Appropriates the sum of $750,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the City of Wheaton. Effective immediately.
Appropriates $700,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the Illinois Center for Employee Ownership for the purpose of expanding education, outreach, and technical assistance related to employee ownership transitions and supporting small businesses in evaluating and pursuing succession through employee ownership. Effective July 1, 2026.
Creates the Junk Fee Ban Act. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for a person to: (1) offer, display, or advertise an amount a consumer may pay for merchandise without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the total price; (2) fail, in any offer, display, or advertisement that contains an amount a consumer may pay, to display the total price more prominently than any other pricing information; (3) misrepresent the nature and purpose of any amount a consumer may pay, including the ability to refund the fees and the identity of any merchandise for which fees are charged; (4) fail to disclose clearly and conspicuously before the consumer consents to pay, the nature and purpose of any amount a consumer may pay that is excluded from the total price, including the ability to refund the fees and the identity of any merchandise for which fees are charged; or (5) offer, display, or advertise, including through direct offerings, third-party distribution, or metasearch referrals, a total price for a place of short-term lodging that does not include all required fees. Requires total price disclosures for retail mercantile establishments and food service establishments; and the disclosure of delivery fees. Provides that the Attorney General may enforce violations of the Act as an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Preempts home rule powers.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that 20% of the lesser of (rather than the lesser of): (i) the purchase price or (ii) the fair market value shall constitute the rate base associated with the water or sewer utility as acquired by and incorporated into the rate base of the district designated by the acquiring large public utility, subject to any adjustments that the Illinois Commerce Commission deems necessary to ensure such rate base reflects prudent and useful investments in the provision of public utility service. Provides that the difference between the rate base and the purchase price or fair market value shall be borne by the shareholders of the acquiring large public utility. In provisions concerning the acquisition of a water or sewer utility, provides that, at the next election following the public meeting and notice requirements, a referendum shall be placed on the ballot for all electors within the area the water or sewer utility operates. Provides that, if a majority of the electors voting on the referendum within the service area of the water or sewer utility vote in favor of the referendum, then the acquisition may continue. Provides that, if less than a majority of the electors voting on the referendum within the service area of the water or sewer utility vote in favor of the referendum, the Commission shall not approve the large public utility's acquisition of the water or sewer utility. Removes a provision that provides that the Commission may authorize a water or sewer utility to file a surcharge which adjusts rates and charges to provide for recovery of costs associated with an investment in qualifying infrastructure plant, independent of any other matters related to the utility's revenue requirement. Makes other changes.
Creates the Academic Freedom of Expression Act. Prohibits a public institution of higher education or private institution of higher education from making or enforcing a rule subjecting a student to disciplinary sanctions solely on the basis of conduct that is speech or other communication that, when engaged in outside the campus or facility of the institution, is protected from governmental restriction by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Allows a student enrolled in a private postsecondary institution at the time that the institution has made or enforced any rule violating the Act to commence a civil action to obtain appropriate injunctive and declaratory relief as determined by the court. Sets forth exceptions. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Grants the following powers to the Board of Higher Education: the power to adopt policies protecting academic freedom of speech; the power to support the Illinois Community College Board in developing its academic freedom of speech policies; and the power to establish and enforce rules requiring private institutions of higher education to develop and implement plans related to academic freedom of speech within a reasonable deadline. Amends the Public Community College Act. Grants the following power to the Illinois Community College Board: the power to create and enforce rules which ensure that all faculty members are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject where such freedom shall be extended within the confines of the course outcomes, degree or program requirements, and accreditation requirements; and the power to create and enforce rules which ensure that faculty members and students are entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of the results.
Declares September 14, 2026 as Governor Jim Edgar Day in the State of Illinois in recognition of former Governor Jim Edgar's life, his legacy, and his extraordinary career in public service.
Creates the Algorithmic Pricing Transparency Act. Provides that any person or entity that sells or offers to sell goods or services through an online platform to consumers in this State shall provide a clear and conspicuous disclosure if the price displayed to a consumer is generated using surveillance pricing. Provides that a consumer may opt out of surveillance pricing and a covered entity shall provide the consumer with a non-personalized baseline price for the goods or services. Prohibits a covered entity from using specified personal information to generate algorithmic pricing. Provides that a violation of the Act is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change. Effective one year after becoming law.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State, upon receipt of all applicable fees and applications made in the form prescribed by the Secretary, to issue special registration plates designated as autism and neurodivergent plates to residents of the State who are autistic or neurodivergent or who are parents of children who are autistic or neurodivergent. Provides that the plates shall display the Just Bee icon used for identification of autistic or neurodivergent individuals. Provides that in all other respects, the design, color, and format of the plates shall be within the discretion of the Secretary. Requires an original certificate from a licensed physician that certifies the applicant, or the applicant's child, as autistic or neurodivergent to accompany each application.
Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution declares April 2, 2026, as Autism Awareness Day in Illinois. It recognizes the challenges faced by individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including barriers in education, employment, and healthcare, while aligning with the United Nations' observance of World Autism Day. The resolution has no legal effect or direct impact on policies, services, or individuals. It serves solely as a symbolic acknowledgment to promote understanding of autism within the state.
Declares April 3, 2026 as Jane Goodall Day in the State of Illinois in recognition of the life and work of Jane Goodall, Ph.D. and the importance of conservation, sustainability, and living in peace with our environment.
