Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock

Amends the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act. Provides that the expert panel designated by the board of trustees to develop and implement policies and procedures shall be comprised of at least 2 administrators, 2 members of faculty, and one mental health professional. Requires each public college or university to provide at least 3 on-site licensed clinical professional counselors or licensed clinical social workers.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Auditing Law of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that certain provisions concerning audit requirements shall become inoperable in fiscal year 2026. Provides that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, if a municipality has a population of 1,000 or more, then the municipality shall file annually with the Comptroller an audit report and annual financial report. Provides that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, a municipality with a population of less than 1,000 shall file annually with the Comptroller an annual financial report. Provides that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, a municipality with a population of less than 1,000 that owns or operates public utilities or has bonded debt shall file an audit report once every 4 years unless the latest audit report filed with the Comptroller contains an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion. Provides that, if the audit report contains an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, then the municipality shall file an audit report annually until the audit report shows no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion. Provides that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, municipalities shall submit completed audit reports and annual financial reports within 180 days after the close of such fiscal year, unless an extension is granted by the Comptroller in writing.

Amends the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act and the Uniform Crime Reporting Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, the Illinois State Police shall submit to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, or provide to the Authority through a web-based portal, specified information concerning homicides on a quarterly basis. Requires the Authority to study and compile the information and, on a quarterly basis, publish the information on the Authority's public website in a form determined by the Authority.

Amends the Stalking No Contact Order Act. Adds to the definition of "stalking" to include harassment that is conduct that is not necessary to accomplish a purpose that is reasonable under the circumstances, would cause a reasonable person emotional distress, and causes emotional distress to the petitioner. Creates a rebuttable presumption that the following conduct is presumed to cause emotional distress: (i) creating a disturbance at the petitioner's place of employment or school; (ii) repeatedly telephoning the petitioner's place of employment, home, or residence; (iii) repeatedly following the petitioner about in a public place or places; (iv) repeatedly keeping the petitioner under surveillance by remaining present outside his or her home, school, place of employment, vehicle, or other place occupied by the petitioner or by peering in the petitioner's windows; (v) threatening the safety of the petitioner's minor child or family member; or (vi) threatening physical force, confinement, or restraint on one or more occasions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Collection Agency Act. Provides that a debtor is not liable for any coerced debt, as defined in the Act, and may assert that they have incurred a coerced debt by providing to a collection agency an oral or written Statement of Coerced Debt, as specified. Sets forth provisions concerning notice of coerced debt to a collection agency; duties of a collection agency upon receiving an incomplete statement of coerced debt; affirmative defenses in collection actions or arbitration; civil liability; protections from perpetrators of coerced debt; restrictions on waivers; and liability of collection agencies for violations of the Act. Provides that, upon receiving the debtor's complete statement of coerced debt and specified supporting information, a collection agency shall review and consider all the information received from the debtor as well as any other information available in the collection agency's file or from the creditor related to the alleged coerced debt within 90 days after receipt of the statement of coerced debt. Requires a collection agency, within 5 days after receipt of the complete statement of coerced debt and supporting information, to cease any pre-judgment attempts to collect the coerced debt from the debtor, including refraining from filing any lawsuit or arbitration to collect the coerced debt, and notify any consumer reporting agency to which the collection agency or creditor furnished adverse information about the debtor that the debtor disputes the adverse information. Establishes additional requirements for a collection agency that reviews a statement of coerced debt. Provides that, within 180 days after the effective date of the Act, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may design and publish a model coerced debt and third party written verification form in English and any other language it determines, within its discretion, is the first language of a significant number of consumers in the State. Makes other changes.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a prosecution for involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons and related offenses may be commenced at any time (rather than within 25 years of the victim attaining the age of 18 years). Provides that this statute of limitations applies to prosecutions for such conduct arising on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act.

Amends the Hypodermic Syringes and Needles Act. Provides that, upon request, a pharmacist shall (rather than may) sell up to 100 sterile hypodermic syringes or needles to a person who is at least 18 years of age. Provides that a syringe or needle sold at a pharmacy shall (rather than may) be sold only from the pharmacy department of the pharmacy.

Amends the Guardianship and Advocacy Act. Provides that each regional authority shall consist of at least 7 members and no more than 9 members (rather than 9 members) appointed by the Director of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission. Makes a conforming change.

Amends the Guardianship and Advocacy Act. Provides that the training program for guardians of adults with disabilities must have two components: one for guardians of the person and another for guardians of the estate. Authorizes the State Guardian to determine the content of the training. Requires the training component for guardians of the person to continue to include content on Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Requires guardians of the person and estate (now, just for guardians of the person) to complete this training within one year from the issuance of the letters of office. Exempts some guardians.

Creates the State Agency Retainage Act. Provides that, if a State agency determines that satisfactory progress has not been achieved by a contractor or subcontractor during any period for which a payment is to be made, a percentage of the payment may be retained by the State agency. Prohibits the amount of retainage under the Act from exceeding 10% of the amount of any and all draw amounts submitted and approved under the terms of the contract until the contract is 50% completed. Prohibits retainage of more than 5% of the contract of the amount of any and all draw amounts submitted and approved under the terms of the contract for the duration of the contract. Authorizes retainage to be adjusted as the contract approaches completion to recognize better than expected performance, the ability to rely on alternative safeguards, and other factors. Further provides that on completion of all contract requirements, amounts retained under the Act must be paid promptly. Defines the terms "retainage" and "State agency". Amends the State Prompt Payment Act. Specifies that the State Prompt Payment Act does not apply to retainage withheld under the State Agency Retainage Act.