Rep. Kelly Cassidy

Creates the Electronic Device Stewardship Act. Requires a producer that sells an electronic smoking device to implement and finance an electronic smoking device stewardship program, no later than 2 years after the effective date of the Act, through a producer responsibility organization that is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires a producer responsibility organization to submit an electronic smoking device stewardship plan to the Agency for approval no later than 2 years after the effective date of the Act. Establishes requirements regarding fees collected from participating producers. Sets forth procedures regarding approval of stewardship plans. Prohibits, beginning 2 years after the effective date of the Act, a producer from selling, offering for sale, distributing, or importing for sale an electronic smoking device unless the producer is in an approved producer responsibility organization in compliance with the Act, with a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for a violation. Provides an affirmative defense for a distributor or retailer for reliance on the representation of a producer or producer responsibility organization. Allows the Attorney General to recover civil penalties and any other damages and to seek injunctive relief. Provides an antitrust exemption. Requires a producer responsibility organization to submit an annual report to the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires the Agency to adopt rules and conduct an evaluation. Makes findings and states the purpose of the Act. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that a person who is otherwise qualified to vote may preregister to vote on or after that person's 15th birthday (rather than 16th birthday). Provides that a person who is 15 years of age or older (rather than 16 years of age or older) shall be deemed competent to execute and attest to any voter registration forms. Provides that a person may use an instruction permit issued by the Secretary of State as a valid form of identification under the provision.

Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Directs the Secretary of State to grant a waiver of the lobbyist registration fee for any not-for-profit entity with an annual budget of less than $5,000,000 that is classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including a waiver for any lobbyist that exclusively lobbies on behalf of such an entity.

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 Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Provides that a full-service restaurant or quick-service restaurant shall not provide single-use plastic disposable foodware items to a consumer ordering or purchasing dine-in food unless requested by the consumer and that plastic drinking straws must be provided when specifically requested. Provides that single-use plastic disposable foodware items that are provided may not be packaged in plastic. Provides that a food dispensing establishment or takeout food delivery service must provide options for a customer to request disposable foodware items separate from the customer's order, with certain requirements. Provides that a full-service restaurant or quick-service restaurant offering condiments may use dispensers rather than prepackaged disposable condiment packets. Provides that a full-service restaurant or quick-service restaurant must post a sign indicating that single-use plastic disposable foodware will be made available upon request or at a self serve station. Provides that a full-service restaurant or quick-service restaurant may make single-use plastic straws available to customers ordering or purchasing dine-in food by making available dispensers or certain other means if a sign is posted encouraging the reduction of the use single-use plastics. Provides for a civil penalty of $25, after a first notice of violation, for each day a full-service restaurant or quick-service restaurant is in violation, paid to the Department of Public Health. Defines terms. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Mortgage Foreclosure Law of the Code of Civil Procedure. Requires receivers of mortgaged real estate to use reasonable efforts to make repairs and improvements as necessary to comply with building, housing, or other similar codes that necessary for the safety, accessibility, and habitability of residential real estate. Creates the Residential Real Estate Ombudsperson Program of which the purpose is to ensure that tenants of residential real estate in receivership continue to have safe, habitable, and accessible homes throughout the receivership process and to facilitate communication between tenants, the receiver, and the court. Requires that in courts in counties of 50,000 or more residents must establish such a program, and in courts in counties of less than 50,000 residents may establish such a program. Provides for the powers of the Ombudsperson to include, but not be limited to, (i) taking, investigating, and making recommendations and reports of complaints of inadequate performance receivership duties relating to matters that may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of tenants; (ii) entering the property under receivership at a reasonable time and with reasonable notice to the receiver or receiver's manager; (iii) communicating privately with tenants who consent to that communication; (iv) encouraging the facilitation of communication between receivers, tenants, and the court; (v) making recommendations to receivers regarding building conditions and court practices; (vi) submitting reports to the court regarding the status of the residential real estate, the receivership relationship, the use of the Ombudsperson services; and (vii) making recommendations to the court to improve the receivership relationship. Requires the Ombudsperson within 60 days of appointment to send a notice of contact information of the Ombudsperson to all known dwelling occupants of residential real estate through by posting a written notice on unit doors and in common areas. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, when the county, as trustee, files one petition for more than one delinquent tax lien or certificate, the county may request that the court issue a tax deed to the county, as trustee, without holding a judicial tax deed auction. Provides that the county shall offer the parcel for sale at a public auction within 120 days of recording the tax deed. Sets forth requirements for the county auction. Provides that any owner of property sold under any provision of the Code who sustains loss or damage by reason of the issuance of a tax deed shall have the right to recover surplus equity that was lost in the property through an award of indemnity. Amends the Mortgage Rescue Fraud Act. Provides that a distressed property conveyance contract must contain a statement that the property owner may have the right to obtain money for any equity lost if a tax deed is issued. Effective immediately.

Amends the Solid Waste Planning and Recycling Act. Provides that, beginning 18 months after the amendatory Act's effective date, (1) no store or food service business shall provide or sell a single-use plastic carryout bag to a customer and (2) no grocery store shall provide or sell a single-use paper carryout bag to a customer. Preempts home rule powers. Contains other provisions. 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 Election Code. Provides that a foreign-influenced business entity shall not make a contribution or donation to any person or entity with the express or implied condition that the contribution or donation, or any part of the contribution or donation be used for specified political purposes. Sets forth certification requirements. Provides that the provision shall be construed to establish liability on the part of any candidate, political committee, or other recipient of certification. Provides for enforcement of the provision. Defines terms. Effective July 1, 2025.