Rep. Terra Costa Howard

Amends the Illinois Oil and Gas Act. Removes cash as an item that an applicant for a permit may provide in lieu of a surety bond required for plugging obligations and the removal of liquid oil field waste from an on-site collection point. Makes changes in provisions concerning the Department of Natural Resources's ability to make rules and conduct hearings for certain purposes. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county or a municipality may use a utility pole that is owned by the State or a unit of local government or a public right-of-way that is owned by the State or a unit of local government for public safety purposes, including, but not limited to, the placement of equipment associated with public safety. Provides that any fee charged by the owner of a utility pole for use by a county or municipality shall be at the lowest rate charged by the owner and shall not exceed the owner's costs.

Creates the Safe Gun Storage Act. Provides that a firearm owner shall not store or keep any firearm in any premises where the firearm owner knows or reasonably should know a minor without the lawful permission of the minor's parent, guardian, or person having charge of the minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person is likely to gain access to the firearm unless the firearm is secured in a locked container, properly engaged so as to render the firearm inaccessible or unusable to any person other than the owner or other lawfully authorized user. Provides that if the firearm is carried by or under the control of the owner or other lawfully authorized user, then the firearm is deemed lawfully stored or kept. Provides that a violation of the Act is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500, except (i) if any person knows or reasonably should know that a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person is likely to gain access to a firearm belonging to or under the control of that person, and a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person obtains the firearm, the civil penalty shall not exceed $1,000 and (ii) if a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person obtains a firearm and uses it to injure or cause the death of a person or uses the firearm in connection with a crime, the civil penalty shall not exceed $10,000. Provides that the court may order a person who is found in violation of the Act to perform community service or pay restitution in lieu of the civil penalties imposed under this Section if good cause is shown. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to preclude civil liabilities for violations of the Act. Provides that a violation of the Act is prima facie evidence of negligence per se in any civil proceeding if a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person obtains a firearm and causes personal injury to the death of oneself or another or uses the firearm in the commission of a crime. Provides that an action to collect a civil penalty under the Act may be brought by the Attorney General or the State's Attorney of the county in which the violation occurred. Provides that any money received from the collection of a civil penalty under the Act shall be deposited in the Mental Health Fund. Defines terms. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that nothing in the Eviction Article may be construed to: (i) prohibit law enforcement officials from enforcing the offense of criminal trespass under the Criminal Code of 1963 or any other violation of the Code; or (ii) to interfere with the ability of law enforcement officials to remove persons or property from the premises when there is a criminal trespass.

Declares May 2025 as ALS Awareness Month in the State of Illinois. Calls upon all Illinoisans to join in supporting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research and advocating for increased funding and to stand in solidarity with those affected by this relentless disease. Expresses earnest support for the ALS community as they seek to increase awareness, prioritize research funding, and secure additional caregiving support.

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for local health protection grants for health protection programs. Effective July 1, 2025.

Urges full restoration of all eliminated direct support professionals (DSP) hours in the final FY26 State budget to protect the services individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) depend on.

Urges the implementation of interventions to support vaccine uptake and reduce disparities in vaccine coverage among children. Urges the Illinois Department of Health, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to work with pediatricians, clinicians, families, and other stakeholders to ensure infants and children are vaccinated on time and students begin school fully vaccinated. Urges the Illinois Department of Health, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to continue to invest in immunization initiatives and infrastructure to ensure timely reporting of vaccine coverage to ensure children are protected from vaccine-preventable illness in public and private schools, child care facilities, and pre-kindergarten programs and beyond.

Declares May 2025 as ALS Awareness Month and urges all Americans to join in supporting ALS research, advocating for increased funding, and standing in solidarity with those affected by this relentless disease.

Declares March 25, 2025 as Pay Equity 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.