Sen. Li Arellano

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that, if a quorum of the members of the public body is physically present, a majority of the public body may allow a member of that body to attend the meeting by other means if the member is prevented from physically attending because of performance of active military duty as a service member. Defines "active military duty" and "service member". Effective immediately.

Maddy summarySJR 16, titled "SMES/MSMES-YOUTH," is a legislative measure that encourages young people to consider career opportunities within the small to mid-sized manufacturing sector.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Provides that the State Treasurer may establish and administer a non-profit investment pool and an electronic payment processing program to supplement and enhance investment opportunities and secure electronic payment options otherwise available to not-for-profit corporations in the State. Provides that the Treasurer may receive funds paid into the pool for the purpose of holding and investing those funds. Provides for surety bonds payable to not-for-profit corporations who participate in the pool. Provides that the Treasurer shall adopt rules for the efficient administration of the pool.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any provision of the Act, any rule adopted under the Act, or any term or condition in any permit issued under the Act, each natural gas-fired peaker power plant in the State may, to the extent allowed by federal law, be operated on up to a continuous basis beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act and until 30 days after the date upon which the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency first posts on its website a notice that it has determined, based on data supplied to it annually by the Illinois Power Agency, that at least 21,000 MWe of new utility-scale renewable power generation capacity has been brought online in the State. Directs the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt any rules and to amend any existing permits as necessary to implement the provisions added by the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Removes provisions prohibiting the construction of new nuclear power reactors with a nameplate capacity of more than 300 megawatts of electricity to be located within the State until the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security finds that the United States Government has identified and approved a demonstrable technology or means for the disposal of high level nuclear waste.

Amends the Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to implement the federal Family Violence Option created by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, P.L. 104-193, and other specified federal provisions that permit state agencies to waive TANF work and self-sufficiency requirements for individuals who are the victims of domestic or sexual violence. Contains provisions on how individuals may apply for a "good cause" waiver of TANF requirements due to domestic or sexual violence, including, provisions concerning required documentation or third-party verification to support a good cause waiver claim; and the option to self-attest to a claim of domestic or sexual violence in support of a good cause waiver claim. Contains provisions on notification requirements imposed on the Department; crisis assistance funding; rulemaking; and data reporting requirements.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 427 is a commemorative resolution that officially mourns the passing of Charles James "Charlie" Kirk. It serves to acknowledge and honor his memory.

Declares April 23, 2026 as Animal Welfare Day in the State of Illinois to reflect on the importance of just and humane treatment of animals. Discourages all acts of bovine tailing and its associated harms.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Establishes a homestead exemption for qualified homestead property that has been continuously owned, used, and occupied as the primary residence by the qualified taxpayer for at least 30 years any time prior to January 1 of the taxable year for which the exemption would apply. Requires taxpayers who have been granted an exemption to reapply on an annual basis. Provides that the assessor or chief county assessment officer may determine the eligibility of residential property to receive the homestead exemption by application, visual inspection, questionnaire, or other reasonable methods. Sets forth provisions concerning the review of exemptions granted under the provisions. Defines "qualified homestead property" and "qualified taxpayer". Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 454 is a memorial resolution. It officially mourns the passing of Michael Edward Roy of Peoria.