Environment

SR 461 declares April 2026 as Prescribed Burning Awareness Month in Illinois. This resolution expresses support for the appropriate and continued use of prescribed fire within the state.

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.

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.

Affirms a commitment to supporting Illinois farmers and promoting a positive perception of their essential work. Encourages public education initiatives, outreach programs, and partnerships with agricultural organizations to highlight the economic and environmental contributions of Illinois farmers. Recognizes and commends the farmers of Illinois for their dedication, perseverance, and continued commitment to feeding families, strengthening communities, and upholding the state's proud agricultural heritage.

Amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Provides that on and after January 1, 2026, a person may not sell, distribute, or offer for sale baby food in the State that contains toxic heavy metals that exceed the limits established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Defines "toxic heavy metal" as arsenic, cadmium, lead, or mercury and defines other terms. Provides that beginning January 1, 2026, each manufacturer of baby food shall test a representative sample of each production aggregate of the manufacturer's final baby food product for each toxic heavy metal. Requires monthly testing. Beginning January 1, 2027, requires each manufacturer of baby food to make certain information publicly available. Provides that if a consumer believes, based on information gathered through the use of the code included on the baby food product label, that baby food is being sold in the State with toxic heavy metals that exceed limits established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the consumer may report that baby food to the Department of Public Health.

Creates the Climate Displacement Task Force Act for the purpose of making recommendations regarding climate displacement within the State. Contains provisions concerning the appointment of members to the Task Force and the duties of the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to submit to the General Assembly an initial report delineating the Task Force's findings, conclusions, and recommendations by no later than June 30, 2026.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that no person shall conduct a carbon sequestration activity within a sequestration facility that overlies, underlies, or passes through a sole-source aquifer. Specifies that this provisions does not deprive the Environmental Protection Agency of the authority to deny a carbon sequestration permit. Defines "sole-source aquifer".

Amends the Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Act. Authorizes grants to be provided under the Act for financing shoreline restoration and protection projects on behalf of counties and park districts.