Rep. Dave Vella

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that the Illinois Finance Authority and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board may jointly administer a squad car revolving loan program. Creates the Squad Car Revolving Loan Fund. Provides that loans under the program shall be paid out of the Squad Car Revolving Loan Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Changes the repeal date of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Repairer Regulation Act and the Petroleum Equipment Contractors Licensing Act from January 1, 2027 to January 1, 2032. Effective immediately.

Creates the Electric Transmission Colocation and Siting Priority Act. Defines terms. Requires that, in the siting of new electric transmission facilities, available corridors be used in the following order of priority: (1) existing public utility corridors; (2) State highway corridors; and (3) new corridors. Provides that a public utility or transmission developer may construct, place, or maintain a high-voltage transmission line on a public right-of-way or along a highway if (i) the public utility or transmission developer submits a colocation request for the high-voltage transmission line to the Secretary of Transportation and (ii) the Secretary reviews and approves the colocation request. Provides that the Secretary may deny a colocation request if the Secretary determines that the construction, placement, or maintenance of a high-voltage transmission line on a public right-of-way or along a highway would endanger public safety or would interfere with the proper function of the highway. Provides that a public utility or transmission developer may submit a written request to the Department of Transportation for an evaluation of certain corridors for possible locations for a high-voltage transmission line. Provides that, within 30 days after receipt of a written request, the Secretary shall assign a project coordinator to the request. Provides that a project coordinator, upon assignment to a request, shall begin the evaluation in coordination with the applicable public utility or transmission developer. Requires a public utility or transmission developer to develop a constructability report in consultation with the Department and requires the public utility or transmission developer and the Department to follow the terms and conditions of the constructability report during the planning and approval process for the siting of a high-voltage transmission line. Sets forth requirements for the content of the constructability report. Provides that, if the Department requires that a high-voltage transmission line on a public right-of-way be relocated by a specific date, the Department shall give the applicable public utility or transmission developer notice of the required relocation no less than 10 years before the date of the required relocation. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides a process for an operator of a hotel to evict an occupant of the hotel who fails to pay the full amount of lodging when due and remains on the premises without the consent of the operator. Provides that nothing in the Act may be construed to affect the rights or remedies of an occupant who is a tenant under a bona fide lease agreement governed by Illinois landlord-tenant law. Provides that an operator or employee of an operator who is acting in good faith and in substantial compliance with the Act to be civilly or criminally liable for requesting law-enforcement assistance or for the peaceful removal of a non-paying occupant. Provides that the Act does not apply to any occupant placed in a hotel under a government-funded emergency, disaster-relief, or transitional housing program if: (1) the cost of lodging is paid for, directly or indirectly, by a federal, State, or local agency; and (2) the lodging agreement or agency contract expressly specifies the occupant's temporary stay and removal procedures. Authorizes a peace officer to remove a non-paying occupant as a trespasser upon verification of the operator's documentation under the Act and arrest the person for criminal trespass to real property under the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that nothing in the Act requires law enforcement to intervene in a bona fide lease dispute or a matter in which the occupant's payment status is genuinely contested. Authorizes the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board to adopt model policies and training materials for law-enforcement agencies and operators regarding the application of the Act.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that neither a county nor a municipality may impose a tax on businesses calculated based on the number of employees of the business. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that, with respect to a week of unemployment beginning on or after June 1, 2026, benefits shall be payable to an individual on the basis of wages for employment in other than an instructional, research, or principal administrative capacity performed for an educational institution or an educational service agency, as long as the individual is otherwise eligible for benefits. Effective immediately.

Amends the Minimum Wage Law. Provides that the regulation of allowances for gratuities as part of the hourly wage rate is an exclusive power and function of the State. Provides that a home rule unit may not regulate allowances for gratuities as part of the hourly wage rate. Effective immediately.

Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Provides that the registration information submitted by a sex offender to the Illinois State Police shall include status of drone ownership, including the make and model.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Exempts from the registration and certificate of title provisions of the Code any vehicle that is owned and operated by a county sheriff's office and that has externally displayed on it evidence of the county sheriff's ownership. Makes a conforming change.

Amends the Illinois Freedom to Work Act. Provides that any covenant not to compete or covenant not to solicit entered into after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall not be enforceable with respect to individuals employed by health care facilities as health care professionals in the State regardless of whether an individual is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Effective immediately.