Rep. Brandun Schweizer

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 concerning a defendant's commitment for mental health treatment. Provides that if the Department of Human Services does not provide placement within the 20 days of transmittal from the circuit court clerk, the Department shall provide payment to the sheriff, as prescribed by the sheriff, including, but not limited to, housing and mental health services for each day after 20 days have passed from the time the defendant was first placed in the sheriff's custody. Provides that the sheriff shall not be held liable for any issues encountered after the 20th day the defendant remains in his or her care. Deletes provision that Department shall admit the defendant to a secure facility within 60 days of the transmittal of the court's placement order, unless the Department can demonstrate good faith efforts at placement and a lack of bed and placement availability. Deletes if placement cannot be made within 60 days of the transmittal of the court's placement order and the Department has demonstrated good faith efforts at placement and a lack of bed and placement availability, the Department shall provide an update to the ordering court every 30 days until the defendant is placed.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for taxpayers who employ qualified employees. Provides that the term "qualified employee" means an individual who (i) is employed by the taxpayer as an engineer and (ii) graduated from an engineering program at an accredited institution of higher learning with a Bachelor's degree or higher within the 5 years immediately preceding the taxable year. Provides that the credit shall be equal to (i) 10% of the compensation paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year to qualified employees who graduated from an engineering program at an accredited institution of higher learning in Illinois or (ii) 5% of the compensation paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year to qualified employees who graduated from an engineering program an accredited institution of higher learning not located in Illinois. Effective immediately.

Amends the Municipal Code and the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that no person under the age of 18 (rather than 21) shall be eligible for employment as a firefighter.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2026, the inclusion of leases in the tax imposed under those Acts does not extend to sporting goods that are leased for a period of less than 10 days. Effective immediately.

Amends the Time Standardization Act. Provides that daylight saving time shall be the year-round standard time of the entire State. Makes other changes.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2026 assessment year, the valuation of property in any general assessment year may not exceed (i) 101% of the value of the property in the previous tax year if the property is residential or (ii) 102% of the value of the property in the previous tax year if the property is not residential. Provides that the limitation does not apply if the increase in value is due to an addition, modification, or improvement to the property or if there has been a change in ownership of the property during the previous tax year. Preempts the power of home rule units to tax.

Creates the Caring for Caregivers Act. Provides that a taxpayer who is a family caregiver and who incurs eligible expenditures during the taxable year for the care and support of an eligible family member may apply to the Department of Revenue for an income tax credit. Provides that the credit shall be equal to 50% of the eligible expenditures incurred during the taxable year by the family caregiver for the care and support of an eligible family member, subject to certain specified limitations. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides for an income tax deduction in an amount equal to the amount included in the taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income for the taxable year from the taxpayer's service as a full-time law enforcement officer in the State or a full-time firefighter in the State during the taxable year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Compulsory Attendance Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, any pupil enrolled in the public schools who is of compulsory school age but who has not yet attended kindergarten at a public, private, or parochial school shall be required to satisfactorily complete kindergarten before advancing to first grade. Effective immediately.

Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Provides that, of the moneys in the Transportation Renewal Fund that are used for highway maintenance, highway construction, bridge repair, congestion relief, and construction of aviation facilities, 40% (instead of 60%) shall be transferred to the State Construction Account Fund and 60% (instead of 40%) shall be distributed by the Department of Transportation to municipalities, counties, and road districts of the State. Effective immediately.