The new bill authored by State Rep. Mary Beth Canty in the Illinois House aims to support academic research and development focused on advancing alternative protein sources, according to the Illinois State House.
The bill, introduced as HB5739 on April 6, 2026, during the general assembly session 104, was summarized by the state legislature as follows: “Appropriates $5,000,000 to the Department of Agriculture for grants to Illinois public institutions of higher education for research and development focused on alternative protein research. Effective July 1, 2026.”
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill appropriates $5 million from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Department of Agriculture to provide grants to public institutions of higher education for research and development focused on alternative proteins. The funding may be used in whole or in part as needed, giving the department flexibility in administering the grants. The bill appears intended to support scientific and technological advances in alternative protein sources through academic research. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
Canty has proposed another 36 bills since the beginning of the 104th session, both of them being adopted.
Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.
You can read more about bills and other measures here.
Canthy graduated from College of William & Mary in 2003 with a BA and again in 2006 from University of Arizona with a JD.
Canthy, a Democrat, was elected to the Illinois State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 54th House District, replacing previous state representative Tom Morrison.
Bills Introduced by Mary Beth Canty in Illinois House During General Assembly Session 104
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB5739 | 04/06/2026 | Appropriates $5,000,000 to the Department of Agriculture for grants to Illinois public institutions of higher education for research and development focused on alternative protein research. Effective July 1, 2026. |
| HB5425 | 02/06/2026 | Creates the Natural Organic Reduction Regulation Act. Provides that any person doing business in this State, or any cemetery, crematory, funeral establishment, corporation, partnership, joint venture, voluntary organization, or any other entity, may erect, maintain, and operate a natural organic reduction facility in the State and provide the necessary appliances and facilities for the natural organic reduction of human remains in accordance with the Act. Provides that an individual or a person, cemetery, crematory, funeral establishment, corporation, partnership, joint venture, voluntary organization, or other entity may reduce human remains only in a natural organic reduction facility operated by a disposition authority licensed for this purpose and only under the limitations provided in the Act. Provides for: grounds for denial or discipline; surrender of a license; license, display, transfer; authorizing agent; authorization for natural organic reduction; performance of natural organic reduction services, training; recordkeeping; natural organic reduction procedures; disposition of reduced human remains; limitation of liability; hazardous implants; penalties; failure to file an annual report; injunctive action, cease and desist order; service of notice; investigations, notice, and hearing; compelling testimony; administrative review, venue, certification of record, and costs; and preneed of natural organic reduction arrangements. Effective June 1, 2026. |
| HB5451 | 02/06/2026 | Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to authorize coverage for screening by low-dose mammography for the presence of occult breast cancer for individuals 25 (rather than 35) years of age or older who are otherwise eligible for medical assistance. Requires the Department to convene 2 separate expert panels to review quality standards for mammography and establish quality standards for breast cancer treatment. Provides that subject to Department approval, rate methodology for screening and diagnostic mammography shall be based on the quality standards established by the expert panels and State qualified ACR Designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Centers (formerly known as Breast Imaging Centers of Excellence). Requires the expert panels to establish a comprehensive and clinical methodology to inform women who are age-appropriate for screening mammography, but who have not received a mammogram within the previous 18 months, of the importance and benefits of screening mammography. Provides that within 2 years after the completion of a pilot program providing case-managing or patient navigation services for women diagnosed with breast cancer, the Department shall establish as a permanent initiative the Patient Assistance for Beneficiaries Diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Requires the Department to submit annual reports to the General Assembly detailing program outcomes, financial expenditures, and any recommendations for adjustments to maintain or enhance the program’s effectiveness. Requires the Department to establish or facilitate training and continuing education opportunities specific to breast health and mammography for radiologists. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. |
| HB5478 | 02/06/2026 | Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that the State Comptroller, in coordination with the State Board of Education, shall establish and administer a program under which eligible school districts located in Cook County may receive interest-free loans from the State Treasury to address cash flow shortages caused by the delayed issuance of property tax bills by the Cook County Treasurer. Provides that a school district shall be eligible for a loan if the Cook County Treasurer fails to issue property tax bills by the statutory deadline under the Property Tax Code, the failure results in a delay in the receipt of property tax revenues, and the State Board of Education certifies that the district has experienced or will immediately experience a cash flow deficit as a result of the delay. Provides that the loans shall be limited to the amount necessary to maintain essential operations and shall bear no interest to the borrowing district. Provides that the term for a loan shall not exceed 12 months, and that the loan shall repaid in full upon receipt of delayed property tax revenues. Provides that the Cook County shall reimburse the State Treasury for the full amount of interest income lost by the State on any loan. Effective immediately. |
| HB5484 | 02/06/2026 | Amends the Freedom of Information Act. In the definition of “private information”, includes gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender expression. |
| HB5603 | 02/06/2026 | Creates the Statewide Responsible Bidder Standards Act. Provides that each local public body shall maintain, within its procurement ordinances, administrative rules, and bid documents, language requiring that any bidder on a public contract certify or provide evidence that: (1) the bidder and the bidder’s proposed subcontractors are duly organized and in good standing under applicable law and authorized to do business in the State; (2) the bidder and the bidder’s proposed subcontractors are properly registered with the Department of Revenue and the Department of Employment Security; (3) the bidder and the bidder’s proposed subcontractors maintain workers’ compensation insurance and maintains liability insurance in amounts required by the local public body; (4) the bidder and the bidder’s proposed subcontractors will comply with all applicable State and federal labor and employment laws governing wages, safety, and equal opportunity; (5) the bidder and the bidder’s proposed subcontractors are not currently debarred, suspended, or otherwise ineligible under any State or federal debarment list applicable to public contracts; and (6) the bidder submitted certifications and documents with the bid that are true and correct. Provides that failure to comply with the requirements of the Act shall not invalidate any contract awarded in good faith. Provides that a local public body that does not have a procurement ordinance, policy, or rule containing the minimum responsible bidder standards set forth in the Act in effect on the effective date of the Act shall adopt the required ordinance, policy, or rule within 180 days after the effective date of the Act. Provides that, if a local public body has a procurement ordinance or policy containing a responsible bidder provision in effect on the effective date of the Act, then the local public body shall be deemed in compliance with the Act and shall not be required to adopt new legislation to conform to the Act. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately. |
| HB5615 | 02/06/2026 | Specifies that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Affordability Crisis in Housing Act. Amends the Financial Institutions Act. Requires that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation establish, maintain, and publish on its website a registry of nominees of mortgagees. Amends the Counties Code. Requires each county board to adopt revisions to its predictable fee schedule to include an additional $150 fee for a nominee of a mortgagee to record a mortgage, including an assignment, extension, amendment, or subordination, beginning no later than one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Creates an exception for the recording of a release of mortgage by the nominee of the mortgagee. Provides that of the additional $150, $120 is to be collected by the county as an additional Rental Housing Support Program State surcharge and deposited into the Rental Housing Support Program Fund, and $30 is to be collected by the county as a county fee with $25 to be used by the county for development and maintenance of its affordable housing capacity and $5 to be deposited into the recorder’s special funds created to defray the cost of providing electronic or automated access to the county’s property records. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a lien is not created if a nominee of a mortgagee fails to provide the recorder with the cover sheet required to accompany a mortgage under the Conveyances Act. Amends the Conveyances Act. Requires that all mortgages or assignments of mortgage recorded by or for a nominee must be recorded with a cover sheet explaining any fees that are charged, the identity of the nominee of the mortgagee, and the process that may be used by the mortgagor to track the mortgage. |
| HB5147 | 02/05/2026 | Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Provides that, no later than 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Labor shall adopt rules that require specified employers doing business in the State to file an annual report, that will be made available to the public on a dedicated page of the Department’s website, regarding workforce management policies, practices, and performance with respect to the employer. Describes the information required to be reported. Sets forth provisions concerning the standardization of data and exemptions to the provision. |
| HB5295 | 02/05/2026 | Creates the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act. Requires health information exchanges to implement policies and technical capabilities by July 1, 2027, to segregate medical information related to abortion care, restrict access by out-of-state entities, and limit disclosure. Provides enforcement through private actions and civil actions by the Attorney General, including injunctive relief and civil penalties. Defines terms. Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act to clarify patient privacy rights and allow segregation of abortion-related information in health information exchanges. Provides for severability. |
| HB5327 | 02/05/2026 | Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. In provisions concerning legend drugs, provides that, at the request of a person dispensing a drug or medicine, the label affixed to a box, bottle, vessel, or package containing mifepristone, misoprostol, or any generic alternative may include the name of the dispensing health care practice instead of the name of the person dispensing the drug or medicine. Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. In provisions concerning the label of a drug, medicine, or poison that is lawfully sold or dispensed, provides that, at a prescriber’s request, the label affixed to a box, bottle, vessel, or package containing mifepristone, misoprostol, or any generic alternative may include the name of the prescribing health care practice instead of the name of the prescriber. |
| HB5366 | 02/05/2026 | Creates the Illinois Appliance Standards Act. Directs the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to adopt minimum efficiency standards for covered products. Provides for testing, certification, and labeling of covered products. Contains provisions concerning enforcement of the Act’s requirements. Provides for administrative rulemaking by the Agency. Makes findings. Defines terms. |
| HB4990 | 02/04/2026 | Amends the Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act. Makes changes concerning definitions. Requires a higher education institution’s comprehensive policy to include sexual harassment. Provides that a confidential advisor is separate from a complaint advisor, unless a complainant chooses to have the confidential advisor also serve as the complaint advisor. Makes changes to the complaint resolution procedure, including the timeline of the complaint resolution procedure, protective measures and accommodations, the distribution of evidence that includes a private or intentionally digitally altered sexual image, the direct questioning of either party, support persons for survivors and respondents, and the notice of appeal. Provides that violations of the Act are actionable in civil court. Sets forth the relief a prevailing survivor is entitled to. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure to make changes concerning confidential advisors. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2027. |
| HB5078 | 02/04/2026 | Creates the Gender-Based Violence Article in the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that the Article applies to any motion to dispose of a claim that is based on, relates to, or is in response to the moving party’s reporting gender-based violence. Provides that if a court finds that the civil action is based on the moving party reporting gender-based violence, it shall grant a motion to dismiss the claim unless it finds that the responding party has established by a preponderance of the evidence that the moving party’s reporting gender-based violence was done with knowledge that the report was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not. Provides that absent any additional corroborating evidence, specified pieces of evidence may not, on its own or in combination with each other, be used to establish that the moving party’s reporting of gender-based violence was done with knowledge that the report was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not. Sets forth motion and procedure standards for a motion filed under the Article. Establishes awards for attorney’s fees and costs, injunctive relief, and damages. Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Protect Survivors Reporting Act. Effective immediately. |
| HB5080 | 02/04/2026 | Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the tax credit for employee child care shall be (i) 30% of the start-up costs expended by the corporate taxpayer to provide a child care facility for the children of its employees and (ii) 10% (currently, 5%) of the annual amount paid by the corporate taxpayer in providing the child care facility for the children of its employees. Creates an income tax credit for corporate taxpayers that are qualified small businesses in an amount equal to 10% of the federal tax credit claimed by the taxpayer for the taxable year for qualified child care expenditures. Effective immediately. |
| HB5095 | 02/04/2026 | Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall permit applicants to choose between “male”, “female”, or “X” (rather than “male”, “female”, or “non-binary”) on an application for an identification card, driver’s license, or permit. Provides that an applicant who wants to change the sex listed on an issued identification card, driver’s license, or permit must submit a gender designation form. Sets forth the requirements of the gender designation form. |
| HB4840 | 02/03/2026 | Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Exempts low-speed personal mobility devices and low-speed personal micromobility devices from registration and certificate of title requirements. Prohibits high-speed mobility devices and moderate-speed mobility devices from being marketed, sold, or advertised as low-speed personal mobility devices or low-speed micromobility devices. Exempts persons operating low-speed personal mobility devices and low-speed micromobility devices from driver’s license or permit requirements. Provides that high-speed personal mobility devices are subject to the rules and requirements that apply to motorcycles and moderate-speed personal mobility devices are subject to the rules and requirements that apply to mopeds. Requires a person to be covered by a liability insurance policy to operate, register, or maintain registration of a high-speed personal mobility device or moderate-speed personal mobility device. Allows a municipality or local unit of government to install signage clearly indicating the regulation of personal mobility devices. Sets forth prohibited operations of a high-speed personal mobility device, moderate-speed, and low-speed personal mobility device. Provides that traffic laws apply to persons riding low-speed personal mobility devices. Sets forth equipment requirements on low-speed personal mobility devices and moderate-speed personal mobility devices. Sets forth the operation standards for low-speed personal mobility devices, low-speed personal micromobility devices, high-speed personal mobility devices, and moderate-speed personal mobility devices. Repeals provisions regarding low-speed electric scooters and low-speed gas bicycles. Makes conforming and other changes. Amends the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act. Provides that neither a local public entity nor a public employee is liable for an injury related to the use of a high-speed personal mobility device, moderate-speed personal mobility device, personal mobility device, or low-speed personal mobility device unless the local public entity or public employee is guilty of willful and wanton conduct. Makes conforming changes in the Micromobility Fire Safety Act and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practice Act. |
| HB4891 | 02/03/2026 | Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Requires all service officers and any supervisors, including the field manager, within the field division to be currently serving reservists or national guardsmen in good standing or honorably discharged veterans from service in the Armed Forces of the United States, active or reserve component. Removes a requirement that service officers and supervisors serve during a time of hostilities with a foreign country and meet one or more listed conditions. |
| HB4662 | 01/28/2026 | Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that, subject to federal approval, on and after January 1, 2027, rates for in-home services shall be increased to $33.92 to sustain a minimum wage of $20.75 per hour for direct service workers. Requires rates in subsequent State fiscal years to be no lower than the rates put into effect upon federal approval. Provides that in order for a provider of in-home services to be eligible to receive the $33.92 rate, the provider must pay a minimum wage of $20.75 per hour to all direct service workers employed by the provider. Requires providers of in-home services to certify to the Department on Aging that they remain in compliance with the mandated wage increase for direct service workers. Requires each provider of in-home services to submit cost reports to the Department consistent with a specified administrative rule in order to be eligible for the $33.92 rate for in-home services. Provides that fringe benefits shall not be reduced in relation to the described rate increases. Requires the Department, beginning January 1, 2027, to ensure that each in-home service provider spends a minimum of 79% of the total payments the provider receives for home care aide services it furnishes under the Community Care Program on total compensation for direct service workers who furnish those services. Requires annual direct service worker cost reports from providers; and requires the Department to amend existing rules on financial reporting and minimum direct service worker costs to reflect the increase in the direct service worker spending requirement from 77% to 79%. |
| HB4144 | 10/03/2025 | Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Provides that the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) shall, in consultation with the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) and the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS), annually determine what funding is necessary for MABAS and ILEAS to sufficiently alleviate difficulties that emergency responders face in coordinating and providing personnel and equipment from participating agencies and units of local government when responding to all-hazard emergencies in this State and establish a formula for the distribution of that funding. Provides for a continuing appropriation of that funding, with reductions in the case of federal funding. Changes a definition. Effective immediately. |
| HB3689 | 02/07/2025 | Amends the Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act. Makes changes concerning definitions. Requires a higher education institution’s comprehensive policy to include digital sexual harassment and doxing. Makes changes concerning the components of the comprehensive policy and the notification of a survivor’s rights and options, including providing a summary of the higher education institution’s process for protecting survivors from retaliation. Provides that a confidential advisor is separate from the advisor specific to a complaint resolution procedure, and makes other changes concerning advisors. Makes changes concerning complaint resolution procedures, including prohibiting a higher education institution from distributing any evidence that includes a private or intentionally digitally altered sexual image by physical or electronic means and requiring a higher education institution to enact and implement a policy and process for early resolution of any retaliatory report, claim, counterclaim, or complaint made to the higher education institution by a respondent or any other individual against a survivor. Makes changes concerning training. Provides that a survivor has a cause of action against any higher education institution that fails to exercise due diligence in responding to sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, doxing, digital sexual harassment, or any other sex-based harassment that the higher education institution knew or should have known about. Sets forth the relief a prevailing survivor is entitled to. Effective immediately. |
| HB3169 | 02/06/2025 | Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Sets forth certain protections that must be provided to the parent or guardian of a child at the center of an abuse or neglect investigation whenever the Department of Children and Family Services refers a child to a medical professional. Defines “medical professional”. Provides that the medical professional must explain to the parent or guardian of the child, whenever the medical professional has direct contact with the child or the family of the child, that the medical professional is involved for the purpose of providing an opinion to the Department regarding whether the child’s injury or condition is suspicious for child maltreatment. Provides that, in any investigation where a medical professional is providing a medical opinion to the Department, the Department shall inform the parent or guardian of the child at the center of an investigation: (i) of the right to request and receive a copy of the medical professional’s opinion, including the basis for the opinion, and a copy of any written report the medical professional has provided to the Department; (ii) of the right to obtain, at the parent’s or guardian’s own expense, and submit to the Department a second medical opinion for consideration in the investigation at any time prior to the conclusion of the investigation; (iii) that any second medical opinion submitted to the Department prior to the Department rendering a final determination in the investigation will be considered as inculpatory or exculpatory evidence; and (iv) of the Department’s time frames for the investigative process. Requires the Department to annually prepare and make available on the Department’s Reports and Statistics webpage a report on the number of children or families referred by the Department to a medical professional as part of an investigation of abuse or neglect by the Department. Sets forth the information that must be contained in the annual reports. Provides that the first report must be posted within 9 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act. |
| HB3253 | 02/06/2025 | Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, on and after July 1, 2026, any bill to amend an existing homestead exemption or to create a new homestead exemption shall include the submission of an impact statement prepared by the sponsor of the bill. Provides that the maximum income limitation for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption shall be $85,000 for taxable year 2025 and shall be subject to a cost-of-living adjustment in subsequent years. Provides that, for any tax certificates held by a county, the county clerk may create and administer a payment plan during the redemption period. Amends the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. Makes changes concerning the maximum household income. Effective immediately. |
| HB3311 | 02/06/2025 | Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Creates the Gender-Based Violence Article. Provides that the Article applies to any motion to dispose of a civil action claim that is based on, relates to, or is in response to a reporting of gender-based violence. Provides that if court finds that the moving party reported gender-based violence as the basis of the civil action against it, the court must grant a motion to dispose of the civil action unless it finds that the responding party has produced clear and convincing evidence that the moving party’s report was done with actual malice. Provides for an award of attorney’s fees for the prevailing party under certain conditions. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. |
| HB3312 | 02/06/2025 | Creates the Utility Data Access Act. Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to enact the following procedures: (1) a utility shall retain all consumption data for a period of not less than 2 years; (2) a qualified utility shall retain monthly consumption data used for billing for a period of not less than 15 years; (3) a utility shall honor an account holder’s request to transmit the account holder’s covered usage data held by the utility to any entity designated by the account holder; (4) a qualified data recipient with respect to a qualified building or qualified property may request that a qualified utility provide aggregated usage data for the qualified building or qualified property; (5) a utility shall deliver requested data on a schedule set by the Commission; and (6) the account holder request process and utility delivery of requested data shall be convenient and secure. Establishes requirements for: the Commission’s participation in a stakeholder process; the form and timeline in which covered usage data is provided to the data recipient; entry of data into the benchmarking tool; and the provision of covered usage data to recipients upon account holder authorization. Provides that, except in cases where the utility has not followed processes established by the Act or the utility is grossly negligent, the utility shall be held harmless for third-party misuse of data shared under the Act and no cause of action may be initiated against the utility for such subsequent misuse. Provides that prior to filing for cost recovery, a qualified utility must first demonstrate good faith efforts to secure federal, State, or other relevant funding options. Sets forth provisions regarding funding for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under the Act and the Commission selecting and engaging outside consultants with experience in benchmarking and utility data access. States findings. Defines terms. |
| HB2784 | 02/05/2025 | 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. |
| HB2789 | 02/05/2025 | Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that property certified by the Department of Revenue as mega project property is eligible for an assessment freeze. Provides that, if property is certified as mega project property, then, during the incentive period, the value added to the property by the project shall not be considered for assessment purposes, and the total valuation of the property during the incentive period shall be limited to the base year valuation. Provides that “mega project” means a project that satisfies certain minimum investment, investment period, and other requirements. Contains provisions concerning incentive agreements between a company that plans to undertake a mega project and a local municipality obligating the company to make special payments in addition to property taxes. Effective June 1, 2025. |
| HB2921 | 02/05/2025 | Amends the Capital Development Board Act. Provides, in a provision that limits the enforceability of ordinances of units of local government with respect to the remediation, redevelopment, or improvement of certain State facilities, that a unit of local government shall not include a municipal wastewater agency or unit of local government that is organized under the Sanitary District Act of 1907, the North Shore Water Reclamation District Act, the Sanitary District Act of 1917, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act, the Sanitary District Act of 1936, the Metro-East Sanitary District Act of 1974, or the Eastern Will Sanitary District Act. Provides that an ordinance or regulation of a municipal wastewater agency or unit of local government that is organized under the Sanitary District Act of 1907, the North Shore Water Reclamation District Act, the Sanitary District Act of 1917, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act, the Sanitary District Act of 1936, the Metro-East Sanitary District Act of 1974, or the Eastern Will Sanitary District Act regarding the use of or connection to the wastewater treatment or collection system of the agency or unit of local government is valid and enforceable by the agency or unit of local government with respect to the construction, reconstruction, improvement, or installation of a State facility on or after the effective date. Effective immediately. |
| HB2531 | 02/04/2025 | Amends the Grocery Initiative Act. Provides that Grocery Initiative Grants may be used to provide access to equipment that is needed to accept payment from the Women, Infant, Children’s program (WIC). Makes changes to the definition of “grocery store” to include certain meat retailers, fruit and vegetable retailers, and fish and seafood retailers. Effective July 1, 2025. |
| HB2629 | 02/04/2025 | Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Transportation Choices Act. Requires, by January 1, 2027, the Environmental Protection Agency, after consultation with the Department of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), to establish a schedule of greenhouse gas targets for greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector in the State. Requires the Department and MPOs to conduct a greenhouse gas emissions analysis and determine if their applicable planning document will result in meeting their greenhouse gas targets. Requires the Department and MPOs to perform a greenhouse gas emissions analysis prior to including a roadway capacity expansion project in an applicable planning document. Requires, by January 1, 2029 and every 3 years thereafter, the Department to prepare a comprehensive report on statewide transportation greenhouse gas reduction accomplishments and challenges and to make recommendations for any legislative action that would assist the Department and MPOs in meeting their greenhouse gas targets. Requires the Department and MPOs to calculate a climate equity accessibility score prior to including any project that has an anticipated cost of $30,000,000 or more in an applicable planning document or as a greenhouse gas mitigation measure. Requires the Department and MPOs to provide early and continuous opportunities for public participation in the transportation planning process. Requires, beginning June 30, 2026, the Department and MPOs to establish a social cost of carbon and use the social cost of carbon in their planning documents and planning activities. Establishes the Greenhouse Gas in Transportation Working Group. Provides that the specified requirements of the provisions shall commence with projects included in applicable planning documents filed on or after January 1, 2028. Makes other changes. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Directs the Environmental Protection Agency to calculate a social cost of carbon and makes other changes. |
| HB2690 | 02/04/2025 | Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Changes the statute of limitations for grooming to provide that when the victim is under 17 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for grooming may be commenced within 10 years after the victim or the person with a disability attains 17 years of age. Changes the name of the offense of child pornography to child sexual abuse material. Deletes references to criminal transmission of HIV in various statutes. In the Sex Offenses Article of the Criminal Code of 2012, provides a definition for “unable to give knowing consent” and changes the definition of “family member” to include a sibling and an accused who has resided in the household for at least 3 (rather than 6) months. Provides that a person commits sexual exploitation of a child if in the presence or virtual presence, or both, of a child and with knowledge that a child or one whom he or she believes to be a child would view his or her acts, that person knowingly entices, coerces, or persuades a child to participate in the production of the recording or memorializing a sexual act of persons ages 18 or older. Provides that a violation of this provision of sexual exploitation of a child is a Class 4 felony. Provides that a defendant, in order to commit grooming, must be 5 years or more older than the groomed child, or hold a position of trust, authority, or supervision in relation to the child at the time of the offense. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that the court may set any conditions it finds just and appropriate on the taking of testimony of a victim or witness who is under 18 years of age or an intellectually disabled person or a person affected by a developmental disability (rather than a victim who is a child under the age of 18 years or a moderately, severely, or profoundly intellectually disabled person or a person affected by a developmental disability) involving the use of a facility dog in any criminal proceeding. Makes other changes concerning the admissibility of evidence in cases involving involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, and trafficking in persons. Amends various Acts to change references from “child pornography” to “child sexual abuse material”. |
| HB2440 | 02/03/2025 | Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Requires any pharmacy benefit manager or health insurer to provide notice of a change in prescription drug coverage or pricing, including instructions on appeals and exceptions, to beneficiaries of health plans in the State who would be affected by the change. Provides that any pharmacy benefit manager or health insurer must, on or before July 30, 2026, submit to the Department for approval a plan by which beneficiaries may appeal, or request an exception to, a contemplated change in coverage. Provides that this process must allow beneficiaries to present evidence for their appeal or exception. Provides that if the Department of Insurance determines that the processes for requesting appeals or exceptions are insufficient, or do not adequately rely on medical necessity, the Department shall set forth required changes to the process within 90 days of receipt. Provides that if the pharmacy benefit manager or health insurer disputes the changes, a hearing may be requested within 10 days after receipt of the changes, and the Department shall enter a final written decision within 5 days of the hearing. |
| HB2524 | 02/03/2025 | Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Includes in the definition of “firefighter”, a person employed in a municipality’s or fire protection district’s fire service as a de facto firefighter. Provides that “de facto firefighter” means a firefighter who spends a majority of the firefighter’s working time participating in the work of controlling and extinguishing fires at the location of any such fires, preparing for such work or waiting to respond to such calls for work and whose scheduled or actual work hours are commensurate in duration and frequency with certain firefighters. Provides that “de facto firefighter” does not include part-time firefighters who are not otherwise covered; auxiliary, reserve, or voluntary firefighters, including paid-on-call firefighters; and clerks, dispatchers, or other civilian employees of a fire department or fire protection district who are not routinely expected to perform firefighter duties. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act do not affect persons covered by the Article before the effective date of the amendatory Act. Makes a conforming change. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately. |
| HB1836 | 01/28/2025 | Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the offense of methamphetamine trafficking may be tried in any county. Permits the Attorney General to authorize certain eavesdropping requests from law enforcement. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Permits the Attorney General or an Assistant Attorney General authorized by the Attorney General to authorize an application to a circuit judge or an associate judge assigned by the Chief Judge of the circuit for, and such judge may grant in conformity with the Judicial Supervision of the Use of Eavesdropping Devices Article of the Code, an order authorizing or approving the use of an eavesdropping device by a law enforcement officer or agency having the responsibility for the investigation of any felony under Illinois law where any one party to a conversation to be monitored, or previously monitored in the case of an emergency situation, has consented to such monitoring. Amends the Statewide Grand Jury Act. Provides that a Statewide Grand Jury may investigate, indict, and prosecute theft, retail theft, Internet offenses, continuing financial crimes enterprise, vehicular hijacking, aggravated vehicular hijacking, vehicular invasion, burglary, residential burglary, and home invasion if the offense involves acts occurring in more than one county of the State. |
| HB1391 | 01/15/2025 | Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Deletes provisions that a defendant may refuse to waive service of summons. Provides that if a defendant located within the United States fails, without good cause, to sign and return a waiver requested by a plaintiff located within the United States, the court must impose on the defendant (1) the expenses later incurred in making service and (2) the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, of any motion required to collect those service expenses. |
| HB1330 | 01/14/2025 | Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. In provisions concerning the Community Care Program, provides that, subject to federal approval, on and after January 1, 2026, rates for in-home services shall be increased to $32.75 to sustain a minimum wage of $20 per hour for direct service workers. As a condition of their eligibility for the $32.75 in-home services rate, requires in-home services providers to (i) certify to the Department on Aging that they remain in compliance with the mandated wage increase for direct service workers and (ii) submit cost reports. Provides that fringe benefits shall not be reduced in relation to the rate increases. Provides that beginning January 1, 2028, the Department shall ensure that each in-home service provider spends a minimum of 80% of total payments the provider receives for homecare aide services it furnishes under the Community Care Program on total compensation for direct service workers who furnish those services. Requires the Department to adopt rules on financial reporting and minimum direct service worker costs. Authorizes the Department to sanction a provider that fails to meet the requirements of the amendatory Act. Defines terms. |
| HB1354 | 01/14/2025 | Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Provides that every health care facility in this State shall permit the next of kin of a patient who is on life support to remain with the patient, at the patient’s bedside, irrespective of regular hours of visitation. Provides that health care facilities may institute reasonable policies, including reasonable requirements that promote the health, safety, and welfare of the next of kin, the patient, and the employees and other patients of the health care facility without revoking the basic right afforded to the next of kin of a patient who is on life support. Defines “next of kin”. |
| HB1355 | 01/14/2025 | Amends the Gasoline Storage Act. Provides that, beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act, no person shall construct or install a gas station, a motor fuel dispensary, or a motor fuel storage tank on or within 300 feet of school grounds. Provides that the Office of the State Fire Marshal shall adopt rules that implement these provisions and conform with the requirements of the Act. Defines terms. |
