAL PURPOSES

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that, as used in the Act, the term "commercial purpose" means, among other things, the use of any part of a public record or records, or information derived from public records, in any form for any use or purpose that furthers the commercial, trade, or profit interests of the requester or the person on whose behalf the request is made.

HB2882 - FOIA-RESPONSE PERIODS

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that each public body shall, promptly, either comply with or deny a request for public records within 15 business days (rather than 5 business days) after its receipt of the request, unless extended for an additional 10 business days (rather than 5 business days) for specified reasons. Provides that commercial requests must be responded to within 30 business days (rather than 21 working days).

HB2886 - OPEN MTGS-ATTENDANCE

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Allows attendance by a means other than physical presence under certain circumstances if a member of a public body is prevented from physically attending because of any reason designated in rules adopted by the public body in accordance with certain provisions in the Act.

HB2887 - FOIA-RECURRENT REQUESTERS

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.

HB2888 - FOIA-FEES AND COSTS

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. In provisions regarding the authority to charge fees and the imposition of a fee for a voluminous request, removes requirements for an accounting of all personnel hours in connection with the request for public records.

HB2897 - INC TX-INCREASE LGDF

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2025, the Department of Revenue shall deposit 10% of the net revenue realized from the income taxes imposed under the Act directly into the Local Government Distributive Fund as that revenue is realized. Effective immediately.

HB2914 - PUBLICATION-NOTICES-NEWSPAPERS

Amends the Notice By Publication Act. Provides that in counties with a population of less than 3,000,000, if a unit of local government, community college, or school district is required to provide notice in a newspaper by law, order of court, or contract, those entities may publish the notice on its official government website instead of in a newspaper. Provides that the entity or the host of the notice website must enter into a service-level agreement with an Internet service provider that guarantees the site is accessible to the public over the Internet at least 98% of the time, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Provides that the official Internet website of the entity must prominently display a link to the notice web page. Provides that if an individual is unable to access an electronic publication of a legal notice, the entity must provide a copy of the notice to the individual free of charge. Requires that notices must remain available on the website at least until the last posting date required by law has expired or until the event described in a notice has taken place, whichever is later. Repeals the current provisions that a newspaper that publishes a notice required by law must contract to place the notice at no additional cost on the statewide website established and maintained as a joint venture of the majority of State newspapers as a repository of these notices. Amends the Newspaper Legal Notice Act. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

HB2931 - IDPH-FENTANYL AWARENESS

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall, in consultation with appropriate agencies and organizations, establish a public awareness campaign to assist the public in understanding the harm of abusing fentanyl, with certain requirements.

HB2939 - AGING-DHS-GRANT ASSISTANCE

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging, the Children and Family Services Act, the Department of Human Services Act, and the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law. Requires the Department on Aging, and the Departments of Children and Family Services, Human Services, and Public Health to provide technical assistance in the form of training to local governmental entities and not-for-profit human service entities located within Illinois that request such assistance for the purpose of procuring grants. Requires the Departments to prioritize entities that: (i) are current grant recipients and are routinely noncompliant with grant award requirements; and (ii) have lost Department grant funding in the last 5 years and are seeking to reapply for grant funding. Requires the Departments to adopt rules. Effective July 1, 2025.

HB2955 - EPA-PFAS WASTEWATER

House Bill 2955 seeks to establish the PFAS Wastewater Citizen Protection Act, aiming to address the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater systems. 

Key Provisions of HB 2955:

Creation of the PFAS Wastewater Citizen Protection Committee

The bill proposes forming a dedicated committee tasked with evaluating and mitigating PFAS contamination in wastewater. The make-up of the committee would be as follows:

• Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency or their designee (serving as chair).
• One representative from a statewide association representing municipal wastewater agencies.
• One representative from a statewide environmental advocacy organization.
• One representative from a statewide association representing municipal governments.
• One representative from a statewide labor organization.
• One representative from a public health advocacy group.
• One scientist or academic with expertise in PFAS or environmental toxicology, appointed by the Governor.
• Two members of the public with a demonstrated interest in environmental protection, appointed by the Governor.
• One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker.
• One member of the Senate, appointed by the Senate President.

Development of a PFAS Action Plan

• The committee is responsible for formulating a comprehensive action plan to address PFAS-related challenges, which will be submitted to the Governor’s Office, the General Assembly, and relevant stakeholders.

Impact on Counties:

For counties in Illinois, the implementation of HB 2955 could have several implications:

• Counties operating wastewater treatment facilities may need to adhere to new standards and guidelines established by the PFAS Action Plan, necessitating updates to current practices and infrastructure.
• Compliance with potential new regulations may require financial investments in monitoring equipment, treatment technologies, and staff training to effectively manage PFAS contamination.
• By addressing PFAS contamination, counties can contribute to improved public health outcomes and environmental quality, aligning with broader community health objectives.

HB 2955 proposes a proactive approach to managing PFAS contamination in wastewater systems, with counties playing a crucial role in the successful implementation and adherence to the proposed measures.

HB2996 - PROP TX-CELL TOWERS

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that wireless telecommunication towers that are not otherwise exempt under a specific provision of the Code are subject to local property taxes and shall be valued according to policies adopted by the chief county assessment officer. Effective immediately.

HB3032 - OPEN MEETINGS-ADVISORY BODY

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that an advisory body may conduct an open or closed meeting by audio or video conference without the physical presence of a quorum of its members if certain conditions are met. Defines "advisory body" and "decision-making body". Makes technical changes.

HB3127 - KRATOM CONSUMER PROTECTION

Creates the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Establishes safety requirements for the preparation, distribution, sale, and offer for sale of Kratom products and extracts. Prohibits the preparation, distribution, sale, and offer for sale of adulterated Kratom products and extracts. Provides that a processor of Kratom products that violates the Act is subject to an administrative penalty of not more than $5,000 for the first offense and not more than $10,000 for the second or subsequent offense. Provides that the penalty shall be collected by the Department of Public Health and paid into the Food and Drug Safety Fund. Requires, upon the request of a person to whom an administrative penalty is issued, the Director of Public Health to conduct a hearing in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Provides that a processor shall not knowingly distribute, sell, or offer for sale a Kratom product to a person under 21 years of age. Provides that a person who violates the age restrictions shall be punished as provided in the Kratom Control Act. Provides that a processor does not violate the Act if it is shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the processor relied in good faith upon the representations of a manufacturer, processor, packer, or distributor of food represented to be a Kratom product. Amends the Kratom Control Act. Changes the age in which a person may not purchase and possess and to whom Kratom may not be sold, bought for, distributed samples of, or furnished from under 18 years of age to under 21 years of age. Provides that no person or entity shall advertise a product containing any quantity of Kratom, in any form or medium, within 1,000 feet of the perimeter of school grounds, a playground, a recreation center or facility, a child care center, a public park or public library, or a game arcade that admits persons under 21 years of age. Provides that no person or entity shall sell a product containing any quantity of Kratom, in any form or through any medium, within 1,000 feet of the perimeter of school grounds, a playground, a recreation center or facility, a child care center, a public park or public library, or a game arcade that admits persons under 21 years of age. Provides that a violation is a business offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $5,000.

HB3182 - $DCEO-FOREST PRESERVE

Appropriates the amount of $709,500 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County for the administration and operation of Greencorps Chicago and Forest Preserve Experience programs within the Conservation Corps program. Effective July 1, 2025.

HB3206 - VEH-FLEE/ELUDE OFFICER-PENALTY

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Increases the penalty for fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class 4 felony, and, for a third or subsequent violation, from a Class 4 felony to a Class 3 felony.

HB3216 - INC TX-PHYSICIANS

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for qualified physicians who work in hospitals, health clinics, or independently and who work in underserved areas or in rural counties or rural municipalities. Provides that the credit shall be in the amount of $5,000. Effective immediately.

HB3235 - DOWNSTATE TRANSPORT-CALL-RIDE

Amends the Downstate Public Transportation Act. Provides that a participant may use grant moneys under the Act to establish a call-for-ride service in rural areas.

HB3284 - VEH CD-TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a municipality or unit of local government may erect and maintain a specialized traffic control device at an intersection where an emergency response vehicle enters the roadway or within 1,000 feet from a structure where such vehicles are stored. Allows the specialized traffic control device to be controlled by the emergency response unit or fire station as the emergency response vehicle enters or exits traffic.

HB3301 - ELEC CD-ELEC WORKER HARASSMENT

Amends the Election Code. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to intimidate, threaten, coerce, use violence or force, or attempt to intimidate, threaten, coerce, or use violence or force against: (1) an election worker in the performance or discharge of his or her election-related duties; or (2) an individual who is lawfully present at a polling place or a location where a canvass of votes is conducted. Provides that any person who violates the provision is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense committed within 3 years of a previous conviction for the same offense.

HB3380 - BODY CAMERAS-FOIA REQUESTS

Amends the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act. Limits disclosure of a recording made with the use of an officer-worn body camera which is flagged due to the filing of a complaint, discharge of a firearm, use of force, arrest or detention, or resulting death or bodily harm to a request made by (1) court order; (2) a person involved in the encounter that resulted in the recording being flagged; (3) a legal representative of a person involved in the encounter that resulted in the recording being flagged; (4) a witness of the encounter that resulted in the recording being flagged; (5) a legal representative of a witness of the encounter that resulted in the recording being flagged; or (6) a representative of news media.

HB3382 - CAMERA GRANT ACT-REPORTS

Amends the Law Enforcement Camera Grant Act. In provisions relating to the annual report that is required for each law enforcement agency receiving a grant for officer-work body cameras, removes requirements that the report must include specified information relating to each recording used in prosecutions of conservation, criminal, or traffic offenses or municipal ordinance violations and specified information related to recordings used in a civil proceeding or internal affairs investigation.

HB3406 - CRIM CD-VEHICLE FORFEITURE

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that any vessel or watercraft, vehicle, or aircraft is subject to forfeiture if the vessel or watercraft, vehicle, or aircraft is used with the knowledge and consent of the owner in the commission of or in the attempt to commit the offense of fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer.

HB3415 - CD CORR-DJJ-RELEASE-NOTICE

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the law enforcement agency of the committing county shall receive from the Department of Juvenile Justice reasonable written notice not less than 30 days prior to the target release date of a youth from the Department of Juvenile Justice.

HB3453 - ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL CLOSURE

Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Requires any hospital or health system licensed by the Act operating a general acute care hospital to, when considering closure or elimination of an inpatient psychiatric unit or a perinatal unit, provide public notice of the proposed closure or elimination no less than 120 days prior to the proposed date of closure and submit the notice to the specified authorities. Provides that, subject to the same notice requirements, a hospital or health system proposing closure must hold at least one public meeting within 60 days after notice is provided. Requires members of the county board in which the general acute care hospital resides to be invited to the meeting and given the opportunity to testify on the impact that elimination of service would have on the county and its other community health systems.

HB3495 - COURT CLERKS-JUDICIAL STIPEND

Amends the Clerks of the Courts Act. Provides that in addition to the compensation provided by the county board, each clerk of the circuit court shall receive an award of $35,000 annually from the State for the additional duties imposed by Public Act 101-652. This stipend must be adjusted annually to reflect the annual cost of living adjustment in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits that are applicable.

HB3515 - FOIA-COMMERCIAL PURPOSES

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that, for purposes of the Act, "commercial purpose" includes any use or purpose that furthers the commercial, trade, or profit interests of the requester or the person on whose behalf a request is made. Provides that, for purposes of the Act, "news media" does not include Internet sites, social media channels, or other sites or applications that post law enforcement videos in exchange for compensation based on the number of views. Provides that a public body may charge up to $40 for each hour spent by personnel in searching for, retrieving, reviewing, redacting, and reproducing audio and video records except for the first 8 hours spent by personnel in searching for or retrieving a requested record. Amends the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act. Provides that requests for a commercial purpose, as defined in the Freedom of Information Act, are not subject to provisions of the Act requiring the release of body-camera footage that has been flagged for specified reasons.

HB3535 - MOTOR FUEL-DISTRIBUTION

Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Provides that, of the moneys in the Transportation Renewal Fund that are used for highway maintenance, highway construction, bridge repair, congestion relief, and construction of aviation facilities, 40% (instead of 60%) shall be transferred to the State Construction Account Fund and 60% (instead of 40%) shall be distributed by the Department of Transportation to municipalities, counties, and road districts of the State. Effective immediately.

HB3563 - WIND & SOLAR FACILITY DRAINAGE

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a commercial wind energy facility or commercial solar energy facility proposed to be located on property in an unincorporated area of the county within the zoning jurisdiction of a municipality and located adjacent to the corporate boundary of a municipality shall either be annexed to the municipality or be subject to the municipality's zoning regulations. Provides factors for determining if a request for siting approval or a special use permit for a commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility, or modification of an approved siting or special use permit, is in compliance with the standards and conditions imposed in the Code, the zoning ordinance adopted consistent with the Code, and the conditions imposed under State and federal statutes and regulations. Provides that a county may not approve a request for siting approval or a special use permit for a commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility or modification of an approved siting or special use permit, if the proposal shall disturb more than one acre of land, unless the facility owner has obtained a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System ("NPDES") permit from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Requires a facility owner to provide the county in which a commercial solar energy facility or commercial wind energy facility to be located, a deconstruction plan that has been prepared by a professional engineer who has been selected by the facility owner. Provides that, based on an initial evaluation or reevaluation during the county approval process, the county may require changes in the level of financial assurance used to calculate the financial assurance level from the facility owner. Amends the Renewable Energy Facilities Agricultural Impact Mitigation Act. Provides that the standard agricultural impact mitigation agreements shall be amended as needed to conform with the financial assurance procedures and requirements under specified provisions of the Counties Code. Makes other changes.

HB3749 - ELECTRIC TAX-ROAD FUND

Amends the Electricity Excise Tax Law. Provides that 100% of the funds received by the Department under the Act as a result of an electric vehicle charging station shall be deposited into the Road Fund. Effective immediately.

HB3784 - $CHICAGO METRO AGENCY FOR PLAN

Appropriates $2,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning for fulfilling its obligations under the Regional Planning Act and for enhancing capacity to support local planning and technical assistance for the counties and municipalities, including, but not limited to, ADA self-evaluation and transition plans, bicycle and pedestrian plans, Capital improvement plans, comprehensive and other strategic plans, corridor plans, grant readiness, plan implementation assistance, pavement management plans, transportation safety plans, and other assistance in response to local needs. Effective July 1, 2025.

HB3791 - HUMANE CARE-POLICE/RESCUE DOG

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as Dax's Law. In provisions concerning injuring or killing police animals, removes references to service animals. Provides that, if an offender is convicted of willfully or maliciously torturing, mutilating, injuring, disabling, poisoning, or killing any animal used for law enforcement purposes, the offender shall, among other penalties, be responsible for any veterinarian bills for the animal that was injured. Makes other changes.

HB3999 - COUNTY CO-RESPONDER UNITS

Creates the County Co-Responder Pilot Program Division in the Counties Code. Provides that each county sheriff's office may establish, subject to appropriation, a co-responder unit by no later than 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that, in addition to other responsibilities, the unit's social workers are responsible for conducting follow-up visits for victims who may benefit from mental or behavioral health services. Provides that the unit's primary area of focus shall be victim assistance. Includes other provisions relating to establishment of the units, duties of the unit, unit training, and privileged or confidential communications. Repeals the Division on January 1, 2029.

HR0040 - LAW ENFORCEMENT MHA MONTH

Declares May 2025 as Law Enforcement Mental Health Awareness Month in the State of Illinois. Urges the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to effectively keep information on the prevalence of suicide among law enforcement through the Law Enforcement Officers Suicide Data Collection Program (LEOSDCP) in order to help reduce the rate of suicide in law enforcement in the U.S. Urges the State of Illinois to establish its own LEOSDCP to keep statistics on suicide in law enforcement to reduce the profession's suicide rate statewide. Supports the implementation of programs to encourage the reporting and treatment of mental health illnesses among law enforcement officers.

HR0063 - SKIP THE PLASTIC DAY

Declares April 1, 2025 as Skip the Plastic Day in the State of Illinois. urges all residents, businesses, and visitors to reduce plastic waste and protect our environment. Commends all businesses that willingly participate in Skip the Plastic Day by only offering single-use plastic items, including straws and cutlery, by request and that take proactive steps toward reducing plastic waste. Commends all residents who refuse the use of single-use plastic items.

SB0058 - DCEO-REGIONAL MANUFACTURING

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall develop a program of technical assistance in support of regional manufacturing partnerships in collaboration with employer associations representing manufacturers; secondary and postsecondary institutions, including public universities and community colleges; and workforce stakeholders, including local workforce innovation boards and local workforce innovation areas.

SB0076 - GOV IMMUNITY-DATA BREACHES

Amends the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act. Provides that a public entity or a public employee is not liable for injury caused by any unauthorized access to government records, data, or electronic information systems by any person or entity.

SB0112 - VEH-FLEE/ELUDE PEACE OFFICER

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that any person convicted of the offense of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer commits: a Class 3 felony if the convicted person causes bodily injury to any bystander or member of the public; a Class 2 felony if the convicted person causes bodily injury to the pursuing peace officer; and a Class 1 felony if the convicted person causes great bodily injury or disablement to the pursuing peace officer.

SB0121 - REVENUE-COMMUNITY DEVELOP

Creates the Community Revitalization Zone Act. Provides that a county or municipality may designate an area within its jurisdiction as a community redevelopment zone, subject to the certification of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Sets forth the criteria for designation as a community redevelopment zone. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, with respect to tangible personal property that is purchased from a retailer located in a community revitalization zone, the taxes under those Acts are imposed at the rate of 3.25%. Effective immediately.

SB0136 - INC TX-LGDF

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.

SB0147 - PEACE OFFICER&FIREARMS-ETRACE

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that upon recovering a firearm that was (i) unlawfully possessed, (ii) used for any unlawful purpose, (iii) recovered from the scene of a crime, (iv) reasonably believed to have been used or associated with the commission of a crime, or (v) acquired by the law enforcement agency as an abandoned, lost, or discarded firearm, a law enforcement agency shall use the best available information, including a firearms trace (deletes when necessary), to determine how and from whom the person gained possession of the firearm and to determine prior ownership of the firearm. Provides that law enforcement shall use the National Tracing Center of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' eTrace platform or successor platform in complying with this provision. Provides that law enforcement shall participate in the National Tracing Center of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' eTrace platform or successor platform's collective data sharing program for the purpose of sharing firearm trace reports among all law enforcement agencies in this State on a reciprocal basis. Defines "peace officer" for the purpose of the investigation of specified offenses shall include investigators of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Effective immediately.

SB0155 - OPEN MEETING-TOWNSHIP TRAINING

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that an elected or appointed member of a public body of a township may satisfy specified training requirements of the Act by participating in a course of training sponsored or conducted by an organization that represents townships created under the Township Code. Specifies the contents of the course of training. Provides that if an organization that represents townships provides a course of training, it must provide a certificate of course completion to each elected or appointed member of a public body who successfully completes that course of training.

SB0173 - ELECT-MUNI ELECT COMM

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the county board or board of county commissioners of a county with a population of less than 100,000 may, by ordinance or resolution, dissolve a municipal board of election commissioners within that county and transfer its functions to the county clerk.

SB0243 - OMA-SERVICE MEMBER ATTENDANCE

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that, if a quorum of the members of the public body is physically present, a majority of the public body may allow a member of that body to attend the meeting by other means if the member is prevented from physically attending because of performance of active military duty as a service member. Defines "active military duty" and "service member". Effective immediately.

SB0278 - CRIM CD-AGG ASSAULT&BATTERY

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides for enhanced penalties for aggravated assault or aggravated battery of emergency department staff of a health care facility. Defines "emergency department staff" as any clinical or nonclinical staff present in the emergency department or emergency room of a health care facility who may come in contact with patients, including, but not limited to, physicians, nurses, nonphysician providers, technicians, security staff, patient transporters, respiratory therapists, housekeeping personnel, secretaries, and pharmacists. Defines "health care facility" as a facility, hospital, or establishment licensed or organized under the Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center Act, the University of Illinois Hospital Act, the Hospital Licensing Act, the Nursing Home Care Act, the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, or the Community Living Facilities Licensing Act. Effective immediately.

SB0593 - HEALTH-TECH

Senate Amendment 1

Senate Floor Amendment 1 to SB 593 amends a shell bill to establish the Health Care Workforce Commission Act. The amendment focuses on creating a structured body to address health care workforce issues in Illinois.

Here are the key elements of the amendment:

1. Creation of the Health Care Workforce Commission:

The amendment creates a new commission housed within the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. This commission is tasked with studying and making recommendations on challenges facing the state’s health care workforce.

2. Commission Structure and Administration:

The amendment outlines details regarding:

• Membership: Likely to include representatives from health care sectors, educational institutions, government agencies, and possibly labor or trade organizations (though specifics would be detailed in the full text).

• Terms: Specifies how long members will serve.

• Meetings: Establishes how frequently the commission will meet.

• Compensation: Provides information on whether and how commission members are compensated.

• Administrative Support: The Department will provide staffing and logistical support to the commission.

3. Duties and Responsibilities:

The commission is charged with making policy and strategic recommendations aimed at strengthening, growing, and supporting the healthcare workforce in Illinois. This may include addressing issues like worker shortages, training needs, workforce diversity, regional disparities, and retention strategies.

4. Reporting Requirements:

The commission will be required to produce reports—likely on a regular basis—to inform the General Assembly, the Governor, or other relevant stakeholders of its findings and policy recommendations.

Summary:

Senate Amendment 1 to SB 593 proposes the creation of a new state-level Health Care Workforce Commission. The goal is to bring stakeholders together to study the ongoing challenges in the health care labor market and offer formal recommendations to policymakers. The amendment provides the administrative framework for the commission and ensures ongoing oversight through reporting. This change represents a proactive approach to addressing workforce shortages and structural issues in Illinois’s health care system.

Senate Amendment 2

Senate Amendment 2 to SB 593 places the Health Care Workforce Commission within the Department of Public Health rather than the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. It also removes the Director of Labor as a member of the Commission. 

SB1218 - COUNTIES CD-AUXILIARY DEPUTIES

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, in matters a sheriff deems essential to preventing or assisting with disasters or events of civil disorder, the sheriff may authorize plain clothes to be worn by auxiliary deputies as long as the auxiliary deputies are carrying proper identification while performing this function. Provides that auxiliary deputies may only carry firearms while in the performance of their assigned duties (rather than while in uniform and in the performance of their assigned duties).

SB1254 - ATV/OHV FEES AND REGULATION

Amends the Recreational Trails of Illinois Act. Repeals provisions relating to the off-highway vehicle trails public access sticker and the Off-Highway Vehicle Usage Stamp. Amends the Counties Code, Township Code, and Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, except as provided by specified provisions of the Illinois Vehicle Code, a county, township, and municipality may enact any regulation as it relates to the operation of an all-terrain vehicle, off-highway motorcycle, and recreational off-highway vehicle within its jurisdiction. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes registration fees for and some regulations of all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and recreational off-highway vehicles.

SB1272 - VEH CD-SPECIAL TRAFFIC DEVICE

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a municipality or unit of local government may erect and maintain a specialized traffic control device at an intersection where an emergency response vehicle enters the roadway or within 1,000 feet from a structure where such vehicles are stored. Allows the specialized traffic control device to be controlled by the emergency response unit or fire station as the emergency response vehicle enters or exits traffic.

SB1315 - JUV CT-REIMBURSEMENT-PLACEMENT

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that the Department of Children and Family Services shall reimburse any county probation department for the costs of placement of any youth in care, whether the youth in care is in the custody of a county juvenile detention center or appropriate placement that meets the needs of the youth in care. Provides that the costs shall include expenditures for transportation and medical or mental health services. Provides that placement costs shall be at the detention center's usual and customary rate. Contains findings.

SB1380 - CTY CD & MUNI CD-UTILITY POLES

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county or a municipality may use a utility pole that is owned by the State or a unit of local government or a public right-of-way that is owned by the State or a unit of local government for public safety purposes, including, but not limited to, the placement of equipment associated with public safety. Provides that any fee charged by the owner of a utility pole for use by a county or municipality shall be at the lowest rate charged by the owner and shall not exceed the owner's costs.

SB1416 - $IDPH-LOCAL HEALTH PROT GRANT

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for local health protection grants for health protection programs. Effective July 1, 2025.

SB1424 - COUNTIES CD-LEASE OF PROPERTY

The bill amends the Counties Code to provide that the lease of real estate is permitted when a vacant property, structure, or facility owned by the county can be used in the interest of the public or for the benefit and enjoyment of county residents. This legislation originated with Kane County and applies to any county seeking to use the expanded leasing authority. Senate Amendment 1 makes the expanded leasing authority contingent on a three-fourths vote of the full county board and limits the term of the lease to not more than 99 years. The amendment also removes the requirement that a property to be leased must be vacant and inserts a provision that the expanded leasing authority is also permitted for properties acquired by a county. As introduced, the legislation is opposed by the Edgar County Watchdogs. AFSCME has also indicated concern about the status of unionized employees working on property to be leased by a county.

SB1447 - COUNTIES CD-LEASE OF PROPERTY

The bill amends the Counties Code to provide that the lease of real estate is permitted when a property, structure, or facility owned by Kane County can be used for athletic purposes in the interest of the public or for the benefit and enjoyment of residents of the county if the property, structure, or facility acquired by Kane County was being used for athletic purposes prior to the county acquiring the property, structure, or facility. For leases entered into under this provision after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the lease must require (i) the lessee to allow any organization that used the land at the time the lease is executed to continue to use the land for the leased purposes during the term of the lease and (ii) the lessor to continue, during the term of the lease, to employ, in the same capacity, any persons who provided services on the land at the time the lease is executed. Senate Amendment 1 makes the expanded leasing authority contingent on a three-fourths vote of the full county board and limits the term of the lease to not more than 99 years. As introduced, the legislation is opposed by the Edgar County Watchdogs. AFSCME has also indicated concerns about the status of unionized employees working on property to be leased by a county.

SB1449 - FOREST PRESERVE-REVENUE

Amends the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act. Allows the board of a forest preserve district to establish a special forest preserve district retailers' occupation tax and service occupation tax after referendum of the voters. Allows the tax to used exclusively for general purposes, including education, outdoor recreation, maintenance, operations, public safety at the forest preserves, trails, acquiring and restoring land, and any other lawful purposes or programs determined by the board of that district. Includes referendum language and additional ballot informational language. Incorporates provisions from the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to implement the tax. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Special Forest Preserve Retailers' and Service Occupation Tax Fund. Effective immediately.

SB1502 - REIMBURSE COUNTIES-PRETRIAL

Amends the Probation and Probation Officers Act. Provides that the Division of Probation Services shall reimburse the county or counties for 100% of the salary for all probation officer and supervisor positions approved for reimbursement by the division to meet pretrial services programs and specialty court programs. Provides that for the remaining probation officer positions engaged in basic services and new or expanded services approved of the total statewide number as of July 1, 2023, beginning on July 1, 2026, 20% of that number shall be transferred to those requiring 100% salary reimbursement. Each subsequent July 1, another 20% of the July 1, 2023 population shall also be transferred under described circumstances.

SB1563 - EVICTION-CRIMINAL TRESSPASS

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that nothing in the Eviction Article may be construed to: (i) prohibit law enforcement officials from enforcing the offense of criminal trespass under the Criminal Code of 1963 or any other violation of the Code; or (ii) to interfere with the ability of law enforcement officials to remove persons or property from the premises when there is a criminal trespass.

SB1578 - VEH CD-LOCAL ORDINANCE-FINES

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a municipality, county, or township may enact an ordinance providing for administrative and civil fines to enforce violations of fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer or a similar violation of a local ordinance and imposing liability on a registered owner or lessee of a vehicle used in such a violation. Provides that an administrative and civil fine enforcement may only be issued if the driver of the vehicle that was involved in the violation cannot be identified. Provides that law enforcement, a State's Attorney, or the Office of the Attorney General is not prohibited from enforcing such violations when the vehicle has been reported stolen or hijacked. Makes corresponding changes.

SB1612 - PARK DIST - COMPETITIVE BIDS

Amends the Park District Code. Provides that all competitive bids for contracts involving an expenditure in excess of $50,000 (rather than $30,000), or a lower amount if required by board policy, must be sealed by the bidder and must be opened by a member or employee of the park board at a public bid opening at which the contents of the bids must be announced. Amends the Conservation District Act and the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act. Provides that specified contracts related to supplies, materials, or work involving an expenditure in excess of $50,000 (rather than $30,000), or a lower amount if required by board policy, must be competitively bid. Effective immediately.

SB1637 - CONSERVATION-OPEN SPACE FUND

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, moneys in the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund may not be appropriated, assigned, or transferred to another State fund. Effective immediately.

SB1648 - ENTERPRISE ZONE-SOLAR & WIND

Amends the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act. Provides that Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may designate a business that intends to establish a new wind power facility or a utility-scale solar facility as a high impact business only if the municipality in which the facility will be located (or the county in which the facility will be located, if the facility will be located in an unincorporated area of the county) approves, in writing, the designation of the business as a high impact business. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Prevailing Wage Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

SB1661 - ELEC CD-REDUCE PRECINCT JUDGES

Amends the Election Code. Provides that an election authority may reduce the number of judges of election in each precinct to 3 judges of election in lieu of the 5 judges of election otherwise required. Makes conforming changes.

SB1719 - LOC GOV-ELECTRONIC RECORDS

Amends the Local Records Act. Provides that a unit of local government required to store public records under the Act may satisfy the requirements of the Act by storing the public records in an electronic form.

SB1731 - COUNTIES CODE-NOISE POLLUTION

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county board may, by ordinance, establish standards for noise pollution in the unincorporated areas of the county. Effective immediately.

SB1761 - DCEO-LOCAL GOV GRANT PROGRAM

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish a program to award grants to units of local government for the purposes of demolishing or repairing commercial buildings that are detrimental to public health or safety as a result of dilapidation, obsolescence, deterioration, or the failure of the building to meet minimum code standards.

SB1762 - $DCEO-LOCAL GOV GRANTS

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the purpose of awarding grants to units of local government for the demolition or repair of commercial buildings that are detrimental to public health or safety as a result of one or more of the following: dilapidation; obsolescence; deterioration; or the failure of the building to meet minimum building code standards. Effective immediately.

SB1763 - PROPERTY ASSESSMENT ROLLS

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that any recorder may publish property assessment rolls in a paper of general circulation in the county or on the county's public-facing website.

SB1796 - BODY CAMERAS-FOIA REQUESTS

Amends the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act. Provides that a law enforcement agency shall disclose a recording made with the use of an officer-worn body camera, upon request, to (i) the subject of the encounter captured on the recording, (ii) the legal representative of the subject of the encounter captured on the recording, (iii) the officer who wore the camera that made the recording, (iv) the legal representative of the officer who wore the camera that made the recording, (v) a person who has written permission from the subject of the encounter to receive the recording, or (vi) a person who has written permission from the officer who wore the camera that made the recording to receive the recording. Provides that all recordings made with an officer-worn body camera may (rather than must) be destroyed after 90 days, unless any encounter captured on the recording has been flagged. Makes changes to the definition of "law enforcement officer" in the Act. Amends the Eavesdropping Article to the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that recordings made in accordance with the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act are exempt from the Article. Effective immediately.

SB1909 - QUICK-TAKE-KANE COUNTY

Amends the Eminent Domain Act. Provides that quick-take proceedings may be used for a period of one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act by the Kane County Division of Transportation for the purpose of intersection realignment and separation improvement.. Effective immediately.

SB1965 - OMA-ACCESSIBILITY

Amends the Open Meetings Act. In provisions regarding training, requires the Public Access Counselor to complete an accessibility review for electronic training under the Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act and rules adopted under that Act. Provides for procedures to bring the training into compliance with the Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act. Requires the establishment of an accessibility helpline, with certain requirements.

SB1985 - STOP SQUATTERS ACT

Creates the Stop Squatters Act. Creates a process for local law enforcement to remove a person who is unlawfully occupying residential or commercial property without any right to do so. Requires the property owner to file a complaint with local law enforcement alleging facts to trigger the Act. Provides that law enforcement is entitled to a reasonable fee to remove an unauthorized occupant and provides legal protection to law enforcement for acting on a complaint. Provides that if the complaint is found to be false, the property owner shall indemnity the law enforcement agency. Creates a civil action of action for a person who was wrongfully removed. Creates a civil cause of action for the property owner for damages by the wrongful occupant. Amends the Criminal Code of 20212. Creates a Class 4 felony for making a false statement to detain real property and fraudulent sale or lease of residential real property".

SB2030 - PROP TX-INCOME PROPERTY

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in counties in which the county board so provides, by ordinance or resolution, owners of income-producing properties in the county shall file physical descriptions of their properties with the chief county assessment officer upon request of the chief county assessment officer. Sets forth the period of time during which those provisions apply. Provides that the request for information shall include an individualized statement specifying all physical description information that the assessor's office has on record or recorded against the property and shall contain a statement that the owner may confirm the information if no changes are required. Imposes certain penalties if the property owner fails to respond to a request for information. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to provide that financial records and data related to real estate income, expenses, and occupancy submitted by or on behalf of a property owner to a chief county assessment officer, except if submitted as part of an assessment appeal, are exempt from disclosure. Effective immediately.

SB2044 - WEB-BASED SIGNATURES ACT

Creates the Web-Based Signatures Act. Provides that a unit of local government may allow a person to sign any document with a web-based signature if the unit of local government uses a secure web-based platform.

SB2068 - CANNABIS-PAYMENT-PROPERTY TAX

Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Provides that, in addition to other grounds specified in this Act, the Department of Agriculture, upon notification by a county of a cultivation center's failure to pay all or part of any property tax or penalty due to the reporting county, shall refuse the issuance or renewal of a license, or suspend or revoke the license of the cultivation center. Effective immediately.

SB2081 - VEH CD-FLEET PLATES-LOCAL GOV

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows a unit of local government that engages in the operation of fleet of motor vehicles to register and license the fleet for operations in the State.

SB2087 - STATES ATTY-PEACE OFCR-PRIVACY

Creates the State's Attorney and Peace Officer Privacy Act. Provides that government agencies shall not publicly post or display publicly available content that includes the personal information of a State's Attorney, Assistant State's Attorney, or peace officer if the government agency has received a written request in accordance with the Act that it refrain from disclosing the personal information of a State's Attorney, Assistant State's Attorney, or peace officer. Provides that if a government agency fails to comply with a written request to refrain from disclosing personal information, the State's Attorney, Assistant State's Attorney, or peace officer may bring an action seeking injunctive or declaratory relief in any court of competent jurisdiction. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to knowingly publicly post on the Internet the personal information of a State's Attorney, Assistant State's Attorney, or peace officer or of the immediate family of a State's Attorney, Assistant State's Attorney, or peace officer if the person knows or reasonably should know that publicly posting the personal information poses an imminent and serious threat to the health and safety of the State's Attorney, Assistant State's Attorney, or peace officer or the immediate family of the State's Attorney, Assistant State's Attorney, or peace officer, and the violation is a proximate cause of bodily injury or death of the State's Attorney, Assistant State's Attorney, or peace officer or the immediate family of the State's Attorney, Assistant State's Attorney, or peace officer. Provides that a person who violates this provision is guilty of a Class 3 felony. Provides exemptions. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

SB2129 - IDOT-LOCAL GOV PORTAL

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall establish an online portal that allows units of local government to submit forms electronically to the Department. The online portal shall provide a tracking feature for the submission as well as a point of contact at the Department of Transportation.

SB2132 - CD CORR-SENTENCE CREDITS

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a prisoner serving a sentence for bringing contraband into a penal institution committed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall receive no more than 4.5 days of sentence credit for each month of his or her sentence of imprisonment. Provides that on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a prisoner serving a sentence for bringing contraband into a penal institution shall receive no additional sentence credit under the Code. Provides that a prisoner serving a sentence for aggravated battery in which the victim was a peace officer, a State or county corrections officer, or an employee of a State or county correctional facility shall receive no more than 4.5 days of sentence credit for each month of his or her sentence of imprisonment.

SB2133 - FUND THE POLICE ACT

Creates the Fund the Police Act. Contains findings. Creates the Fund the Police Grant Fund and provides that moneys that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board receives from the Fund must be used for the purpose of making grants to units of local government for the purposes of: (1) hiring, rehiring, and retention of law enforcement officers, including hiring and retention incentives and overtime; (2) funding body camera mandates and purchasing law enforcement equipment designed to keep officers and their communities safe; (3) funding additional law enforcement training; (4) assisting with outreach and community policing activities; (5) assisting with mental health treatment for individuals in county jails; (6) providing mental health care for law enforcement officers; and (7) purchasing public safety equipment designed to prevent gang violence, motor vehicle theft, vehicular hijacking, or the sale of contraband. Provides that the Board may set rules relating to requirements for the distribution of grant moneys and determine which law enforcement agencies are eligible. Provides that the Board must consider compliance with the Uniform Crime Reporting Act as a factor in awarding grant moneys. Provides that moneys in the Fund the Police Grant Fund may not be appropriated, assigned, or transferred to another State fund. Provides for a continuing appropriation at the beginning of each fiscal year of $125,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Fund the Police Grant Fund. Amends the State Finance Act by making conforming changes.

SB2142 - FOIA-RESPONSE PERIODS

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that each public body shall, promptly, either comply with or deny a request for public records within 15 business days (rather than 5 business days) after its receipt of the request, unless extended for an additional 10 business days (rather than 5 business days) for specified reasons. Provides that commercial requests must be responded to within 30 business days (rather than 21 working days).

SB2166 - OPEN MTGS-ATTENDANCE

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Allows attendance by a means other than physical presence under certain circumstances if a member of a public body is prevented from physically attending because of any reason designated in rules adopted by the public body in accordance with certain provisions in the Act.

SB2167 - FOIA-FEES AND COSTS

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. In provisions regarding the authority to charge fees and the imposition of a fee for a voluminous request, removes requirements for an accounting of all personnel hours in connection with the request for public records.

SB2168 - OPEN MTGS-NOTICE OF CHANGES

Amends the Open Meetings Act. In provisions regarding notice of changes to regular meeting dates, deletes requirements for publication in a newspaper or, in certain cases, posting in at least 3 prominent places within the governmental unit. Adds a requirement that notice of changes to regular meeting dates shall also be posted on the website of the public body.

SB2169 - FOIA-CLOSED MTG MINUTES

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that, if the denial of a request includes a request for minutes or a verbatim record of a meeting of the public body closed to the public as provided in the Open Meetings Act that have not been previously made available for public inspection, suit may be filed under a specified provision only after a 60-day period following (i) the receipt of the request by the public body or (ii) the issuance of a binding or non-binding opinion from the Public Access Counselor, whichever is later, to allow for review of the requested records as provided under the Open Meetings Act.

SB2170 - FOIA-RECURRENT REQUESTERS

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.

SB2171 - FOIA-COMMERCIAL PURPOSES

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that, as used in the Act, the term "commercial purpose" means, among other things, the use of any part of a public record or records, or information derived from public records, in any form for any use or purpose that furthers the commercial, trade, or profit interests of the requester or the person on whose behalf the request is made.

SB2173 - FOIA-EMPLOYEE LIABILITY

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that a public body and any officer or employee of a public body (rather than only a public body) that discloses records in accordance with an opinion of the Attorney General is immune from all liabilities by reason thereof and shall not be liable for penalties under the Act.

SB2176 - DANGEROUS ANIMALS-APPREHENSION

Amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that nothing in the Act may be interpreted as preventing units of local government from apprehending dangerous animals, including dangerous dogs, on a street or other public space.

SB2189 - QUICK-TAKE WILL COUNTY

Amends the Eminent Domain Act. Provides that quick-take powers may be used for a period of no more than 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act by Will County for the acquisition of certain described property for the purpose of road construction. Repeals the new provisions 3 years after the effective date. Effective immediately.

SB2192 - SUPPORT TEAM-TARGETED VIOLENCE

Creates the Preventing Targeted Violence Act. States the purpose of the Act. Provides that a community support team may be established by a unit of local government. Provides that membership of the community support teams is limited to participating member agencies. Provides that membership of a community support team shall include at least one member from specified entities. Provides that a participating member agency is any agency, organization, or entity located in or serving the geographic area encompassed by the community support team that may elect to present a case to the community support team for case review and behavioral threat assessment and management consultation. Provides that a member of a community support team shall be appointed by the head of the participating member agency. Provides the duties and responsibilities of a community support team. Requires community support teams to comply with all applicable laws governing the sharing of confidential records. Provides that, if acting in good faith, without malice, and within the protocols established by the Act, then members of the community support team, community support team staff, participating member agency staff, and anyone participating in a case review shall have immunity from administrative, civil, or criminal liability for an act or omission related to the participation in a case review with specified exceptions.

SB2199 - POLICE OFFICER TRAINING WAIVER

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that a law enforcement agency may submit a request for a waiver of training requirements to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board for a full-time or a part-time law enforcement officer whose certification has become inactive if the officer has at least 2 years of patrol experience after attaining certification (rather than any officer whose certification has become inactive). Provides that within 10 days (rather than 7 days) of receiving a request for a waiver, the Board shall notify the law enforcement officer and the chief administrator of the law enforcement officer's employing agency, whether the request has been granted, denied, or if the Board will take additional time for information.

SB2311 - FLOOD CONTROL-FLOOD PLAN

Senate Bill 2311 proposes significant amendments to the Flood Control Act of 1945. The bill intends to enhance Illinois’ flood management strategies through comprehensive planning and coordinated efforts. 

Key Provisions of SB 2311:

State Flood Plan Development: The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is mandated to prepare and adopt a comprehensive State flood plan by July 1, 2026, with subsequent updates every five years. This plan is intended to:

• Ensure organized preparation and response to flood conditions to safeguard lives and property.

• Serve as a guide for both State and local flood control policies.

• Promote water development opportunities where feasible.

Guidance Principles: The DNR is required to establish guidance principles for the State flood plan that reflect the public interest across the entire State.

Regional Flood Planning: 

The DNR must:

• Designate flood planning regions corresponding to each river basin.

• Provide technical and financial assistance to regional flood planning groups.

• Adopt guidance principles for regional flood plans, including procedures for amending these plans.

Flood Control Dam Maintenance: The DNR is tasked with preparing and adopting a plan detailing the repair and maintenance needs of flood control dams, with updates required every ten years.

State Flood Plan Implementation Advisory Committee: The bill establishes this committee to review the overall operation, function, and structure of the State flood plan, as well as the rules adopted by the DNR for its implementation.

Changes to Existing Law:

The Flood Control Act of 1945 primarily focused on the construction and maintenance of flood control works. SB 2311 introduces a more structured and proactive approach to flood management by mandating regular, comprehensive planning and fostering collaboration between State and regional entities. This shift emphasizes not only reactive measures but also proactive strategies to mitigate flood risks and enhance water resource development.

By instituting regular updates to the State flood plan and involving regional planning groups, the bill aims to create a dynamic and responsive framework for flood management that aligns with contemporary challenges and public interests.

SB2315 - BONDS-SHORELINE PROTECTION

Amends the Build Illinois Bond Act. Authorizes bonds to be issued under the Act for the purpose of making of grants to units of local government, including counties and park districts, through the Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant Program to restore and protect shorelines in the State.

SB2332 - NEW LIVESTOCK FACILITIES

Amends the Livestock Management Facilities Act. Provides that, within 7 days after receiving a form giving notice of intent to construct (i) a new facility that would be a medium CAFO or a large CAFO (rather than a new facility serving 1,000 or more animal units) and that does not propose to utilize a lagoon or (ii) a new facility that does propose to utilize a lagoon, the Illinois Department of Agriculture shall send a copy of the notice form to the county board of the county in which the facility is to be located and shall publish a public notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the county. Provides that, after receiving a copy of the notice form from the Department, the county board may, at its discretion and within 60 days (rather than 30 days) after receipt of the notice, request that the Department conduct an informational meeting concerning the proposed construction. Provides that (i) a new facility that would be a medium CAFO or a large CAFO and that does not propose to utilize a lagoon or (ii) a new facility that does propose to utilize a lagoon may not begin construction if the county board recommends to the Department that the provisions of the Act have not been met for failing to satisfy specified criteria. Makes conforming and other changes.

SB2377 - VEH CD-ENHANCE FLEEING PENALTY

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer is a Class 4 felony instead of a Class A misdemeanor and that a third or subsequent violation is a Class 3 felony instead of a Class 4 felony. Provides that aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer is a Class 3 felony instead of a Class 4 felony and that a second or subsequent violation is a Class 2 felony instead of a Class 3 felony. Effective immediately.

SB2386 - $DEPT AGR-FOOD INFRASTRUCTURE

Appropriates $2,000,000 from the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Fund to the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of making grants under the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program authorized by the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act. Effective July 1, 2025.

SB2416 - WIND & SOLAR FACILITY DRAINAGE

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a commercial wind energy facility or commercial solar energy facility proposed to be located on property in an unincorporated area of the county within the zoning jurisdiction of a municipality and located adjacent to the corporate boundary of a municipality shall either be annexed to the municipality or be subject to the municipality's zoning regulations. Provides factors for determining if a request for siting approval or a special use permit for a commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility, or modification of an approved siting or special use permit, is in compliance with the standards and conditions imposed in the Code, the zoning ordinance adopted consistent with the Code, and the conditions imposed under State and federal statutes and regulations. Provides that a county may not approve a request for siting approval or a special use permit for a commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility or modification of an approved siting or special use permit, if the proposal shall disturb more than one acre of land, unless the facility owner has obtained a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System ("NPDES") permit from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Requires a facility owner to provide the county in which a commercial solar energy facility or commercial wind energy facility to be located, a deconstruction plan that has been prepared by a professional engineer who has been selected by the facility owner. Provides that, based on an initial evaluation or reevaluation during the county approval process, the county may require changes in the level of financial assurance used to calculate the financial assurance level from the facility owner. Amends the Renewable Energy Facilities Agricultural Impact Mitigation Act. Provides that the standard agricultural impact mitigation agreements shall be amended as needed to conform with the financial assurance procedures and requirements under specified provisions of the Counties Code. Makes other changes.

SB2466 - OPEN LANDS-GRANTS TO GOVTS

Senate Bill 2466 amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act (OSLAD) to enhance grant opportunities for communities and projects based on levels of economic distress. The bill revises eligibility and prioritization criteria for state assistance, aiming to direct more funding to areas that face economic or social disadvantages.

Key Changes

1. Expanded Grant Eligibility and Funding Tiers

• 100% Funding: Projects located within both a distressed location and a distressed community can receive full funding for land acquisition and capital improvements.

• 90% Funding: Projects located within a distressed community (even if not within a distressed location) are eligible for up to 90% state assistance.

• 75% Funding: Projects that qualify as being in a distressed location but not within a distressed community can receive up to 75% assistance.

These changes allow for more nuanced and targeted funding strategies and represent a significant increase from the typical 50% match under OSLAD for most projects.

2. Prioritization and Funding Allocation

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is directed to prioritize grantmaking for distressed communities and locations, emphasizing equity in park and open space development.

The bill places caps on appropriated amounts that may be used for these priority areas, although specific thresholds are not described in this summary.

3. Administrative Changes

• Repeals outdated requirements, including the mandate for DNR to prepare a Distressed Local Government Report and old definitions, signaling a streamlining of the Act.

• New definitions for “distressed community” and “distressed location” are added to clarify eligibility and support implementation.

• Emergency rulemaking authority is granted to DNR under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to expedite the rollout of the revised program

Potential Impact on Counties and Local Governments

Counties and municipalities facing economic hardship may gain access to significantly more state assistance for parks, recreation, and open space development.

Local governments will benefit from greater flexibility and reduced local match requirements, improving their ability to develop community-serving projects.

Counties will need to track whether their jurisdictions qualify under the updated definitions of “distressed” to access elevated grant levels and may want to coordinate with DNR early to ensure eligibility.

The prioritization directive and emergency rulemaking provision could result in faster implementation and more competitive grant cycles focused on equity and need.

SB 2466 is intended to expand access to OSLAD funding for underserved areas and empower the state to address open space disparities more proactively.

SR0022 - SKIP THE PLASTIC

Declares April 1, 2025 as Skip the Plastic Day in the State of Illinois. urges all residents, businesses, and visitors to reduce plastic waste and protect our environment. Commends all businesses that willingly participate in Skip the Plastic Day by only offering single-use plastic items, including straws and cutlery, by request and that take proactive steps toward reducing plastic waste. Commends all residents who refuse the use of single-use plastic items.