Budget & Taxes

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Subject to appropriation, requires the Board of Higher Education to create a school counselor stipend program. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of all eligible students and eligible cooperating school counselors who qualify for the stipend program. Sets forth requirements for the disbursement of stipend funds under the program. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student from participating in the stipend program or from receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Requires an eligible cooperating school counselor who receives a stipend to complete specific training. Requires the Board to issue a report, in collaboration with the State Board of Education, evaluating the impact of the stipend program. Permits the Board to adopt emergency rules regarding the administration of the stipend program in certain circumstances. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to make corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Expanding Medical Residency Opportunities in Illinois Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall establish a grant program to provide funding for medical residency positions not funded by certain federal or other funding sources and to provide startup funding for entities that wish to establish a residency program. Provides for procedures, criteria, and other requirements for the grant program. Creates the Medical Residency Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes to the State Finance Act.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Pension Equity Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2027, for all purposes under the Code (including, without limitation, the calculation of benefits and employee contributions), the annual earnings of a Tier 2 sheriff's law enforcement employee shall not include overtime and shall not exceed $145,649.97 (instead of $108,600, as adjusted annually beginning in 2011) plus the lesser of (i) 3% of that amount or (ii) the annual unadjusted percentage increase (instead of one-half the annual unadjusted percentage increase) in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with September 2026. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2028, that amount shall annually thereafter be increased by the lesser of (i) 3% of that amount, including all previous adjustments, or (ii) the annual unadjusted percentage increase (instead of one-half the annual percentage increase) in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1, including all previous adjustments. Provides that, as soon as practical on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, with regard to benefits earned for the years 2012 through 2026, the Fund shall recalculate benefits for Tier 2 sheriff's law enforcement employees based on the annual salary limitation that was in effect for that year for Tier 2 police officers under the Downstate Police Article. Provides that the changes shall not result in any retroactive adjustment of any employee contributions. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for individuals who (i) serve as a volunteer for 100 hours during the taxable year, (ii) do not receive any compensation for their services as a volunteer for the taxable year, and (iii) do not serve on a full-time or part-time career basis for the entity for which they volunteer. Provides that the Department of Revenue may award not more than $5,000,000 in credits under these provisions in any calendar year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In counties with fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants, provides that property that receives an erroneous homestead exemption for the current assessment year or for any of the 3 prior assessment years may be considered omitted property. Provides for penalties and interest to be imposed on that omitted property. Provides that any arrearage of taxes or interest that might have been assessed against that omitted property shall not be chargeable to certain bona fide purchasers of the property. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Provides that the State Treasurer may bring a claim against a warrantor of a draft for breach of a presentment warranty to recover State funds in accordance with the Uniform Commercial Code. Provides that a claim brought by the State Treasurer is not subject to the limitations provided for in those provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code. Provides that the amendatory changes are declaratory of existing law. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Provides that from the tax revenue from riverboat or casino gambling deposited into the State Gaming Fund, an additional amount equal to 0.50% of the adjusted gross receipts generated by a riverboat in the City of Waukegan shall be divided and remitted monthly to the Lake County State's Attorney Office for the Lake County State's Attorney's Gun Violence Prevention Initiative and community violence intervention partners with at least 0.40% directly funding the Lake County State's Attorney's Gun Violence Prevention Initiative.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction in an amount equal to the amount paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year as monthly premiums for a health insurance plan bought through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, plus an amount equal to the qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a taxpayer who employs a person with a developmental disability or a severe mental illness, as certified by the Department of Human Services, during the taxable year is entitled to an income tax credit in an amount equal to 25% of the wages paid by the taxpayer to the person with a developmental disability or severe mental illness, but not to exceed $6,000 in wages paid during the taxable year to any single qualified employee. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2026 registration year, the standard registration fee for passenger motor vehicles of the first division and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds shall be $100 for any Illinois vehicle owner who has been issued a drivers license with a veteran's designation. Effective immediately.