Sen. Mike Halpin

Amends the Safety and Aid for the Environment in Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act. In provisions regarding integration and unitization of ownership interests and just compensation for nonconsenting pore space owners, provides that such compensation shall be no less than the average total payment package provided to similarly situated consenting pore space owners (rather than provided in agreements during the previous 365 days to similarly situated pore space owners). Removes provisions requiring the compensation to exclude incentives provided to consenting pore space owners prior to the initiation of injection. Removes provisions requiring the compensation to include any operations term or injection term payments made upon or after the initiation of injection provided to consenting pore space owners in consideration of allowing use of their pore space for sequestration of carbon dioxide.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that a social work associate endorsement on an Educator License with stipulations may be issued to an applicant who (i) holds a degree from a graduate program of social work that has been approved by the Council on Social Work Education and (ii) has an active license through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation under the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act as either a licensed clinical social worker or licensed social worker. Provides that the holder of a social work associate endorsement is authorized to perform responsibilities associated with traditional social work practice, subject to the restrictions in the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act regarding independent clinical practice, including Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions in a multi-tiered system of support. Provides that all responsibilities of the holder of a social work associate endorsement shall be performed in consultation with an individual who holds a Professional Educator License with a school support personnel endorsement in the area of school social work. Provides that the holder of a social work associate endorsement is not authorized to perform Tier 3 multi-tiered system of support interventions or participate in the individualized education program process or the federal Section 504 plan process for any student with a disability. Provides that the holder of a social work associate endorsement may not be employed by a school district or any other entity to replace any presently employed Professional Educator License holder with a school support personnel endorsement who otherwise would not be replaced for any reason. Provides that an applicant for a social work associate endorsement is not required to pass a content area test under the Code. Makes related changes. Effective immediately.

Declares April 1, 2025 as Skip the Plastic Day in the State of Illinois. urges all residents, businesses, and visitors to reduce plastic waste and protect our environment. Commends all businesses that willingly participate in Skip the Plastic Day by only offering single-use plastic items, including straws and cutlery, by request and that take proactive steps toward reducing plastic waste. Commends all residents who refuse the use of single-use plastic items.

Amends the State Property Control Act. In a provision concerning submission of an Annual Real Property Utilization Report, changes the due date for the Report from July 31 to August 31 of each year.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that a foreign national may not make, directly or indirectly, a contribution to a ballot initiative committee or an independent expenditure committee for the purpose of influencing any question of public policy to be submitted to the voters, and neither a ballot initiative committee nor an independent expenditure committee may knowingly solicit or accept a contribution from a foreign national for the purpose of influencing any question of public policy to be submitted to the voters. Provides that a foreign national may not make an independent expenditure for the purpose of influencing any question of public policy to be submitted to the voters. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation, in consultation and collaboration with the Department of Central Management Services and the Capital Development Board, to develop one or more standards for State purchases of appliances, concrete, asphalt, steel, and other building materials, subject to appropriation or the award of grant funding for this purpose. Provides that in developing these standards, the establishment of a maximum acceptable Global Warming Potential standard, as well as ways to promote and facilitate the use of life cycle assessments and environmental product declarations, shall be considered when considering bids for State-funded infrastructure projects.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in counties in which the county board so provides, by ordinance or resolution, owners of income-producing properties in the county shall file physical descriptions of their properties with the chief county assessment officer upon request of the chief county assessment officer. Sets forth the period of time during which those provisions apply. Provides that the request for information shall include an individualized statement specifying all physical description information that the assessor's office has on record or recorded against the property and shall contain a statement that the owner may confirm the information if no changes are required. Imposes certain penalties if the property owner fails to respond to a request for information. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to provide that financial records and data related to real estate income, expenses, and occupancy submitted by or on behalf of a property owner to a chief county assessment officer, except if submitted as part of an assessment appeal, are exempt from disclosure. Effective immediately.

Maddy summarySB 2624 appropriates $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for statewide 211 services, effective July 1, 2025. This bill provides dedicated funding to support the 211 information and referral system, which connects residents to community resources like housing, food assistance, and health services. It directly affects the Department of Human Services and the public accessing these statewide support services. The legislation is procedural, focusing solely on funding allocation without altering service policies or eligibility.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Auditing Law of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that certain provisions concerning audit requirements shall become inoperable in fiscal year 2026. Provides that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, if a municipality has a population of 1,000 or more, then the municipality shall file annually with the Comptroller an audit report and annual financial report. Provides that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, a municipality with a population of less than 1,000 shall file annually with the Comptroller an annual financial report. Provides that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, a municipality with a population of less than 1,000 that owns or operates public utilities or has bonded debt shall file an audit report once every 4 years unless the latest audit report filed with the Comptroller contains an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion. Provides that, if the audit report contains an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, then the municipality shall file an audit report annually until the audit report shows no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion. Provides that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, municipalities shall submit completed audit reports and annual financial reports within 180 days after the close of such fiscal year, unless an extension is granted by the Comptroller in writing.

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Makes changes to the definition of "managerial employee", including that, unless the sheriff and the union have mutually agreed otherwise, or are already recognized by the Act, the "undersheriff", "chief deputy", or "superintendent of the jail" shall be defined as a managerial employee. In the definition of "supervisor", provides that that the term includes only those individuals who devote a preponderance of their employment time to exercising that authority, State supervisors and sworn State police officers notwithstanding. In the definition of "supervisor", also provides that the Illinois Labor Relations Board, or the relevant panel with jurisdiction, shall consider, as evidence of bargaining unit inclusion or exclusion, applicable civil service law, ordinances, personnel codes, provisions regarding boards of fire and police commissioners in the Illinois Municipal Code, and the Sheriff's Merit System Law.