Sen. Mattie Hunter

Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides for the election (rather than appointment) of the board of trustees of the City Colleges of Chicago beginning with the 2027 consolidated election. Provides that the City of Chicago shall be subdivided into 20 trustee districts by the General Assembly for seats on the board of trustees, in addition to one at-large trustee. Makes related changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois African-American Family Commission Act, the Asian American Family Commission Act, and the Illinois Latino Family Commission Act replacing current provisions in those Acts with the following: Makes a grammatical correction to the title of the Illinois African-American Family Commission Act and to other provisions of the Act, and makes conforming changes in the Violence Prevention Task Force Act, the Commission on Children and Youth Act, the Commission to Study Disproportionate Justice Impact Act, the Advisory Commission on Reducing the Disproportionate Representation of African-American Children in Foster Care Act, the Commission to End Hunger Act, the Racial and Ethnic Impact Research Task Force Act, and the Commission on Equity and Inclusion Act. Provides that each Commission shall advocate for policies, programs, and services that promote greater equity and inclusion in State government. Provides that the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall each appoint 3 members to each commission (with the term of a member of any of the Commissions serving on the effective date of the amendatory Act ending on the effective date of the amendatory Act), and each Commission membership shall appoint the chairperson or chairpersons. Provides that the organizational meeting of each Commission shall take place after all members are appointed but no later than 60 days after 50% or more of the members on the Commission have been appointed. Provides that the Lieutenant Governor's Office shall provide administrative support for the Commissions (rather than the Commission on Equity and Inclusion providing general oversight of the operations of the Commissions). Provides that the Lieutenant Governor's Office may receive funding through appropriations made available for use on behalf of the commissions. Provides that the Office shall expend funds set aside for the Commissions at the direction of the Commissions. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SR 149) is a commemorative resolution designating March 12, 2025, as "Jerry Butler Day" in Illinois. It honors Jerry Butler, a renowned soul singer (known as "Iceman"), former Cook County Board member, and health care advocate who passed away on February 20, 2025. The resolution expresses the Illinois Senate's condolences to his family and commemorates his legacy in music and public service. As a symbolic gesture, it has no policy impact or direct effect on legislation or constituents.

Maddy summaryThis is a memorial resolution (SR 155) adopted by the Illinois Senate to honor Raufu Olayinka Ishola "Ola" Bello, who died on February 6, 2025. The resolution expresses the Senate's condolences to his family, including his children and grandchildren, and acknowledges his life as an educator, cancer survivor, and community member. It contains no policy provisions or legislative changes, as it is solely a ceremonial expression of sympathy. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Senate on March 6, 2025.

Maddy summarySR 131 declares March 9-17, 2025, as "Civic Learning Week" in Illinois. The resolution highlights the importance of civic education for students and communities, building on existing Illinois school requirements for civics courses in middle and high school. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or funding but encourages schools, educators, and the public to engage in civic learning activities during that week. It formally recognizes Illinois' ongoing efforts to strengthen civic education through initiatives like the Illinois Democracy Schools network.

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that when the two Houses adjourn on Thursday, March 06, 2025, the House of Representatives stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 11, 2025, and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 12, 2025, and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Thursday, March 13, 2025, and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 18, 2025, or to the call of the Speaker; and the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 18, 2025, or to the call of the President.

Maddy summaryThis is a memorial resolution (SR 148) honoring Jerry "Iceman" Butler, a renowned soul musician, Cook County Board commissioner, and advocate for healthcare access. It expresses the Illinois Senate's condolences to his family following his death on February 20, 2025, and recognizes his legacy as a member of the Impressions, founder of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, and key figure in establishing John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies - it is a symbolic gesture of respect from the Senate to Butler's family and community.

Creates the PRIOR Act. Defines terms. Provides that a Pre-Regulatory Impact Assessment shall be completed and presented to the General Assembly before legislation creating a new occupational regulation, expanding the scope of practice of a licensed occupation, or increasing the personal qualification for an occupational regulation can be voted on by a committee or the General Assembly. Provides that, on or before the first day of the General Assembly's legislative session, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the Chair of each relevant committee shall assign to the relevant committee or legislative staff the responsibility to analyze legislation creating a new occupational regulation, expanding the scope of practice of a licensed occupation, or increasing the personal qualifications for an occupational regulation and the accompanying Pre-Regulatory Impact Application submitted by proponents of the legislation. Provides that the designated staff are responsible for (i) reviewing legislation that requires a Pre-Regulatory Impact Assessment to ensure the least restrictive regulation is being proposed and (ii) preparing a Pre-Regulatory Impact Assessment that shall be considered with the legislation by the General Assembly. Provides that a proponent of a piece of legislation shall submit a Pre-Regulation Impact Application to the designated staff. Sets forth requirements for an application. Sets forth actions that designated staff may take. Sets forth a temporary moratorium on the creation of new occupational regulations. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Employment Security Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Employment Security shall create a self-employment assistance program to provide benefits to individuals who are working to start a business in the State and who are otherwise eligible to receive benefits under the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that a participant in the program shall be deemed to be actively engaged in seeking work as required under the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that benefits paid to a participant in the program are considered to be benefits paid under the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that the Department of Employment Security shall adopt rules to implement and administer the program.

Appropriates $2,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Agriculture to be used as a grant to an Illinois higher education institution's integrated bioprocessing research laboratory for the expansion of alternative protein research. Effective immediately.