Rep. Tom Weber

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as Dax's Law. In provisions concerning injuring or killing police animals, removes references to service animals. Provides that, if an offender is convicted of willfully or maliciously torturing, mutilating, injuring, disabling, poisoning, or killing any animal used for law enforcement purposes, the offender shall, among other penalties, be responsible for any veterinarian bills for the animal that was injured. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Establishes that an owner of a boat trailer capable of carrying a gross weight between 3,000 to 6,000 pounds shall pay an annual registration fee of $60 to the Secretary of State. Provides for the distribution of collected fees.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a taxpayer is entitled to an income tax credit for each person who is (i) 62 years of age or older during the taxable year and (ii) employed by the taxpayer at a location in this State for not less than 185 days during the taxable year. Provides that the credit may be carried forward. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the Acupuncture Practice Act, the Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act, the Illinois Dental Practice Act, the Massage Therapy Practice Act, the Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Nurse Practice Act, the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987, the Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics Practice Act, the Illinois Physical Therapy Act, the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987, the Podiatric Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Respiratory Care Practice Act, the Registered Surgical Assistant and Registered Surgical Technologist Title Protection Act, and the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act. Provides that any Department of Financial and Professional Regulation process under statute or rule used to verify the criminal history of an applicant for licensure shall be used for all applicants for licensure, applicants for renewal of a license, or persons whose conviction of a crime or other behavior warrants review of a license. Provides that a finding of guilt by a judge or jury, a guilty plea, or plea of no contest to specified offenses entered after the effective date of the amendatory Act is a disqualifying offense, and the individual's license shall be automatically revoked when the Department is notified that the individual has been found guilty or has pled guilty or no contest. Provides that the individual may appeal the revocation to the Department only upon the reversal of the criminal conviction. Provides that crime victims have the right to file a complaint against the accused with the agency or department that licensed, certified, permitted, or registered the accused if the accused holds a license, certificate, permit, or registration to practice a profession. Effective 6 months after becoming law.

Creates the Property Tax Levy Relief Act of 2026. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall cause a statewide advisory question of public policy concerning the levying of taxes on parcels of real property to be submitted to the voters at the general election to be held on November 3, 2026. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall immediately certify the question to be submitted to the voters of the entire State to each election authority in Illinois. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2027.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in all counties, the equalized assessed value of property in a general assessment year shall not exceed the equalized assessed value of the property in the immediately preceding general assessment year, increased by the lesser of: (1) 3% of the equalized assessed value of the property for the immediately preceding general assessment year; or the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index during the 12-month calendar year preceding the general assessment year for which the property is being reassessed. Provides that the limitation does not apply if the increase in assessment is attributable to an addition, improvement, or modification to the property. Preempts the power of home rule units to tax. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning in taxable year 2026, no taxing district, other than a home rule unit, may levy a tax on any parcel of real property that is more than 105% of the base amount unless (i) the increase is attributable to substantial improvements to the property, (ii) the taxing district did not levy a tax against the property in the previous taxable year, or (iii) the increase is attributable to a special service area. Provides that "base amount" means the tax levied by the taxing district on the subject property in the immediately preceding taxable year, except that, if the property received a homestead exemption in the immediately preceding taxable year and is not eligible for that exemption in the current taxable year, then the base amount shall be the tax that would have been levied by the taxing district on the subject property in the immediately preceding taxable year if the homestead exemption had not been applied. Provides that a taxing district may elect to be exempt from those provisions for one or more taxable years if the exemption is approved by referendum. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that final approval for placement of a child with a prospective foster or adoptive parent shall not be granted if a criminal records background check reveals the prospective foster or adoptive parent has a felony conviction for human trafficking or sex trafficking. Effective immediately.

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.