Amends the School Code. Requires each school district to include in its handbook for grades kindergarten through 12 railroad safety messaging. Allows a school to opt-out of the messaging requirement if the school district votes that the inclusion of such messaging is unnecessary.
Amends the Small Estates Article of the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that the following shall not be considered an excluded motor vehicle in determining the value of a decedent's personal estate: (i) motor vehicles used as living quarters; (ii) motor homes, mini motor homes, and van campers; (iii) a non-self-propelled vehicle; (iv) a commercial vehicle; (v) an implement of husbandry; or (vi) a bus or commuter van.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall maintain a website that details any charges, either required by law or approved by the Commission, that are charged by an electric utility, other than delivery or supply charges. Provides that the website shall include certain information for amounts collected from a charge that are remitted to the State and for amounts collected from a charge that are retained by the electric utility.
Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Safeguards to Ensure Continuity and Uphold Rights and Equity (SECURE) Act. Sets forth several legislative findings, including that (i) Illinois retains a non-delegable duty to safeguard the safety, health, dignity, and well-being of all youth in the care or custody of the Department of Children and Family Services, and (ii) the Department must respect and meaningfully consider a youth's expressed preferences in placement options while conducting transparent, individualized risk assessments. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Adds provisions concerning case plans for youth in care and the specific tasks and responsibilities a caregiver must complete to ensure each youth is provided with safe, proper, and supportive care based on the youth's needs and best interests, including, but not limited to, the youth's protected characteristics as defined under the Illinois Human Rights Act. Contains provisions concerning requirements for interstate placements of youth age 8 or older, including, but not limited to: protecting a youth's access to lawful health care and civil immunities for Department employees who protect a youth's access to lawful health care; individualized assessments on the suitability and risks of the proposed interstate placement; ongoing Illinois-based case worker contact and monitoring; and a prohibition on consent to conversion therapy. Contains provisions on youth requested in-state or out-of-state placement and other related matters; annual Department reports on out-of-state placements; performance audits; private right of action; and other matters. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969 by adding provisions on supportive care for youth in care; youth-directed placement rights; licensure and contractual compliance. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Adds provisions on the appointment of an attorney for a youth in care with special needs; required Department attestations on caregiver conduct when a youth is placed in an out-of-state residential treatment center; assessments and monitoring for minors in out-of-state placements; and other matters. Effective July 1, 2027.
Amends the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. Allows a speech-language pathologist to diagnose autism spectrum disorders if: (1) the child is under 3 years of age; and (2) the speech-language pathologist is trained in autism diagnostic evaluation methods as part of the curriculum of an approved program, through worksite training, or through continuing education. Provides that if a diagnosis requires a plan of care that includes elements that are outside the scope of practice of a speech-language pathologist, the speech-language pathologist must refer the patient to the appropriate medical personnel for further evaluation or management. Makes conforming changes in the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code, and provisions of the Illinois Insurance Code concerning autism spectrum disorders. Effective July 1, 2027.
Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. In provisions regarding the second notice period for rulemaking, provides that the second notice period shall be extended for a period not to exceed an additional 45 days if the agency has received a statement of unresponsiveness from the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. Lists the requirements for a statement of unresponsiveness. Provides that failure to provide a substantive response within 7 days after a statement of unresponsiveness is issued shall constitute a withdrawal of the rulemaking. In provisions regarding the contents of the written notice to the Joint Committee, requires a statement certifying that no procedure, policy, schedule, or other feature of the agency will prevent the agency from substantively engaging with the Joint Committee regarding suggestions made during the second notice period.
Amends the Local Governmental Acceptance of Credit Cards Act. Provides that the governing body of a governmental entity accepting payment by credit card may enter into agreements with third-party software providers for the purpose of ensuring that the governmental entity receives the correct remittance for payment. Provides that, if a governmental entity enters into an agreement with one or more financial institutions or other service providers to facilitate the acceptance and processing of credit card payments, then the agreement may not restrict or prevent the governmental entity from using the payment processing system outlined in the State Treasurer Act or any other payment processing system that the governmental entity has procured. Effective immediately.
Creates the Junk Fee Ban Act. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for a person to: (1) offer, display, or advertise an amount a consumer may pay for merchandise without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the total price; (2) fail, in any offer, display, or advertisement that contains an amount a consumer may pay, to display the total price more prominently than any other pricing information; (3) misrepresent the nature and purpose of any amount a consumer may pay, including the ability to refund the fees and the identity of any merchandise for which fees are charged; (4) fail to disclose clearly and conspicuously before the consumer consents to pay, the nature and purpose of any amount a consumer may pay that is excluded from the total price, including the ability to refund the fees and the identity of any merchandise for which fees are charged; or (5) offer, display, or advertise, including through direct offerings, third-party distribution, or metasearch referrals, a total price for a place of short-term lodging that does not include all required fees. Requires total price disclosures for retail mercantile establishments and food service establishments; and the disclosure of delivery fees. Provides that the Attorney General may enforce violations of the Act as an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Preempts home rule powers.
Appropriates $500,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create the Chicago Cultural district. Effective July 1, 2026.
Appropriates $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago for costs associated with funding equitable mortgage lending and homebuyer subsidies, foreclosure prevention services, and other support. Effective July 1, 2026.
