Rep. Jackie Haas

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 643) expressing the Illinois House of Representatives' condolences upon the death of Michael M. Dillon, a Braidwood resident and longtime firefighter. It commemorates his life, service in the U.S. Army, 34-year career at ComEd, leadership in fire protection organizations, and family. The resolution was formally adopted by the House on February 17, 2026, as a tribute to his contributions. It does not create any new laws or policies; it solely serves as a formal expression of sympathy to his family.

Proposes to amend the Executive Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that a person may not be elected to the office of Governor for terms totalling more than 8 years. Provides that service prior to the date of the adoption of the amendment shall be considered in the calculation of a person's service. Provides that any person holding the office of Governor at the time of the adoption of the proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution who meets the specified term limitation shall be allowed to complete his or her term of office. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a hate crime is: (1) a Class 2 felony if committed by a person 18 years of age or older while armed with a firearm or if the victim of the hate crime is under 18 years of age; (2) a Class 1 felony if a crime of violence as defined in the Crime Victims Compensation Act is committed against a person by reason of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship, immigration status, or national origin of another individual or group of individuals; or (3) a Class 1 felony for which the person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 4 years and not more than 15 years if a crime of violence that is a Class 1 felony is committed against a victim of a hate crime. Provides that the court may sentence a defendant who committed a hate crime to a term of natural life imprisonment if the underlying crime is first degree murder if the murder was committed by reason of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship, immigration status, or national origin of the victim or victims. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a period of probation, a term of periodic imprisonment or conditional discharge shall not be imposed for a conviction for a hate crime if: (1) committed by a person 18 years of age or older while armed with a firearm or if the victim of the hate crime is under 18 years of age; or (2) a crime of violence is committed against a person by reason of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship, immigration status, or national origin of another individual or group of individuals.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that if a person has 2 or more pending misdemeanor charges involving a firearm or 4 or more pending Class A misdemeanor charges, the defendant may be charged as a habitual misdemeanant offender. Provides that the provision does not apply unless each of the following requirements are satisfied: (1) the third offense occurred after the second offense; (2) the second offense occurred after the first offense; and (3) all of the charged offenses must be proved at trial in order for the person to be adjudged a habitual misdemeanant offender. Provides that the charges alleged do not have to be for the same offense. Provides that any offense that results from or is connected with the same transaction, or results from an offense committed at the same time, shall be counted for the purposes of this provision as one offense. Provides that a habitual misdemeanant offender shall be sentenced as a Class 4 felony offender for which the person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than 3 years. Provides that the court may deny pretrial release to a person charged as a habitual misdemeanant offender. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections to make conforming changes.

Urges the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Pritzker Administration to delay cuts to Direct Service Professional (DSP) service hours set to begin January 1,2026, until such time as the State is prepared to implement the "Zero Hour" Staffing Model, to protect the services depended on by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Makes application to Congress under the provisions of Article V of the Constitution of the United States for the calling of a convention of the states limited to proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county or municipality may not adopt any regulation that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the use of natural gas in new construction without a referendum. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers.

Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that two-thirds of each house shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide (now, a majority of the members elected to each house constitutes a quorum). Effective upon being declared adopted in accordance with Section 7 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act.

Specifies that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Estate Tax Threshold Fix Law. Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Provides that, for persons dying on or after January 1, 2026 and prior to January 1, 2028, the exclusion amount shall be the applicable exclusion amount calculated under the Internal Revenue Code (currently, the exclusion amount for Illinois estate tax purposes is $4,000,000). Provides that, for persons dying on or after January 1, 2026, the exclusion amount shall be the greater of (i) the applicable exclusion amount calculated under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) the exclusion amount amount that would have been calculated under the Internal Revenue Code if the decedent had died in calendar year 2027. Effective immediately.

Amends the Course of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade beginning with the 2028-2029 school year must successfully complete either 2 years of foreign language courses or at least 2 years of career-focused coursework that has been authorized by the State Board of Education as meeting the requirements for a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act (rather than requiring the successful completion of 2 years of foreign language courses). Amends the University of Illinois Act, the Southern Illinois University Management Act, the Chicago State University Law, the Eastern Illinois University Law, the Governors State University Law, the Illinois State University Law, the Northeastern Illinois University Law, the Northern Illinois University Law, and the Western Illinois University Law. Provides that a university may not require State public high school graduates, as a condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign language courses unless the university permits, as an alternative to completion of a foreign language course, attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Effective immediately.