Rep. John Cabello

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that all reports involving railroad fatalities and all communications between police officers and train crew members involved in those occurrences shall not be public reports and shall be maintained by the police departments in a manner that ensures their confidentiality. Provides that these reports shall be accessible at all reasonable times upon written request to the host railroad, to the employing railroad, by court order, and to others specifically authorized by court order to obtain the information if the access is necessary in the performance of their duties. Provides that all such reports shall be accessible at all reasonable times, upon written or electronic mail request, to law enforcement officers, State's Attorneys, or Assistant State's Attorneys. Provides that communications between police officers and railroad employees of the incidents may be shared with these persons if the access is necessary in the performance of their duties.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a physical or mental disability that constitutes, in whole or in part, the basis of an application for benefits under the Downstate Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code may not be used, in whole or in part, as a cause for a municipality to discharge a police officer. Provides that, upon a chief of the police department's receipt of a certification from the board of trustees under the Downstate Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code that a police officer is no longer disabled and is able to resume the duties of his or her position, the police officer shall report to the chief of the police department. Provides that the chief of the police department shall thereupon order immediate reinstatement into active service, and the municipality shall immediately return the police officer to its payroll, in the same rank or grade held at the date he or she retired for disability under the Downstate Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the police officer shall then report to the chief of the police department. Provides that the chief of the police department shall thereupon order immediate reinstatement into active service, and the municipality shall immediately return the police officer to its payroll, in the same rank or grade held at the date he or she retired for disability under the Downstate Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code.

Amends the Grocery Initiative Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may, subject to appropriation, provide grants for equipment upgrades for farmer-owned grocery stores or markets.

Maddy summaryThis Illinois law authorizes the Secretary of State to issue specialty license plates specifically for motorcycles. The legislation also expands these options to include autocycles, which are three-wheeled vehicles designed for riders with disabilities. By amending the state's vehicle code in multiple sections, the bill ensures that both motorcycles and autocycles can display these special plates under the same rules. The changes took effect on January 1, 2025, allowing eligible vehicle owners to apply for these plates starting that date.

Amends the Illinois Freedom to Work Act. Provides any covenant not to compete or covenant not to solicit entered into after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall not be enforceable with respect to professionals licensed in this State who provide mental health services to veterans and first responders. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, if a municipality or county, including a home rule municipality or county, is a self-insurer for purposes of providing health insurance coverage for its employees, the insurance coverage shall include mental health counseling for any employee who is a first responder, including police and corrections officers, deputy sheriffs, firefighters, or emergency medical services personnel, without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement on the coverage provided. Specifies that this requirement does not apply to the extent such coverage would disqualify a high-deductible health plan from eligibility for a health savings account pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code. Limits home rule powers by providing that the requirement that mental health counseling be included in health insurance coverage is an exclusive power and function of the State.

Maddy summaryHB 478 is a technical amendment to the Local Government Travel Expense Control Act that updates the bill's short title. This change does not alter any existing rules or regulations regarding travel expenses for local government officials. The legislation directly affects local governments by refining the official name of the governing act without changing its operational requirements. Since the bill only modifies a title, it has no impact on funding, procedures, or substantive policy.

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual plan of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act must provide coverage for wigs or other scalp prostheses worn for hair loss caused by alopecia, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment for cancer or other conditions. Makes a conforming change in the Health Maintenance Organization Act and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes a minor technical correction to the official name of the Central Illinois Economic Development Authority Act. It clarifies the short title used to cite the law, ensuring consistency in how the legislation is referenced. The change directly affects the legal documentation and citations related to this economic development authority but does not alter its operational powers or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow tow trucks to use red, blue, and white oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights while operators are performing official duties. The change directly affects tow truck companies and drivers who need these lights to warn other motorists of hazardous conditions or stationary vehicles. By updating the list of vehicles authorized to use such lighting, the legislation clarifies that tow trucks now have the same visual signaling rights as other emergency vehicles. This update does not alter existing penalties for drivers who fail to yield to emergency vehicles or change the rules for which specific colors can be used, as those provisions remain unchanged.