Sen. Craig Wilcox

Amends the Election Code. Provides that all election authorities shall provide regular updates to the State Board of Elections concerning votes tabulated by that election authority. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall make this information available to the public at least every 48 hours. Provides that, no later than January 1, 2026, the State Board of Elections shall adopt standards concerning how election authorities release information about the total number of vote by mail ballots that have been tabulated by the election authority. Provides that, beginning with the 2026 primary election and all primary, consolidated, general and special elections thereafter, all election authorities shall adhere to the standards adopted by the State Board of Elections. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that an applicant for voter registration shall provide a valid and unexpired driver's license; social security card; public aid identification card; utility bill; lease or contract for a residence; civic, union, or professional association membership card; United States passport; or any other form of identification or documentation issued by the federal, State, or unit of local government that contains the applicant's residential address. Provides that the affidavits required for voter registration include additional affirmations concerning the residency of the applicant.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, if a person chooses to register to vote on the day of election, the person shall only be allowed to cast a provisional ballot and the election authority shall mail to the provisional voter a voter registration application to the provisional voter's address. Provides that a provisional ballot cast under the provision is valid and shall be counted as a vote if the voter completes and returns the voter registration application that the election authority mailed to the voter upon casting the provisional ballot within 14 days after the day of election.

Amends the Secretary of State Act. Provides that, by January 1, 2026, the Secretary of State shall establish and maintain a secure database that is accessible to local election officials and that indicates whether the particular person to whom a driver's license or State identification card has been issued is a United States citizen. Amends the Election Code. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2026, before an applicant is registered to vote, the registration officer shall verify the applicant's citizenship status using the secure database maintained by the Secretary of State. Provides that, if the information in the database indicates that the applicant is not a United States citizen, then the applicant's card shall be marked with the word "incomplete", and the registration officer shall notify the applicant in writing that (i) the application is incomplete and (ii) the applicant may not vote unless the applicant appears before the county clerk to present evidence that the applicant is a United States citizen. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Mandates Act. Provides that any State mandate regarding any subject matter enacted on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act that necessitates additional expenditures from local government revenues shall be void and unenforceable unless the General Assembly makes necessary appropriations and reimbursements to implement that mandate. Provides that the failure of the General Assembly to make necessary appropriations and reimbursements shall relieve the local government of the obligation to implement any State mandate. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that a taxing district shall reduce its aggregate extension base for the purpose of lowering its limiting rate for future years upon referendum approval initiated by the submission of a petition by the voters of the district. Provides that the extension limitation shall be: (a) the lesser of 5% or the average percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the immediately preceding 10 years; or (b) the rate of increase approved by the voters. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases distributions into the Local Government Distributive Fund on and after August 1, 2025. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Designates the month of August of each year as Moorish American Awareness Month to be observed throughout the State as a month to recognize the valuable contributions of Moorish Americans to this State and to the various aspects of American society. Effective immediately.

Maddy summarySR 172 declares April 2025 as Prescribed Burning Awareness Month in Illinois. This resolution supports the appropriate and continued use of prescribed fire within the state.

Appropriates $10,500,000 to the Department of Agriculture from the Partners for Conservation Fund for grants to Soil and Water Conservation Districts for ordinary and contingent administrative expenses. Effective July 1, 2025.

Opposes a progressive income tax in Illinois. Opposes the reconsideration by the Illinois General Assembly of any constitutional amendment intended to change the flat-rate income tax language of subsection (a) of Section 3 of Article IX of the Constitution of Illinois.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires every applicant for the renewal of a driver's license who is 79 years or older to renew in person. Requires every applicant for the renewal of a driver's license who is 87 years of age or or who is 75 years of age or older and holds a commercial driver's license to prove, by an actual demonstration, the applicant's ability to exercise reasonable care in the safe operation of a motor vehicle. Allows an immediate family member to submit information to the Secretary of State relative to the medical condition of a person if the condition interferes with the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. Requires information to be submitted in writing in a manner and form approved by the Secretary and shall include the name of the person submitting the information. Prohibits the Secretary from accepting or acting on anonymous reports. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2026.