Rep. Chris Welch

Creates the Neighborhood Freedom from Intimidation Act. Creates a private cause of action for persons threatened by intimidation by threat of violence. Provides that if a plaintiff prevails in an action, the court shall award actual damages, including, but not limited to, emotional distress or $10,000 per defendant, whichever is greater. Provides that if a plaintiff prevails in the action, the court shall award the plaintiff reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Exempts statements concerning positions in a labor dispute that are made during otherwise lawful labor picketing. Provides that speech alone may not support an action brought under this Act, except upon a showing of all of the following: (i) the speech itself threatens violence against a specific person or group of persons; (ii) the person or group of persons against whom the threat is directed reasonably fears that, because of the speech, violence will be committed against them or their property; (iii) the person threatening violence is acting in reckless disregard for the threatening nature of the speech; and (iv) the person threatening violence has the apparent ability to carry out the threat.

Maddy summaryHB 918 is a procedural bill that makes a technical correction to the short title of a section within the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act. It does not change any substantive policy or affect any individuals, organizations, or programs. The bill only updates the reference name of an existing section to ensure consistency in the statute. This is a minor administrative adjustment with no direct impact on healthcare facilities, planning, or public health.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that provisions concerning a credit for foreign taxes shall be applied without regard to provisions concerning distributions of investment partnership income to nonresident partners. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 989 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code by making a technical correction to the section that establishes the code's short title. This bill does not change any substantive vehicle regulations or affect any specific groups of people. The sole provision adjusts the wording of the code's introductory title for accuracy. As a technical amendment, it has no policy impact beyond updating the code's formal designation.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Contains provisions concerning procurements made by or on behalf of public institutions of higher education for food. Provides that, in the case of certain contracts for the procurement of food, the chief procurement officer must consider (i) good food purchasing core values and (ii) good food purchasing equity, accountability, and transparency. Amends the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act. Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Good Food Purchasing Law. Provides that each State agency and State-owned facility shall develop and adopt a multi-year action plan with benchmarks to align food purchasing processes with Good Food Purchasing equity, transparency, and accountability and food purchases with Good Food Purchasing core values. Creates a Good Food Purchasing Task Force. Amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. Makes changes concerning food packaging that may include the designation "Illinois-grown", "Illinois-sourced", or "Illinois farm product".

Amends the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act. Defines "acute sexual assault" as a sexual assault that has recently occurred within a specified time. Replaces various references to "sexual assault" with "acute sexual assault". Deletes the definition of "prepubescent sexual assault survivor". Changes provisions regarding hospitals located in counties with a population of less than 1,000,000 and within a 20-mile radius of a 4-year public university with respect to a sexual assault treatment plan approved by the Department of Public Health. Makes changes in various provisions concerning plans of correction and penalties for hospitals that commit specified violations of the Act. In provisions regarding requirements for medical forensic services, provides that the provisions of the Act are not intended to prohibit a qualified medical provider from offering an Illinois Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit to a sexual assault survivor who presents at a treatment hospital or approved pediatric health care facility with a nonacute complaint of sexual assault if there is a compelling reason for evidence collection, or upon the request of the survivor. In provisions regarding the prohibition on billing sexual assault survivors directly for certain services, changes references to the Office of the Attorney General to references to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

Creates the Right to Play Act. Provides that a student who is a member of a school athletic activity may participate in a nonschool athletic activity that is of the same sport as the school athletic activity during the season in which the student participates in the school athletic activity without losing eligibility to participate in the school athletic activity, provided that the student may not participate in both the nonschool athletic activity and a school athletic practice or competition for the same sport on the same day.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic House Resolution (HR 200) congratulating the Nazareth Academy football team on winning the Class 5A state championship. It formally recognizes their third consecutive title, specifically highlighting their 2024 championship victory and the team's achievements. The resolution directly affects the Nazareth Academy football team, coaches, staff, and parents by offering official commendation from the Illinois House of Representatives. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis is a memorial resolution (HR 187) adopted by the Illinois House of Representatives to honor Clarence Thomas, a former Proviso Township trustee and community advocate who died on February 26, 2025. The resolution expresses the House's condolences to his family and acknowledges his decades of service, including roles as a school district supervisor, political adviser, and township trustee. It contains no policy provisions or funding mechanisms - only commemorative language and an expression of sympathy. As a procedural resolution, it does not affect legislation or any specific group.

Commends the attorneys and staff of the Legislative Reference Bureau for their commitment to fulfilling their duties, dedication to supporting the members of the General Assembly, and service to the people of Illinois.