Sen. Cristina Castro

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the legal authority for beer distributors to hold a special permit known as a "beer showcase permit." Currently, this specific license allows beer distributors to transfer beer from their existing licensed locations to a designated site for a particular event. By deleting the language that authorizes this type of permit, the legislation effectively ends the ability for distributors to operate under this specific license category. The change directly impacts beer distributors who were previously able to use this permit for event-related beer transfers.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that a licensee with a combined on-premises and off-premises license may make purchases for on-premises use only through an on-premises cooperative purchase group and may make purchases for off-premises use only through an off-premises cooperative purchase group. Provides that neither a cooperative agent nor a cooperative purchase group may receive cash or anything of value from a retail licensee or an importing distributor or distributor, non-resident dealer, or manufacturer as part of a cooperative purchasing agreement. Removes language providing that a cooperative agent that is compliant with certain provisions may receive cash or anything of value from both the retail licensee and an importing distributor or distributor, non-resident dealer or manufacturers as part of a cooperative purchase group agreement. Provides that cooperative agents and cooperative purchase groups may not have an ownership interest, direct or indirect, in any business or enterprise that provides marketing services or activities on behalf of manufacturers, non-resident dealers, foreign importers, importing distributors, and distributors. Provides that it is the duty of every cooperative agent and cooperative purchase group to make books and records available upon reasonable notice for the purpose of investigation and control by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission or any local liquor commission having jurisdiction over a licensee member of a cooperative purchase group. Makes changes concerning the surety bond a cooperative purchase group is required to retain. Changes references from "cooperative purchasing group" to "cooperative purchase group" to conform to the defined term.

Amends the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Provides that the Act applies to the program of group health benefits under the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that a health insurance issuer shall not require prior authorization: where a medication is prescribed for a chronic condition, long-term condition, or mental health condition, has been prescribed for 6 months or more, or is a treatment for the clinical indication as supported by peer-reviewed medical publications; or for patients currently managed with an established treatment regimen. Removes language requiring a health insurance issuer to periodically review its prior authorization requirements and consider removal of prior authorization requirements under certain circumstances. Makes a conforming change. Effective July 1, 2024.

Amends the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall follow specified requirements of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act regarding the administration of cultivation center agent identification cards. Repeals provisions regarding cultivation center agent identification cards and dispensing organization agent identification cards. Makes other changes. Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall issue all agent identification cards under the Act via an online application portal. Provides that all notifications of acceptance or denial for applications under specified provisions shall be sent directly to the agent applicant.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that third parties may lease State-owned communications infrastructure, including dark fiber networks, conduit, and excess communication tower capacity (rather than State-owned dark fiber networks).

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that contracts for bond underwriting services entered into by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority in connection with the competitive bid or negotiated sale of bonds in which the State is not obligated. Provides that such contracts shall be awarded through a competitive process authorized by the members of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority and are subject to specified provisions of the Code as well as the final approval by the members of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority of the terms of the contract.

Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources may lease land on property of which the Department has jurisdiction for the purpose of creating, operating, or maintaining a commercial solar energy system or a clean energy project. Provides that the lease shall be for a period not longer than 25 years. Provides that, if practical, the Department shall require that any land or property over which the Department has jurisdiction and that is used for the purpose of creating, operating, or maintaining a commercial solar energy system shall have implemented on it and maintained management practices that would qualify the land or property as a beneficial habitat under the Pollinator-Friendly Solar Site Act. Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Defines "clean energy". Provides that the Department may provide for at least one electric vehicle charging station, as defined in the Electric Vehicle Act, at any State park or other real property that is owned by the Department where electrical service will reasonably permit. Provides that the Department is authorized to charge user fees for the use of an electric vehicle charging station. Amends the State Parks Act to make conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Exempts certain expenditures by the Department of Natural Resources from the Code.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Establishes that a municipality that operates an automated speed enforcement system shall set aside 10% of the net proceeds from each system that generates more than $500,000 in revenue for the respective school district or park district in which the automated speed enforcement system is located. Provides that the set aside proceeds may be allocated for any purpose designated by the school district or park district. Set forth home rule provisions.

Amends the Highway Advertising Control Act of 1971. Defines "sign" as any outdoor sign, display, device, notice, figure painting, drawing, message, placard, poster, billboard, or other thing, which is operated or owned by a person or entity where any person or entity is paying or earning remuneration directly or indirectly for (i) the existence or placement of the outdoor sign or (ii) the placement of the message on the outdoor sign (rather than any outdoor sign which is designated, intended, or used to advertise or inform, and of which any part of the existing or intended advertising or informative content) is capable of being visible from any place on the main-traveled way of any portion of any Interstate or primary highway and which is within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of such highway. Provides that for purposes of the definition of "erect", attaching a vinyl substrate medium to a sign structure or wall surface shall constitute normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure. Defines "remuneration". Removes the definitions of "on premise sign", "off premise sign", and "real estate sign". Removes language providing that registration must be made of each sign and shall be accompanied by a registration fee of $5. Removes provisions concerning directional and other official signs, real estate signs, on premise signs, off premise signs, and signs affixed by public utilities. Makes corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws governing public libraries in Illinois to prohibit limiting access to or purchasing books based on their depiction of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or human rights activism. It directly affects public library boards, staff, and library systems by establishing new rules that prevent censorship of specific subject matters while allowing restrictions for public safety or age-appropriateness. The legislation ensures that library collections remain inclusive by explicitly forbidding bans on biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs that cover these topics.