Environment

Amends the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. Provides that penalty fees collected for violating the Act and application fees for permits shall be deposited into the Water Resources Fund (rather than the State Boating Act Fund).

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that March of each year is designated as Prescribed Fire Awareness Month, to be observed throughout the State as a month to celebrate the multiple ecological, economic, and cultural benefits of prescribed fire to the State of Illinois.

Creates the Carpet Stewardship Act. Provides that within 60 days after the effective date of the Act, the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency shall appoint specified members to a clearinghouse to administer and implement a carpet stewardship program. Specifies the duties of the clearinghouse. Requires the clearinghouse to be incorporated as a nonprofit. Provides that for all carpet sold in this State, the clearinghouse shall implement, and producers shall finance, a statewide carpet stewardship program that manages the product by reducing the product's waste generation, promotes its carpet recovery and reutilization, and provides for negotiation and execution of agreements to collect, transport, process, and market the old carpet for end-of-life carpet recovery or carpet reutilization. Requires the clearinghouse to submit, by July 1, 2026 and by July 1 every 3 years thereafter, a 3-year plan to the Agency for approval. Specifies the requirements for the plan. Establishes requirements for review of the plan and requirements for producers, retailers, and distributors of carpet. Requires the clearinghouse to submit annual reports to the Agency and pay specified administrative fees. Includes enforcement provisions for the Act. Establishes requirements for State procurement of carpet in the future. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, in the case of water main installation projects, all water main-related appurtenances, and specifically fire hydrants and valves, shall be included in the Agency's written approval of specified public water supply plans. Requires fire hydrants and valves to be designed and installed in accordance with specified standards.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for taxpayers that make an investment in the manufacture of a small modular nuclear reactor in the State during the taxable year. Provides that the amount of the credit is 20% of the amount of that investment. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that tangible personal property purchased for use in the construction or operation of a small modular nuclear reactor in the State is exempt from taxation under those Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act. Allows the board of a forest preserve district to establish a special forest preserve district retailers' occupation tax and service occupation tax after referendum of the voters. Allows the tax to used exclusively for general purposes, including education, outdoor recreation, maintenance, operations, public safety at the forest preserves, trails, acquiring and restoring land, and any other lawful purposes or programs determined by the board of that district. Includes referendum language and additional ballot informational language. Incorporates provisions from the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to implement the tax. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Special Forest Preserve Retailers' and Service Occupation Tax Fund. Effective immediately.

SB 2598 is a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill that allocates state funds for ongoing operations of key state agencies. It directs $2.3 billion for Group Insurance (Department of Central Management Services), $542 million for the Department of Children and Family Services (covering staff, programs, and services), $2.5 million to the DuSable Black History Museum for operational costs, and $20.8 million to the Department of Natural Resources for conservation programs, DEIA initiatives, and park management. The bill specifies funding sources (like the General Revenue Fund) and details exact allocations for salaries, equipment, and specific programs. It affects state agencies directly by providing funds for their ordinary and contingent expenses, without creating new programs or altering existing laws.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, in the case of water main installation projects, all water main-related appurtenances, and specifically fire hydrants and valves, shall be included in the Agency's written approval of specified public water supply plans. Requires fire hydrants and valves to be designed and installed in accordance with specified standards.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for each taxpayer that manufactures renewable diesel in Illinois for use by a rail carrier. Provides that the amount of the credit is $1 per gallon of renewable diesel that is manufactured by the taxpayer in the State for use by a rail carrier. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. In provisions concerning the Illinois Agricultural Loan Guarantee Fund and the Illinois Farmer and Agribusiness Loan Guarantee Fund, adds language allowing the moneys in the fund to be used by the Illinois Finance Authority, acting jointly with an appropriate administrative agency of the State using appropriations or other available funds with the Governor's approval, for certain purposes of the Authority regarding the Climate Bank. Effective immediately.