Budget & Taxes (Appropriations)

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Prisoner Review Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $6,458,800; Other State Funds $185,000; Total $6,643,800.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department of Early Childhood for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $2,087,963,000; Other State Funds $299,200,000; Federal Funds $2,037,234,200; Total $4,424,397,200.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that beginning July 1, 2026, funds for the special education teacher scholarship program shall be continuously appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Provides that this requirement constitutes an irrevocable and continuing appropriation of all amounts necessary for the purpose specified by the requirement to the fullest extent such appropriation is required. Effective July 1, 2026.

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.

Amends the State Finance Act to create the Women's Reproductive Health Care Fund. Amends the Health Care Right of Conscience Act. Makes a protocol provision mandatory (instead of at the request of the patient or legal representative of the patient) that the health care facility, physician, or health care personnel must: (i) refer the patient to, or (ii) transfer the patient to, or (iii) provide in writing information to the patient about other health care providers who they reasonably believe may offer the health care service the health care facility, physician, or health personnel refuses to permit, perform, or participate in because of a conscience-based objection. Provides that the injured person shall recover $5,000 in damages, and the violator shall pay to the circuit court clerk a penalty of $5,000 that is to be remitted as soon as practicable to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for deposit into the Women's Reproductive Health Care Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury. Provides that, subject to appropriation and as directed by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, all monies in the Fund shall be expended to improve women's reproductive health care and for no other purpose.

Creates the Nitrogen Reduction Program Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Agriculture shall, in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources and soil and water conservation districts in the State, develop a nitrogen reduction incentive program by January 1, 2027 for the purpose of addressing water quality issues. Provides that the program will include a per-acre payment rate of not less than $5 per acre. Provides that crop management records collected from farmers shall be considered confidential. Makes findings. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

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.

HB 4635 appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to fund nursing education scholarships. This bill directly affects nursing students in Illinois by providing financial support for their education. The funding becomes available starting July 1, 2026, and the bill specifies no additional eligibility requirements or program details beyond the appropriation amount and effective date. As a funding measure, it does not create new regulations or alter existing laws.

Amends the Election Code. Creates the Secure Elections Infrastructure Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that, subject to appropriation, moneys in the Fund shall be distributed by the State Board of Elections as grants to election authorities for: voting machine replacement; electronic poll book upgrades; cybersecurity hardening; voter accessibility upgrades; infrastructure for secure ballot transport and storage; and capital improvements to election authority facilities that are necessary to maintain safe, secure, and effective election administration. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall establish and use a formula to distribute moneys in the Fund to election authorities.

Amends the School Code. Requires, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, to establish the School Resource Officer Grant Program to fund salaries and any other costs associated with the hiring of an active law enforcement officer as a school resource officer. Provides that eligible entities are schools or school districts that have hired an active law enforcement officer as a school resource officer and the law enforcement agency or agencies that a school or school district has an intergovernmental agreement with to employ a school resource officer. Provides that any funds distributed to an eligible entity under the Program shall be equally distributed between the eligible entities in an intergovernmental agreement to employ a school resource officer. Allows the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, to adopt rules as needed for the Program's implementation and the distribution of grants. Makes a conforming change.