Rep. Brandun Schweizer

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall prioritize projects that incorporate construction, materials, designs, products, or technologies that increase accessibility and usability beyond the highest standards established under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or federal regulations promulgated under that Act. Requires the Department to adopt rules to establish this priority within its grant application review process under the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to appropriation and any necessary federal waivers or approvals, the Department of Human Services shall develop and implement a transitional benefits program for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that is designed in such a way that a TANF or SNAP beneficiary will not experience an immediate loss of benefits should the beneficiary's income exceed the maximum allowable income under the TANF or SNAP program. Provides that the transitional benefits offered shall gradually step down the beneficiary's monthly benefit proportionate to the increase in the beneficiary's income. Sets forth monthly benefits amounts based on monthly household income. Requires beneficiaries to comply with TANF and SNAP work requirements. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department shall implement, by July 1, 2026, a program to allow recipients to receive transitional child care benefits without the requirement that such recipients first be eligible for full child care benefits. Provides that transitional child care benefits shall be determined on a sliding scale for recipients with household incomes in excess of the eligibility level for full benefits. Sets forth the sliding benefit schedule for the program. Requires the Department to track the number of participants in the program and issue an annual report to the General Assembly by September 1, 2027 and by September 1 each year thereafter, detailing the effectiveness of the program in encouraging recipients to secure employment earning an income greater than the maximum wage eligible for the full child care benefit. Requires the Department to pursue all necessary waivers from the federal government to implement the program. Provides that upon federal approval, the Department shall limit any initial application for the SNAP, TANF, or the Child Care Assistance Program to a one-page form that is easily accessible on the Department's website. Provides that persons participating in TANF, SNAP, or the Child Care Assistance Program who are required to complete a periodic eligibility review form, may submit such form as an attachment to their Illinois income tax return. Requires the Department of Human Services and the Department of Revenue to adopt rules. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Makes certain changes concerning estates that contain qualified farm property. Provides that, for the purposes of calculating the State Death Tax Credit, those estates are subject to an exemption of $6,000,000 (rather than an exclusion amount of $4,000,000), which shall be deducted from the net estate value after the net estate value is computed in accordance with the Act. Provides that the exemption shall be adjusted each year according to the increase in the Consumer Price Index. Makes changes concerning the calculation of the deceased spousal unused exclusion amount for those estates. Provides for a special use valuation to provide that the value of the qualified farm property shall be calculated without regard to certain limitations under the Internal Revenue Code. Makes changes concerning the definition of "qualified heir".

Condemns in the strongest possible terms Governor JB Pritzker's recent inflammatory and divisive rhetoric that appears to advocate for unlawful action against the duly elected President and members of the federal government. Urges the Governor to retract and clarify his remarks and to reaffirm his commitment to civil discourse, the peaceful transfer of power, and adherence to the Constitution of the United States.

Amends the Personnel Code. Provides that certain provisions related to probationary separation, term appointments, and veterans hospital visits are subject to Jurisdiction B. Changes references to veterans hospital visits to references to veterans medical appointments. Provides that an employee who is also a veteran shall be permitted 4 days per year to receive medical care authorized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, at any type of health care provider or health care facility (rather than permitted 4 days per year to visit a veterans hospital or clinic), for examination or treatment (rather than for examination) of a military service-connected condition (rather than service-connected disability).

Recognizes the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam as the official symbol of the Vietnamese American community in the State of Illinois and the United States. Recognizes the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam as a symbol of hope, love, and freedom for the Vietnamese American community in Illinois. Honors the contributions of Vietnamese Americans to the State over the last 50 years. Honors and recognizes the contributions of the veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in Vietnam. Encourages all citizens of Illinois to call for freedom, human rights, and democracy in Vietnam.

Amends the Heroes Way Designation Program Act. Permits any federally chartered or state-chartered veterans service organization to apply for designation of an honorary road sign for any member of the United States Armed Forces who was killed in action, if no eligible family member is available to apply for designation of an honorary road sign.

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. Defines "sole-source aquifer". Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that property that is used as a qualified residence by a police officer or firefighter with a duty-related disability is exempt from taxation under the Code. Effective immediately.

Creates the Honorable Funerals for First Responders Act. Provides that a first responder killed in the line of duty shall receive an honorable funeral. Defines "honorable funeral" as a funeral that respects the wishes of the deceased first responder and the family of the deceased first responder and includes religious observances desired by the deceased first responder and the family of the deceased first responder. Provides that an elected official may not attend the funeral of a first responder killed in the line of duty if the elected official knows, or has reason to know, that the family of the first responder killed in the line of duty does not wish the elected official to attend the funeral. Provides that in no case shall any elected official be required to attend the funeral of a first responder killed in the line of duty. Provides that the family of the first responder killed in the line of duty shall have sole discretion over which elected official may attend the funeral of a first responder killed in the line of duty. Provides that, before an elected official attends the funeral of a first responder killed in the line of duty, the elected official must make reasonable efforts to learn if the family of the first responder killed in the line of duty would like the elected official to attend the funeral. Defines other terms.