Rep. Joe Sosnowski

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes language providing that the examination of an applicant for a driver's license or permit who is 75 years of age or older or, if the Secretary of State adopts rules to raise the age requirement for actual demonstrations, the examination of an applicant who has attained that increased age or is older shall include an actual demonstration of the applicant's ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control of the operation of a motor vehicle. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Aircraft Landing and Taking Off Restriction Act. Defines "roadable aircraft". Provides that roadable aircraft shall be required to take off and land from a suitable airstrip and shall be prohibited from taking off and landing from any public roadway, unless under conditions of an emergency. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "N-Number license markings" as markings assigned by the Federal Aviation Administration to identify roadable aircraft. Defines "roadable aircraft" as any aircraft capable of taking off and landing from a suitable airfield that is also designed to be driven on public roadways as a conveyance. Provides that a roadable aircraft shall be considered a motor vehicle while in operation on the roadways of the State. Exempts roadable aircraft from certificate of title requirements. Provides that the Secretary of State shall authorize the issuance of license plates of a suitable size that are specific to roadable aircraft and that bear the N-Number of the vehicle. Provides that roadable aircraft shall be identified using the federally issued tail number and may, but shall not be required to, display an additional license plate. Provides that roadable aircraft shall be issued one annual registration sticker and provides for the display of the registration sticker. Exempts roadable aircraft from motor vehicle inspection requirements.

Amends the Alternative Learning Opportunities Law of the School Code. Provides that Regional Office of Education No. 4 shall establish a 3-year pilot program focused on serving students in grades kindergarten through 3. Provides that students in grades kindergarten through 3 who meet enrollment criteria established by a school district and who are at risk of academic failure are eligible to participate in the pilot program. Requires the pilot program to adhere to all other rules established for alternative learning opportunities programs. Requires Regional Office of Education No. 4 to provide a report to the General Assembly outlining the pilot program's methodology and student outcomes and setting forth a comprehensive impact report and a framework for future program models. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for each individual who (i) serves as a first responder for at least 10 months during the taxable year and (ii) incurs unreimbursed qualified wellness expenses during the taxable year. Provides that the amount of the credit is equal to 50% of the unreimbursed qualified wellness expenses incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year, up to a maximum of $250 per eligible taxpayer. Sets forth limitations on the aggregate amount of credits that may be awarded under the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, for taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2025, the maximum amount of the education expense credit is $1,500 (currently, $750). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Provides that the amount of the taxes imposed under the Act shall be reduced in each year by 20%. Provides that no tax shall be imposed under the Act for persons dying on or after January 1, 2030 or for transfers occurring on or after January 1, 2030. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2031. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHR 185 is a memorial resolution honoring former Illinois State Representative Ronald A. "Ron" Wait, who died on December 30, 2024. The resolution recognizes his life, community service, and 28 years of legislative service in the Illinois House of Representatives (1982-2010), including his work as a Republican spokesperson for agriculture and transportation. It was adopted by the Illinois House of Representatives on March 12, 2025, expressing condolences to his family and acknowledging his contributions to Boone County and Illinois.

Amends the General Assembly Operations Act. Provides that all bills introduced in the General Assembly must remain in the chamber of origin for at least 5 calendar days before they can be voted upon on third reading and passed out of the chamber. Provides that, upon passage to the other chamber of the General Assembly, the 5 calendar day requirement is in effect and begins with the day of the bill's arrival in the new chamber. Provides that if a bill is amended in a chamber, the bill must remain in the chamber for an additional 5 calendar days starting with the day the amendment is filed and adopted.

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that a licensee requesting a new license shall submit $5 (rather than $75, of which $60 shall be apportioned to the State Police Firearm Services Fund, $5 shall be apportioned to the Mental Health Reporting Fund, and $10 shall be apportioned to the State Crime Laboratory Fund). Provides that the fees collected under this provision shall be deposited into the State Police Firearm Services Fund.

Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that any athletic team or sport that is under the jurisdiction of an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and student must abide by the following: if an athletic team or sport is designated as being female, it is available only to participants who are female, based on their biological sex. Requires a school district or nonpublic school to obtain a written statement signed by a student's parent or guardian or the student verifying the student's age, biological sex, and that the student has not taken performance enhancing drugs; provides for a penalty for false or misleading statements. Prohibits a governmental entity or an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and students from entertaining a complaint, opening an investigation, or taking any other adverse action against a school district or nonpublic school for maintaining athletic teams or sports in accordance with these provisions.