Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin

Declares May 2026 as Illinois Military Appreciation Month in the State of Illinois to honor the service, sacrifice, and continued contributions of veterans across our State. Encourages citizens, schools, businesses, veterans' organizations, and government entities across Illinois to observe Illinois Military Appreciation Month through activities that recognize veterans' ongoing impact, support their successful transition to civilian life, and strengthen connections between veterans and the communities they serve.

Declares February 2, 2026 as "Louis D. Burrell Day" in the State of Illinois in honor of his extraordinary lifetime of contributions and the legacy he continues to build. Wishes Louis Burrell a happy 88th birthday. Encourages the members of the Illinois House of Representatives to observe Louis D. Burrell Day by celebrating the vital role of educators, builders, advocates, and elders whose service strengthens communities and inspires future generations.

Urges the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Board of Education to conduct a formal review of the Local School Wellness Policy provision prohibiting pork products. Urges such a review to include identification and disclosure of the original rationale and supporting documentation for the prohibition, consultation with nutrition experts and food service professionals, and consideration of stakeholder input. Encourages the CPS Board of Education to evaluate whether limited menu testing or pilot programs allowing pork products would better align with current nutrition science, cultural inclusion, fiscal stewardship, and full utilization of available USDA foods.

Creates the Permanent Punishment Review Task Force Act. Establishes the Permanent Punishment Review Task Force. Provides for the Task Force's appointment and membership. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority may collaborate with the co-chairing organization to help provide this support. Provides that the duties of the Task Force include: (1) researching and analyzing the statutory permanent punishments under Illinois law; (2) identifying factors and data relevant to determining whether a permanent punishment should be modified or eliminated based on available scholarship; (3) identifying or developing models, or both, for periodic, systematic review of Illinois's permanent punishment laws; (4) analyzing such models, including potential funding requirements, and proposing recommendations to the General Assembly; and (5) issuing a report, on or before January 1, 2028, setting forth those recommendations and summarizing the research and findings of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force may meet in person or virtually, and shall issue a written report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly on or before January 1, 2028, after which the Task Force is dissolved. Repeals the Act on July 1, 2028. Effective immediately.

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.

Amends the Illinois Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the applicability and scope of the Act.

Maddy summaryHB 744 amends the Corporate Fiduciary Act. It makes a technical change to the section of the Act that defines its short title.

Creates the Best Interest of the State Act. Provides that any collective bargaining unit, contractor, or subcontractor participating in a project labor agreement shall satisfy specified requirements to promote racial inclusion, diversity, and equity. Contains provisions concerning prequalification of collective bargaining units, contractors, and subcontractors; the determination of the demographic make-up of counties; complaints to the Commission on Equity and Inclusion; and penalties. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Local Construction Training and Development Fund. Amends the Project Labor Agreements Act and the Commission on Equity and Inclusion Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Emerging and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Infrastructure and Market Access Grant Program. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall administer grants to eligible applicants to increase agricultural production, strengthen farm viability, and expand market access. Defines "emerging farmer," "socially disadvantaged farmer," and related terms. Specifies allowable uses of grant funds, priorities for awards, and reporting requirements. Effective July 1, 2026.

Creates the Fuel Gas Detector and Alarm Act. Requires the installation of a fuel gas detector and alarm in certain buildings. Sets forth fuel gas detector and alarm standards and requirements for residential rental units. Details fuel gas detector and alarm requirements in the event of a sale or exchange of a building. Provides for a civil penalty, set by local ordinance. Limits liability. Requires noninterference with fuel gas detectors and alarms. Effective January 1, 2026.