Sen. Mike Halpin

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026, each State's Attorney whose term begins after July 1, 2026 shall be compensated at the rate of 100% of the mean of the amount paid to the resident circuit judges in the county courthouse for the State's Attorney.. Provides that the State shall furnish 66 2/3% of the total annual compensation to be paid to each State's Attorney in the State based on the salary in effect on December 31, 1988, and 100% of the increases in salary taking effect after December 31, 1988. Provides that the amount shall be paid from the Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund. Provides that the county shall be responsible for the State and federal income tax reporting and withholding and the employer contributions under the Illinois Pension Code.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that property that is used as a qualified residence by the surviving spouse of a law enforcement officer who was killed in the line of duty at any time prior to the expiration of the application period in effect for the exemption for the taxable year for which the exemption is sought is exempt. Effective immediately.

Maddy summarySB 2841 amends Illinois' Line of Duty Compensation Act to include animal control officers and animal wardens as eligible for benefits if killed while performing their duties. The bill updates the law's definitions to explicitly add these roles to the list of covered public safety workers, which previously included law enforcement officers and firefighters. This change ensures animal control staff - responsible for managing animal-related public safety risks - receive the same death benefit coverage as other first responders. The bill does not alter existing eligibility conditions (e.g., death must occur within one year of injury from violence or accident), but expands the scope of covered personnel.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that a social media company shall make available to account holders a 24-hour toll-free telephone number through which an account holder may contact a live customer service representative of the social media company to report fraudulent activity on an account holder's social media account, including, but not limited to, unauthorized access. Provides that a social media company shall include the telephone number and an explanation of the purpose of the telephone number in any email notification concerning account security sent to an account holder and post the telephone number and explanation in a prominent location on the homepage or help page of the social media platform. Provides that a violation of the provision constitutes an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.

Amends the Court of Claims Act. Creates an administrative process for uncontested claims for vendors arising from contracts with the State. Requires a State agency to confirm or reject an uncontested claim that is from a lapsed appropriation and valued at less than $2,500 within 30 days after being notified in writing by the Attorney General. Provides that if the State agency does not confirm or reject the claim within that 30-day period, then the State agency forfeits the right to reject or contest the claim. Requires the Comptroller, subject to appropriation, then issue payment to the vendor within 30 days of the court entering such an award. Provides that if the court determines that it is unable to process such an uncontested claim because the bill or invoice contains a defect, the court must notify the vendor in writing of the defect no later than 30 days after the bill or invoice was first submitted. Provides that if one or more items on a bill or invoice are disapproved, but not the entire bill or invoice, then the portion that is not disapproved must be transmitted to the Comptroller for payment. Changes the filing fees required under the Act as follows: a fee of $15 for a petition seeking more than $500 but less than $10,000; and $35 for a petition seeking more than $10,000 or more. Requires that the court must allow claimants to submit documentation to amend and cure defects. Makes other changes. Authorizes the Court of Claims to adopt rules to implement the Act.

Amends the State Prompt Payment Act. Makes technical changes to eliminate obsolete provisions. Provides that, if an agency incurs an interest liability that cannot be charged to the same expenditure authority account to which the related goods or services were charged due to federal prohibitions, the agency may pay the interest from any moneys appropriated to the agency that are not otherwise prohibited to be used for the purpose of paying interest. Provides that, when a State official or agency responsible for administering a contract receives a bill or invoice from a contractor, that State official or agency shall confirm the date on which the bill or invoice was received within 15 business days of receipt and shall transmit any approved amount to the Comptroller within 30 days of receipt. Provides that a State official or agency that is responsible for administering a contract submits a voucher to the Comptroller for payment, the official or agency shall make available electronically the voucher number, the date of the voucher, and the amount of the voucher within 15 days after submitting the voucher to the Comptroller (currently, that information shall be made available promptly).

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that no redevelopment plan shall be adopted unless the plan establishes a process for allocating funds for the project that includes the members of the join review board. Provides that municipalities may use some of the tax revenue attributable to the increase in the current equalized assessed valuation of each taxable lot, block, tract, or parcel of real property in the redevelopment project area over and above the initial equalized assessed value of each property in the project area to fund grants to small businesses employing less than 50 people. Provides that these grants shall be considered "redevelopment project costs". Provides that estimated dates of completion of redevelopment project costs may be extended to the 35th calendar year for redevelopment project areas adopted on or before June 30, 2023 and to the 33rd calendar year for redevelopment project areas adopted on or after July 1, 2023 (rather than to the 22nd calendar year for all future extensions). Provides that municipalities shall give at least 90 days' notice before the extending the completion date, approving the creation of a new project area which overlaps with an existing area, or transferring surpluses between areas. Provides that the joint review board may issue a written report approving or disapproving of the municipality's proposal within the notice period. Provides that approval may be presumed if no report is filed. Provides that all surplus funds shall be distributed as soon as possible after they are calculated (rather than annually within 180 days of the close of the municipalities fiscal year). Provides that an amount equal to the change in the current equalized assessed valuation that is attributable to the change caused by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers during the 12-month calendar year preceding the levy may be subtracted from the portion of taxes which is attributable to the increase in the current equalized valuation of specified properties. Makes other and conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Probation and Probation Officers Act. Provides that the Division of Probation Services shall reimburse the county or counties for 100% of the salary for all probation officer and supervisor positions approved for reimbursement by the division to meet pretrial services programs and specialty court programs. Provides that for the remaining probation officer positions engaged in basic services and new or expanded services approved of the total statewide number as of July 1, 2023, beginning on July 1, 2027, 20% of that number shall be transferred to those requiring 100% salary reimbursement. Each subsequent July 1, another 20% of the July 1, 2023 population shall also be transferred under described circumstances.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Subject to appropriation, requires the Board of Higher Education to create a school counselor stipend program. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of all eligible students and eligible cooperating school counselors who qualify for the stipend program. Sets forth requirements for the disbursement of stipend funds under the program. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student from participating in the stipend program or from receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Requires an eligible cooperating school counselor who receives a stipend to complete specific training. Requires the Board to issue a report, in collaboration with the State Board of Education, evaluating the impact of the stipend program. Permits the Board to adopt emergency rules regarding the administration of the stipend program in certain circumstances. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to make corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Establishes the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program, administered by the Department of Agriculture. Allows grants to be awarded from the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Fund, which is created as a special fund in the State treasury, for the installation of equipment for the storage and dispensing of fuels with higher blends of ethanol or biodiesel feedstock, according to the application and eligibility requirements established by rule by the Department of Agriculture. Requires the Comptroller and Treasurer to transfer, from June 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, $3,000,000 each calendar quarter from the Underground Storage Tank Fund to the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Fund. Provides for eligibility for grant funding and eligible expenditures from the fund. Makes conforming changes to the State Finance Act. Effective immediately.