Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin

Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Kinship in Demand (KIND) Act. Provides that the KIND Act creates the statutory vision and authority for the Department of Children and Family Services to execute a kin-first approach to service delivery and directs the juvenile courts to provide necessary oversight of the Department's obligations to maintain family connections and promote equitable opportunities for youth and families to thrive with relational permanence. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Contains provisions concerning Department rules on relative, kinship, and licensed foster care; grants to subsidized guardians of hard-to-place children; a requirement on the Department to make reasonable efforts to place a child with a relative; documentation of the Department's reasons for failing to secure a relative placement; foster care maintenance payments for relatives who qualify for certification as a kinship caregiver home; subsidized guardianship support services for children and their guardians; certification and background checks on relative caregivers; annual reports regarding relative and kinship care placements; performance audits; and other matters. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Requires the Department to adopt standards for certifying kinship caregiver family homes that are different from licensing standards used for non-relative foster family homes. Contains provisions concerning background screenings of prospective kinship caregivers; a requirement that the Department assist relatives and prospective kinship caregivers with completing the steps required for approval as a kinship caregiver home; orientation activities for prospective kinship caregivers; Guardianship Assistance Program payments and services for relative caregivers; and other matters. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Makes changes to provisions concerning "best interest" determinations; emergency placement of a minor with a willing relative pending a temporary custody hearing; court assessments on the Department's effort to place a minor with a relative; court ordered family-finding efforts; required notification to a minor's located relatives that the minor has been removed from the custody of the minor's parents; and other matters. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to religious dietary food options, specifically halal and kosher meals, for students in Illinois public schools and patients in state hospitals and prisons. It requires the State Board of Education to create statewide master contracts with vendors to supply prepackaged meals that meet federal nutritional standards and specific religious requirements without needing special kitchen equipment or staff. The legislation mandates that these meals be sold at no more than the federal reimbursement rate and establishes certification rules for vendors to ensure compliance with religious dietary laws. Additionally, the bill directs the University of Illinois Hospital to offer these options upon request and strengthens existing laws by adding penalties for vendors who falsely claim their products are halal or kosher.

Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Repeals provisions relating to the higher education supplier diversity report and race and gender wage reports and moves those provisions, with changes, to the Commission on Equity and Inclusion Act. Amends the Energy Transition Act. Provides that the Commission on Equity and Inclusion certifies or recognizes certification for Minority Business Enterprise certification (rather than the Department of Central Management Services) or a program with equivalent requirements. Provides that the Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program shall provide participants with opportunities to be listed in any relevant directories and databases organized by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion (rather than organized by the Department of Central Management Services). Amends the Blind Vendors Act. Provides that it is the intent of the Act that all State agencies, particularly the Commission on Equity and Inclusion (rather than the Department of Central Management Services), promote and advocate for the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that the Business Enterprise Program is a program of the Commission on Equity and Inclusion (rather than the Department of Central Management Services). Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Removes provisions relating to a study and report that measured the impact of discrimination on minority and women business development in Illinois that was to be completed by October 28, 2010. Provides that the Commission on Equity and Inclusion (rather than the Department of Central Management Services) shall conduct a new social scientific study that measures the impact of discrimination on minority and women business development in Illinois, shall issue a report, and shall establish a specified model between 2028 and 2029. Changes various references to the Department of Central Management Services to the Commission on Equity and Inclusion. Extends the date on which the Act will be repealed from June 30, 2029 to June 30, 2030. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a memorial resolution honoring Andrea M. Coleman, a resident of Chicago who passed away in November 2024. It formally records the Illinois House of Representatives' condolences to her family and friends while acknowledging her life as a community figure known as "Mama Coleman." The document also directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to her family as a gesture of sympathy.

Creates the United States Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Memorial Highway Act. Designates the portion of Interstate 80 that is located in the State of Illinois as the United States Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Memorial Highway.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Designates the twenty-first day of February of each year as John Lewis Day, to be observed throughout the State as a day to remember the accomplishments of the civil rights icon and to honor his legacy and dedication to public service.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates December 19, 2024, as Illinois ABLE Day to honor the tenth anniversary of the federal legislation that created state-run savings accounts for people with disabilities. The resolution recognizes the Illinois ABLE program, which allows eligible individuals to save money for qualified disability expenses like education, healthcare, and transportation without losing federal benefits. By acknowledging the program's growth and impact, the bill aims to highlight the financial independence it provides to Illinoisans with disabilities and their families.

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.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a credit for certain small businesses in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 10% of the property taxes paid by the qualified small business during the taxable year for eligible real property or (ii) $1,500. Effective immediately.