Rep. Norine Hammond

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.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 32 designates U.S. Route 24 as it passes through Fairbury as the "SSG Wilbur E. Troehler Memorial Highway." This bill honors SSG Wilbur E. Troehler by naming a specific section of highway after him.

Reaffirms commitment to upholding the health, dignity, and civil rights of all people with disabilities, including Autistic individuals across the spectrum of strengths, needs, and identities. Recognizes and honors the rightful presence, contributions, and leadership of neurodivergent individuals in inclusive schools, workplaces, and communities throughout every stage of life.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 25 declares October 12 through October 18, 2025, as Menopause Awareness Week in the State of Illinois. This resolution formally recognizes the specified week to promote awareness of menopause within the state.

Declares May 2025 as Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month. Express support for raising awareness and educating the public about Prader-Willi Syndrome and increasing research and funding into the causes and treatments of the disease.

Declares the month of August 2025 as Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month in the State of Illinois. Encourages continuing research on spinal muscular atrophy and community support for those affected by the disease.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that benefit payments, including, but not limited to, disability benefits, death benefits, retirement annuities, and surviving spouse annuities, must commence no later than 30 days after a person has submitted a complete and correct application for a benefit to which that person is entitled. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State.

Amends the Cycle Rider Safety Training Act. Removes motor driven cycle and moped from the definition of "cycle". Defines "Cycle Rider Safety Training Course Provider" and "Provider" as a for-profit or nonprofit business, community agency, community organization, community college, or State university that is capable of providing courses. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall put out notices to the public seeking Cycle Rider Safety Training Course Providers to provide courses in the State, and that such courses shall be open to all residents of the State who hold a currently valid driver's license and who have reached their 16th birthday before the first day of the course to be held. Allows providers to charge a nominal registration fee set by the Department. Provides that responses from potential providers shall include the location where classes are to be held at, the number of students they intend to train, whether they would be providing motorcycles or using motorcycles owned by the Department, and the cost for courses provided on a per student basis. Provides that contracts shall be awarded by the Department to providers based on training needs and cost effectiveness of each bid or proposal. Provides that a provider shall only be paid grant funds under one of the following conditions: a course was held; expenses submitted related to the maintenance of department owned equipment; or submitting other non-personnel expenses. Provides that a provider awarded a contract with grant funding shall: submit proof that each instructor employed by the provider meets the qualifications to teach the curriculum for the courses; have at least one employee on staff certified to do quality assurance or quality control visits where instructors are evaluated per curriculum standards on teaching; perform at least one quality assurance or quality control visit on each instructor employed during the year and submit the results of those visits to the Department; maintain appropriate liability insurance to cover training activities; submit requests for payment in a timely manner; and adhere to additional program rules and regulations. Prohibits a provider awarded a contract with grant funding from adopting any policy, requirement, or expectation regarding employee's manner of dress outside of the employee's scheduled work hours. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Removes provisions prohibiting the construction of new nuclear power reactors with a nameplate capacity of more than 300 megawatts of electricity to be located within the State until the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security finds that the United States Government has identified and approved a demonstrable technology or means for the disposal of high level nuclear waste.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, in addition to but separate and apart from the compensation otherwise provided in the Code, the county clerk of each county, the recorder of each county, and the chief clerk of each county board of election commissioners shall receive an annual award of $13,000 for calendar year 2025, $14,000 for calendar year 2026, and $15,000 for calendar year 2027 and for each calendar year thereafter (rather than a $6,500 award per year). Effective immediately.