Rep. Joyce Mason

Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that a hospital having custody of a fetus following a spontaneous fetal death occurring during or after a gestation period of at least 20 completed weeks must notify the gestational parent of the parent's right to receive a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth. Amends the Vital Records Act. Provides that after each fetal death that occurs in the State after a gestation period of at least 20 (rather than 26) completed weeks, or in cases where gestational age is uncertain, where the fetus weighs at least 350 grams, the person who files a fetal death certificate shall also prepare a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth. Requires the person who files a fetal death certificate to notify the gestational parent of the stillborn of that parent's right to request and receive a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county or municipality may undertake local broadband projects and the provision of services in connection with local broadband projects, may lease infrastructure that it owns or controls relating to local broadband projects or services, may aggregate customers or demand for broadband services, and may apply for and receive funds or technical assistance to undertake local broadband projects to address the level of broadband access available to its businesses and residents. Provides that, to the extent that it seeks to serve as a retail provider of telecommunications services, the county or municipality must obtain appropriate certification from the Illinois Commerce Commission as a telecommunications carrier. Provides that certification of a county or municipality serving as a retail provider of telecommunication services is an exclusive power and function of the State. Amends the Public Utilities Act to make a conforming change.

Amends the Grocery Initiative Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may, subject to appropriation, provide grants for equipment upgrades for farmer-owned grocery stores or markets.

Creates the Pesticide Application on Rights-of-Way Notification Act. Provides that, at least 24 hours before applying a pesticide to a public right-of-way that is located within the corporate boundaries of a municipality, a certified applicator employed or contracted with by the State or a unit of local government to apply the pesticide shall provide notice of the application to all residents whose residences are located within 200 feet of the public right-of-way to be treated. Provides for monetary penalties for violations following an administrative hearing with the Department of Agriculture. Specifies that penalties are to be deposited into the Pesticide Control Fund, with unpaid penalties subject to collection by the Attorney General. Creates a petty offense and provides for an alternative prosecution by a State's Attorney following referral by the Department of Agriculture, with identical fines for the petty offense. Provides for the adoption of rules by the Department of Agriculture. Defines terms.

Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services may establish or authorize a program for dispensing and distributing fentanyl test strips. Provides that the Department may acquire fentanyl test strips, train individuals in the use of fentanyl test strips, and distribute fentanyl test strips. Provides that the Department may award grants for the purchasing and distributing of fentanyl test strips. Requires every law enforcement agency and fire department that responds to emergency medical calls to possess fentanyl test strips and to distribute fentanyl test strips to the public at no charge. Permits law enforcement agencies and relevant fire departments to apply to the Department for grants to fund acquisition of fentanyl test strips and related training programs. Requires every health care facility to possess fentanyl test strips and to make available fentanyl test strips to the public. Amends the Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Act. Adds fentanyl test strips to the needle and hypodermic syringe access program.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires the Secretary of State to include, in the Illinois Rules of the Road publication, information pertaining to the transportation of hazardous materials. Provides that the information shall include an image and description that details the various hazardous material placards used on vehicles that transport hazardous materials.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Deletes provisions that require a meat processor to be a member of the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program in order for the meat processor to donate deer meat that the meat processor has processed. Provides that if a properly tagged deer is processed at a licensed meat processing facility and if the owner of the deer (i) fails to claim the processed deer within a reasonable time or (ii) notifies the licensed meat processing facility that the owner no longer wants the processed deer or wishes to donate the deer, then the deer meat may be given away by the licensed meat processor to another person or donated to a charitable organization or community food bank that receives wild game meat. Requires meat processors who donate deer meat to a charitable organization or community food bank that receives wild game meat to keep written records of all deer received.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that a board of trustees in a county under township organization or a county organized as a commission form of government with a road district may elect or appoint a highway commissioner or clerk (rather than may appoint a highway commissioner) or contract with a neighboring township or road district (rather than contract with a neighboring township) to provide highway commissioner or clerk services. In provisions concerning a county organized as a commission form of government, removes residency requirements for a candidate to provide highway commissioner or clerk services.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that battery storage sites at which 5,000 kilograms or more of used batteries are stored must register with the Environmental Protection Agency prior to February 2026 or prior to commencing operation if not in operation in February 2026 and maintain records related to the weight or volume of batteries stored. Provides requirements for registration. Provides that the Agency shall propose and the Pollution Control Board shall adopt rules for the operation of battery storage sites no later than 1 year after the effective date of this amendatory Act, and provides requirements for those rules. Defines terms.

Creates the Strengthening Community Media Act. Provides that a State agency shall direct at least 50% of its total spending on advertising to local news organization publications. Sets forth exceptions and reporting requirements. Provides that a local news organization shall not be sold to an out-of-state company without giving written notice 120 days before the sales occurs to specified individuals and organizations. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a taxpayer that is an eligible news journalist employer shall be allowed a credit against the Personal Property Tax Replacement Income Tax for each qualified journalist hired by the eligible news journalist employer during the taxable year. Provides that an eligible news journalist employer is entitled to a credit against taxes in an amount equal to 50% of the wages paid for up to 150 qualified journalists. Provides that an eligible small business is entitled to a credit against taxes in an amount equal to the amount paid by the eligible small business to local newspapers or broadcasters for advertising in the State. Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Creates the Journalism Student Scholarship Program. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall award scholarships to students who will work at a local news organization in the State for a period of not less than 2 years.