Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado

Creates the Disposable Food Service Container Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2030, a person may not sell or distribute in this State a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam. Specifies that the prohibition does not apply to any activity authorized under an ordinance or resolution adopted by a unit of local government on or before January 1, 2024 or with respect to sales made to a unit of local government for use by the unit of local government for its internal operations. Sets forth penalties for violations of the Act. Limits home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act. Requires non-exempt local governments to provide residents with notice and the opportunity for comment at a public hearing prior to adopting an affordable housing plan. Requires a non-exempt local government to provide proof of its compliance with the notice and public hearing requirements when it submits a copy of its affordable housing plan to the Illinois Housing Development Authority. Expands the list of information that must be provided in the affordable housing plan to include, (i) an identification of "specific lands" (rather than "lands") within the jurisdiction that are most appropriate for the construction of affordable housing, (ii) proposed timelines to commence "specific actions and deadlines" (rather than "actions") to implement the components of the affordable housing plan, and (iii) incentives, including certain measures to address the need for affordable housing, that the local government may provide for the purpose of attracting affordable housing. In a provision permitting certain persons to appeal a local government's denial of a proposed affordable housing plan, expands the list to include a service provider that is under contract to provide services for potential residents of a proposed supportive housing project or community-integrated living arrangement that is included in the proposed affordable housing plan. Contains provisions concerning final actions or decisions by the governing body of the local government on the proposed affordable housing plans; appeal procedures and timelines; and other matters. Expands the Illinois Housing Development Authority's rulemaking authority to include the adoption of rules and regulations concerning the substance of affordable housing plans consistent with the changes made in the amendatory Act.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law. Provides that, in counties with a population of more than 3,000,000, a lease for pedestrian infrastructure over a State highway initially entered into within one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act may be for a period of time no longer than 35 years. Provides that the land or property shall be leased by the Department of Transportation at fair market value and meet all other statutory requirements.

Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Requires the Illinois Housing Development Authority (Authority) to establish and administer a First-Generation Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program to provide targeted assistance to eligible first-generation homebuyers throughout the State for the purchase of a single-family or non-commercial multi-family residence. Sets forth eligibility requirements. Permits the Authority to prioritize assistance to applicants purchasing homes in designated community priority areas, applicants with household income below 80%, and applicants purchasing homes in areas with low homeownership rates, high housing costs burdens, or limited access to affordable mortgage credit. Provides that assistance under the program shall be provided as a forgivable loan to be forgiven pro rata on a monthly basis over a 5-year period of continuous owner-occupancy. Sets forth the available loan amounts and provides that assistance funds may be used for down payments, closing costs, mortgage insurance, interest rate buydowns, or principal reduction. Permits the Authority to waive repayment in cases of documented financial hardship that is beyond the control of the homebuyer. Permits the Authority to adopt rules to implement and administer the program. Effective July 1, 2026.

Declares March 26, 2026 as Equal Pay Day in the State of Illinois. Encourages the citizens of this State to learn about the pay gap that women experience in society and to learn about these various dates that bring attention to the pay gap that specific groups experience.

Creates the Passenger Rail Planning Act. Sets forth intercity passenger rail routes serving or originating in the State. Requires the Department of Transportation to incorporate the aspirational frequencies into the Illinois State Rail Plan and the Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan. Authorizes the Department to nominate corridors for inclusion in the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program and enter into memoranda of understanding or other cooperative agreements for each identified interstate corridor to provide for shared data, joint investment prioritization, and aligned performance measures and planning schedules. Requires the Department to include a recurring section titled Progress Toward High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail within each update to the Illinois State Rail Plan and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Requires each Metropolitan Planning Organization in the State to: (1) recognize the target intercity and long-distance passenger rail frequencies; (2) identify relevant rail corridors within or adjacent to the Metropolitan Planning Organization planning area; and (3) include a narrative discussion of how regional transportation investments can support achievement of those frequency targets. Requires the Department and each Metropolitan Planning Organization to consider progress toward the target passenger rail frequencies when developing project prioritization criteria for multimodal investments. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Creates the Faith-Based Housing and Mixed-Use By-Right Act. Provides that a unit of local government shall permit multifamily developments and mixed-use developments as allowable by-right uses on faith-based land. Provides that a unit of local government may not require a proposed multifamily or mixed-use development on faith-based land to obtain any discretionary approval in order to permit the proposed use and development or allow for the minimum development standards and limitations established by the Act. Provides that the by-right entitlement under the Act applies whether or not the faith-based organization continues to operate an existing religious, educational, or community facility on the same parcel or adjacent parcel, and regardless of whether the housing is owned, leased, operated, or developed by the faith-based organization or by a partner acting under agreement with the faith-based organization. Provides that nothing in the Act affects the authority of a unit of local government to apply to a development authorized by this Act requirements that are (1) generally applicable to comparable developments within the jurisdiction; (2) objective and ascertainable on the face of the ordinance or code provision; and (3) related to public health and safety. Provides that a unit of local government shall approve an application for a multifamily or mixed-use development on faith-based land if the development satisfies the unit of local government's generally applicable, objective land development and building regulations as limited by the Act. Limits the concurrent use of home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 624, titled "HOUSING-TECH," amends the State Housing Act. This bill makes a technical change specifically to a section within the act that concerns its short title.

Congratulates Richard "Rick" Kwasneski on his retirement from public service during the summer of 2026. Thanks him for his profound contributions to the infrastructure and economy of northeastern Illinois. Wishes him the very best in his future endeavors.

Amends the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit Act. Renews the program for incentive periods beginning on or after July 1, 2018 and ending on or before June 30, 2025. Removes language concerning the Put Illinois to Work Program for the second series of incentive periods. Provides that the term "full-time employee" means an individual who is employed for a basic wage for at least 35 hours each week (currently, employed for a basic wage for at least 35 hours each week or renders any other standard of service generally accepted by industry custom or practice as full-time employment). Provides that a net increase in the number of full-time Illinois employees shall be treated as continuous if a different new employee is hired as a replacement within 8 weeks after the position becomes vacant (currently, a reasonable time). Effective immediately.