Rep. Kevin Schmidt

Creates the Naturopathic Medical Practice Act. Provides for the licensure of naturopathic doctors. Sets forth the qualifications for licensure. Provides the scope of practice of naturopathic doctors. Requires a person licensed under the Act to use specified titles and prohibits a person not licensed under the Act from using specified titles. Creates the Naturopathic Medical Board to oversee the licensure of naturopathic doctors and matters relating to training and licensure of naturopathic doctors. Sets forth the membership and duties of the Board. Contains provisions concerning approved naturopathic medical educational programs; displaying licenses; written collaboration agreements; prohibited actions by a licensee; exemptions; license expiration, renewal, denial, revocation, and continuing education; grounds for disciplinary action; investigations, notice, and hearings; records of proceedings at formal hearings; and confidentiality. Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Authorizes physicians to collaborate with a naturopathic doctor in accordance with the requirements of the Naturopathic Medical Practice Act. Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Adds naturopathic doctors to meaning of "prescriber" and "prescription". Effective immediately.

Amends the Acupuncture Practice Act. Provides that none of the provisions of the Act shall prevent an unlicensed person from engaging in a standardized 5-needle protocol if the person satisfies specified conditions. Provides that the treatment utilizing the 5-needle protocol shall be limited to the insertion of disposable, sterile acupuncture needles into the ear and only in compliance with the 5-needle protocol. Provides that the application or insertion of needles anywhere else on the body of another person by a person shall be considered engaging in the practice of acupuncture without a license.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Eliminates the flat weight tax for all owners of trailers that are not farm trailers and that weigh 3,000 pounds or less.

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 Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall establish and administer a property tax relief pilot program. Provides that eligible homeowners shall receive a one-time direct relief payment in an amount equal to a percentage, determined by the Department by rule, of the eligible homeowner's property tax liability for the 2025 tax year. Requires the Department of Revenue to submit a report in connection with the Program to the Governor and the General Assembly. Creates the Property Tax Relief Program Fund of 2026. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used by the Department for the purpose of making property tax relief payments. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that the limiting rate shall be calculated using the highest aggregate extension from any year in which the taxing district was subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (currently, the last 3 preceding levy years). Provides that an aggregate extension established for a levy year in which the taxing district was authorized to temporarily increase its limiting rate or its extension limitation may not be used.

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.

Amends the Counties Code. Removes a provision limiting a special investigator appointed by a State's Attorney to carrying a firearm only in the performance of the special investigator's assigned duties.

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.

Creates the Commission on Eliminating Food Deserts Act. Establishes the Commission on Eliminating Food Deserts in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor for the purpose of reviewing the effectiveness of current State-led efforts to eliminate food deserts in Illinois and advising the General Assembly on policy, funding, initiatives, and best practices for the elimination of food deserts in Illinois. Describes the membership of the Commission. Provides that the Commission shall convene at the call of the chairperson and meet as frequently as necessary to carry out its duties. Provides that the Office of the Lieutenant Governor shall provide administrative and other support to the Commission. Provides that commissioners shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose. Provides that the Commission shall submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before January 1, 2027, with annual addenda thereafter. Provides that the Act is repealed and the Commission is dissolved if 90% of food deserts in this State have been eliminated, with certain requirements. Defines terms.