Sen. Mike Halpin

Amends the School Code. Creates the Waiver Process Task Force. Sets forth provisions concerning membership, meetings, and support services. Provides that the purposes of the Task Force are to examine the current waiver response process and make recommendations on a more equitable and fair waiver response at the elementary and secondary school levels in this State; develop and use metrics to access the viability of waiver requests and the impact of such requests on students in kindergarten through grade 12; promote training and professional development on creating waiver requests that include accountability measures for teachers and other community stakeholders across this State; identify and seek local, State, and national resources to support an equitable and fair waiver process; and complete such other strategies as may be identified by the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on how waivers should be requested, how waivers should be reviewed for approval, and how to demonstrate the ability to fulfill accountability measures proposed in requested waivers. Requires the Task Force to file a report with the Governor and the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2025. Effective immediately.

Amends the General Provisions and State Employees Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a Tier 2 participant who is employed as an investigator for the Secretary of State or as a conservation police officer on the effective date of the amendatory Act, has accrued not less than 10 years of credit for such service, and has attained age 60 shall be entitled to an annuity calculated under the alternative retirement annuity provisions of the State Employees Article, in lieu of a regular or minimum retirement annuity, notwithstanding that he or she has accrued less than 20 years of eligible creditable service. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision requiring a participating municipality or participating instrumentality to pay an additional contribution to the Fund for certain earnings increases above 6% or 1.5 times the annual increase in the consumer price index-u, whichever is greater, provides that the payments must be concluded within 7 years (instead of 3 years) after receipt of the bill by the participating municipality or participating instrumentality. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Exempts from garnishment for a period of 30 calendar days wages electronically deposited directly into a judgment debtor's checking or savings account in a financial institution. Increases the amount that every individual is entitled to for the individual's estate of homestead from $15,000 to $100,000 if the property is owned by a single individual, and from $30,000 to $200,000 if the property is owned by 2 or more individuals. Makes conforming changes in provisions regarding: the validity of a release, waiver, or conveyance of a property; the proceeds of a sale; bids for less than the exempted amount; proceedings to enforce a judgment; notice to judgment debtors; and the sale of premises and distribution of proceeds. Increases the exemptions for: other personal property from $4,000 to $27,000; a motor vehicle from $2,400 to $16,000; tools of the trade of the debtor from $1,500 to 10,000; and personal injury from $15,000 to $100,000. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that if the United States Supreme Court holds to be unconstitutional a provision under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) that prohibits a group health plan and health insurance issuer from establishing lifetime or annual limits on the dollar value of benefits, or if the holding makes Medicaid eligibility allowed under that specified provision inoperable, then the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall fully cover the costs of medical assistance for individuals affected by that holding, subject to appropriation. Provides that the Department shall not require individuals receiving medical assistance to work a minimum amount of hours in order to receive benefits.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 173) honoring Jay Pearce, a longtime Illinois public broadcasting professional who died on August 21, 2024. The resolution formally mourns his passing, recognizes his 40-year career in radio and television - including roles at WILL, WSIU, and the Illinois Public Broadcasting Council - and acknowledges his service to the community. It extends the Illinois Senate's condolences to his family, including his wife, children, and stepchildren. As a memorial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or regulations.

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.

Creates the Natural Resources and Agricultural Legacy Act. Establishes the Illinois Natural Resources and Agricultural Legacy Fund as a special fund in the State treasury to be managed by the Department of Natural Resources for the purpose of making grants to qualified easement holders for (1) the purchase of conservation easements on qualified land; (2) the costs of acquisition related to the purchase of conservation easements approved by the program; and (3) the costs of ecological management and maintenance activities. Requires the Department to adopt rules to implement the Act. Establishes the Legacy Act Technical Advisory Committee in the Department. Contains legislative findings. Defines terms. Repeals the Local Legacy Act. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Illinois Natural Resources and Agricultural Legacy Fund as a special fund in the State treasury.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions regarding a certificate of public convenience and necessity, makes changes to the limitations on the construction of a nuclear power reactor. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, construction may commence on an advanced nuclear reactor (rather than a new nuclear power reactor with a nameplate capacity of 300 megawatts of electricity or less) within the State under specified conditions. Defines "advanced nuclear reactor". Makes other changes.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish a property tax rebate program that allows licensed, not-for-profit child care centers that were obligated to pay property taxes to a unit of local government or special district in the State to apply to the Department for a rebate of those taxes. Grants the Department rulemaking authority to implement this provision. Effective immediately.