Budget & Taxes

Expresses strong support for the continued offering and expansion of night courses and programs at Illinois colleges and universities. Urges higher education institutions and governing bodies to prioritize and protect night programs from budgetary cuts or elimination.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall establish, implement, and administer a STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program, using funds appropriated from the STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program Fund, for the purpose of offering scholarships to young women pursuing degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at public universities in this State. Sets forth provisions concerning eligibility, preference and priority, the assistance awarded, funding, and rulemaking. Creates the STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Makes a corresponding change in the State Finance Act.

Creates the State Agency and Grantee Bonus Prohibition Act. Provides that no State agency or hospital shall pay from State funds, in whole or in part, and no employee of a State agency or hospital may receive a bonus as all or part of his or her compensation, including such bonuses as may be received for work on capital projects. Provides that no grantee shall pay, and no employee or contract worker of a grantee may receive, a bonus paid from grant funds awarded for operational expenses as all or part of his or her compensation, including such bonuses as may be received for work on capital projects. Provides that State agencies who use bonuses paid to State employees shall provide an annual report to the General Assembly itemizing each bonus awarded, including the amount of the bonuses awarded, the purpose of the bonus, the position of the employees to whom bonuses were awarded, and the overall agency fiscal impact for the bonuses awarded in the prior fiscal year. Effective immediately.

This Illinois House resolution (HR 119) calls on President Trump to abandon proposed tariffs, arguing they would increase costs for Illinois families and businesses. It specifically highlights risks to Illinois agriculture (like soybeans), manufacturing, and the state's top trade relationships with Canada and Mexico - impacting thousands of jobs. The resolution does not create new laws but formally opposes the tariff plans based on economic projections of higher living costs and market instability. It is a symbolic statement, not a binding policy change.