Rep. Maura Hirschauer

Amends the State Comptroller Act. Provides an exception for vendors to receive payment by non-electronic means. Provides that outstanding liabilities as of June 30, payable from appropriations which have otherwise expired and interest penalties payable on those liabilities under the State Prompt Payment Act, may be paid out of the expiring appropriations during the 4-month period ending at the close of business on October 31 of each year, without regard to the fiscal year in which the payment is made. Amends the Prompt Payment Act. Removes provisions concerning payments made under the Public Aid Code. Provides that when a State official or agency responsible for administering a contract receives a bill or invoice from a contractor, that State official or agency shall electronically confirm the date on which the bill or invoice was received within 5 business days of receipt, and shall transmit any approved amount to the Comptroller within 30 days of receipt. Amends the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act to make conforming changes. Amends the Court of Claims Act. Provides that all claims against the State founded upon any contract entered into with the State of Illinois, except that undisputed individual claims below $2,500 resulting from lapsed appropriations do not fall under the jurisdiction of Court of Claims. State agencies may pay undisputed individual claims below $2,500 resulting from lapsed appropriations from current fiscal year appropriations. Sets forth that the provisions are not intended to prohibit more frequent reporting to assess items such as service needs, gaps, or capacity. Sets forth other provisions concerning grant agreement specifications, separate accounts for State grant funds, expenditures prior to grant execution and reporting requirements.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for the purposes of assessment, property registered in perpetuity with the register of areas under the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act is considered to be encumbered by a public easement and shall be depreciated to a level at which its value is $5 per acre, and any improvement, dwelling, or other appurtenant structure present on that land shall be valued at 33 1/3% of its fair cash value. Provides that a conservation right on land preserving a habitat for plant and animal species that are native to Illinois (currently, State or federal endangered or threatened species or federal candidate species) is considered to provide a demonstrated public benefit. Provides that a conservation right on land located adjacent to a park, conservation area, nature preserve, or other land or water area that is publicly owned or otherwise permanently protected for conservation purposes is considered to provide a demonstrated public benefit if the conservation right on that land furthers the conservation purposes of the adjacent protected area. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning provider reimbursement rates for services provided to medically fragile and technology dependent children, provides that by December 31, 2025, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall conduct a rate evaluation to study the soundness of the rate paid for private duty nursing services. Requires the Department to contract with an outside entity to conduct this study or utilize one of its existing contractors to conduct this evaluation. Provides that the contractor shall consult with Department-enrolled private duty providers to ensure the accuracy of this study as it is being created. Requires the study to include, at a minimum, a comparison of rates paid by other states for similar services and the cost of providing similar care in an institutional setting. Effective immediately.

Amends the Reducing the Risk of Skin Cancer and Excessive UV Exposure in Children Act. Provides that beginning with the 2026 through 2027 school year, a school district may incorporate in its curriculum a unit in grades kindergarten through 2, 3 through 5, 6 through 8, and 9 through 12 instruction on skin cancer prevention that is provided in an age appropriate manner. Provides that for grades 6 through 12, the curriculum shall include: (1) the basic facts about skin cancer, including, but not limited to, the negative impact of human exposure to ultraviolet radiation obtained through sunburns and indoor tanning; and (2) a comprehensive set of strategies and behaviors to reduce the risk of contracting skin cancer, including, but not limited to, the use of sunscreen and sun-protective clothing. Provides that for grades kindergarten through 5, the topics shall include the use of sunscreen and sun-protective clothing. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that property that receives a low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption may continue to receive a partial exemption for each of the 4 succeeding taxable years even if the applicant for the exemption would not otherwise qualify for the exemption in the current taxable year because the applicant's household income for the current taxable year exceeds the maximum income limitation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, if the ordinance approving the redevelopment project area was adopted on or after July 1, 2025, then the estimated dates of completion of the redevelopment project and the retirement of obligations issued to finance redevelopment project costs may not be later than December 31 of the year in which the payment to the municipal treasurer is to be made with respect to ad valorem taxes levied in the 15th (currently, 23rd) calendar year after the year in which the ordinance approving the redevelopment project area was adopted. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Increases the amount of the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities from $2,000 to $4,000 beginning in tax year 2025. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the lease of real estate is permitted when a property, structure, or facility owned by Kane County can be used for athletic purposes in the interest of the public or for the benefit and enjoyment of residents of the county if the property, structure, or facility acquired by Kane County was being used for athletic purposes prior to the county acquiring the property, structure, or facility. For leases entered into under this provision after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the lease must require (i) the lessee to allow any organization that used the land at the time the lease is executed to continue to use the land for the leased purposes during the term of the lease and (ii) the lessor to continue, during the term of the lease, to employ, in the same capacity, any persons who provided services on the land at the time the lease is executed.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for the purpose of the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, the term "household" includes only the applicant and the applicant's spouse (currently, the applicant, the spouse of the applicant, and all persons using the residence of the applicant as their principal place of residence). Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the lease of real estate is permitted when a vacant property, structure, or facility owned by the county can be used in the interest of the public or for the benefit and enjoyment of residents of the county.