Environment

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. In provisions concerning the regulation of air pollution, water pollution, drinking water, hazardous waste, and landfills, provides that the Illinois Pollution Control Board shall not adopt any standards that are less stringent than those existing in Board regulations. Provides that various provisions of the Act shall not be construed to limit the right of a person to submit to the Board, or for the Board to adopt, regulations more stringent than the regulations promulgated by the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Amends the Nuclear Safety Law of 2004. Provides that the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security has the right to enter on public and private property in order to take environmental samples in response to a disaster that causes radioactive contamination. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Strengthen Illinois Homes Fund. On or before July 1, 2028, and depending on availability of funds, provides that the Department of Insurance shall identify areas of need to administer a pilot grant program known as the Strengthen Illinois Homes Program. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in conjunction with the Department of Insurance, to develop a standard application and grant award rubric for the eligible program grantees. Establishes program requirements for contractors. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Establishes notice requirements for companies providing flood coverage. Creates the Climate Risk Disclosure Article, which may be referred to as the Climate Risk Disclosure Law. Requires all companies, corporations, and organizations subject to the Article to, upon direction from the Department, participate in climate surveys issued by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Creates the Strengthen Illinois Homes Article, which may be referred to as the Strengthen Illinois Homes Act. Provides that, for homeowners insurance policies, an insurer shall provide an actuarially justified premium discount or insurance rate reduction to a specified owner. Provides that the Director of Insurance may adopt rules that establish standard discount amounts, targets, or benchmarks for the coverage of insurable property meeting the specified mitigation program standards. Provides that an insurer writing homeowners insurance policies that provide coverage of an insurable property that is a nonfortified insurable property shall offer an optional rider, endorsement, or supplemental policy provision that provides the insured a right to receive claim payments for the cost to upgrade an insurable property to mitigation program standards for a specified claim. Makes other changes. Amends the Dental Service Plan Act, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and the Limited Health Service Organization Act to establish conforming requirements.

Expresses strong support for the American High Speed Rail Act of 2026 and commends Illinois congressional delegation members for their leadership as original cosponsors of this landmark legislation. Urges the United States Congress to advance and pass the American High Speed Rail Act of 2026 and to ensure that any federal surface transportation reauthorization package includes substantial, dedicated funding for high-speed and higher-speed rail development nationwide. Calls upon the Trump administration to include robust funding for high-speed rail in its federal budget proposals. Affirms support for the ongoing work of the Illinois High Speed Rail Commission and the Illinois Department of Transportation in developing a statewide high-speed rail plan. Recognizes this state-level planning effort represents the kind of serious groundwork that merits strong federal investment.

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that a distressed location project that is located within a distressed community shall be eligible for assistance of up to 100% for the acquisition of open space lands and for capital development and improvement proposals that are in conformity with the purposes of the Act. Specifies that a project that is located within a distressed community, regardless of whether the project is located within a distressed location, is eligible for assistance up to 90% for the acquisition of open space lands and for capital development and improvement proposals that are in conformity with the purposes of the Act. Provides that a distressed location project that is not located in a distressed community shall be eligible for assistance of up to 75% for the acquisition of open space lands and for capital development and improvement proposals that are in conformity with the purposes of the Act. Directs the Department of Natural Resources to prioritize the making of grants under the Act for projects that are located in distressed locations and distressed communities. Sets limits on the appropriated amounts that may be used for grants to distressed communities and distressed locations. Repeals a provision that required the Department of Natural Resources to prepare a Distressed Local Government Report. Repeals provisions that define terms. Adds other definitions. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Grants emergency rulemaking powers to the Department of Natural Resources.

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, moneys in the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund may not be appropriated, assigned, or transferred to another State fund. Effective immediately.

Creates the Farmer Tax Benefit Act. Provides that taxpayers may apply to the Department of Natural Resources for an income tax credit in an amount equal to either (i) 100% of the fair market value of a qualified donation to a conservation agency of a land protection agreement or (ii) 50% of the fair market value of the qualified donation to a conservation agency of a fee simple interest or a remainder interest in qualified real property. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes.

Creates the River Access Modernization Act. Affirms the public's right to use navigable and recreationally suitable waters for canoeing, boating, kayaking, and angling, subject to protection of private property rights and environmental values. Provides that the public right of use does not include crossing private uplands or exiting onto private land without permission. Establishes landowner liability protections. Prohibits littering and alteration of flora and fauna. Grants rulemaking authority to the Department of Natural Resources to designate public access points, resolve conflicts, promote safety and conservation education, and maintain a listing of navigable waterways. Defines "navigable water" and "public recreational use".

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Natural Resources shall design, implement, and evaluate not more than 3 demonstration projects that test natural flood risk reduction practices in flood-prone areas of the State, as determined by the Department, with certain requirements. Provides that the Department may require a county to submit to the Department a progress report with certain information. Provides that the Department shall submit to the General Assembly and to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security a report with certain information. Allows the Department to adopt rules.

Specifies that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt rules establishing effluent limitations for wastewater, spills, and runoff associated with the production, transport, and packaging of plastic pellets and other preproduction plastic materials. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to grant the Agency emergency rulemaking powers. Effective immediately.