Rep. Dan Swanson

Amends the Military Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Military Affairs has the authority to make grants from the Military Affairs Trust Fund for the purpose of incentivizing recruitment into the Illinois National Guard. Provides that the Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (JEEP) is established for the purpose of increasing recruitment through peer-to-peer referrals, fostering esprit de corps, and promoting cross-component cooperation between the Illinois Army National Guard and the Illinois Air National Guard. Permits the Department to provide grants under the JEEP program to current members of the Illinois National Guard who are not assigned as recruiters, are in good standing, and serve as JEEP lead generators by supporting or facilitating the enlistment or accession of soldiers or airmen into the Illinois National Guard. Requires the State Treasurer to accept and deposit into the Military Affairs Trust Fund all gifts, grants, transfers, appropriations, and other funds from any lawful public or private source that are designated for deposit into the Fund. Requires the Department to establish eligibility criteria, grant conditions, and administrative requirements for the JEEP program by rule.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2027, an amount equal to 10 cents of every fee collected for the sale of new or used tires at retail shall be allocated to the Department of Public Health for a grant to the Illinois Lyme Association's Tick Research, Education, and Evaluation project. Increases an extra fee collected for the sale of new or used tires at retail for the Emergency Public Health Fund, beginning July 1, 2027, from 50 cents per tire to 60 cents per tire.

Amends the Developmental Disability and Mental Disability Services Act. Provides that in one's "own home" means that an adult with a mental disability lives alone; or that an adult with a mental disability is in full-time residence with his or her parents, legal guardian, or other relatives; or that an adult with a mental disability is in full-time residence in a setting not subject to licensure under the Nursing Home Care Act, the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, the ID/DD Community Care Act, the MC/DD Act, or the Child Care Act of 1969 with 5 (rather than 3) or fewer other adults unrelated to the adult with a mental disability who do not provide home-based services to the adult with a mental disability.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2026 registration year, the standard registration fee for passenger motor vehicles of the first division and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds shall be $100 for any Illinois vehicle owner who has been issued a drivers license with a veteran's designation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, if a taxing district fails to timely file an affidavit that is required to be filed with respect to exempt property, then, prior to terminating the exemption, the chief county assessment officer shall notify the taxing district by first-class mail that the chief county assessment officer has not received the affidavit.

Amends the Toll Highway Act. Allows an active-status member of the Illinois National Guard to use a toll highway without paying the toll if the active-status member has applied for and received from the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority an Official Permit Card. Requires the Authority to adopt rules for the issuance of a permit that allows an active-status member of the Illinois National Guard to use any toll highway without paying the established toll.

Maddy summaryHJR 6 designates a specific section of Illinois Route 140. This portion of the highway, as it travels through Meadowbrook, will be officially named the "Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial Highway" in honor of Cpl. Tommy N. Miller.

Creates the University Construction Management Autonomy Act. Provides that public universities in the State shall be granted autonomy to manage construction projects funded by the State, as long as the total State funding does not exceed $20,000,000. Provides that the autonomy granted to universities shall include the authority to: (1) develop and approve project plans, budgets, and timelines; (2) select contractors, architects, and other necessary personnel for the project; (3) procure materials and equipment necessary for the project in compliance with State statutes, rules, and standards; and (4) monitor and oversee the progress of the project to ensure compliance with State rules and standards. Allows the public universities to have the option to use the services of the Capital Development Board for construction projects. Provides that public universities availing themselves of the autonomy shall provide regular reports to the Board of Higher Education detailing the progress, expenditures, and outcomes of construction projects managed independently. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. In provisions requiring access to a high school campus and student directory information to the official recruiting representatives of the armed forces of Illinois and the United States, deletes language that provides that a school board is not required to give greater notice regarding the right of access to recruiting representatives than is given to other persons and groups. Provides instead that a school board shall invite official recruiting representatives of the armed forces of Illinois and the United States to hold a recruitment event on the high school campus at least once per school year.

Recognizes the life and career of Sergeant Major William G. Bainbridge of the United States Army, who provided extraordinary service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam while making lasting contributions to the United States Army and the nation.