Rep. Lilian Jiménez

Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Acts. Sets forth a statement of legislative findings and intent. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Defines "thermal energy" and "thermal energy network". Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to initiate a proceeding within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act to support the development of pilot thermal energy networks. Provides that within 10 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, every gas public utility, electric public utility, or combination public utility serving over 100,000 customers shall file with the Commission a petition seeking Commission-approval of at least one and no more than 3 proposed pilot thermal energy network projects. Requires every gas public utility, electric public utility, or combination public utility constructing or operating a Commission-approved pilot thermal energy network project to report to the Commission, on a quarterly basis and until completion of the pilot thermal energy network project, the status of each pilot thermal energy network project. Requires every gas public utility, electric public utility, or combination public utility constructing or operating a Commission-approved pilot thermal energy network project to demonstrate that it has entered into a labor peace agreement with a bona fide labor organization that is actively engaged in representing its employees. Requires the Commission to adopt specified rules within 4 years after the completion of the construction of all thermal energy network projects. Provides that a gas public utility, electric public utility, or combination public utility required to develop a pilot thermal energy network project shall be permitted to recover all reasonable and prudently incurred costs associated with the development, construction, and operation of one or more pilot thermal energy network projects through general rates or through rates set in a Multi-Year Rate Plan. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Early Childhood Act. Requires the Department of Early Childhood to establish an Early Childhood Integrated Data System (ECIDS) to make equity driven, inclusive, and data-informed decisions that create a simpler, better, and fairer system for all Illinois children and families. Provides that the Department shall develop public analytic portals and query tools for parents and communities to access aggregated integrated data from the ECIDS system to the extent permitted by State and federal confidentiality requirements.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Defines "organic waste". Provides that no person shall conduct an organic waste composting operation, other than a landscape waste composting operation, without an Agency permit. Exempts from this permitting requirement: (1) persons conducting an organic waste composting operation that (i) has no more than 25 cubic yards of source-separated organic waste, composting additives, composting material, or end-product compost on-site at any one time and (ii) is not engaging in commercial activity and (2) persons conducting an organic waste composting operation that meets certain siting and operational requirements.

Amends the Minimum Wage Law. Provides that, on and after July 1, 2027, an employer shall not be entitled to an allowance for gratuities and shall pay each employee no less than the applicable minimum wage rate, including any minimum wage rate established by a municipality that is higher than the minimum wage rate provided in the Act. Provides for additional notice requirements that employers must provide to employees who receive gratuities. Provides that any employer or his agent, or the officer or agent of any private employer who violates that provision shall be liable to the Department of Labor for a penalty of up to $1,500 per day for each violation, payable to the Department's Wage Theft Enforcement Fund. Provides that every employer shall provide each employee who receives gratuities a notice containing specified information concerning the rate of pay. Amends the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. Provides that no employer shall withhold from gratuities paid by credit card any credit card processing fees that the employer must pay in connection with the transaction. Provides that any service charge imposed by an employer on a customer shall be a gratuity and is the property of the employees. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Contains provisions concerning procurements made by or on behalf of public institutions of higher education for food. Provides that, in the case of certain contracts for the procurement of food, the chief procurement officer must consider (i) good food purchasing core values and (ii) good food purchasing equity, accountability, and transparency. Amends the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act. Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Good Food Purchasing Law. Provides that each State agency and State-owned facility shall develop and adopt a multi-year action plan with benchmarks to align food purchasing processes with Good Food Purchasing equity, transparency, and accountability and food purchases with Good Food Purchasing core values. Creates a Good Food Purchasing Task Force. Amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. Makes changes concerning food packaging that may include the designation "Illinois-grown", "Illinois-sourced", or "Illinois farm product".

Maddy summaryHB 2951 amends the School Code to prohibit public high schools from starting classes before 8:45 a.m. This bill directly affects all public high schools in the state, requiring them to adjust morning schedules to begin at 8:45 a.m. or later. The key provision establishes a fixed minimum start time with no exceptions for early classes. Private high schools and other educational programs are not subject to this requirement.

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Cash Assistance to Strengthen Households (CASH) Act. Amends the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program is inoperative after June 30, 2026 and is replaced by the Cash Assistance to Strengthen Households (CASH) program. Contains provisions concerning persons eligible for CASH assistance, including pregnant persons without dependent children and assistance units headed by a caretaker relative, as defined; income thresholds; immigration status; the amount of aid paid to eligible assistance units; application requirements; income verification requirements; eligibility redeterminations; substitute payees; transitioning assistance units from TANF to CASH; and Department rules to implement the CASH program. Makes conforming changes in other Articles of the Code. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that it is unlawful for any public utility to make a campaign contribution to any candidate for State office or political committee organized to support any candidate for State office. Provides that it is unlawful for any water or sewer utility to make a campaign contribution to any candidate for municipal or State office or a political committee organized to support any candidate for municipal or State office. Defines terms.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a person under 21 years of age at the time of the commission of an offense or offenses, other than first degree murder, shall be eligible for sentencing review after serving 10 years or more of his or her sentence or cumulative sentences. Provides that a person under 21 years of age at the time of the commission of first degree murder shall be eligible for sentencing review after serving 20 years or more of his or her sentence or cumulative sentences, except for those subject to a term of natural life imprisonment under the Code or any person subject to sentencing for first degree murder for killing certain victims committed when the person was under 18 years of age, who shall be eligible for sentencing review after serving 30 years or more of his or her sentence or cumulative sentences. Establishes procedures for filing petitions for sentencing review and the manner in which hearings on those petitions are held. Provides that the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council shall report on the impact of resentencing motions on the prison population contingent on having sufficient reliable data to support the analysis. Provides that the report shall be due 3 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act. Provides that, if the injured employee subsequently dies, the employer shall continue to pay the entire health insurance premium for the surviving spouse (rather than the surviving spouse until remarried) and for the dependent children under specified conditions.