Rep. Kam Buckner

Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Provides that the Chicago Board of Education shall (rather than may), by majority vote, appoint a general superintendent of schools to serve pursuant to a performance-based contract for a term ending on June 30 of the third calendar year after the appointment. Provides that the general superintendent shall have all of the powers and duties of a chief executive officer as set forth in the Article. Effective immediately.

Creates the Pharmacy Accountability and Access Act. Requires any owner of a pharmacy licensed under the Pharmacy Practice Act to provide written notice to specified governmental authorities no later than 180 calendar days before any pharmacy may be closed. Provides that the notice shall be physically posted at the affected location and prominently posted on the company's website for the entire 180-day period. Requires a report detailing the justification for closure, including any documentation of financial losses, operational inefficiencies, or how closure would otherwise align with the social responsibility commitments of the corporation. Sets forth provisions concerning public meetings, community transition plans, and repayment of tax incentives, subsidies, and other financial benefits provided to that pharmacy. Requires the Department of Public Health to review closures of pharmacies in medically underserved areas. Imposes penalties for failure to comply with the Act.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that a person is not prohibited from photographing his or her own ballot at any time during the voting process or from viewing a photograph of a completed or partially completed ballot. Provides that any person who gives, promises to give, or receives any money or other valuable consideration in connection with the dissemination or viewing of a photograph of a completed or partially completed ballot is guilty of a Class 4 felony. Effective immediately.

Amends the Ballots Article of the Election Code. Provides that the governing body of a municipality may adopt, upon submission of a written statement by the municipality's election authority attesting to the administrative ability of the election authority to administer an election using a ranked ballot to the municipality's governing body, an ordinance requiring a ranked vote by mail ballot for municipal and township office candidates to be voted on in the consolidated election or consolidated primary election (rather than only the consolidated election). Provides that the governing body of a municipality may adopt an ordinance allowing any qualified voter to use a ranked vote by mail ballot for any municipal and township election. Sets forth provisions concerning ranked ballots for nonpartisan primary elections. Removes language providing that a ranked ballot shall be for use only by a qualified voter who either is a member of the United States military or will be outside of the United States on the consolidated primary election day and the consolidated election day. Effective January 1, 2026.

Creates the People Over Parking Act. Provides that, except as otherwise provided in the Act, a unit of local government may not impose or enforce any minimum automobile parking requirements on a development project if the project is located within one-half mile of a public transportation hub. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Defines terms. Effective June 1, 2025.

Amends the Hospital Provider Funding Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to create a pool of funding of at least $50,000,000 annually to be disbursed among safety-net hospitals that maintain perinatal designation from the Department of Public Health, provides that no safety-net hospital eligible for funds shall receive less than $5,000,000 annually.

Amends the Capital Development Board Act and the State Prompt Payment Act. Provides that the Capital Development Board may issue direct payment to subcontractors for work performed on State-funded projects if: (1) the subcontractor has submitted an affidavit and supporting documentation verifying the amount due for work performed, including a copy of the subcontract agreement and evidence of work completion; (2) the prime contractor has failed to pay the subcontractor within 30 days after the prime contractor receives payment from the Board; and (3) the subcontractor has provided written notice of non-payment to the Capital Development Board and the prime contractor and has allowed the prime contractor a 10-day response period.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for each individual who (i) serves as a first responder for at least 10 months during the taxable year and (ii) incurs unreimbursed qualified wellness expenses during the taxable year. Provides that the amount of the credit is equal to 50% of the unreimbursed qualified wellness expenses incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year, up to a maximum of $250 per eligible taxpayer. Sets forth limitations on the aggregate amount of credits that may be awarded under the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, an association or other entity that has as one of its purposes promoting, sponsoring, regulating, or in any manner providing for interscholastic athletics or any form of athletic competition among schools and students within this State shall allow students to participate in interscholastic athletic practices and events as a member of the team of a school in the school district if the student meets specified conditions. Effective immediately.

Creates the Compassionate Support for Bereaved Mothers Act. Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Heal Your Heart Act. Defines a bereaved mother as a mother whose child was, more likely than not, knowingly killed by an unknown or other person. Provides that the Act applies to any bereaved mother whose child was, more likely than not, knowingly killed within the State and whose child was a resident of the State at the time of death. Provides that a bereaved mother shall be entitled to free mental health counseling and psychiatric services for a period of up to one year following the death of the bereaved mother's child. Provides that a bereaved mother is entitled to take paid leave after the death of the bereaved mother's child. Provides that, as federal law permits, a bereaved mother living in subsidized housing, scatter site housing, or public housing units shall be eligible for relocation to another unit if the bereaved mother feels threatened or unsafe. Provides that the Act is repealed 5 years after becoming law. Makes conforming changes to the State Finance Act. Effective January 1, 2026.