Rep. Theresa Mah

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Removes provisions specifically excluding academic programs for incarcerated students from the definitions of "institution of higher learning", "qualified institution", and "institution". In provisions concerning the AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program, removes the restriction that the applicant must not be incarcerated.

Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Specifies that the notice in contested case hearings must include an enclosure that notifies the recipient of the ability to request interpretive assistance for the hearing and to receive language assistance in translating the contents of the notice. Provides that an administrative law judge has the duty to inquire and determine whether a self-represented litigant or witness in a hearing needs interpretive assistance to participate in or understand the hearing. Authorizes any self-represented litigant, witness, or indigent person to request, at any time during the course of a hearing, interpretive assistance needed to participate in or understand the hearing. Provides that, if interpretive assistance is requested by a self-represented litigant, a witness, or an indigent person or if interpretive assistance is determined to be necessary by the administrative law judge, the administrative agency must appoint a foreign language interpreter at no cost to the person in need of the assistance for use in a substantive hearing. Authorizes an administrative agency to provide interpretive assistance during a nonsubstantive hearing through use of an interpreter who is not a foreign language interpreter, provided the administrative law judge examines the interpreter for competency for the purposes of the nonsubstantive hearing. Requires all persons appointed to provide interpretive assistance in substantive and nonsubstantive hearings to make certain affirmations. Contains provisions concerning waiver of these language assistance provisions.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Strengthening Mental Health and Substance Use Parity Act. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, or any third-party administrator administering the behavioral health benefits for the insurer, shall cover all out-of-network medically necessary mental health and substance use benefits and services (inpatient and outpatient) as if they were in-network for purposes of cost sharing for the insured. Provides that the insured has the right to select the provider or facility of their choice and the modality, whether the care is provided via in-person visit or telehealth, for medically necessary care. Sets forth minimum reimbursement rates for certain behavioral health benefits. Sets forth provisions concerning responsibility for compliance with parity requirements; coverage and payment for multiple covered mental health and substance use services, mental health or substance use services provided under the supervision of a licensed mental health or substance treatment provider, and 60-minute individual psychotherapy; timely credentialing of mental health and substance use providers; Department of Insurance enforcement and rulemaking; civil penalties; and other matters. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to authorize emergency rulemaking. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes a minor technical correction to the official short title of a section within the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. It does not create new laws, change existing policies, or directly affect any individuals or organizations. The change was approved by both the House and Senate and has been sent to the Governor for final approval.

Creates the Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Act. Provides that all general operating expenses for public universities shall be distributed by the Board of Higher Education through a funding formula for eligible public institutions and shall be administered by the Board. Defines "eligible public institution". Sets forth provisions concerning the adequacy targets and resource profiles of eligible public institutions. Provides for the distribution of State appropriations and the calculation of the base funding minimum for each eligible public institution. Provides that the Board shall oversee an accountability and transparency framework for assessing the distribution and use of all funds appropriated by the funding formula and evaluating the funds' effects on institutional outcomes pertaining to student affordability, enrollment, persistence, and outcome metrics. Provides for reporting and the establishment of an Accountability and Transparency Committee. Provides that the Board shall establish a Funding Formula Review Panel tasked with studying and reviewing topics pertaining to the implementation and impact of the funding formula. Contains provisions concerning the Board's annual budget request and the collection of data. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Removes certain provisions concerning budget proposals. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the Internet-based system for determining the validity of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card shall include a written notice, in both English and Spanish, of a firearm owner's obligation to report to local law enforcement any lost or stolen firearm within 48 hours after the owner first discovers the loss or theft. Provides that upon the issuance and each renewal of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card, the Illinois State Police shall advise the applicant or holder in writing, in both English and Spanish, of his or her obligation to report to local law enforcement any lost or stolen firearm within 48 hours after he or she first discovers the loss or theft. Provides that a person is deemed to have discovered that a firearm was lost or stolen only when the person has received evidence indicating that a loss or theft has occurred. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that if a person who possesses a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card and who possesses or acquires a firearm thereafter loses the firearm, or if the firearm is stolen from the person, the person must report the loss or theft of any such firearm to the local law enforcement agency within 48 (rather than 72) hours after obtaining knowledge of the loss or theft. Provides that for a second or subsequent offense of failure to report the loss or theft of a firearm to the local law enforcement agency within 48 hours of the discovery of such loss or theft shall result in revocation of the person's Firearm Owner's Identification Card. Changes the elements of the offenses of firearms trafficking, possession of a stolen firearm, and aggravated possession of a stolen firearm. Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act and the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act to make conforming changes. Contains a severability provision.

Creates the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act, and establishes the Metropolitan Mobility Authority. Provides that the Chicago Transit Authority, the Commuter Rail Division and the Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority, and the Regional Transportation Authority are consolidated into the Metropolitan Mobility Authority and the Service Boards are abolished, instead creating the Suburban Bus Operating Division, Commuter Rail Operating Division, and the Chicago Transit Operating Division. Reinserts, reorganizes, and changes some provisions from the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act and the Regional Transportation Authority Act into the new Act and repeals those Acts. Includes provisions about the operation of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority. Creates the Equitable Transit-Supportive Development Act. Establishes the Office of Transit-Oriented Development. Provides that the Office and the Fund are to aid transit-supportive development near high-quality transit by providing specified funding to municipalities that have adopted the standards in the transit support overlay district for that area or that have adopted zoning and other changes that the Office determines have benefits greater than or equal to such a District, including transit support overlay districts. Includes provisions relating to Office standards, procedures, and reports. Creates the Zero-Emission Vehicle Act. Provides that all on-road vehicles purchased or leased by a governmental unit on or after January 1, 2028 must be a manufactured zero-emission vehicle, repowered zero-emission vehicle, manufactured near zero-emission vehicle, or repowered near zero-emission vehicle. Provides that on and after January 1, 2033, all on-road vehicles purchased or leased by a governmental unit must be a manufactured zero-emission vehicle or repowered zero-emission vehicle. Provides that, by January 1, 2048, all on-road vehicles operated by a governmental unit must be a manufactured or repowered zero-emission vehicle. Sets forth provisions implementing the Act, including requiring the Department of Central Management Services to adopt certain rules. Amends various Acts, Laws, and Codes to make conforming changes for the new Acts and to make other changes. Provides that some provisions are effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Sets forth provisions concerning the computation of taxes related to minority and other specific priority population owned business in the State. Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that hemp extract, hemp cannabinoid products, and any other ingredient or product derived from hemp made in compliance with State law or the originating jurisdiction shall be considered fit for human consumption and shall not be considered injurious to health or deleterious for human consumption. Sets forth provisions relating to license holders under the Act as it relates to hemp cannabinoid and cannabinoid products. Amends the Industrial Hemp Act. Establishes provisions that will enable the State to regulate hemp-derived cannabinoids. Sets forth the limitation and penalties concerning the unlawful use of hemp cannabinoid, and distinguishes the lawful use of hemp-derived cannabinoids. Sets forth other provisions concerning licenses and registration of cultivating industrial hemp, rules, administrative hearings and judicial review, loans and grants, immunity, age verification, packaging and labeling of hemp cannabinoid products, laboratory approvals, testing requirements, violations of State and federal law, licensing and regulation of hemp processors and hemp food establishments, academic research institutions, government demonstration and research entity, and cannabinoid retail tax. Limits home rule powers by providing that, except as otherwise provided in the Act, the regulation and permitting of the activities described in the Act are exclusive powers and functions of the State. Defines terms.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that owners of income-producing properties shall file physical descriptions of their properties with the chief county assessor in the form and format determined by the chief county assessor. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that formally recognizes the Sones de Mexico Ensemble for its significant contributions to Illinois' cultural history and musical education. It highlights the group's work in promoting Mexican folk music through innovative performances, community education, and a series of albums that celebrate diverse ethnic traditions. The resolution specifically notes the ensemble's long-standing impact since its first public performance in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood in 1994. Ultimately, the bill serves as an official acknowledgment of the group's artistic achievements rather than implementing new laws or funding.