Sen. Omar Aquino

Amends the Attorney General Act. Provides that, prior to initiating an action, the Attorney General shall conduct an investigation and, in addition to other powers, may: (1) issue subpoenas for documents; (2) require written answers under oath to written interrogatories; (3) inspect the premises of an employer and inspect and make copies of employment-related records kept at the premises; and (4) conduct interviews with workers at an employer's premises during normal business or working hours. Sets forth additional provisions concerning investigations; interviews; subpoenas; obstruction; and search warrants.

Amends Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act. Provides that the Health Facilities and Services Review Board may review the applicable criteria in the consideration of any application for an exemption submitted under the Act. Provides that, upon review and consideration, the State Board may approve, deny, or defer for additional information an application for a Certificate of Need or Certificate of Exemption. Makes changes in provisions concerning administrative hearings; powers and duties of State Board; powers of the State Board staff; and review and investigation of applications for permits.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that a petitioner for post-conviction relief who was convicted of a felony offense committed when that person was under 21 years of age who seeks leave to file a successive post-conviction petition claiming that his or her sentence violates the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution does not have to demonstrate cause. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for a grant to Live Free Illinois to cover operational expenses for its Community Healing Resource Center Network. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Provides that, no later than 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Labor shall adopt rules that require specified employers doing business in the State to file an annual report, that will be made available to the public on a dedicated page of the Department's website, regarding workforce management policies, practices, and performance with respect to the employer. Describes the information required to be reported. Sets forth provisions concerning the standardization of data and exemptions to the provision.

Amends the Attorney General Act. Provides that, prior to initiating an action, the Attorney General shall conduct an investigation and, in addition to other powers, may: (1) issue subpoenas for documents; (2) require written answers under oath to written interrogatories; (3) inspect the premises of an employer and inspect and make copies of employment-related records kept at the premises; and (4) conduct interviews with workers at an employer's premises during normal business or working hours. Sets forth additional provisions concerning investigations; interviews; subpoenas; obstruction; and search warrants.

Appropriates $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for a grant to Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA for program and operating expenses for youth-development based sports initiatives. Effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 598 amends the Epinephrine Injector Act. It makes a technical change specifically to a section concerning the short title of the act.

Declares March 31, 2026 as Farmworkers Day in the State of Illinois in recognition of the essential contributions and sacrifices of farmworkers past and present. Recognizes the multiracial, intergenerational coalition of workers, including men, women, and children, whose collective action transformed labor rights in this country. Honors the courage, resilience, and contributions of farmworkers in the State of Illinois and across the United States.

Declares March 26, 2026 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.