Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that any person who was initially determined to be eligible for medical assistance and is receiving institutional services or home and community-based services as authorized under the Article shall be presumed eligible for a continuation of coverage for such services during any redetermination process, unless the person experiences a material change in financial circumstances that results in the loss of eligibility. Requires any person who experiences a material change in financial circumstances that results in the loss of eligibility to notify the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Permits the Department to conduct a redetermination of eligibility. Requires the Department to notify the person before the commencement of any redetermination and after the redetermination is concluded along with the results of the redetermination and the effective date of any eligibility change. Requires the Department to seek federal authorization, no later than January 1, 2028, to exempt persons with disabilities who are otherwise eligible for medical assistance from annual eligibility redeterminations, except that a full redetermination shall be conducted at least once every 5 years, regardless of whether a material change in financial circumstances has occurred.

Creates the Wetlands Protection Act. Provides that no person may discharge dredged or fill material into a State jurisdictional wetland except with a permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources. Exempts certain activities from the requirements of the Act. Sets forth procedures for individual permit applications and other related procedural requirements. Provides that the Department shall not issue an individual permit unless the Environmental Protection Agency certifies to the Department that there will not be a violation of State water quality standards. Provides that the Department may issue an after-the-fact permit in certain emergency circumstances. Sets forth financial assurance requirements. Authorizes the Department to adopt general permits under the Act. Provides that any person who intends to conduct a regulated activity may do so in accordance with a general permit issued by the Department, which pre-authorizes a category of activities with minimal adverse effects. Provides procedures and requirements regarding preconstruction notifications. Provides that certain entities may establish and operate a mitigation bank or in lieu fee program. Describes procedures and requirements for mitigation banks. Grants the Department rulemaking powers. Provides that the Department shall prepare certain reports and studies. Provides for the review of final decisions of the Department. Provides for investigations by the Department and enforcement by a State's Attorney or the Attorney General. Provides for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 per day of violation, with interest after judgment, and with certain costs, fees, and expenses, payable to the Wetlands Protection Fund. Provides that any person may file a complaint with the Illinois Pollution Control Board concerning a violation of the Act, a rule adopted under the Act, a condition of a permit issued under the Act, or an order of the Pollution Control Board issued under the Act. Provides for county and special district stormwater program authorities to control or regulate activities in any wetlands within their jurisdiction. Establishes the Wetlands Protection Fund. Provides that a permit review fee for all permit applications is to be set by the Department by rule. Makes corresponding changes to the State Finance Act. Makes findings. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution formally honors the life and legacy of David Lynn Walter, a respected music educator and community leader who passed away in May 2026. The document outlines his extensive career as a teacher and choral director in Illinois, his contributions to music education in New Mexico, and his personal achievements as a musician and civic volunteer. The resolution expresses the condolences of the Illinois House of Representatives to Walter's surviving family members and directs that a copy of the document be presented to them as a gesture of sympathy.

Declares the month of March 2026 as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month in the State of Illinois to bring awareness to those living with cerebral palsy and prioritize disability inclusion and education. Celebrates the 20th anniversary of National Cerebral Palsy Awareness day.

Declares May 2026 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 support for the ALS community as they seek to increase awareness, prioritize research funding, and secure additional caregiving support.

Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Strengthen Linkage to Follow-Up Care after a Behavioral Health Crisis Act. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that for purposes of timely linking an individual to follow-up mental health care immediately after a behavioral health crisis, when mobile crisis response services are provided to someone in a behavioral health crisis, the Illinois Medicaid-Crisis Assessment Tool approved by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall enable the delivery of community support services, medication monitoring, and other specified services when delivered by the same provider, for up to 30 days without beginning, performing, or completing an integrated assessment and treatment plan. Provides that such services shall be billed separate from mobile crisis response services. Prohibits the Department from imposing more stringent requirements on its Illinois Medicaid-Crisis Assessment Tool than those requirements that exist on the effective date of the amendatory Act, as long as the services provided are delivered under the supervision of a licensed practitioner of the healing arts. Requires the Department to file any rules necessary to implement the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Responsibility in Firearm Legislation (RIFL) Act. Establishes a firearms manufacturer licensing program in the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, with certain requirements, including that the sum of all fees for firearms manufacturer licenses shall be equal to the public health costs and financial burdens from firearm injuries and deaths. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2028, a manufacturer of firearms may not operate in this State without a license from the Department and that a manufacturer who violates this provision is subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000,000 per month. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2028, a retailer may not sell a firearm to a consumer in this State from a manufacturer who does not have a license from the Department and that a retailer who violates this provision is subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation, with certain requirements. Establishes the RIFL Fund as a special fund in the State treasury, with certain limitations. Provides that the proceeds from fees under the licensing program shall be deposited into the RIFL Fund. Establishes a financial assistance program in the Department with moneys from the RIFL Fund for financial assistance to victims of firearms and for other purposes. Provides that the Department shall contract with a program administrator to administer the financial assistance program, with certain requirements. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules for financial assistance to victims of firearms, with certain requirements, including regarding exemption from certain State taxes. Provides that the Department may contract with a program administrator to implement or administer any part of the Act, with certain requirements. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall report certain information to the Department. Provides that the Department may provide for other civil penalties of no more than $1,000 per violation. Provides that the Attorney General may enforce the Act. Makes other provisions. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Allows the board of trustees of a community college district to establish and offer a baccalaureate degree program and confer a bachelor's degree if specified conditions are met. Requires the board of trustees to demonstrate that the community college district has the expertise, the resources, and sufficient student demand to offer a baccalaureate degree. Sets forth the application requirements. Prohibits a community college district from using semester credit hours generated in a baccalaureate degree program for certain grants. Sets forth limitations on community college districts for establishing baccalaureate programs. Requires a community college district that offers a baccalaureate degree program to submit an annual report to the Illinois Community College Board. Requires the Illinois Community College Board and the Board of Higher Education to conduct a statewide evaluation of all baccalaureate degree programs established under the amendatory Act and report the results of the evaluation on or before 5 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act, in addition to being made publicly available online. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employee Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a member who is eligible to receive an alternative retirement annuity may elect to receive an estimated payment that shall commence no later than 30 days after the later of either the member's last day of employment or 30 days after the member files for the retirement benefit with the System. Provides that the estimated payment shall be the best estimate by the System of the total monthly amount due to the member based on the information that the System possesses at the time of the estimate. Provides that if the amount of the estimate is greater or less than the actual amount of the monthly annuity, the System shall pay or recover the difference within 6 months after the start of the monthly annuity. Excludes a benefit increase resulting from the amendatory Act from the definition of "new benefit increase". Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that property leased, subleased, or rented, in whole or in part, to a taxing district and used exclusively for a bona fide taxing district purpose is exempt. Provides that the exemption applies only to the portion of the property used for bona fide taxing district purposes. Effective immediately.