Rep. Brad Stephens

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, notwithstanding any other law, if an interest penalty for the delinquent payment of taxes is imposed and if collections of interest penalties are enjoyed by a county pursuant to that procedure, then the country collector shall place all of the proceeds from interest penalty payments collected thereby into a separate and distinct fund created within the country treasury for the delineation and distribution of interest penalties paid on property taxes that are past due as of the time payment is made. Further provides all moneys in the interest penalty fund created by each county under this provision shall, within 30 days of receipt by the county, be divided and distributed to (i) the county of record and (ii) all other proper authorities or persons, on the basis of proportionate share of the overall tax extension within which individual taxpayer delinquency and payment of interest penalties took place. Provides that, when making this distribution to a proper authority or person, the county collector may include a notification that the moneys so distributed are the result of interest penalties charged by the county as part of the overall enforcement by the county of the Code.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, if Cook County is delinquent in distributing property tax proceeds to taxing districts the proceeds of property taxes imposed by the taxing districts that Cook County is required to collect from taxpayers and distribute to the taxing districts, then Cook County shall reimburse the taxing districts for (i) the interest that the taxing districts would have earned from keeping the proceeds of property taxes in reserves and (ii) the interest that taxing districts paid on debts incurred because Cook County is delinquent in distributing property tax proceeds to taxing districts.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Expands the provisions regarding automated speed enforcement systems in safety zones to include municipalities in the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Madison, McHenry, St. Clair, and Will (instead of just the City of Chicago). Provides that the net proceeds a municipality receives from civil penalties imposed under an automated speed enforcement system shall be expended or obligated by the municipality for, among other purposes, the remission of $5 from each civil penalty to the State Treasurer for deposit into the General Revenue Fund, which shall be remitted to the State Treasurer as determined by the State Treasurer. Provides that if an automated speed enforcement system is removed or rendered inoperable due to construction, then the Department of Transportation shall authorize the reinstallation or use of the automated speed enforcement system within 30 days after the construction is complete.

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 Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval, beginning on January 1, 2026, the reimbursement rates for the support component of the nursing facility rate for facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled or intermediate care facilities and for facilities licensed under the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013 shall be the rate in effect on June 30, 2024 increased by the percent change in the Consumer Price Index-U from September 2016 to September 2025. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHR 427, the "EDUCATIONAL CHOICE ACT," is a resolution that urges Governor JB Pritzker to opt Illinois into the provisions of the federal "Educational Choice for Children Act." If the Governor were to act on this urging, it would enable Illinois to participate in a program related to educational choices for children.

Maddy summaryHR 706 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Illinois House of Representatives to honor Ebinger Elementary School on its 100th anniversary. The resolution recognizes the school's founding in 1926, its role as a neighborhood school within Chicago Public Schools, and its current Fine and Performing Arts Magnet Cluster program. It will be presented to Principal Michelle Nash as a token of respect for the school's history and community impact. This resolution has no legal effect and serves solely as a commemorative gesture.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Expands the definition of "developmental disability" to include a disability attributable to Prader-Willi syndrome. Amends the Developmental Disability and Mental Disability Services Act. Expands the definition of "severe and multiple impairments" to include a substantial disability attributable to Prader-Willi syndrome. Exempts persons diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome from any assessment or evaluation to measure cognitive functioning or IQ for purposes of making determinations on whether such persons have severe and multiple impairments eligible for home-based and community-based services. Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to include Prader-Willi syndrome as a developmental disability in any rule defining the term "developmental disability" and in any rule listing specific medical conditions or disabilities eligible for developmental disability services provided by the Department. Amends the Statute on Statutes. Provides that, except where the context indicates otherwise: (i) in any rule, contract, or other document the term "developmental disability" shall include a disability attributable to Prader-Willi syndrome; and (ii) whenever there is a reference in any Act to "development disability" the term shall be construed to include a disability attributable to Prader-Willi syndrome.

Amends the Decennial Committees on Local Government Efficiency Act. Provides that the term "governmental unit" does not include a fire protection districts established under the Fire Protection District Act.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 698) passed by the Illinois House of Representatives to honor Wendell Young. It congratulates him on his career as a player, coach, manager, and executive with the Chicago Wolves hockey team, specifically recognizing his achievements including winning the Stanley Cup, Calder Cup, and Turner Cup. The resolution formally acknowledges his role as the Wolves' Vice Chairman/Governor and his induction into the AHL Hall of Fame. It contains no policy changes or funding provisions, serving solely as a public tribute.