Sen. Steve Stadelman

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Agency for grants to Community Resource Healing Centers (CHRC)for their operational expenses. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the Housing Authorities Act. Provides that, unless otherwise required by federal law or regulation, a housing authority shall not establish or implement any rules, policies, or procedures that impose time limits or work requirements as a condition of initial or continued eligibility for any rent subsidy or assistance provided to qualifying tenants of the housing authority or to qualifying individuals through any rent subsidy or other housing assistance program administered by the housing authority. Permits a housing authority to establish, implement, or encourage an applicant or recipient of a rent subsidy or assistance to participate in a voluntary employment or job training program if the program: (1) does not impact the applicant's or recipient's initial or continued eligibility for the rent subsidy or assistance; and (2) has one of the specified goals for program participants, including, but not limited to, (i) increasing personal income, (ii) homeownership, or (iii) expanding employment options.

Declares March 26, 2026 as Equal Pay Day in the State of Illinois. Encourages the citizens of this State to learn about the pay gap that women experience in society and to learn about these various dates that bring attention to the pay gap that specific groups experience.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State, upon receipt of all applicable fees and applications made in the form prescribed by the Secretary, to issue special registration plates designated as autism and neurodivergent plates to residents of the State who are autistic or neurodivergent or who are parents of children who are autistic or neurodivergent. Provides that the plates shall display the Just Bee icon used for identification of autistic or neurodivergent individuals. Provides that in all other respects, the design, color, and format of the plates shall be within the discretion of the Secretary. Requires an original certificate from a licensed physician that certifies the applicant, or the applicant's child, as autistic or neurodivergent to accompany each application.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Combines harassment by telephone and harassment through electronic communications into one statute. Provides that a person also commits the offense by knowingly making any comment, request, suggestion, or proposal with the intent to harass another and that comment, request, suggestion, or proposal is not necessary to accomplish a purpose that is reasonable under the circumstances, that would cause a reasonable person emotional distress and does cause emotional distress to another.

Amends the College Campus Press Act. Defines "public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning". Provides that all public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is a public forum for expression by the employees producing the media at the institution of higher learning. Provides that public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is not subject to prior review by public officials of the State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Allows an employee or agent of an entity creating or distributing public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning to commence a civil action to obtain appropriate injunctive and declaratory relief as determined by a court for violation of the Act by such State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Provides that expression made by an employee or agent of an entity creating or distributing public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is neither expression of campus policy nor speech attributable to a State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Provides that a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is immune from any lawsuit arising from expression actually made in public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Makes other changes.

Amends the Deposit of State Moneys Act and the Public Funds Investment Act. Provides that the State Treasurer or any public agency may consider the current and historical ratings that a financial institution has received under the Illinois Community Reinvestment Act when deciding whether to deposit State or public funds in that financial institution. Provides that, effective January 1, 2026, no State or public funds may be deposited in a financial institution subject to the Illinois Community Reinvestment Act unless either (i) the institution has a current rating of satisfactory or outstanding under the Illinois Community Reinvestment Act or (ii) the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has not yet completed its initial examination of the institution pursuant to the Illinois Community Reinvestment Act. Makes conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that a grocery store that offers a digital coupon to consumers shall make available a corresponding paper coupon of equal value. Provides that the paper coupons shall be easily accessible at the service desk and may also be placed in other locations around the store. Provides that a grocery store that violates the requirement commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.

Amends the Ticket Sale and Resale Act. Provides that a ticket seller or ticket reseller shall display the full price of a ticket, including all assessed fees, to a consumer when the price of a ticket is first shown to the consumer and shall not increase that price during the transaction with the consumer. Provides that a ticket reseller shall not sell or offer to sell a ticket that the ticket reseller does not possess or have a contract to purchase. Provides that the Attorney General shall set up a complaint system for consumers to report violations. Defines terms.

Creates the Buy-Now-Pay-Later Loan Regulation Act. Provides that it is unlawful for a person to act as a buy-now-pay-later lender unless the person registers with the Division of Financial Institutions of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Sets forth requirements for registration; duties and powers of the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation; and administrative procedures. Provides that a buy-now-pay-lender shall provide specified disclosures to recipients. Provides that a violation of the Act constitutes an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change.