Rep. Maura Hirschauer

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, upon receiving an election authority's request, if a school district demonstrates to the election authority that the use of a school as a polling place would interfere with scheduled programming or pose a threat to the safety of staff or students, the election authority and the school district shall work cooperatively to find an alternative location to serve as a polling place. Provides that, if the school district and the election authority are unable to identify a mutually agreeable alternative location, the school district and the election authority shall submit a report to the Board of County Commissioners that includes specified information. Provides that, after receiving the report, the Board of County Commissioners shall determine a location to be used as a polling place as soon as practicable to avoid further delay in determining a polling place.

Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. Includes LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the topics covered in the required 4-hour training for every voting member of a school board of a school district. Lists information that must be included in the LGBTQ+ inclusivity training. Requires the State Board of Education to develop a training program in collaboration with individuals or organizations that affirm LGBTQ+ people and have recognized expertise in supporting LGBTQ+ young people or adopt a training program previously developed by such individuals or organizations.

Creates the Community Violence Intervention Workforce Development Act. Provides that the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention within the Department of Human Services shall establish the Community Violence Intervention Workforce Development Workgroup. Provides that the members of the Workgroup, other than the General Assembly members, shall be appointed by the Assistant Secretary of Firearm Violence Prevention, or the Assistant Secretary's designee. Provides that the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention shall convene a group of experts in the field of community violence intervention and conduct meetings and analysis as the Community Violence Intervention Workforce Development Workgroup. Provides that the Community Violence Intervention Workforce Development Workgroup shall complete the following tasks before December 31, 2026: (1) estimate the number of highest risk individuals currently being served with community violence intervention services and the number of high risk individuals that likely need these services; (2) determine the current and future workforce needs of the community violence intervention field in Illinois based on a goal of serving 75% of those with chronic exposure to gun violence in the next 5 years; (3) identify the critical job function and categories required by community violence intervention services; (4) develop estimates of the available workforce by job function and category to its best ability; (5) develop job descriptions and merit assessment tools by job function and category; (6) identify changes to grant and other State funding that can enable stronger recruitment, training, and evaluation of community violence intervention workers and services; and (7) make recommendations to the General Assembly by job function and category for changes to State law that will allow for the development and implementation of career paths and quality recruitment and retention of a community violence intervention workforce. Provides that the Workgroup is dissolved on January 1, 2027 and the Act is repealed on that date. Effective immediately.

Creates the Commission to End Gun Violence in Disproportionately Impacted Areas Act. Establishes the Commission to End Gun Violence in Disproportionately Impacted Areas. Provides that the purpose of the Commission is to study, analyze data, make recommendations, and develop policy proposals addressing the root causes of violence and resulting trauma to drastically reduce gun violence in Disproportionately Impacted Areas. Sets forth provisions concerning membership; terms; compensation; and administrative support. Provides that the Commission shall submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than July 1, 2026 and each year thereafter, including, at a minimum, detailed findings and recommendations related to the reduction of gun violence in Disproportionately Impacted Areas. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable years 2025 and thereafter, the maximum income limitation for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption is $75,000 for all qualified property. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Public Health to ensure that pediatricians ask about the presence of guns in homes and distribute safe gun storage information to individuals with guns in a home with a child. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Public Health to ensure that safe gun storage information is available at all Secretary of State driver services facilities. Provides that the Department may use existing public or private programs to implement these provisions. Requires the Department to disseminate safe gun storage information on its website and in Department facilities. Effective January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) recognizing Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch for becoming the first Black lawmaker elected as Illinois House Speaker in the state's 200+ year history. The resolution formally celebrates his leadership during Black History Month and acknowledges his re-election as Speaker in 2023 and 2025. It serves as a symbolic gesture from the Illinois House of Representatives to honor his historic role, with no new laws or policy changes enacted.

BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the two Houses shall convene in Joint Session on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at the hour of 12:00 o'clock noon for the purpose of hearing his Excellency Governor JB Pritzker present to the General Assembly his Budget Message for the Fiscal Year 2026, as required by Chapter 15, Section 20/50-5 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes.

Condemns President Donald Trump's inexcusable pardons of his coconspirators and criminals convicted of attacking police officers, attacking our Capitol, and attacking our democracy.