Rep. Yolonda Morris

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption, provides that the Chief County Assessment Officer in a county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants may request full social security numbers or individual taxpayer identification numbers for all members of the applicant's household. Provides that the Chief County Assessment Officer may renew the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption without a new application if the Chief County Assessment Officer is able to confirm both that the applicant still owns and resides in the property and that applicant's household income qualifies for the exemption. Provides that a Chief County Assessment Officer who renews a low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption without an annual application shall notify the applicant of both the decision to renew the exemption and the applicant's ongoing duty to report changes in the eligibility of the property to receive the exemption.

Congratulates Treatment Alternatives for Stronger Communities (TASC) on its 50th anniversary. Thanks TASC for its significant contributions to justice reform, public health, and community well-being in Illinois. Wishes the organization continued success in advancing effective, accountable, and compassionate alternatives to incarceration.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a memorial resolution honoring the life and legacy of Standish E. "Kwame" Willis, a Chicago civil rights lawyer and activist who passed away in February 2025. The resolution formally acknowledges his contributions to fighting police brutality, advancing civil rights, and organizing community activism throughout his career. It does not create new laws or policies but serves to recognize his achievements and place of significance in Chicago's history. The bill was adopted by the Illinois House of Representatives as a commemorative gesture.

Creates the Commission on Eliminating Food Deserts Act. Establishes the Commission on Eliminating Food Deserts in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor for the purpose of reviewing the effectiveness of current State-led efforts to eliminate food deserts in Illinois and advising the General Assembly on policy, funding, initiatives, and best practices for the elimination of food deserts in Illinois. Describes the membership of the Commission. Provides that the Commission shall convene at the call of the chairperson and meet as frequently as necessary to carry out its duties. Provides that the Office of the Lieutenant Governor shall provide administrative and other support to the Commission. Provides that commissioners shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose. Provides that the Commission shall submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before January 1, 2027, with annual addenda thereafter. Provides that the Act is repealed and the Commission is dissolved if 90% of food deserts in this State have been eliminated, with certain requirements. Defines terms.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the maximum income limitation under the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption shall be adjusted each year by the annual cost of living increase, if any, in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits that took effect during the immediately preceding calendar year. Amends the Energy Assistance Act. Provides that eligibility limits under the energy assistance program may not exceed the greater of (1) 150% of the federal nonfarm poverty level as established by the federal Office of Management and Budget or 60% of the State median income for the current State fiscal year as established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, whichever is higher; or (2) the eligibility limit for the immediately preceding calendar year, increased by the annual cost of living increase, if any, in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits that took effect during the immediately preceding calendar year. Effective immediately.

Opposes Illinois Senate Bill 3572 (SB3572). Opposes any effort to punish women for accessing reproductive healthcare, efforts to subject survivors of rape and incest to more severe punishments than a rapist, and efforts to restrict access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other forms of assisted reproductive technology.

Condemns President Donald J. Trump's racist social media post and his attempts to erase history. Expresses that members will continue to honor the 100th recognition of Black History Month in the State of Illinois by committing to learn from history rather than hiding from it.

Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Creates the position of Illinois Gaming Oversight Officer within the Illinois Gaming Board under the Administrator. Provides that the Officer may: maintain a staff; make recommendations for policy, statute, and rule changes; collect data regarding the regulation of gaming and exempted or quasi-gaming; compile or assist in the compilation of any reports; ensure the coordination of efforts between various State agencies involved in regulating and taxing gaming and exempted or quasi-gaming in the State; and encourage, promote, suggest, and report best practices for ensuring diversity in the gaming and exempted or quasi-gaming industry in the State. Requires the Officer to commission and publish a disparity and availability study on a biannual basis. Provides that the Officer may compile, collect, or otherwise gather data necessary for the administration of the Act and to carry out the Officer's duty relating to the recommendation of policy changes. Requires the Officer to pair eligible minority businesses with terminal operator licensees or owners licensees for mentoring. Amends the Video Gaming Act. Provides that an applicant or licensee is not in violation of the Act or any of the Illinois Gaming Board rules, and shall not be subject to disciplinary action, delay of any Board consideration, or denial of any license for operating a game device if operation of the gaming device is in compliance with and not considered gambling under the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that any applicant previously denied by the Board based in whole or part for participation in specified lawful sweepstakes devices shall have the denial rescinded and a license shall be issued instantly. Provides that an applicant for a license that discloses participation in specified lawful sweepstakes devices shall have the application processed for Board consideration within not more than 90 days after the filing of the application. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the two Houses shall convene in Joint Session on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at the hour of 12:00 o'clock noon for the purpose of hearing his Excellency Governor JB Pritzker present to the General Assembly his Budget Message for the Fiscal Year 2027, as required by Chapter 15, Section 20/50-5 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act and the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to hold semiannual joint training sessions for surveyors, nursing home providers, and assisted living establishment providers. Provides that the Department shall include the State long-term care ombudsman, or the State long-term care ombudsman's designee, and representatives of each nursing home provider association and assisted living provider association in the State in the planning process to create the topics and content of the joint training sessions as well as the coordination and presentations for the joint training sessions. Provides that, at least annually, a joint training session shall include, but not be limited to, regional citation patterns relating to complaints, standards, and outcomes in the nursing home and assisted living survey process. Requires the Department to develop standardized training for establishments to prevent common citations in the assisted living survey process.