The proposed legislation authored by State Sen. Linda Holmes in the Illinois Senate aims to continue the work of the rare disease commission for several more years, according to the Illinois State Senate.
The bill, introduced as SB4185 on April 10, 2026, during the general assembly session 104, was summarized by the state legislature as follows: “Amends the Rare Disease Commission Act. Changes the sunset date of the Act from January 1, 2027 to January 1, 2032. In provisions regarding administrative support, adds that the administrative and other support to the Rare Disease Commission provided by the Department of Public Health includes printing services related to the distribution of the Commission’s annual report. 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 extends the life of the Illinois Rare Disease Commission Act by moving its repeal date from Jan. 1, 2027, to Jan. 1, 2032, allowing the commission to continue operating for five more years. It clarifies that the Department of Public Health’s required administrative and other support to the commission explicitly includes providing printing services for distributing the commission’s annual report. The bill appears intended to ensure the commission’s continued work on rare disease issues and the ongoing dissemination of its findings. The bill takes effect upon becoming law.
Holmes has proposed another 34 bills since the beginning of the 104th session.
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.
Holmes graduated from National College of Education in 1984 with a BA.
Holmes, a Democrat, was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 2007 to represent the state’s 42nd Senate District, replacing previous state senator Phyllis Petka.
Bills Introduced by Linda Holmes in Illinois Senate During General Assembly Session 104
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB4185 | 04/10/2026 | Amends the Rare Disease Commission Act. Changes the sunset date of the Act from January 1, 2027 to January 1, 2032. In provisions regarding administrative support, adds that the administrative and other support to the Rare Disease Commission provided by the Department of Public Health includes printing services related to the distribution of the Commission’s annual report. Effective immediately. |
| SB3804 | 02/06/2026 | Creates the Neurodegenerative Disease Patient Protection and Progress Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to convene a Neurodegenerative Disease Advisory Council within the Department. Sets forth provisions concerning the membership of the Advisory Council, terms of the members, meetings of the Advisory Council, and administrative support, and duties of the Advisory Council Provides that the Director of Public Health shall designate or hire a full-time Neurodegenerative Disease Coordinator within the Department to implement and administer the Act. Requires the Coordinator, acting through and under the supervision of the Director, and with input from the Advisory Council, to develop and publish a State plan to address neurodegenerative diseases. Sets forth required components of the Plan. Establishes a voluntary statewide clinical and population registry to collect de-identified information and, with the patient’s informed consent, limited identifying information, to (i) improve understanding of burden imposed by neurodegenerative diseases, natural history, and outcomes, (ii) facilitate public health planning and service delivery, and (iii) support research consistent with applicable privacy protections. Establishes the Neurodegenerative Disease Research Support And Grant Fund to make grants to public or private not-for-profit entities for the purpose of conducting neurodegenerative disease research. Sets forth provisions concerning equity and rural access; coordination with federal programs, academic centers, and private partners; reporting; limitations; and rulemaking. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Effective immediately. |
| SB3471 | 02/05/2026 | Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning appointed boards of review in counties under township organization with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, provides that 3 citizens of the State shall comprise the board of review (currently, 3 citizens of the county). Effective immediately. |
| SB3636 | 02/05/2026 | Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that information reported to the Illinois State Police under the Act is confidential and shall not be released unless expressly permitted by State or federal law. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall conduct a criminal history background check on an applicant if a qualified entity submits (1) a request to the Illinois State Police to perform a State and national background check on the applicant in a form and manner prescribed by the Illinois State Police that includes a statement containing the name, address, and date of birth appearing on a valid identification card or document issued by the State to the applicant; (2) a waiver on a form approved by the Illinois State Police that is signed by the applicant allowing the release of the State and national criminal history record information to the qualified entity; (3) the applicant’s fingerprints in an electronic format that complies with the form and manner for requesting and furnishing criminal history record information prescribed by the Illinois State Police; and (4) any fee prescribed by the Illinois State Police. Provides that, upon positive identification, the Illinois State Police shall provide the qualified entity with records of the applicant’s conviction of or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or sentencing, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States that is a felony or any crime directly related to providing care, treatment, education, training, instruction, supervision, or recreation to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities. Provides that any information received by a qualified entity under the provisions shall be used solely for internal purposes in determining the suitability of an applicant. Provides that a background check conducted under the provisions does not constitute compliance with any background check required by law. Provides that, if the Illinois State Police determines that the Illinois records provided to a qualified entity were inaccurate, then the Illinois State Police shall provide updated records to the qualified entity and the applicant. Defines terms. Makes other changes. |
| SB3375 | 02/04/2026 | Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the corporate authorities of a municipality may license and regulate all commercial operations within the municipality’s boundaries, whether for profit or not for profit, but may not impose any tax upon their operations except as otherwise authorized by law. Limits the definition of “commercial operations” to exclude agritourism operations, agricultural properties, agribusinesses, agritourism activities, agricultural experiences, and pollution control facilities. |
| SB3157 | 02/02/2026 | Creates the Lubricant and Related Product Producer Responsibility Act. Requires a producer of covered products to register with a producer responsibility organization and notify the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Prohibits an unregistered producer from selling, offering for sale, importing, or distributing a covered product in the State. Sets forth various requirements for a producer responsibility organization and a producer responsibility plan. Lists duties of a lubricant service provider and requires the Agency to provide certain information to a producer responsibility organization. Lists financial duties of the producer responsibility organization and the Agency. Requires participant producers, through the producer responsibility organization, to pay certain costs. Creates the Lubricant and Related Product Producer Responsibility Fund in the State treasury. Requires the producer responsibility organization to reimburse certain lubricant service providers for specified costs. Sets forth requirements for records, audits, and reports related to the producer responsibility organization. Prohibits a retailer, dealer, producer, or distributor from selling, distributing, offering for sale, or importing a covered product in or into the State unless certain requirements are met. Sets forth penalties for violations of the Act. Requires deposit of penalties into the Lubricant and Related Product Producer Responsibility Fund. Provides for judicial review of administrative decisions and for enforcement of judgments. Limits liability for anticompetitive conduct. Sets timelines for implementation of various parts of the Act. Allows the Agency to adopt rules that are necessary to implement and administer the Act. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes to the State Finance Act. |
| SB3204 | 02/02/2026 | Amends the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act. Provides that the Board of the Kendall County Forest Preserve District may impose a tax upon all persons engaged in the business of selling, including leasing, tangible personal property, other than personal property titled or registered with an agency of this State’s government, at retail in the county on the gross receipts from the sales made in the course of business to provide revenue to be used by the forest preserve district in that county for general forest preserve district purposes. Provides that the tax may not be imposed on tangible personal property taxed at the 1% rate under the Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act. Provides that the tax shall not be imposed on sales of aviation fuel for so long as the revenue use requirements are binding on the board. Provides that the tax and all civil penalties that may be assessed as an incident of the tax shall be collected and enforced by the Department of Revenue. Amends the State Finance Act. Designates the Special Forest Preserve District Retailers and Service Occupation Tax Fund as a special fund in the State Treasury. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. |
| SB2989 | 01/29/2026 | Creates the DNA Match Notification, Tracking, and Accountability Act. Provides that, no later than one year after the effective date of the Act, the Illinois State Police shall establish and maintain a statewide automated DNA match tracking system to solve cases. Provides that the Illinois State Police may (1) purchase a commercial off-the-shelf software system for tracking if the system meets all of the requirements and (2) apply for federal funding to establish and maintain the automated DNA match tracking system. Provides that the automated DNA match tracking system shall (1) be electronic and cloud-based; (2) receive DNA match notifications from all accredited crime laboratories; (3) automatically route notifications and reminders to designated receiving agencies; (4) record and time-stamp subsequent actions taken by receiving agencies and flag notifications for supervisory review upon missed deadlines or inactivity; (5) produce audit logs, compliance reports, and performance metrics; and (6) ensure data security consistent with applicable privacy and information security laws. |
| SB2990 | 01/29/2026 | Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that the definition of “dog dealer” does not include a person who sells dogs at retail to the public. Provides that a person who sells dogs at retail to the public, shall not be considered an animal shelter under the Act. Defines “at retail to the public”. Requires a dog breeder to provide each dog in the dog breeder’s facility with a primary enclosure that complies with certain requirements. Requires a dog breeder to provide all adult dogs in the dog breeder’s facility with constant, unfettered access to an exercise area of sufficient size to ensure proper physical development, health, and socialization. Provides that the exercise area should, at a minimum, be at least twice the amount of space required for the primary enclosure. Provides that the Illinois Department of Agriculture may refuse to issue or renew or may suspend or revoke a license due to an individual operating without a proper license under the Act. |
| SB3063 | 01/29/2026 | Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that a person shall not organize, sponsor, promote, conduct, or participate in any contest, organized competition, tournament, or derby that has as its objective the taking of a fur-bearing mammal for cash, prizes, or other inducement. Provides an exception for field trials, certain wildlife damage control activities, and certain lawful hunting or trapping activities. Establishes penalties for violations. |
| SB2952 | 01/27/2026 | Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that counties and municipalities shall, by ordinance or resolution, require the installation and maintenance of vehicle impact protection devices to be placed in front of residential care facilities, buildings in areas zoned as business and manufacturing districts, any buildings where storefront windows are within 2 feet of the ground, any outdoor dining area, and any day care center outdoor play areas if the building, outdoor dining area, or day care center outdoor play area has adjacent parking spaces that are perpendicular or angled toward the building or area, drive aisles that are perpendicular to the building or area, or both. Provides that the required vehicle impact protection devices must be designed to withstand a minimum impact resistance level of 5,000 pounds at 30 miles per hour, must measure a minimum height of 3 feet, and must be spaced 48 inches from inside edge to inside edge of the device. Limits the materials used to manufacture vehicle impact protection devices. Prohibits vehicle impact protection devices that restrict building access and do not meet the requirements of the Illinois Accessibility Code and all other applicable State and federal laws. Clarifies that these provisions do not apply to voluntarily installed vehicle impact protection devices that are not required by the amendatory Act. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Defines terms. |
| SB2740 | 01/13/2026 | Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, upon adoption of an enacting ordinance by a majority vote of the corporate authorities then holding office, a municipality with a population of more than 5,000 may exercise the powers and authorities provided to home rule units under Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution. Effective January 1, 2027. |
| SB2741 | 01/13/2026 | Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Combines harassment by telephone and harassment through electronic communications into one statute. Provides that a person also commits the offense by knowingly making any comment, request, suggestion, or proposal with the intent to harass another and that comment, request, suggestion, or proposal is not necessary to accomplish a purpose that is reasonable under the circumstances, that would cause a reasonable person emotional distress and does cause emotional distress to another. |
| SB2747 | 01/13/2026 | Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits unlawful use of a covered animal (rather than an elephant) in a traveling animal act when he or she knowingly allows for the participation of a covered animal (rather than an African elephant (Loxodonta africana) or Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) protected under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973) in a traveling animal act. Provides that the provision does not apply to a performance of covered animals (rather than an exhibition of elephants) at a non-mobile, permanent institution, or other fixed facility, if the covered animal is not transported to such location for the purpose of such performance. Provides that unlawful use of a covered animal in a traveling animal act is a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that the provisions are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other laws protecting animal welfare. Provides that the provision may not be construed to limit any State law or rules protecting the welfare of animals or to prevent a local governing body from adopting and enforcing its own animal welfare laws and regulations. Defines “covered animal” to mean: (1) elephantidae; (2) felidae, but excluding a domestic cat; (3) non-human primate; and (4) ursidae, or any of their hybrids. Contains a severability provision. Effective July 1, 2026. |
| SB2802 | 01/13/2026 | Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Increases, except for persons who first retired prior to the effective date of the amendatory Act, the amount of the death benefit from $3,000 to $8,000. Makes conforming changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. |
| SB2818 | 01/13/2026 | Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision concerning trustees elected by contributors who are not administrators, provides that candidacy petitions shall be filed with the recording secretary of the Fund on or before October 1st of the election year (instead of on or after September 15 of each year and not later than October 1st of that year). Effective immediately. |
| SB2178 | 02/07/2025 | Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. In provisions prohibiting a person licensed under the Act from knowingly carrying a firearm on or into a building or portion of a building under the control of a unit of local government, provides that a retired police officer may carry a concealed firearm on the premises of the retired officer’s former governmental employer if (i) the retired officer is authorized to carry a concealed firearm under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 and (ii) the retired officer’s actions are authorized by ordinance. |
| SB2180 | 02/07/2025 | Amends the Illinois Gas Pipeline Safety Act. Provides that any person who has received a permit from the United States Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must submit a copy of the permit to the Illinois Commerce Commission within 2 weeks of the approval of the permit. Provides that the copy of the permit shall be publicly available on the Illinois Commerce Commission’s website. Provides that any person who intends to engage in the transportation of gas via a pipeline facility or who owns or operates pipeline facilities shall file with the Illinois Commerce Commission a notice prior to the construction of a pipeline facility which shall be publicly available on the Commission’s website. Sets forth requirements for the content of the notice. Effective immediately. |
| SB2262 | 02/07/2025 | Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Provides that employers shall provide the State labor organization with a copy of the information provided to the exclusive representative. Effective immediately. |
| SB2414 | 02/07/2025 | Amends the Consumer Electronics Recycling Act. Adds and changes definitions. Changes references to residential covered electronic devices (CEDs) to references to CEDs from covered entities. Adds a nonprofit organization or recycler to certain provisions regarding the use of a retail or private network (rather than only retail) collection site with the agreement of the applicable retailer under certain local agreements. Changes references to retail collection sites to references to retail or private network collection sites. Adds to requirements for certain agreements, including those to be reduced to writing and included in the manufacturer e-waste program plan. Adds to requirements for the manufacturer e-waste program plan. Adds conditions in certain provisions regarding the applicable county, municipal joint action agency, or municipality. Adds certain waivers for charges for shortfalls in provisions regarding collection of CEDs. Adds requirements for the Advisory Electronics Task Force to submit certain information to the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as to communicate regarding certain updates and certain feedback. Adds provisions regarding education and consumer awareness requirements. Deletes an automatic repeal provision. |
| SB1951 | 02/06/2025 | 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. |
| SB1545 | 02/04/2025 | Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that “dog dealer” does not include a person who sells dogs at retail to the public. Provides that a person who sells dogs at retail to the public, shall not be considered an animal shelter under the Act. Defines “at retail to the public”. Provides that the Illinois Department of Agriculture may refuse to issue or renew or may suspend or revoke a license due to an individual operating without a proper license under the Act. |
| SB1412 | 01/31/2025 | Amends the Administrative Adjudications Division of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that an ordinance established under the Division to establish a system of administrative adjudication shall allow hearing officers presiding over adjudicatory hearings to enter orders prohibiting further code violations or compelling the remediation of existing code violations. |
| SB1413 | 01/31/2025 | Amends the School Code. Provides that any public school employee who is a member of a statewide association and is appointed to a State board, advisory council, committee, commission, or task force to represent the association in State work may spend up to 10 days during a school term representing the association in State work. Provides that no deduction of wages may be made for such absence. Effective immediately. |
| SB1449 | 01/31/2025 | 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. |
| SB1471 | 01/31/2025 | Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that nothing in the provisions shall require an ambulance provider to bill a beneficiary, insured, enrollee, or health insurance issuer when prohibited by any other law, rule, ordinance, contract, or agreement. Limits home rule powers. Changes the definition of “emergency services” and “health care provider”. Amends the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Removes language providing that upon reasonable demand by a provider of emergency transportation by ambulance, a health maintenance organization shall promptly pay to the provider, subject to coverage limitations stated in the contract or evidence of coverage, the charges for emergency transportation by ambulance provided to an enrollee in a health care plan arranged for by the health maintenance organization. |
| SB1472 | 01/31/2025 | Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that no more than 2 members of the board of review may be affiliated with the same political party (currently, 2 members of the board shall be affiliated with the political party polling the highest vote for any county office in the county). Effective immediately. |
| SB1290 | 01/28/2025 | Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. |
| SB0255 | 01/22/2025 | Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. |
| SB0256 | 01/22/2025 | Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that a person shall not organize, sponsor, promote, conduct, or participate in any contest, organized competition, tournament, or derby that has as its objective the taking of a fur-bearing mammal for cash, prizes, or other inducement. Provides an exception for field trials, certain wildlife damage control activities, and certain lawful hunting or trapping activities. Establishes penalties for violations. |
| SB0257 | 01/22/2025 | Creates the Cat Declawing Act. Provides that, except as otherwise provided in the Act, a person may not request or perform surgical claw removal, declawing, or a tendonectomy on any cat or otherwise alter a cat’s toes, claws, or paws to prevent or impair the normal function of the cat’s toes, claws, or paws. Authorizes a veterinarian, for a medically necessary and therapeutic purpose, to perform surgical claw removal, declawing, or tendonectomy on a cat or otherwise alter a cat’s toes, claws, or paws. Contains enforcement provisions. Effective 90 days after becoming law. |
| SB0123 | 01/17/2025 | Amends the School Code. Creates the Waiver Process Task Force. Sets forth provisions concerning membership, meetings, and support services. Provides that the purposes of the Task Force are to examine the current waiver response process and make recommendations on a more equitable and fair waiver response at the elementary and secondary school levels in this State; develop and use metrics to access the viability of waiver requests and the impact of such requests on students in kindergarten through grade 12; promote training and professional development on creating waiver requests that include accountability measures for teachers and other community stakeholders across this State; identify and seek local, State, and national resources to support an equitable and fair waiver process; and complete such other strategies as may be identified by the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on how waivers should be requested, how waivers should be reviewed for approval, and how to demonstrate the ability to fulfill accountability measures proposed in requested waivers. Requires the Task Force to file a report with the Governor and the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2025. Effective immediately. |
| SB0009 | 01/13/2025 | Creates the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act. Authorizes a qualified patient with a terminal disease to request that a physician prescribe aid-in-dying medication that will allow the patient to end the patient’s life in a peaceful manner. Contains provisions concerning: the procedures and forms to be used to request aid-in-dying medication; the responsibilities of attending and consulting physicians; the referral of patients for determinations of mental capacity; the residency of qualified patients; the safe disposal of unused medications; the obligations of health care entities; the immunities granted for actions taken in good faith reliance upon the Act; the reporting requirements of physicians; the effect of the Act on the construction of wills, contracts, and statutes; the effect of the Act on insurance policies and annuities; the procedures for the completion of death certificates; the liabilities and penalties provided by the Act; the construction of the Act; the definitions of terms used in the Act; and other matters. Effective 6 months after becoming law. |
| SB0076 | 01/13/2025 | 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. |
| SB0077 | 01/13/2025 | Amends the Illinois Local Library Act and the Public Library District Act of 1991. Requires competitive bidding for contracts in excess of $35,000 (rather than $25,000) for specified improvements and equipment purchases. Effective immediately. |
