Sen. Bill Cunningham

Appropriates $5,000,000 from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Natural Resources for capital improvements consisting of reconstruction of the Grist Mill at the New Salem State Historic Site, repair and maintenance of all structures and perimeter fencing within the New Salem State Historic Site, including illumination of all outdoor statues and flags at the Site, as well as repair of the Wagon Wheel structure at the entrance of the Site. Effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 707 amends the Corporate Fiduciary Act. This bill makes a technical change to the section that defines the short title of the Act.

Creates the Public University Direct Admission Program Act. Provides that, beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, the Board of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Illinois Community College Board, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and the State Board of Education, shall establish and administer a direct admission program. Requires each public university in the direct admission program to identify and provide its grade point average standards for general admission for first time admission and for transfer students to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission by March 1 of each year. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026 and each July 1 thereafter, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall use data collected from school districts to determine which students meet the standards for general admission and provide the data to the Board of Higher Education. Provides that, beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, the Board of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and the State Board of Education, shall develop, in consultation with the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a preselection outreach campaign to encourage qualifying State high school juniors and seniors to apply to the University of Illinois at Chicago or the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Requires the Board of Higher Education to submit a report on the direct admission program and the preselection outreach campaign to the Governor and General Assembly by August 1, 2029 and each August 1 thereafter. Amends the School Code. Requires a school board to provide access to high school student directory information and each student's email address and grade point average to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and each public institution of higher education for the purpose of informing students of educational and career opportunities.

Maddy summarySB 706 makes a technical amendment to the Illinois Banking Act. Specifically, it updates a section concerning the short title of the Act. This bill primarily affects the internal language and structure of the existing banking legislation.

Appropriates $16,358,900 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services Rehabilitation Services Bureau for grants to independent living centers. Effective July 1, 2025.

Creates the New Salem Preservation Commission Act. Provides that the New Salem Preservation Commission is created within the Department of Natural Resources for certain purposes related to Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site. Provides for 13 members, including members of the General Assembly and others, with the President of the New Salem Lincoln League as chairperson. Provides that the Department shall provide support to the Commission. Provides that the members of the Commission shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose. Provides that the volunteer coordinator at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site shall submit an annual report to the Commission. Provides that the Commission shall convene and meet at the call of the chairperson and shall meet once a year to tour and assess the Site. Provides that the Commission shall compile an annual report for the General Assembly. Makes findings. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 850 amends the Radon Resistant Construction Act. The bill makes a technical change to a section within the Act that concerns its short title.

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that the requirement that a quorum be physically present at the location of an open meeting does not apply to committees of the Police Officers' Pension Investment Fund.

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. In provisions concerning the renewable portfolio standard for the Planning and Procurement Bureau, provides that, to ensure the successful development of new renewable energy projects supported through competitive procurements, for certain procurements, the Agency shall propose a process for post-award renegotiation of contract terms through its long-term renewable resources plan. Provides that such proposal shall allow for bilateral negotiation between the Agency and a winning bidder regarding contract terms, other than strike price and terms that impact strike price, that are not required under the Act. Provides that post-award renegotiation of competitively bid renewable energy credit prices shall be allowed only in cases where it is necessary to ensure the successful development of the underlying new renewable energy project based on circumstances that were unforeseeable at the time of the procurement event. Provides that, if, following the processes in the long-term renewable resources plan, the Agency and the winning bidder reach an agreement on amended terms or the winning bidder is entitled to a change in price, then, upon petition by the winning bidder or current seller, the Commission shall issue an order directing the utility counterparty to execute a form amendment drafted by the Agency with the revised terms or the new strike price. Provides that the Agency shall provide the amendment to the utility within 15 business days after the Commission's order and the utility buyer shall execute the amendment no more than 7 calendar days after delivery by the Agency. Provides that the Agency shall develop the form amendment following comments by interested parties. Effective immediately.

Creates the Advancing Federally Regulated Illinois Transmission Projects Act. Provides that the Department of Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may identify one or more Projects for potential application of the PJM State Agreement Approach that the Director determines may improve the resilience, reliability, and access to clean energy of the ratepayers of a public utility with more than 3,000,000 customers in this State. Sets forth eligibility criteria for the projects. Sets forth provisions concerning applications. Amends the Public Utilities Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.