Sen. Laura Murphy

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule of the Department of Natural Resources to the contrary, a State authorized veterans' organization seeking to hold a memorial service at a State Memorial Site shall not pay a fee and shall not be required to obtain liability insurance if the permit to hold such service is approved by the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall be provided a list of State authorized veterans' organizations by the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Defines "State authorized veterans' organization".

Amends the School Code. In a provision concerning evidence-based funding for student success, allows the Professional Review Panel to study, at the discretion of the chairperson, any proposed legislation by the General Assembly impacting the provision or the distribution of Tier funds through the evidence-based funding formula or the adequacy targets of organizational units funded through the evidence-based funding formula.

Amends the Illinois Pesticide Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall produce ethanol using seeds that have been treated with a pesticide.

Maddy summaryThis bill (AM 1030409) was a procedural nomination to appoint Kenneth R. Olson to the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee. It was formally introduced and carried over from the previous legislative session but was ultimately withdrawn on February 18, 2025, under Rule 10-2(f). As a withdrawn appointment request, it did not result in any actual appointment or policy change. The bill did not affect any policies or individuals, as it was withdrawn before becoming effective.

Maddy summarySB 1817 is a procedural bill that establishes the short title "Extended Producer Responsibility and Recycling Refund Act" for a future legislative act. It contains no substantive policy provisions or mechanisms, as it only creates the name for what will likely be a recycling-related law. The bill was filed on February 6, 2025, and remains in early stages with no additional details provided about its content. This type of bill typically precedes more detailed legislation but does not itself change policy.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the costs and benefits of the construction of the South Suburban Airport. Prohibits the State from allocating any additional funds to the construction of the South Suburban Airport until the analysis is completed. Prohibits the Department from using any funds granted to it under the Airport Improvement Program for the construction of the South Suburban Airport until the analysis is completed. Provides that any request for proposal under the Department's current request for quote process submitted to the Department after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall require any private developer to certify to the Department that no additional funds will be used for the construction of the South Suburban Airport until the analysis is completed. Effective immediately.

Creates the Stop Abusive Website Access Litigation Act. Authorizes the Attorney General, on behalf of a class of residents, that is subject to litigation that alleges any website access violation to file a civil action in a State court against the party, attorney, or law firm that initiated the litigation for a determination as to whether this is abusive litigation. Provides that in determining whether the litigation alleging a website access violation constitutes abusive litigation, the trier of fact shall consider the totality of the circumstances to determine if the primary purpose of the litigation that alleges a website access violation is obtaining a payment from a defendant because of the costs of defending the action in court. Creates criteria for the trier of act to determine if the litigation is abusive under the Act. Provides that if the trier of fact determines that the litigation qualifies as abusive litigation under the Act, the court may award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the defendant. Provides that the court may also award punitive damages not to exceed 3 times the amount of attorney's fees awarded by the court.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the failure to wear a seat safety belt or the misuse of a seat safety belt by a driver or passenger of a motor vehicle may be considered evidence of negligence and may diminish any recovery from damages, but shall not limit the liability of an insurer.

Maddy summaryThis bill confirms Latoya Hughes as Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections. It was approved by the Senate on February 4, 2025, following standard appointment procedures under Illinois Constitution Article V, Section 9(a). The bill directly affects the Illinois Department of Corrections by appointing a new director to lead the agency. As a procedural appointment, it does not create new policy or affect broader legislation.

Amends the Conversion and Formation of School Districts Article of the School Code. Within 3 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act, requires elementary school districts to form new school districts but only with other elementary school districts and high school districts to form new school districts but only with other high school districts, notwithstanding any referendum requirements or any other laws to the contrary. Provides that the State Board of Education shall facilitate the creation of the new school districts by providing recommendations on which districts must consolidate. Sets forth the factors that the State Board must take into consideration. Effective immediately.