Sen. Mattie Hunter

Amends the Medicaid Technical Assistance Act. Requires the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center to collaborate with public and private partners throughout the State to identify, establish, and maintain best practices necessary for health providers to ensure their capacity to participate in the Illinois Medical Assistance Program (rather than ensure their capacity to participate in HealthChoice Illinois or YouthCare). Requires the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center to promote equitable delivery systems, remaining committed to the principle that all Medicaid recipients have accessible and equitable physical and mental health care services. Removes provisions concerning the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center's administration of network adequacy reports, and instead requires the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center to administer a network recruitment plan. Provides that by using reports and data provided by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ External Quality Review Organization on network adequacy, provider service deserts, and health care disparities by race and ethnicity, the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center shall propose for Department review and approval an annual plan for recruiting providers to participate in the Illinois Medical Assistance Program and report on outcomes of its recruitment efforts to the Department for continuous improvement. Repeals a provision requiring the Department to maximize federal financial participation for any moneys appropriated to the Department for the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center and to deposit all federal financial participation funds into the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund. Repeals a provision creating the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund. Amends the State Finance Act. Provides for the dissolution of the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund on July 1, 2026, or as soon thereafter as practical, after the transfer of all remaining funds into the Healthcare Provider Relief Fund. Effective July 1, 2026.

Appropriates $1,000,000 to the University of Illinois for the expansion of biomanufacturing and alternative protein research and development at the University's integrated bioprocessing research laboratory. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Guardianship and Advocacy Act. Changes references from the federal Developmental Disabilities Services and Facilities Construction Act to the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. Provides that a majority of members of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, excluding vacancies, (instead of 6 members of the Commission) constitute a quorum. In a provision concerning regional authorities making their findings and recommendations public, provides that it shall include in any such public statement any reply made by the State agency, service provider, or other person investigated, if requested by the provider. Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Makes changes to the definitions of "guardian" and "mental illness" and adds a definition of "under guardianship". Changes references from the Guardianship and Mental Health Advocacy Commission to the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission.

Creates the Broadband Deployment Act. Sets forth findings. Defines terms. Provides that, conditional upon acquiring the proper agreement or permit with the highway right-of-way controller or holder, a broadband grant recipient may install, maintain, and use broadband infrastructure along a highway right-of-way. Provides that no property owner of property located within the highway right-of-way shall forbid or prevent a proposed broadband grant recipient from entering upon the property for purposes of and in connection with the deployment of broadband infrastructure, nor shall any such property owner forbid or prohibit the broadband grant recipient from deploying upon, beneath, or over that property broadband infrastructure utilized by the broadband grant recipient for such broadband service. Provides that the broadband grant recipient must notify the property owner in writing by sending notification to the property owner's address specified in the online or publicly available records of the applicable county assessor (i) by the United States Postal Service, certified mail, return receipt requested; (ii) by a designated private delivery service, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service, that provides the same function as certified mail with return receipt; or (iii) by personally serving the notification. Sets forth requirements for the content of the notice. Provides that if the property owner intends to demand just compensation, the property owner must serve written notice thereof upon the broadband grant recipient within 45 days after the anticipated date of broadband deployment as provided in the notice to the property owner. Provides that neither the property owner's notice to demand just compensation, nor the property owner's assertion of a specific claim for just compensation, nor the initiation of any legal action to enforce the claim of just compensation shall delay or impair the right of the broadband grant recipient to deploy broadband infrastructure and provide broadband service within or upon, beneath, or over certain property. Provides that the rights and obligations of broadband grant recipients and landowners set forth in the amendatory provisions do not apply on and after January 1, 2030. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Changes the licensing term for a community developmental services agency from 3 years to 2 years.

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.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 699 is a commemorative measure that honors the life of Warren Bell Cooper Jr., who passed away in January 2026. The resolution acknowledges his significant career achievements, including becoming the first African American certified air traffic controller at O'Hare International Airport and founding the nation's first Black-owned forensic drug testing laboratory. It also recognizes his contributions to civic life, such as his long-term service on a condominium association board and his advocacy for minority-owned laboratories. The bill formally expresses the Senate's condolences to Cooper's family and directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to them as a symbol of respect.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 694 is a memorial bill that formally acknowledges the death of Milton Chandler, a retired Chicago firefighter and natural health science advocate who passed away on March 9, 2026. The resolution honors his life by noting his service in the Chicago Fire Department, his family history, and his community involvement in health-related organizations. It expresses the Senate's condolences to his surviving wife, children, grandchildren, and other relatives, and directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to his family as a gesture of sympathy.

Declares April 11 through April 17, 2026 as Black Maternal Health Week in the State of Illinois. Commends the work of organizations, health care providers, managed care entities, and community leaders, including Meridian Health Plan's MomCare initiative, for their dedication to improving maternal health outcomes and advancing equity across Illinois. Reaffirms commitment to supporting policies, programs, and partnerships that eliminate maternal health disparities and ensure that every mother in Illinois has access to high-quality, culturally competent care. Encourages continued public-private partnerships and innovative care delivery models that expand access, improve outcomes, and strengthen accountability across the maternal health ecosystem.

Maddy summarySB 661 amends the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Program Act by making a technical correction to the act's short title. This procedural change does not alter the program's substance, requirements, or the organizations that participate in it. The bill solely updates the official name of the law without affecting its implementation or beneficiaries.