Rep. Chris Welch

Maddy summaryHB 303 is a technical amendment to the College and Career Success for All Students Act that updates the short title of a specific section within the law. This change does not alter any existing policies, funding, or programs but simply corrects the official name used to reference the legislation. The bill affects only the legal text of the act and has no direct impact on students, schools, or other stakeholders. It is currently in the legislative process and has not yet been enacted into law.

Amends the Commission on Equity and Inclusion Act. Provides that the Commission on Equity and Inclusion shall collect and publish on its websites all relevant supplier diversity reports submitted to any State agency to provide a comprehensive review of all reports for the benefit of the public, particularly diverse business owners seeking to contract with companies or organizations that administer a supplier diversity program. Provides that the Commission may hold public workshops focused on specific industries and reports to collaboratively connect diverse enterprises with entities that manage supplier diversity programs. Provides that the Commission may hold public workshops focused on specific industries and reports to collaboratively connect diverse enterprises with entities that manage supplier diversity programs.

Amends the Counties Code, the Township Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act, the Park District Code, the Illinois Local Library Act, the Public Library District Act of 1991, the School Code, and the Public Community College Act. Provides that the board of trustees and corporate authorities of the various local governmental entities referenced in the named Acts and Codes may establish aspirational goals for the awarding of contracts to minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, and businesses owned by persons with disabilities. Defines "minority-owned business", "women-owned business", and "business owned by a person with a disability".

Amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983. Creates the Diversity and Inclusion in Business Organizations Leadership Task Force within the Office of the Secretary of State. Provides that the purpose of the Task Force is to identify ways to increase diversity in business organization leadership and to make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly to achieve that goal. Provides that the Task Force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2026. Sets forth provisions concerning duties, membership, and administrative support. Repeals the provision that creates the Task Force and dissolves the Task Force on January 1, 2027. Effective immediately.

Amends the Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act. Provides that an employee or part-time employee (rather than an employee) may use up to 10 days of leave in any 12-month period to serve as an organ donor.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. In provisions concerning the College Savings Pool, provides that an account may be rolled over into a Roth IRA account, to the extent permitted by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. In provisions concerning the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program, provides that the definition of "eligible child" includes a child born or adopted after December 31, 2022, to a parent who is a resident of Illinois at the time of the birth or adoption, as evidenced by documentation received by the Treasurer from a parent or legal guardian of the child. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Firefighter Paid Family Leave Act. Provides that a firefighter shall receive 6 weeks of paid family leave that may be used: (1) for the birth of a child in order to care for the child; (2) to care for a newly adopted child under 18 years of age, a newly placed foster child under 18 years of age, or a newly adopted or placed foster child older than 18 years of age if the child is incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability; and (3) to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Provides that the paid family leave requirements shall be provided to a firefighter regardless of the employer's leave policies and shall be provided to a firefighter who has been employed by the employer for at least one year. Provides that a firefighter may voluntarily waive his or her right to paid family leave. Provides that the Department of Labor may adopt any rules necessary to implement the Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Early Childhood Education Act to establish a framework for early childhood education in Illinois. A specific provision within the legislation ensures that the rights, benefits, and employment status of state employees and their agencies remain unchanged by the new act. It explicitly states that the law does not affect existing personnel codes, labor relations, collective bargaining agreements, or pension plans. The bill was signed into law and became effective on June 25, 2024, with some provisions taking effect on July 1, 2026.

Creates the Neighborhood Concert Tax Act. Provides for a 2% tax on admission tickets to organized for-profit concerts in public parks. Establishes the Neighborhood Concert Tax Fund to be a repository for the tax proceeds. Provides for disbursement of 100% of the proceeds to the park district that hosted the concert to subsidize programs of the park district that ordinarily require a fee for participation. Defines terms. Makes corresponding additions to the State Finance Act. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 567, titled REGULATION-TECH, is a procedural bill that amends the Blockchain Business Development Act to make a technical correction to the law's short title. This change directly affects the official naming of the legislation but does not alter any existing regulations or requirements for businesses. The bill focuses solely on updating the text to ensure accuracy in how the act is referenced, without introducing new policies or mechanisms.