Rep. Charlie Meier

Amends the Public Community College Act. Allows the board of trustees of a community college district to establish and offer a baccalaureate degree program and confer a bachelor's degree if specified conditions are met. Requires the board of trustees to demonstrate that the community college district has the expertise, the resources, and sufficient student demand to offer a baccalaureate degree. Sets forth the application requirements. Prohibits a community college district from using semester credit hours generated in a baccalaureate degree program for certain grants. Sets forth limitations on community college districts for establishing baccalaureate programs. Requires a community college district that offers a baccalaureate degree program to submit an annual report to the Illinois Community College Board. Requires the Illinois Community College Board and the Board of Higher Education to conduct a statewide evaluation of all baccalaureate degree programs established under the amendatory Act and report the results of the evaluation on or before 5 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act, in addition to being made publicly available online. Effective immediately.

Declares the week of May 3 through May 9, 2026 as Read with Your Child Week in the State of Illinois. Encourages all Illinois schools to promote Read with Your Child Week with appropriate activities.

Expresses reflecting on the heinous Hamas terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, and remembers the lives of the civilians, soldiers, and defenders who expressed unwavering support for the State of Israel. Extends sincere condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in this brutal assault, including the families of the 46 American citizens who lost their lives. Expresses standing steadfast in the face of terrorism and violent acts and remaining committed to lasting peace and stability for the State of Israel.

Congratulates Roger Stieg on being recognized at the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Annual Awards in 2026 and thanks him for his dedication to athletics.

Congratulates the Illinois Fighting Illini Men's Basketball Team on a remarkable season, their 28-9 overall record, and their advancement to the Final Four, and commends their dedication, achievement, and representation of the State of Illinois at the highest level.

Amends the Public Higher Education Act, the Board of Higher Education Act, and the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that a resident of the State who is not lawfully present in the United States is not eligible, on the basis of residence within the State, for any postsecondary educational benefit unless a citizen or national of the United States is eligible for such a benefit without regard to whether the citizen or national is such a resident. Provides that any benefit conferred to a nonresident of the State who is lawfully present in the United States may not be lesser in amount, duration, or scope than the benefit conferred to a State resident who is unlawfully present in the United States.

Designates U.S. Highway 250 from the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and Illinois Route 130 in Olney to 10 miles West of Olney on U.S. Highway 50 as the "Sgt. Levi Ridgley Memorial Highway".

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that notwithstanding any other law or rule to the contrary, a State-operated developmental center funded, certified, or licensed by the Department of Human Services shall readmit, upon request, any former resident who transferred to and currently receives services at a licensed community-integrated living arrangement, if the former resident consents or if the former resident has a guardian with placement authority and that guardian consents based on a determination that the former resident's medical needs cannot be met by the program of services administered by the community-integrated living arrangement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, if the payment of a retirement annuity is made to an annuitant more than one month after that retirement annuity payment became payable, then the Fund shall pay interest to the annuitant in an amount equal to 6% of that payment of the retirement annuity. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning the municipal employee's continuance privilege, provides that if an employee has elected to have the monthly premium deducted by the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund from the employee's monthly pension payment, then the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund shall promptly remit the premium payments to the insurance company, regardless of whether the employee's monthly pension payment has been paid to the employee. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, if a taxing district fails to timely file an affidavit that is required to be filed with respect to exempt property, then, prior to terminating the exemption, the chief county assessment officer shall notify the taxing district by first-class mail that the chief county assessment officer has not received the affidavit.