The new bill, authored by State Sen. Patrick J. Joyce in the Illinois Senate, aims to strengthen research and workforce training at Southern Illinois University’s corn-to-ethanol research center, according to the Illinois State Senate.
The bill, introduced as SB4198 on May 6, 2026, during the general assembly session 104, was summarized by the state legislature as follows: “Appropriates $15,000,000 to the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees for the expansion of the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville to expand its research capabilities and to increase biomanufacturing workforce training. 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 $15 million from the General Revenue Fund to the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees to expand the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. The funding is designated to enhance the center’s research capabilities and increase biomanufacturing workforce training, supporting both scientific development and job preparation in related industries. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
Joyce has proposed another 68 bills since the beginning of the 104th session, with one 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.
Joyce graduated from Illinois State University with a BA.
Joyce, a Democrat, was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 40th Senate District, replacing previous state senator Toi Hutchinson.
Bills Introduced by Patrick J. Joyce in Illinois Senate During General Assembly Session 104
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB4198 | 05/06/2026 | Appropriates $15,000,000 to the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees for the expansion of the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville to expand its research capabilities and to increase biomanufacturing workforce training. Effective July 1, 2026. |
| SB3838 | 02/06/2026 | Creates the Broadband Deployment Act. Sets forth findings. Defines terms. Provides that, conditional upon acquiring the proper agreement or permit with the highway right-of-way controller or holder, a broadband grant recipient may install, maintain, and use broadband infrastructure along a highway right-of-way. Provides that no property owner of property located within the highway right-of-way shall forbid or prevent a proposed broadband grant recipient from entering upon the property for purposes of and in connection with the deployment of broadband infrastructure, nor shall any such property owner forbid or prohibit the broadband grant recipient from deploying upon, beneath, or over that property broadband infrastructure utilized by the broadband grant recipient for such broadband service. Provides that the broadband grant recipient must notify the property owner in writing by sending notification to the property owner’s address specified in the online or publicly available records of the applicable county assessor (i) by the United States Postal Service, certified mail, return receipt requested; (ii) by a designated private delivery service, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service, that provides the same function as certified mail with return receipt; or (iii) by personally serving the notification. Sets forth requirements for the content of the notice. Provides that if the property owner intends to demand just compensation, the property owner must serve written notice thereof upon the broadband grant recipient within 45 days after the anticipated date of broadband deployment as provided in the notice to the property owner. Provides that neither the property owner’s notice to demand just compensation, nor the property owner’s assertion of a specific claim for just compensation, nor the initiation of any legal action to enforce the claim of just compensation shall delay or impair the right of the broadband grant recipient to deploy broadband infrastructure and provide broadband service within or upon, beneath, or over certain property. Provides that the rights and obligations of broadband grant recipients and landowners set forth in the amendatory provisions do not apply on and after January 1, 2030. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. |
| SB3843 | 02/06/2026 | Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act. Provides that the Department of Revenue may audit both the marketplace seller and the delivery network company for a qualified delivery network sale. Provides that, with respect to a qualified delivery network sale made on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a delivery network company may deduct or exclude from its tax liability the amount of tax that the delivery network company paid to the marketplace seller in connection with the qualified delivery network sale. |
| SB3929 | 02/06/2026 | Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Provides that it is the policy of the State to rapidly transition to 100% clean energy by 2060 (rather than 2050). Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions relating to performance incentives and metrics for electric utilities designed to encourage those utilities to support and facilitate the State’s clean energy transition, extends timelines by 10 years from existing statutory dates to allow for competitive market development and cost declines. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that all electricity generating units and large greenhouse gas-emitting units that use coal or oil as a fuel and are not public GHG-emitting units shall permanently reduce all CO2e and co-pollutant emissions to zero no later than January 1, 2040 (rather than 2030). Further provides that All EGUs and large greenhouse gas-emitting units that use coal as a fuel and are public GHG-emitting units shall permanently reduce CO2e emissions to zero no later than December 31, 2055 (rather than 2045). Provides that if the emissions reduction requirement is not achieved by December 31, 2045 (rather than 2035), the plant shall retire one or more units or otherwise reduce its CO2e emissions by 45% from existing emissions by June 30, 2048 (rather than 2038). Provides that no later than January 1. 2050 (rather than 2040) all EGUs and large greenhouse gas-emitting units that have a NOx emission rate of greater than 0.12 lbs/MWh or a SO2 emission rate greater than 0.006 lb/MWh, and are not located in or within 3 miles of an environmental justice community designated as of January 1, 2021 or an equity investment eligible community shall permanently reduce all CO2e and co-pollutant emissions to zero, including through unit retirement or the use of 100% green hydrogen or other similar technology that is commercially proven to achieve zero carbon emissions. |
| SB3978 | 02/06/2026 | Creates the Circuit Breaker Property Tax Relief Act. Provides that an individual: (i) who is domiciled in this State; (ii) who is eligible for and receives either the general homestead exemption or the general alternative homestead exemption; (iii) who has experienced property tax bill spikes; and (iv) who has an income that meets a specified income eligibility limitation is eligible for a grant of a portion of the person’s property tax bill spike. Provides that the maximum amount of grant to which a claimant is entitled is 50% of the claimant’s tax bill spike. Creates the Circuit Breaker Property Tax Relief Fund for the purpose of making grants to claimants. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately. |
| SB3516 | 02/05/2026 | Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Restores provisions regarding sentencing guidelines for individuals with prior felony firearm-related or other specified convictions that were repealed on January 1, 2004. Applies to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Eliminates sunset provision. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to make conforming changes. |
| SB3546 | 02/05/2026 | Appropriates $1,000,000 to the Illinois Community College Board for the purpose of implementing the Community College Economic Empowerment Act. Effective July 1, 2026. |
| SB3640 | 02/05/2026 | Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that deer, turkey, and combination permits shall be issued to specified Illinois resident landowners and tenants without charge. Provides that the total number of deer, turkey, and combination permits that may be issued by the Department of Natural Resources and its fee shall be set by rule. Provides that Illinois resident that wish to hunt only on the land of which they are resident tenants, shall be issued deer permits without charge for Illinois land located in a county where the Department of Natural Resources has positively identified chronic wasting disease cases in the deer herd. Provides that no person shall be issued more than (i) one either-sex deer permit and one antlerless-only deer permit for the deer firearm season and (ii) one either-sex deer permit and one antlerless-only deer permit for the deer archery season under this amendatory Act. Defines terms and adds tenants, bona fide current income beneficiaries of a trust, and bona fide landowners to certain provisions. Requires permits under the amendatory Act to be on a hunter’s person at all times while hunting. |
| SB3683 | 02/05/2026 | Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Exempts from the provisions of the unlawful possession of weapons statute, the carrying or possession of certain weapons by qualified retired law enforcement officers, as defined in the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004, as recognized under Illinois law, in specified locations. |
| SB3736 | 02/05/2026 | Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that the chief procurement officer having jurisdiction over construction-related services for the Department of Central Management Services also has jurisdiction over construction procurements for the Department of Central Management Services. Amends the Design-Build Procurement Act. Extends the repeal of the Act until January 1, 2030 (currently, January 1, 2027). Effective immediately. |
| SB3770 | 02/05/2026 | Creates the Global Hospital Budget Authority Act. Defines terms. Established the Global Hospital Budget Authority as a Division of the Department of Public Health. Provides that the powers and duties of the Authority shall be vested in and exercised by the Global Hospital Budget Board, which shall have the sole power to employ staff, including an executive director, legal counsel, consultants, or any other staff deemed necessary by the Board to effectuate the purposes of the Act. Provides that individuals employed by the Board shall not be employees of the State for any purpose, including for purposes of compensation, pension benefits, or retirement. Sets forth provisions concerning membership requirements; powers and duties of the Board; roles of participating payers; roles of participant hospitals; data collection and retention; confidentiality of data, contracts, and agreements; and the Global Hospital Budget Fund. Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that, in reviewing and issuing permits and licenses, the Department shall accept, as factors that satisfy staffing and service-line presence requirements, one or a combination of the following alternative mechanisms if the Department finds that patient safety and continuity of care are maintained: (i) on-site staffing by appropriately licensed clinicians; (ii) written and operative affiliation agreements meeting standards adopted by the Department that provide timely specialty coverage; (iii) documented telemedicine coverage that meets certain standards; or (iv) a waiver issued under certain provisions for a rural or critical access hospital. In provisions concerning requirements for the employment of physicians, provides that employing entities may employ physicians to practice medicine in all of its branches if employment, privileging, and oversight requirements are met. Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning definitions; certificates of exemption for change of ownership of a health care facility; applications for permit for discontinuation of a health care facility or category of service; and the powers and duties of State Board. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. |
| SB3275 | 02/03/2026 | Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation to create an expedited process for municipalities or counties to submit a request for an expedited review for intersections on State roads. |
| SB3290 | 02/03/2026 | Amends the Cycle Rider Safety Training Act. Provides that any business registered as a motorcycle dealer with the Secretary of State or any other business that derives income from the selling of motorcycles or has motorcycles for sale at its place of business on a consignment basis is not eligible for grant funds or reimbursements. Makes conforming changes. |
| SB3308 | 02/03/2026 | Creates the Automated Driving Systems Development Act. Provides that the operation of highly automated vehicles participating in an automated vehicle pilot project is subject to all applicable federal and State laws. Sets forth eligibility requirements for participation in an automated vehicle pilot project. Establishes the application process for participation in an automated vehicle pilot project. Creates a review committee within the Department of Transportation. Requires the Secretary of State to develop a driving test to evaluate the capability of highly automated vehicles to safely operate on State roads. Sets forth permit requirements and requirements concerning the suspension, revocation, and reinstatement of a permit. Creates reporting and data sharing requirements. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately. |
| SB3309 | 02/03/2026 | Appropriates $2,000,000 to the Department of Natural Resources for grants to fund wetland protection, enhancement, and restoration projects. Effective July 1, 2026. |
| SB3310 | 02/03/2026 | Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. In provisions concerning a facility’s safe resident handling policy, provides that “safe lifting equipment and accessories” includes emerging technologies approved by the Department of Public Health by rule. |
| SB3150 | 02/02/2026 | Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Provides that the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security may make grants for the purpose of promoting public safety radio interoperability if the use of the funds is consistent with standards set forth by the Illinois Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee under Section 10 of the Illinois State Police Radio Act and may adopt such rules as necessary to implement these grants. Provides that in awarding grants for the purpose of promoting public safety radio interoperability, priority shall be given first to public safety agencies with jurisdiction in areas without land mobile radio communication interoperability in counties with a population under 75,000. Provides that only public safety agencies using technology that is P25 CAP-verified (Project 25 Compliance Assessment Program) and complies with the current version of the SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency Communications Grants issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) shall be eligible for grants. |
| SB3151 | 02/02/2026 | Creates the Community College Economic Empowerment Act. Requires the Illinois Community College Board to provide an additional $1,000,000 per year in funding to community college districts whose primary campus is located within an enterprise zone, a HUBZone, or 2 miles of an opportunity zone; defines these zones. Establishes qualifications for funding. Requires each community college district that receives additional funds to submit an annual report to the Board. Requires the Board to submit a compiled annual report to the General Assembly. Provides that implementation of the Act is subject to appropriation. Contains a severability clause. Effective immediately. |
| SB3152 | 02/02/2026 | 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. |
| SB3153 | 02/02/2026 | Amends the Crematory Regulation Act. Authorizes the Comptroller to issue citations or fines, or both, to licensees. Requires a cemetery authority to implement (i) a standard operating procedure and provide a copy to all employees; and (ii) a medical waste management plan. Authorizes the Comptroller to impose a fine not to exceed $10,000 for each violation under the Act. Allows the Comptroller to refuse to issue a license or take disciplinary action if the applicant or licensee has failed to pay delinquent taxes or child support. Requires the Comptroller, upon revocation or suspension of a license, to notify the county coroner or medical examiner who is responsible for the area where the crematory is located to immediately make arrangements to take possession of bodies and cremated remains and arrange for final disposition of any decedents in the possession of the suspended licensee after consulting with the authorized agents for those bodies. Provides that if no authorized agent can be contacted, the county coroner or medical examiner shall take possession of bodies and cremated remains within 72 hours of notification from the Comptroller. Requires a crematory authority to perform a cremation no more than 60 days from the date the human remains have been delivered to it unless the crematory authority has received specific instructions to the contrary on its cremation authorization form. Requires the crematory authority to notify the Comptroller and the coroner or medical examiner in the county in which the death occurred as to why the cremation cannot be performed if it is not done within the 60-day period. Provides that pacemakers do not need to be removed in alkaline hydrolysis cremations. Requires that cremated remains must be stored in a place free from exposure to the elements and be responsibly maintained until disposal. Makes other changes. Amends the Cemetery Care Act. Provides that if a cemetery authority owning or operating a privately owned cemetery has accepted care funds and is considered abandoned or seeks dissolution, it allows, if no receiver is available, a circuit court to order a willing unit of local government to take over the cemetery. Makes other changes. |
| SB3208 | 02/02/2026 | Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Changes the definition of “implement of husbandry” to exclude any farm wagon, wagon trailer, or similar vehicle having a gross weight of more than 80,000 (rather than 36,000) pounds. Effective immediately. |
| SB3017 | 01/29/2026 | Amends the Illinois Drainage Code. In provisions concerning the election of commissioners in drainage districts organized under the Farm Drainage Act and certain other districts, provides that an adult owner of property in a drainage district is entitled to one vote per acre or part of an acre within each parcel of land owned by the owner and located in the district. Provides that, if a parcel of land is owned by more than one adult owner, only one of the owners representing all of the owners may cast a ballot for that parcel. Provides that the votes represented by the ballot shall equal the number of acres or part of an acre shown on the face of the ballot. Provides that, by casting a ballot, the voter certifies that he or she is the owner of the land or, when the land is owned by multiple owners, the voter casting the ballot certifies that a majority of the owners have granted him or her the authority to cast the ballot on behalf of all the owners. Changes the time that the polls may be open. Provides that the commissioners acting as the judges of the election shall not be responsible for determining the ownership of any parcel of land and may rely upon the representations of the person presenting himself or herself as the owner of the parcel or the person authorized by a majority of the other owners of the parcel to cast the ballot on behalf of all the owners. Makes conforming and other changes. |
| SB3018 | 01/29/2026 | Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Makes changes concerning the fire truck revolving loan program, the fire station revolving loan program, and the ambulance revolving loan program. Provides that those loans shall be paid out of certain locally held funds established by the Illinois Finance Authority. Provides that loans for the purchase of fire trucks may not exceed $750,000 per truck. Provides that loans for the purchase of ambulances may not exceed $350,000 to any fire department, fire protection district, or non-profit ambulance service. Makes other changes. |
| SB3019 | 01/29/2026 | Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that the maximum amount of notes or bonds that may be issued by the Illinois Finance Authority for any one agricultural real estate borrower may be increased by a higher amount than currently allowed if a higher amount is permitted by statute or regulation. In provisions concerning agricultural assistance loans, removes provisions providing that no proceeds from any bonds issued by the Illinois Finance Authority shall be loaned for the purchase of new depreciable agricultural property to any natural person who has a net worth in excess of $500,000. Effective immediately. |
| SB2900 | 01/27/2026 | Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2027, a diesel powered vehicle owned or operated by the State, any county or unit of local government, any school district, any community college or public college or university, or any mass transit agency must use a biodiesel blend that contains 19%, unless the engine is designed or retrofitted to operate on a higher percentage of biodiesel or on ultra low sulfur fuel. Allows, in December, January, February, and March, a biodiesel blend of at least 10% to be used. Effective immediately. |
| SB2946 | 01/27/2026 | Amends the Illinois State Police Radio Act. Provides that the Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) shall oversee governance, interoperability, and land mobile radio standards for Illinois’ land mobile radio communications system and shall collaborate with the Office of the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator and the Office of the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator to strengthen Illinois’ emergency communications ecosystem. Provides that the SIEC may designate subcommittees necessary to effectuate its responsibilities. Provides that the voting membership of the SIEC must, at a minimum, include the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator, the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator, the Director of the Secretary of the State Police or the Director’s designee, and at least one representative from each of the following, appointed by the Governor: an association representing Illinois fire chiefs, an association representing Illinois fire protection districts, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, an association representing Illinois chiefs of police, an association representing Illinois sheriffs, the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Innovation and Technology, and the Department of Military Affairs. Removes references to the STARCOM21 Oversight Committee. Requires the SIEC to, no later than July 1, 2027, establish standards necessary to ensure land mobile radio equipment interoperates throughout Illinois; planning, training, and evaluation standards necessary to enhance public safety communications operational readiness; and standards necessary for the unification of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System statewide. Requires the SIEC to annually review existing statutory law and make recommendations for legislative changes to ensure efficient, effective, reliable, and sustainable communications interoperability statewide (rather than make recommendations concerning better integration of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System statewide and develop a plan to sustainably fund radio infrastructure, radio equipment, and interoperability statewide). Effective July 1, 2026. |
| SB2978 | 01/27/2026 | Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the corporate authorities of a that the corporate authorities of a municipality may require the owner or occupant of any premises to keep the sidewalks abutting the premises maintained in reasonable condition, including keeping the sidewalk free from snow and other obstructions and making repairs as needed (rather than keep the sidewalks abutting the premises free from snow and other obstructions). Provides that the corporate authorities of a municipality may regulate the use and maintenance of parkways and may require the owner, lessee, and occupant of any property abutting a parkway to be responsible for maintenance of the parkway, including, but not limited to, cleanup and disposal of refuse, waste, and garbage in the parkway; watering and fertilizing plants, trees, and grasses in the parkway; and the routine care of the lawn of the parkway, including, but not limited to, watering, weeding, and mowing of the lawn of the parkway. |
| SB2979 | 01/27/2026 | Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county or municipality may not adopt any regulation that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the use of natural gas in new construction without a referendum. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. |
| SB2756 | 01/13/2026 | Amends the Wildlife Code. Defines “wildlife rifle” as a rifle that can hold up to 3 rounds in the magazine and chamber combined. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to take deer except (i) with a shotgun, handgun, centerfire wildlife rifle (rather than single shot centerfire rifle), or muzzleloading rifle, or (ii) as provided by administrative rule, with a bow and arrow, during the open season, with certain requirements. Limits legal rifles to centerfire wildlife rifles (rather than centerfire rifles that are single shot). Prohibits deer hunting while being in possession of or in close proximity to a magazine that is capable of making a rifle hold more than 3 rounds in the magazine and chamber combined (rather than making a rifle not a single shot). |
| SB2760 | 01/13/2026 | Amends the State Revenue Sharing Act. Provides that, if a municipality imposes fees, surcharges, or other costs for the privilege of conducting or participating in sports wagering, then the total amount of those fees, surcharges, or other costs shall be deducted from that municipality’s Local Government Distributive Fund allocation and redistributed to the other municipalities and counties in this State in accordance with the Local Government Distributive Fund allocation formula. |
| SB2769 | 01/13/2026 | Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a municipality may, by a two thirds-vote of its corporate authorities, transfer money among Business District Tax Allocation Funds of business districts if the business districts are under the control of the municipality and the transferred money is used for the purposes of paying business district project costs as defined in the Act. Further provides that all such transfers shall be documented and reported annually to the municipal corporate authorities. Requires documentation of the transfers to be made available to the public. Provides that the corporate authorities of a municipality may regulate the use and maintenance of parkways and may require the owner, lessee, and occupant of any property abutting a parkway to be responsible for maintenance of the parkway, including, but not limited to, cleanup and disposal of refuse, waste, and garbage in the parkway; watering and fertilizing plants, trees, and grasses in the parkway; and the routine care of the lawn of the parkway, including, but not limited to, watering, weeding, and mowing of the lawn of the parkway. |
| SB2770 | 01/13/2026 | Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that county medical examiners and coroners are first responders for the purposes of provisions requiring a county to provide health insurance coverage for its employees who are first responders without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement. |
| SB2776 | 01/13/2026 | Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that each taxpayer that makes a donation to an educational improvement organization for aviation during the taxable year may apply to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for an income tax credit in an amount not to exceed the amount of the taxpayer’s donation that is used to provide scholarships for prospective pilots, airline and aerospace mechanics, and other aviation and aerospace professionals as part of a program that operates in this State. Requires educational improvement organizations for aviation to apply to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to be eligible to accept donations that qualify for the credit. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may award no more than $5,000,000 in credits under the program in any calendar year. Effective immediately. |
| SB2781 | 01/13/2026 | Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Changes the definition of “adjusted gross receipts” to mean the total of all cash and cash equivalents received by a licensee minus the total of: (1) all cash and cash equivalents paid out as winnings to wagerers; (2) the actual costs paid by a licensee for anything of value provided to and redeemed by wagerers; (3) voided or cancelled wagers; and (4) the costs of free play or promotional credits provided to and redeemed by the applicable licensee’s wagerers. |
| SB2783 | 01/13/2026 | Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall allow an applicant for a renewal driver’s license to obtain the vision examination from an ophthalmologist or optometrist. |
| SB2789 | 01/13/2026 | Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that a high voltage transmission line may be constructed, placed, or maintained across any public right-of-way or along any highway, federally aided State highway, controlled access highway, interstate highway, or roadway, except as deemed necessary by the Secretary of Transportation to protect public safety or ensure the proper function of the highway. Provides that in the case of the co-location of a high voltage transmission line with Department of Transportation highway right-of-way, the Secretary of Transportation shall engage in coordination activities with a utility or developer to review requested highway corridors for a possible permitted location of a high voltage transmission line. Provides that when a permissible route along a highway corridor has been identified by the Department and the utility or developer, the Department must engage in consultation with the utility or developer to develop a constructability report to be used by both parties when co-location projects are being planned and approved. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Establishes an order of priority when siting a location for a new electric transmission facility. |
| SB2800 | 01/13/2026 | Amends the Sports Wagering Act. Denies home rule units the power to regulate, license, or tax sports wagering. Effective immediately. |
| SB2661 | 05/14/2025 | Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Provides that, if an applicant for an owners license or a host municipality has entered into a revenue-sharing agreement with one or more communities other than the host municipality, the parties to the agreement must file with the Illinois Gaming Board (i) a copy of the revenue-sharing agreement, (ii) a copy of all amendments or other modifications that are made to the revenue-sharing agreement, and (iii) proof of having provided notice to all communities that may be affected in any way by the amendments or modifications to the revenue-sharing agreement. Specifies that, in determining whether to grant or renew an owners license to an applicant, the Board shall consider, among other things, whether the applicant has complied with these requirements. Effective immediately. |
| SB2630 | 03/06/2025 | Appropriates $2,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Natural Resources for grants to Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to fund wetland protection, enhancement, and restoration projects in the State of Illinois, to fund education and outreach for media, volunteers, members, and the general public regarding waterfowl and wetlands conservation in the State of Illinois, and to cover reasonable cost for Ducks Unlimited plate advertising and administration of the wetland conservation projects and education program. |
| SB2160 | 02/07/2025 | Amends the Human Services Act. Provides for grants to food banks for venison. Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides for an optional Hunter Food Bank Stamp to have hunters help end hunger in Illinois. In a provision regarding a separate harvest period for deer, directs the Department of Natural Resources to adopt rules that will cause a county to be open for hunting during the special harvest period if more than 5 deer removal permit requests were made in the county in the preceding year. Provides that, at the request of a landowner or tenant, the Department shall transfer to that individual an unused firearm deer permit from the regular season for the taking of deer to be used during the separate harvest period to hunt upon the individual’s land only and for the taking of antlerless deer only, and that transferred permit shall be transferable in the same manner as permits under certain provisions regarding special deer, turkey, and combination hunting licenses for landowners. In a provision regarding authority to kill wildlife responsible for damage, provides that the holder of a deer removal permit issued by the Department may transfer the permit to any individual meeting certain requirements. Provides that the Department shall make publicly available on its website applications for deer removal permits and instructions on how to apply for those permits. Provides that the Department shall acknowledge receipt of each application for a deer removal permit within one business day, complete any investigation required, and issue or deny the requested deer removal permit within 5 business days. Provides that, in the event of failure to deny an application for a deer removal permit within 5 business days, the application shall be deemed approved. Provides that a deer removal permit issued by the Department is valid from the date of its issuance until December 31 of the same calendar year. Makes technical changes. Makes conforming changes in the State Finance Act. |
| SB2161 | 02/07/2025 | Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law. Requires the Department of Central Management Services to develop a fire engine bid specification, in consultation with the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Fire Advisory Commission, to provide necessary bidding information. Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. In provisions concerning the fire truck revolving loan program, provides that a loan for the purchase of fire trucks or brush trucks may not exceed $500,000 (instead of $350,000) to any fire department or fire protection district. |
| SB2422 | 02/07/2025 | Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that deer, turkey, and combination permits shall be issued to specified Illinois resident landowners and tenants without charge. Provides that the total number of deer, turkey, and combination permits that may be issued by the Department of Natural Resources shall be set by rule. Defines terms and adds tenants, bona fide current income beneficiaries of a trust, and bona fide landowners to certain provisions. Requires permits under the amendatory Act to be on a hunter’s person at all times while hunting. |
| SB2488 | 02/07/2025 | Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that the Department-set daily time limits for hunting wild turkey shall be the same for youths and adults and shall begin no later than sunrise and end no earlier than sunset. Provides that unfilled Wild Turkey Hunting Permits from one season may be carried over to any other wild turkey season in the same year. Requires the Department to adopt rules to implement the amendatory Act. |
| SB1874 | 02/06/2025 | Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions regarding a certificate of public convenience and necessity, makes changes to the limitations on the construction of a nuclear power reactor. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, construction may commence on an advanced nuclear reactor (rather than a new nuclear power reactor with a nameplate capacity of 300 megawatts of electricity or less) within the State under specified conditions. Defines “advanced nuclear reactor”. Makes other changes. |
| SB1978 | 02/06/2025 | Creates the Circuit Breaker Property Tax Relief Act. Provides that an individual who: (i) is domiciled in this State; (ii) is eligible for and receives either the general homestead exemption the general alternative homestead exemption; (iii) has experienced property tax bill spikes; and (iv) has an income that meets a specified income eligibility limitation is eligible for a grant of a portion of their bill spike. Provides that the maximum amount of grant to which a claimant is entitled is the one-half of the claimant’s tax bill spike. Creates the Circuit Breaker Property Tax Relief Fund for the purpose of making grants to claimants. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately. |
| SB1532 | 02/04/2025 | Amends the Election Code. Provides that an election authority shall allow any voter who is in line to vote at the time an early voting polling place closes to cast a ballot. |
| SB1533 | 02/04/2025 | Amends the Motor Vehicle Retail Installment Sales Act. Provides that each person, other than a seller or holder, who signs a retail installment contract may be held liable only to the extent that he actually receives the motor vehicle described or identified in the contract, except that a parent or spouse or any other person who co-signs such retail installment contract (rather than any other person listed as an owner of the motor vehicle on the Certificate of Title issued for the motor vehicle who co-signs such retail installment contract) may be held liable to the full extent of the deferred payment price notwithstanding such parent or spouse or any other person listed as an owner has not actually received the motor vehicle described or identified in the contract and except to the extent such person other than a seller or holder, signs in the capacity of a guarantor of collection. |
| SB1534 | 02/04/2025 | Amends the Counties Code and Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county or municipality may not adopt any regulation that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the use of natural gas in new construction without a referendum. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. |
| SB1552 | 02/04/2025 | Amends the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board may not charge retired law enforcement officers more than $30 annually to complete the annual certification of retired law enforcement officers qualified under federal law to carry a concealed weapon. |
| SB1553 | 02/04/2025 | Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Schedules xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance. Provides for penalties for the knowing manufacture or delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver xylazine. Provides that, notwithstanding the scheduling of xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance, the prohibition on delivery or possession with intent to deliver xylazine does not apply to licensed veterinarians who lawfully prescribe, dispense, administer, acquire, or use any controlled substance, including xylazine, while acting in the course of their professional practice, in good faith, and in accordance with generally accepted medical standards. |
| SB1557 | 02/04/2025 | Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the corporate authorities of a municipality may use an existing utility pole within its public rights-of-way for municipal public safety purposes, including, but not limited to, the placing of equipment associated with public safety. Provides that any fee charged for the use of a utility pole shall be at the lowest rate charged by the entity owning the utility pole and shall not exceed the entity’s actual costs. |
| SB1558 | 02/04/2025 | Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits residential burglary when he or she knowingly and without authority enters on the property of another, or any part thereof, with the intent to commit therein a theft of a motor vehicle. Effective immediately. |
| SB1598 | 02/04/2025 | Amends the State Comptroller Act. Provides that, whenever any person shall be entitled to a warrant or other payment from the treasury or other funds held by the State Treasurer, on any account, against whom there shall be any then due and payable account or claim in favor of a public agency or association organized under an intergovernmental agreement in accordance with the provisions of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, including an intergovernmental risk management association or self-insurance pool, the Comptroller shall ascertain the amount due and payable to the public agency or association organized under an intergovernmental agreement and draw a warrant on the treasury or on other funds held by the State Treasurer. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately. |
| SB1407 | 01/31/2025 | 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 lbs. 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 lbs. under provisions regarding flat weight taxes (with a fee of $2,890 per vehicle registered). |
| SB1408 | 01/31/2025 | Amends the Governmental Account Audit Act. Provides that any governmental unit receiving revenue of less than $1,500,000 (rather than $850,000) for any fiscal year shall, in lieu of causing an annual audit of the accounts of the unit to be made, either (i) cause an audit of the accounts of the unit to be made once every 4 years and file with the Comptroller an annual financial report containing information required by the Comptroller or (ii) file with the Comptroller an annual financial report containing information required by the Comptroller, a copy of which has been provided to each member of that governmental unit’s board of elected officials, presented either in person or by a live phone or web connection during a public meeting, and approved by a 3/5 majority vote. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately. |
| SB1409 | 01/31/2025 | Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that, within one year of the effective date of the amendatory Act, to the extent permitted by federal law, the Department of Natural Resources shall adopt or amend rules effectuating an increased shooting time for waterfowl of 30 minutes after sunset on at least one day per week during seasons for the hunting of waterfowl. Provides that hunting hours between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise may be established by administrative rule for waterfowl, to the extent permitted by federal law. |
| SB1410 | 01/31/2025 | Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Provides that during the period where authorized payments are required, Des Plaines commits to share 40% of the gaming tax revenue that remains after the authorized payment, less the amounts received by the named municipalities from the proceeds of a specified casino, with the following municipalities: Chicago Heights; Dixmoor; Ford Heights; Harvey; Hodgkins; Markham; Phoenix; Riverdale; Robbins; and Summit. Provides that the amount received by each named municipality shall be allocated proportionally to the population of each municipality and reduced by the amount received by that municipality from the proceeds of the specified casino. Defines “authorized payments”. |
| SB1473 | 01/31/2025 | Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Removes provision stating that no organization licensee conducting its race meeting in a county bordering the Mississippi River and having a population greater than 230,000 may be a host track for its race meeting. Makes changes in provisions regarding organizations that may not conduct a horse race meeting, the standardbred racetrack in Cook County, the application for an organization license, and wagering. Adds provisions concerning the standardbred racetrack in Macon County. Effective immediately. |
| SB1360 | 01/29/2025 | Amends the Illinois State Police Radio Act. In provisions about public safety radio interoperability, defines interoperability and includes legislative findings. Provides that the Illinois Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) shall oversee advisory boards in the governance, interoperability, and land mobile radio standards for Illinois’ land mobile radio communications system and shall collaborate with the Office of the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator and the Homeland Security Advisory Council to strengthen Illinois’ emergency communications ecosystem. Modifies the membership of the SIEC. Provides that the advisory boards of the SIEC shall include, but are not limited to, the Governance Advisory Board, the Statewide Interoperability Advisory Board, and the STARCOM21 Advisory Board. Removes references to the STARCOM21 Oversight Committee. Requires the SIEC to adopt bylaws for its effective operation, as well as that of its advisory boards, and allows the SIEC to appoint advisors from the public safety communications community to serve on its advisory boards at the pleasure of the SIEC. Requires the SIEC to establish, no later than July 1, 2026, standards necessary to ensure land mobile radio equipment interoperates throughout Illinois; compliance with these standards shall be implemented as funding becomes available; planning, training, and evaluation standards necessary to enhance public safety communications operational readiness; and standards necessary for the unification of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System statewide. Requires the SIEC to, no later than July 1, 2026, develop and recommend a plan to sustainably fund radio infrastructure, radio equipment, and interoperability statewide. Allows the Illinois State Police to use any money appropriated to it for the purpose promoting public safety radio interoperability if the use of the funds is consistent with any standards set forth by the SIEC and to adopt emergency rules or jointly adopt emergency rules with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act to make conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2025. |
| SB1229 | 01/24/2025 | Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that the Directory published each year by the Department of Public Health for each public health region listing facilities shall contain the facility website address, if any. |
| SB1230 | 01/24/2025 | Amends the Capital Development Board Act. Provides that, on or before July 1, 2026, and every year thereafter, the Capital Development Board shall submit a report to the General Assembly and the Governor concerning all upcoming and proposed projects constructed by or under the supervision of the Board. |
| SB0217 | 01/22/2025 | Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning creation of a firefighters’ pension fund. |
| SB0218 | 01/22/2025 | Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that aggravated assault of a teacher upon school grounds or grounds adjacent to a school or in any part of a building used for school purposes is a Class 4 felony (rather than a Class A misdemeanor). |
| SB0258 | 01/22/2025 | Amends the Personnel Code. Provides that, if requirements exist under federal law, regulation, or rule for administration of programs by methods relating to the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on a merit basis on January 1, 2025, those requirements shall remain in place for the purpose of administration of those programs by the State. Effective immediately. |
| SB0151 | 01/17/2025 | Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. |
| SB0152 | 01/17/2025 | Amends the Illinois Fire Protection Training Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. |
| SB0153 | 01/17/2025 | Amends the Illinois Fire Protection Training Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. |
| SB0154 | 01/17/2025 | Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning creation of a firefighters’ pension fund. |
| SB0155 | 01/17/2025 | Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that an elected or appointed member of a public body of a township may satisfy specified training requirements of the Act by participating in a course of training sponsored or conducted by an organization that represents townships created under the Township Code. Specifies the contents of the course of training. Provides that if an organization that represents townships provides a course of training, it must provide a certificate of course completion to each elected or appointed member of a public body who successfully completes that course of training. |
