Amends the Grocery Initiative Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may, subject to appropriation, provide grants for equipment upgrades for farmer-owned grocery stores or markets.
Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning State Global Scholar Certification, provides that 6 units of credit shall be required to achieve State Global Scholar Certification (instead of not specifying how many units of credit are required). Provides for global collaboration or (instead of and) dialogue. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt such rules as may be necessary to provide students attending schools that do not currently offer State Global Scholar Certification the opportunity to earn State Global Scholar Certification remotely beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. Sets forth what those rules shall include and other requirements. Provides that a student enrolled in a school district or nonpublic school that awarded State Global Scholar Certification prior to the 2026-2027 school year and offered a course to complete the capstone project requirement prior to the 2026-2027 school year may not earn State Global Scholar Certification remotely.
Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Provides that the governing board of each public university shall report to the Board of Higher Education by the 11th day after the start of the academic year specified student enrollment data. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall post the student enrollment data on its Internet website. Provides that the governing board of each community college district shall report to the Illinois Community College Board by the 11th day after the start of the academic year specified student enrollment data. Provides that the Illinois Community College Board shall post the student enrollment data on its Internet website.
Amends the Illinois Articulation Initiative Act. In the provisions concerning participation, provides that all public institutions of higher education shall submit and maintain at least one core course (instead of up to 4 core courses) in each of the Illinois Articulation Initiative majors, provided that the public institution has equivalent majors and courses. Provides that if a public institution does not have an equivalent major, lower-division courses, or both, that align with the major panel's descriptors and course approval criteria, then the public institution shall be considered to be compliant with those provisions, as determined by the director of the Illinois Articulation Initiative. Effective immediately.
Amends the Build Illinois Act. Provides that the amount of small business loans made to minority persons, veterans, females, or persons with a disability under the Act shall not exceed $2,000,000 (rather than $400,000) or 50% of the business project costs unless the Director of Commerce and Economic Development determines that a waiver of these limits is required to meet the purposes of the Act. Provides that eligible projects under those provisions include refinancing current debt if the loan will refinance a loan previously made by a lender that is unaffiliated with the financial intermediary making the new loan and the proceeds of the refinance transaction are not used to finance an extraordinary dividend or other distribution.
Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act with respect to grants for exonerated persons. Provides that a grant applicant need not be a resident of this State at the time of enrollment. Provides that, beginning no later than the 2025-2026 academic year, if an exonerated person has been found by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to qualify for a grant and the exonerated person has not yet exhausted the benefits for which the exonerated person is eligible, the exonerated person may designate one or more dependents to use any unexpended portion of the benefits for which the exonerated person is eligible, up to the total benefit for which the exonerated person is eligible. Provides that the combined benefit used by the exonerated person and any designated dependents may not exceed the total benefit for which the exonerated person is eligible. Provides that if funding is insufficient to serve all applicants, the Commission may prioritize applicants who have been exonerated over applicants who are dependents of exonerated individuals. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. In provisions concerning a petition for a certificate of innocence, provides that the clerk of the circuit court shall provide to a person whose records were expunged and sealed information about grants for exonerated persons and their dependents under the Higher Education Student Assistance Act and the address of the Internet website of the Commission, where additional information about the grants may be obtained.
Creates the Equitable Health Outcomes Act. Provides that an entity required to collect health data and report it to the Department of Public Health shall include, in the patient data collected, the following items: (i) race; (ii) ethnicity; (iii) sexual orientation; (iv) gender identity; (v) language; and (vi) such other demographic information as the Department requires by rule. Creates the Health Outcomes Review Board. Provides that the Board shall be tasked with annually reviewing and reporting data on health outcomes, including illnesses, treatments, and causes of death in Illinois and facilitating adoption of solutions. Provides that the Board shall be composed of a minimum of 21 and a maximum of 25 members appointed by the Director of Public Health or the Director's designee. Provides that members shall serve 3-year terms. Provides for qualifications and requirements of Board members. Provides that the first Board meeting shall be held as soon as practicable following the appointment of a majority of members. Provides that the Board shall meet no less than 4 times per calendar year. Provides that each Board member shall sign a confidentiality agreement regarding personally identifiable information that the Department deems necessary to the Board's objectives or that is disclosed to the Board inadvertently. Provides that a Board member who knowingly violates the confidentiality agreement commits a misdemeanor. Provides for immunity from subpoenas regarding the information presented in or opinions formed as a result of a meeting or communication of the Board. Provides that notes, statements, medical records, reports, communications, and memoranda that contain, or may contain, patient information are not subject to subpoena, discovery, or introduction into evidence in any civil, criminal, or administrative proceeding. Describes the Board's duties. Provides requirements for reports prepared by the Board. Provides for the adoption of rules to implement the Act. Makes other changes.
Amends the Landscape Architecture Registration Act. Allows the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to issue a registration as a landscape architect to a person licensed or registered under the laws of another state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or a foreign country if specified conditions are satisfied. Amends the Illinois Architecture Practice Act of 1989, the Registered Interior Designers Act, the Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989, the Illinois Professional Land Surveyor Act of 1989, and the Structural Engineering Practice Act of 1989. Makes changes to provisions regarding endorsements of licenses issued outside of the State to allow for an applicant licensed in a foreign country to receive a license for the Department if specified conditions are satisfied. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2025.
Creates the Landlord Retaliation Act. Declares that it is against the public policy of the State for a landlord to take retaliatory action against a tenant. Prohibits a landlord from knowingly terminating a tenancy, increasing rent, decreasing services, bringing or threatening to bring a lawsuit against a tenant for possessing or refusing to renew a lease or tenancy because the tenant has in good faith has taken certain actions, including but not limited to (i) complaining of code violations applicable to the premises to the relevant governmental agency responsible for enforcement of a building, housing, health, or similar code; (ii) complaining of a building, housing, health, or similar code violation, or an illegal landlord practice to a community organization or the news media; or (iii) complaining or requesting the landlord to make repairs to the premises as required by a building code, health ordinance, other regulation, or the residential rental agreement. Creates remedies for violation by a landlord including damages, punitive damages, or recovering possession of the premises. Creates an affirmative defense under the Code of Civil Procedure in eviction actions if a landlord violates the Landlord Retaliation Act. Repeals the Retaliatory Eviction Act. Makes other changes.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Sami's Law, requires state-owned buildings and interstate rest stops to install private, enclosed changing stations with height-adjustable tables for adults. The law defines these stations as facilities equipped with safety rails, belts, and specific size and weight capacity standards to accommodate various needs. Owners and operators of these buildings must maintain at least one such station and provide clear signage and directory listings to help the public locate them. The changes take effect on January 1, 2025, ensuring that these accessible amenities are available in public spaces across the state.
