Rep. Marty McLaughlin

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for taxpayers who have an approved NFPA 13D residential fire sprinkler system installed in a new or existing residential dwelling in the State during the taxable year. Provides that the credit shall be in an amount equal to 50% of the total cost of the installation but not to exceed $10,000 per taxpayer in any taxable year. Provides that credit awards under the amendatory Act shall be limited to the lesser of 2,000 credit awards per year or $8,000,000 in total credits per year. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provisions. Effective immediately.

Creates the Small Business Economic Incentive Act. Provides that at least 50% of the dollar value of all economic incentives awarded to businesses by the State or by any State agency on or after January 1, 2026 shall be awarded to businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Department of Employment Security Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Employment Security shall create a self-employment assistance program to provide benefits to individuals who are working to start a business in the State and who are otherwise eligible to receive benefits under the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that a participant in the program shall be deemed to be actively engaged in seeking work as required under the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that benefits paid to a participant in the program are considered to be benefits paid under the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that the Department of Employment Security shall adopt rules to implement and administer the program.

Creates the Freedom from Government and Private Collusion Against Free Speech Act. Provides that if a State agency or employee of the State coordinates with a private company to deny the freedom of speech of a citizen of this State, the citizen shall have a cause of action against that agency or employee and private company. Sets forth limitations. Provides that if a citizen of this State prevails in an action under the Act, the State agency or employee and the private company shall reimburse the Office of the Attorney General in the amount of 3 times the legal fees incurred in the action, plus the amount of damages awarded as the court shall determine. Effective immediately.

Amends the Limitations Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that no product liability action based on the doctrine of strict liability in tort shall be commenced except within the applicable limitations period and within 15 years from the date of first installation of any medical joint replacement product that is claimed to have injured or damaged the plaintiff, unless the defendant expressly has warranted or promised the product for a longer period and the action is brought within that period. If personal injury, death, or property damage occurs in relation to a medical joint replacement within 12 years from the date of first sale, lease, or delivery of possession by a seller, within 10 years from the date of first sale, lease, or delivery of possession to its initial user, consumer, or other non-seller, or within 10 years from the date of alteration, modification, or change, allows a plaintiff to bring an action within 4 years after the date on which the claimant knew, or through the use of reasonable diligence should have known, of the existence of the personal injury, death, or property damages, but in no event more than 8 years after the date on which such personal injury, death, or property damage occurred.

Creates the School Board Member Recall Act. Establishes procedures under which school board members that were elected during a consolidated election may be recalled. Provides for petition requirements for recall elections. Provides for requirements for recall ballots, including requirements for replacement candidates wishing to be listed on the recall ballot.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that each board of trustees of a community college district shall provide a small business leadership fast-track program to help women who wish to become small business owners as contractors in trade fields.

Maddy summaryHB 2649 reenacts and makes permanent Illinois' "Invest in Kids Act," allowing taxpayers to make tax-deductible contributions to scholarship-granting organizations. These contributions fund scholarships covering "necessary costs and fees" for eligible students from low-income households (initial income ≤ 300% of federal poverty level, rising to 400% after receiving a scholarship) to attend qualified non-public schools in Illinois. The bill establishes requirements for technical academies offering career-focused CTE programs aligned with industry needs and wage standards. It amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to permanently integrate this scholarship program, effective immediately.

Amends the General Assembly Operations Act. Provides that all witness slips filed in either house of the General Assembly concerning proposed legislation during the General Assembly committee hearing process shall track along with the legislation for which it was filed should such legislation be placed on another bill, by amendment, for purposes of legislative action. Provides that the General Assembly, in consultation with the Legislative Information System, shall provide for such witness slip tracking on the Illinois General Assembly website. Amends the Legislative Information System Act. Provides that the Legislative Information System shall provide for electronic tracking of all witness slips witness slips filed in either house of the General Assembly concerning proposed legislation during the General Assembly committee hearing by which the witness slips shall track along with the legislation for which they were filed should such legislation be placed on another bill, by amendment, for purposes of legislative action.

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that, on or before July 1, 2026, the Department of Children and Family Services shall require each licensed day care center to maintain a video security system and maintain video surveillance of all public areas within the premises of the day care center, including, but not limited to, hallways, entrances, play areas, common rooms, and eating areas. Provides that video surveillance shall not take place in private areas within the day care center, including, but not limited to, bathrooms and changing areas. Provides that, if a video security system is deemed inadequate by the Department, the day care center shall have 30 days to correct the inadequacy. Provides that each licensed day care center must notify all parents of children attending the day care center that public areas are under video surveillance and must post a sign at the entrance of the day care center that informs visitors that the area is under video surveillance. Provides that the minimum standards for licensing shall require that each child care institution, maternity center, day care center, group home, day care home, and group day care home require that every staff member involved in the direct care of children be certified in first aid, in the Heimlich maneuver, and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation(rather than have on its premises during its hours of operation at least one staff member certified in first aid, in the Heimlich maneuver, and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation).