A new bill authored by State Rep. Lawrence “Larry” Walsh, Jr. in the Illinois House aims to revise the state’s approach to farmland assessment and property tax classification, according to the Illinois State House.
The bill, introduced as HB5773 on May 13, 2026, during the general assembly session 104, was summarized by the state legislature as follows: “Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes changes concerning certifications by the Department of Revenue for the purpose of establishing guidelines and valuations for farmland. Provides that cropland, permanent pasture, and other farmland shall be defined according to guidelines issued by the Department of Revenue (currently, U.S. Census Bureau definitions). Makes changes concerning equalization factors applied to farmland property. In provisions concerning property under a forestry management plan, provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall inform the Department of Revenue of each parcel of land covered by an approved forestry management plan, and the Department of Revenue shall notify each chief county assessment officer of each parcel of land covered by an approved forestry management plan (currently, the Department Natural Resources notifies the Department of Revenue and each chief county assessment officer). Effective immediately.”
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill revises how Illinois values and classifies farmland for property tax purposes. It updates the Department of Revenue’s annual farmland valuation guidelines, specifying how income, costs, and capitalization rates are used to calculate agricultural economic value and capping yearly assessment changes for median cropped soils at 10%. The bill requires cropland, permanent pasture and other farmland to follow department-issued definitions and clarifies that farmland assessments are not subject to state equalization factors, while farm dwellings remain subject to equalization. It also changes notice procedures for parcels under approved forestry management plans. The bill takes effect upon becoming law.
Walsh has proposed another 33 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.
Waslh, a Democrat, was elected to the Illinois State House in 2012 to represent the state’s 86th House District, replacing previous state representative Jack McGuire.
Bills Introduced by Lawrence “Larry” Walsh, Jr. in Illinois House During General Assembly Session 104
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB5773 | 05/13/2026 | Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes changes concerning certifications by the Department of Revenue for the purpose of establishing guidelines and valuations for farmland. Provides that cropland, permanent pasture, and other farmland shall be defined according to guidelines issued by the Department of Revenue (currently, U.S. Census Bureau definitions). Makes changes concerning equalization factors applied to farmland property. In provisions concerning property under a forestry management plan, provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall inform the Department of Revenue of each parcel of land covered by an approved forestry management plan, and the Department of Revenue shall notify each chief county assessment officer of each parcel of land covered by an approved forestry management plan (currently, the Department Natural Resources notifies the Department of Revenue and each chief county assessment officer). Effective immediately. |
| HB5459 | 02/06/2026 | Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. In provisions concerning colocation of photovoltaic community renewable generation projects, changes references from “community renewable generation project” to “photovoltaic community renewable generation project” and “community solar projects” to “photovoltaic community renewable generation projects”. Requires a project labor agreement for the new construction of certain facilities related to community-driven community solar projects. In a provision applying prevailing wage requirements to facilities for which a renewable energy credit delivery contract is signed, removes an exception for multi-family residential buildings with aggregate geothermal system tonnage, including colocated projects, of no more than 29 tons. Amends the Energy Transition Act. Provides that the Department of Corrections and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall jointly develop activities to support the recruitment of eligible candidates to the Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program. Provides that the activities shall include coordinating on sharing with community-based providers the contact information of persons preparing to be released into the community, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, if the person preparing to be released consents to the person’s contact information being shared. Makes other changes. |
| HB5555 | 02/06/2026 | Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. |
| HB5165 | 02/05/2026 | Creates the River Access Modernization Act. Affirms the public’s right to use navigable and recreationally suitable waters for canoeing, boating, kayaking, and angling, subject to protection of private property rights and environmental values. Provides that the public right of use does not include crossing private uplands or exiting onto private land without permission. Establishes landowner liability protections. Prohibits littering and alteration of flora and fauna. Grants rulemaking authority to the Department of Natural Resources to designate public access points, resolve conflicts, promote safety and conservation education, and maintain a listing of navigable waterways. Defines “navigable water” and “public recreational use”. |
| HB5166 | 02/05/2026 | Creates the Dissolution of Special Districts Act. Establishes a method for the dissolution of special districts. Provides that a special district may dissolve upon the affirmative majority vote of its own governing body and the affirmative majority vote of a receiving unit of local government. Provides that, on or before the date of dissolution, all real and personal property, and any other assets, together with all personnel, contractual obligations, and liabilities of the dissolving special district shall be transferred to the receiving unit of local government. Provides that, on the date of dissolution, the dissolving special district is dissolved. Provides that, on and after the date of dissolution, all rights and duties of the dissolving special district may be exercised by the receiving unit of local government. Provides that, before the date of dissolution, the receiving unit of local government shall submit a service continuation plan confirming that the receiving unit of local government has the resources to continue providing the services provided by the dissolving special district. Effective immediately. |
| HB5194 | 02/05/2026 | Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a qualified taxpayer may apply to the Department of Revenue for an income tax credit in an amount equal to 20% of the wages paid by the qualified taxpayer to a qualified energy choice worker based in Illinois in the taxable year. Provides that the term “qualified taxpayer” means a taxpayer that is a regulated utility in the State of Illinois or a power generating company providing baseload or intermediate generation in Illinois and that meets specified criteria and is able to demonstrate an adverse and material operational impact to either its overall Illinois-based workforce or its ability to conduct business in Illinois based on the scheduled phaseout target dates of 2030, 2035, 2040, and 2045, as provided in Public Act 102-662. Sets forth limitations on the amount of the credit. Effective immediately. |
| HB5195 | 02/05/2026 | Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Illinois Future of Energy Choice and Economic Impact Commission. Sets forth the membership of the Commission. Provides that the Commission has certain duties with respect to energy policy. Effective immediately. |
| HB5197 | 02/05/2026 | Amends the Motor Vehicle Franchise Act. Provides that it shall be deemed a violation for a manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, or other specified entity to distribute new motor vehicles directly to consumers or to circumvent franchise distribution obligations under the Act. Provides that a manufacturer, common entity, or distributor, other than a manufacturer or distributor that was lawfully licensed to sell new motor vehicles directly to customers in the State before January 1, 2022, shall not own or operate a dealership or directly sell new vehicles in the State. Provides that it shall be deemed a violation for any manufacturer with an established franchise dealer network in the State to engage in the sale, lease, or servicing of new motor vehicles in a manner that bypasses or competes with the manufacturer’s existing franchisee network. Makes conforming and other changes. Defines terms. |
| HB5210 | 02/05/2026 | Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Disability Benefits Maximization Program. Provides that, within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Central Management Services, in conjunction with the 5 State-funded retirement systems, shall enter into a contract with an administrator to establish and conduct a Disability Benefits Maximization Program to identify individuals eligible for but not enrolled in Medicare, and to assist those individuals with enrolling in Social Security and Medicare. Provides that the Disability Benefits Maximization Program shall conduct an annual audit of the State health benefits program for everyone covered under the State Employees Group Insurance Program, the Teachers’ Retirement Insurance Program, and the College Insurance Program for the purpose of identifying participants and their dependents who are eligible for Medicare under federal law and shall also ensure that those annuitants, retirees, benefit recipients, survivors, and dependents who are eligible for Medicare are enrolled in Medicare with Medicare as their primary health care benefits coverage and the State health benefits program being the secondary provider of their health care benefits coverage. Provides that the Disability Benefits Maximization Program shall assist annuitants, retirees, benefit recipients, and their survivors and dependents who become disabled and are not enrolled in Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare with enrolling in and obtaining Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare benefits. Provides that the administrator of the Disability Benefits Maximization Program shall provide the Department, the 5 State-funded retirement systems, and the General Assembly with an annual report. Effective January 1, 2027. |
| HB4823 | 02/03/2026 | Creates the Transmission Ownership and Reliability Act. Defines terms. Provides that all new electric transmission facilities located wholly or partly within the geographic boundaries of the State shall be owned, operated, and maintained exclusively by a Commission-regulated and investor-owned utility. Provides that any entity proposing to construct a new electric transmission facility in the State shall obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity under the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the construction of electric transmission facilities shall comply with all provisions of the Electric Transmission Systems Construction Standards Act and that third-party constructors shall adhere to prevailing wage, safety, and diversity requirements under that Act. Sets forth rulemaking provisions. Provides that any entity that constructs or operates an electric transmission facility in violation of the Act may be subject to monetary penalties, revocation of certification, or transfer orders issued by the Commission. Amends the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act. Provides that, to qualify as a “community-based organization”, an organization must demonstrate, among other things, a plan to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Creates the Transmission Efficiency and Cooperation Law within the Public Utilities Act. Provides that an incumbent electric transmission owner has the right to construct, own, and maintain an electric transmission line that has been approved for construction in a transmission plan and that will connect to facilities that are owned by the incumbent electric transmission owner and are or will be under the functional control of a regional transmission operator. Provides that the right to construct, own, and maintain an electric transmission line belongs individually and proportionally to each incumbent electric transmission owner, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing. Provides that proportionality shall be determined based on the location of the electric transmission line relative to each incumbent electric transmission owner’s retail service territory. Provides that an incumbent electric transmission owner may assign its right to construct, own, and maintain an electric transmission line to a transmission affiliate. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. |
| HB4876 | 02/03/2026 | Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions concerning the certification of alternative retail electric suppliers, provides that the alternative retail electric supplier shall publish notice of its application in the official State newspaper within 14 days (rather than 10 days) following the date of its filing. Provides that, no later than 60 days (rather than 45 days) after a complete application is properly filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission, and such notice is published, the Commission shall issue its order granting or denying the application. Provides that, in determining the level of technical, financial, and managerial resources and abilities which an applicant must demonstrate, the Commission shall consider the applicant’s commitment of resources to the management of its sales and marketing staff through affirmative managerial policies, independent audits, technology, hands-on field monitoring, and training and, for applicants who have sales personnel or sales agents within the State, the applicant’s managerial presence within the State. Provides that the Commission shall grant the application for a certificate of service authority if it finds, among other things, that the applicant will comply with all applicable federal, State, regional, and industry rules, policies, practices, procedures, and tariffs for the use, operation, and maintenance of the safety, integrity, and reliability, of the interconnected electric transmission system. |
| HB4798 | 02/02/2026 | Amends the Environmental Protection Act. In a provision establishing greenhouse gas emission controls, authorizes an electric generating unit or large GHG-emitting unit to continue operating if an emergency, pre-emergency, or conservative operations situation exists. Provides that no variance, adjusted standard, or other regulatory relief that is otherwise available under the Act may be granted from the Act’s greenhouse gas emission controls if battery storage resources constitute at least 10% of the total State-installed generation capacity. Provides that, if battery storage resources constitute less than 10% of the total State-installed generation capacity at any time after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Environmental Protection Agency shall delay enforcement of certain greenhouse gas emission controls. Directs the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt rules to implement these requirements. Defines “battery storage resource” and “total State-installed generation capacity”. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. |
| HB4731 | 01/30/2026 | Amends the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act. Provides that “excavation” does not include an excavation for the purpose of connecting a communications service customer’s home or business to the communications service provider’s own communications network that is performed: (i) only with a hand tool, (ii) by a communications service provider, and (iii) to a depth not greater than 12 inches. Effective immediately. |
| HB4693 | 01/29/2026 | Amends the Wildlife Code. In a provision concerning trapping, replaces references to “leghold” with “foothold”. Provides that the diameter of traps shall be measured from the inside edges of the outer most portion of the jaws of the trap. Effective immediately. |
| HB4647 | 01/28/2026 | Amends the Civic Center Code. Provides that all contracts for the sale of property of the value of more than the small purchase maximum under the Illinois Procurement Code (rather than $10,000) shall be awarded to the highest responsible bidder, after advertising for bids. Provides that all construction contracts and contracts for supplies, materials, equipment and services, when the expense thereof will exceed the small purchase maximum under the Illinois Procurement Code (rather than $10,000), shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder, after advertising for bids, except in specified circumstances. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately. |
| HB4648 | 01/28/2026 | Appropriates the sum of $20,000,000 from the Capital Projects Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for expenses associated with the restoration of the property formerly operated as the Joliet Correctional Center. Effective July 1, 2026. |
| HB4607 | 01/27/2026 | Amends the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Provides that the definition of “employee” does not include an employee who is engaged in the operation of a vessel that is documented by the United States under a specified federal law. Effective immediately. |
| HB3517 | 02/07/2025 | For fiscal years 2025 and 2026, appropriates $3,500,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the Joliet Area Historical Museum for expenses associated with the restoration of the property formerly operated as the Joliet Correctional Center. Provides that the appropriations may be used for prior year costs. Effective immediately, except that the appropriation for fiscal year 2026 is effective July 1, 2025. |
| HB3541 | 02/07/2025 | Amends the Energy Transition Act. Provides that the Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program shall recruit, prescreen, and provide pre-apprenticeship training relevant to clean energy apprenticeships in the construction and building trades and that the Program shall meet certain requirements regarding applicant placements (rather than requiring each Climate Works Hub that receives funding from the Energy Transition Assistance Fund to perform certain actions). |
| HB3704 | 02/07/2025 | Amends the Regional Water Commission Division of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that in connection with a contract by a commission for the construction of all or any portion of a waterworks system or other public improvement of the commission, the commission must enter into a project labor agreement with the applicable local building trades council or the applicable local buildings trades council must enter into a project labor agreement with the general contractor selected by the commission (rather than the commission must enter into a project labor agreement with the applicable local building trades council) prior to the commencement of any and all construction, building, renovation, demolition, or any material change to the structure or land. Effective immediately. |
| HB3760 | 02/07/2025 | Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to trap or to hunt gray fox except during an open season, which may (rather than will) be set annually by the Director of Natural Resources between 12:01 a.m., November 1 to 12:00 midnight, February 15, both inclusive. Allows the Director, by administrative rule, to set the dates of, lengthen, shorten, or close the season during which gray fox may be taken. Allows the Director to also set, lessen, or increase the daily bag limit or possession limit of gray fox by administrative rule. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Grants the Department of Natural Resources emergency rulemaking powers. Effective immediately. |
| HB2808 | 02/05/2025 | Amends the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Provides that the definition of “employee” does not include an employee who is engaged in the operation of a vessel that is documented by the United States under a specified federal law. Effective immediately. |
| HB2810 | 02/05/2025 | Amends the Renewable Energy Facilities Agricultural Impact Mitigation Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Agricultural Impact Mitigation Act. Makes conforming changes in the Illinois Power Agency Act and the Illinois Municipal Code. Makes the Agricultural Impact Mitigation Act’s agricultural impact mitigation agreement provisions applicable to commercial wind energy facilities, battery energy storage systems, pipelines, and electric lines. Describes information to be included in the agricultural impact mitigation agreements. Requires each construction or destruction project to undergo inspection by an agricultural inspector. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to temporarily halt construction, deconstruction, or other activities on a project upon its finding of noncompliance with the provisions of an agricultural impact mitigation agreement. Defines terms. Effective immediately. |
| HB2875 | 02/05/2025 | Appropriates the sum of $4,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for grants to certified convention bureaus for the development of tourism, education, preservation, and promotion of the 100th anniversary of Route 66, of which not more than $500,000 shall be used for marketing expenses. Appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for expenses relating to the Route 66 Centennial Celebration in accordance with the plan developed by the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission. Effective July 1, 2025. |
| HB2678 | 02/04/2025 | Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes language providing that an owner may only apply for and receive 5 farm truck registrations, and only 2 of those 5 vehicles shall exceed 59,500 gross weight in pounds per vehicle. Provides instead that an owner may apply for and receive a total of 8 farm truck registrations; however, only 2 farm truck registrations may be registered as exceeding 77,001 pounds under provisions regarding farm truck registration (with a fee of $1,590 per vehicle registered) and the other 6 farm truck registrations must be registered as exceeding 77,001 pounds under provisions regarding flat weight taxes (with a fee of $2,890 per vehicle registered). |
| HB2519 | 02/03/2025 | Amends the Civic Center Code. Provides that all contracts for the sale of property of the value of more than the small purchase maximum under the Illinois Procurement Code (rather than $10,000) shall be awarded to the highest responsible bidder, after advertising for bids. Provides that all construction contracts and contracts for supplies, materials, equipment and services, when the expense thereof will exceed the small purchase maximum under the Illinois Procurement Code (rather than $10,000), shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder, after advertising for bids except for specified circumstances. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately. |
| HB1397 | 01/15/2025 | 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. |
| HB1364 | 01/14/2025 | Amends the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority Act. Provides that the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority shall be abolished upon the last to occur of the following: (1) expiration of the 35-year (rather than 30-year) period that begins on the effective date of the Act; or (2) one year after all revenue bonds, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness of the Authority have been fully paid and discharged or otherwise provided for. Provides that, upon the abolition of the Authority, all of its rights and property shall pass to and be vested in Will County (rather than the State). |
| HB1296 | 01/13/2025 | Amends the Fire Department Promotion Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions. |
| HB1297 | 01/13/2025 | Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning downstate firefighters. |
| HB1298 | 01/13/2025 | Amends the Fire Department Promotion Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions. |
| HB1299 | 01/13/2025 | Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning downstate firefighters. |
| HB1300 | 01/13/2025 | Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning annexation of territory. |
| HB1307 | 01/13/2025 | Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that if a full-time firefighter or firefighter/paramedic employed by a city, village, incorporated town, or township that meets certain requirements is not eligible to participate in a retirement fund created under the Downstate Firefighters Article of the Code, then he or she is eligible to participate, as a sheriff’s law enforcement employee, under the IMRF Article of the Code. Specifies survivor and occupational disease disability benefits that are available to the qualifying firefighters. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately. |
