Rep. Larry Walsh

Appropriates the sum of $4,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for grants to certified convention bureaus for the development of tourism, education, preservation, and promotion of the 100th anniversary of Route 66, of which not more than $500,000 shall be used for marketing expenses. Appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for expenses relating to the Route 66 Centennial Celebration in accordance with the plan developed by the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission. Effective July 1, 2025.

For fiscal years 2025 and 2026, appropriates $3,500,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the Joliet Area Historical Museum for expenses associated with the restoration of the property formerly operated as the Joliet Correctional Center. Provides that the appropriations may be used for prior year costs. Effective immediately, except that the appropriation for fiscal year 2026 is effective July 1, 2025.

Urges the implementation of interventions to support vaccine uptake and reduce disparities in vaccine coverage among children. Urges the Illinois Department of Health, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to work with pediatricians, clinicians, families, and other stakeholders to ensure infants and children are vaccinated on time and students begin school fully vaccinated. Urges the Illinois Department of Health, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to continue to invest in immunization initiatives and infrastructure to ensure timely reporting of vaccine coverage to ensure children are protected from vaccine-preventable illness in public and private schools, child care facilities, and pre-kindergarten programs and beyond.

Declares March 25, 2025 as Pay Equity Day in the State of Illinois. Encourages the citizens of this State to learn about the pay gap that women experience in society and to learn about these various dates that bring attention to the pay gap that specific groups experience.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to trap or to hunt gray fox except during an open season, which may (rather than will) be set annually by the Director of Natural Resources between 12:01 a.m., November 1 to 12:00 midnight, February 15, both inclusive. Allows the Director, by administrative rule, to set the dates of, lengthen, shorten, or close the season during which gray fox may be taken. Allows the Director to also set, lessen, or increase the daily bag limit or possession limit of gray fox by administrative rule. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Grants the Department of Natural Resources emergency rulemaking powers. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 742 makes a technical amendment to the Illinois Banking Act. Specifically, it modifies a section related to the short title of the Act.

Amends the Energy Transition Act. Provides that the Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program shall recruit, prescreen, and provide pre-apprenticeship training relevant to clean energy apprenticeships in the construction and building trades and that the Program shall meet certain requirements regarding applicant placements (rather than requiring each Climate Works Hub that receives funding from the Energy Transition Assistance Fund to perform certain actions).

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice for any person to charge a consumer an additional fee or surcharge for: (1) not enrolling in an automatic payment program; or (2) requesting business documents, including, but not limited to, invoices and statements, be mailed to the consumer's address rather than delivered electronically.

Creates the University Library & Professional Librarian Access & Transparency Task Force to examine the current state of libraries and professional librarianship on Illinois public university campuses and present a recommendation to the General Assembly to ensure that public academic libraries and the educational services provided by professional librarian faculty remains a viable and healthy benefit to Illinois students.

Declares March 25, 2025 as Equal Pay Day in the State of Illinois. Encourages the citizens of this State to learn about the pay gap that women experience in society and to learn about these various dates that bring attention to the pay gap that specific groups experience.