Rep. Joyce Mason

Maddy summaryHB 1790 creates a state income tax credit for Illinois taxpayers who purchase qualifying firearm safety devices (like gun safes, lock boxes, or cases) from federally licensed dealers. The credit allows a nonrefundable deduction of up to $300 per taxpayer annually for eligible purchases made between 2026 and 2031, with a total annual limit of $5 million across all taxpayers. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to five years to offset future tax liability. This policy directly affects Illinois residents buying these safety devices, aiming to reduce their out-of-pocket costs through tax relief.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Deletes provision that the Department of Central Management Services shall contract with the qualified vendor who proposes the lowest per minute rate not exceeding 7 cents per minute for debit, prepaid, collect calls and who does not bill to any party any tax, service charge, or additional fee exceeding the per minute rate, including, but not limited to, any per call surcharge, account set up fee, bill statement fee, monthly account maintenance charge, or refund fee as established by the Federal Communications Commission Order for state prisons in the Matter of Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services, Second Report and Order, WC Docket 12-375, FCC 15-136 (adopted Oct. 22, 2015). Provides that the Department of Central Management Services shall contract with a qualified vendor for telephone services in which the cost of the service is not based on the number of telephone calls made. Provides that a committed person is entitled to make free telephone calls from the correctional institution or facility. Provides that neither the Department of Corrections nor its agents may adopt rules that charge a committed person per telephone call made. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall adopt rules determining the length of each call made by a committed person, how many times each day a committed person may make telephone calls, and may prohibit calls for illegal purposes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall allow commercial relocators to recover towing permit fees or vehicle release fees that are lawfully adopted by a unit of local government and imposed by a law enforcement agency as a necessary administrative fee in order to effectuate an existing relocator program in the unit of local government where the law enforcement agency and relocator operate. Allows the Commission to set the maximum amount of towing permit fees or vehicle release fees that a commercial relocator may recover.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that owners and operators of CCR surface impoundments at electric generating plants that are bordering Lake Michigan shall close the CCR surface impoundment by removal by off-site disposal, pursuant to specified provisions and requirements. In additional provisions, requires an owner or operator to remove from his or her site, for off-site disposal, all CCR generated by a facility that is not disposed of, treated, stored, or abandoned in a CCR surface impoundment, and remediate all soil and groundwater impacted by that CCR, in accordance with specified requirements. Requires owners or operators to submit specified plans and reports to the Environmental Protection Agency. Provides that an owner or operator shall post with the Agency a performance bond or other security for the purpose of ensuring removal and remediation in accordance with the provisions. Provides that the Agency may enter into such contracts and agreements as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of the provisions. Provides that neither the State, nor the Director of the Agency, nor any State employee shall be liable for any damages or injuries arising out of or resulting from any action taken under the provisions. Contains other provisions. Contains a severability provision. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 4171 amends the Sports Wagering Act to remove the ability of local governments, known as home rule units, to regulate, license, or tax sports wagering activities within their jurisdictions. This means that local municipalities can no longer impose their own rules or fees on sports betting operations. The bill centralizes the authority over sports wagering at the state level. It is effective immediately upon becoming law.

Congratulates Maureen Riedy on her retirement, commends her for her extraordinary contributions to the Illinois tourism industry, and wishes her continued success and happiness in all her future endeavors.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a memorial resolution honoring Christie E. Fischer, a resident of Zion who passed away in February 2026. The document formally expresses the Illinois House of Representatives' condolences to her family and friends while acknowledging her career as a lawyer and her military service. It also notes her various community involvements and awards, and directs that a copy of the resolution be given to her family as a gesture of sympathy.

Amends the School Code. Requires, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, school boards to report specified data to the State Board of Education regarding computer science courses in schools maintaining any of grades kindergarten through 8. Requires the State Board to make the data publicly available. With respect to a Professional Educator License, provides that the State Board shall create an introductory content area endorsement for teaching computer science in grades 5 through 12 that allows licensed educators to teach introductory computer science courses. In provisions concerning required high school courses, provides that a computer science course (rather than an Advanced Placement computer science course) qualifies under the mathematics requirement. Requires each pupil entering the 9th grade beginning with the 2028-2029 school year to successfully complete one year of high school computer science and artificial intelligence as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, which may be taken in any of grades 7 through 12 and shall count toward the fulfillment of certain other high school graduation requirements. Requires the State Board to create guidelines for school districts. Provides that the computer science course requirement does not apply to a pupil transferring to a high school in this State from another state after the pupil's 11th grade year. Allows a school to enter into a cooperative resource sharing agreement to ensure that its students can enroll in a computer science course. Makes other changes.

Congratulates the Canadian Friendship Caucus on its formation to promote and strengthen economic, cultural, educational, and governmental relationships between the State of Illinois and Canada, to facilitate the exchange of information on matters of mutual interest, and to support policies and initiatives that enhance cross-border cooperation.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally celebrates the partnership between the State of Illinois and the Province of Alberta. It highlights the strong economic ties between the two regions, noting that Alberta is Illinois' second-largest trading partner and that their bilateral trade reached $49.2 billion in 2023. The resolution acknowledges specific areas of cooperation, such as energy trade and exports of machinery and railway equipment, to recognize their successful relationship.