Sen. Mark Walker

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that the maximum amount of notes or bonds that may be issued by the Illinois Finance Authority for any one agricultural real estate borrower may be increased by a higher amount than currently allowed if a higher amount is permitted by statute or regulation. In provisions concerning agricultural assistance loans, removes provisions providing that no proceeds from any bonds issued by the Illinois Finance Authority shall be loaned for the purchase of new depreciable agricultural property to any natural person who has a net worth in excess of $500,000. Effective immediately.

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.

Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall permit applicants to choose between "male", "female", or "X" (rather than "male", "female", or "non-binary") on an application for an identification card, driver's license, or permit. Provides that an applicant who wants to change the sex listed on an issued identification card, driver's license, or permit must submit a gender designation form. Sets forth the requirements of the gender designation form.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that the Prescription Monitoring Program does not apply to testosterone, mifepristone, misoprostol, GnRH analogues, or estrogen. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall purge from the records of the Prescription Monitoring Program all existing information concerning the prescribing or dispensing of testosterone, including any such information contained in the central repository or database, on or before January 1, 2027, and shall ensure that no further records concerning the prescribing and dispensing of testosterone are created or maintained by the Prescription Monitoring Program. Provides that the Department shall update and adopt rules consistent with the provision no later than January 1, 2027. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 that provides coverage for durable medical equipment that is authorized or prescribed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches shall provide the same level of coverage for durable medical equipment that is authorized or prescribed by a different health care practitioner who lawfully prescribes or orders home medical equipment and services or uses home medical equipment and services to treat the health care practitioner's patients. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to establish the same requirement under the provisions of those Acts. Effective immediately.

Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, the MC/DD Act, and the ID/DD Community Care Act. Provides that notice of closure of an establishment or facility licensed under those Acts shall be given to the Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman.

Amends the Currency Exchange Act. Removes provisions requiring the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation to investigate a currency exchange business at least once in each year and to review and report on the cost of operation of the Currency Exchange Section. Establishes fee-setting provisions for the administration of the Act. Amends the Sales Finance Agency Act, the Consumer Installment Loan Act, and the Safety Deposit License Act. Makes changes to the authority of the Secretary and the Director of the Division of Financial Institutions to examine and investigate a business to determine if it is in compliance with those Acts. Establishes fee-setting provisions for the administration of those Acts. Amends the Debt Management Service Act, the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act, and the Payday Loan Reform Act. Establishes fee-setting provisions for the administration of those Acts. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Notary Public Act. Provides that every applicant for appointment and commission as a notary shall complete an application in a format prescribed by the Secretary of State stating, among other things, that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony within the 10 years immediately preceding the date of application (now, the applicant must state that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony).

Amends the State Parks Designation Act. Provides that the railroad trestle bridge that is part of the Kickapoo Rail Trail and that is located at the Kickapoo State Recreation Area in Vermilion County shall be known as the Senator Scott Bennett Memorial Bridge. Further provides that, subject to appropriation, appropriate plaques may be erected by the Department of Natural Resources in recognition of the Senator Scott Bennett Memorial Bridge.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2028 that provides coverage for: habilitative services shall provide coverage for habilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering, regardless of whether the stuttering is classified as developmental; rehabilitative services shall provide coverage for rehabilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering; or both habilitative services and rehabilitative services shall provide coverage for habilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering, regardless of whether the stuttering is classified as developmental, and shall provide coverage for rehabilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering. Sets forth requirements and limitations for the coverage. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to require coverage under the provisions of those Acts. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective January 1, 2028.