Sen. Li Arellano

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.

Amends the Illinois TRUST Act. Provides that certain limitations under the Act regarding actions that may be taken by law enforcement agencies and officials do not apply with respect to an individual who is not a citizen of the United States and who has been charged or convicted of a criminal offense under Illinois law. Directs a law enforcement agency or official to immediately notify an immigration agent whenever it has in its custody such an individual. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that an amount equal to 10% of the net revenue realized from the State income tax during the preceding month shall be transferred from the General Revenue Fund to the Local Government Distributive Fund (currently, the amount transferred is equal to the sum of (i) 6.47% of the net revenue realized from the tax imposed upon individuals, trusts, and estates during the preceding month; (ii) 6.85% of the net revenue realized from the tax imposed upon corporations during the preceding month; and (iii) 6.47% of the net revenue realized from the tax imposed upon electing pass-through entities). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may defer the expiration of the driver's license of a licensee serving in the Armed Forces of the United States outside of the State of Illinois for any length of time that does not exceed 6 months following the discharge of the licensee from the Armed Forces of the United States or within 90 days after reestablishing residence within the State, whichever is sooner (rather than 120 days after the expiration of the driver's license).

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging and the Home Health, Home Services, and Home Nursing Agency Licensing Act. Provides that any person providing home services, home health services, or home nursing services who is not a member of the patient or consumer's family or providing services under the Community Care Program shall prominently display a photo identification badge containing the name of the person providing the services, the name of the organization the person represents, the occupation of the person, and a recent photograph of the person.

Maddy summarySB 261 reenacts and makes permanent Illinois' Invest in Kids Act, which provides tax credits to Illinois taxpayers who contribute to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). The bill directly affects Illinois taxpayers who make qualified contributions to SGOs, allowing them to claim a tax credit equal to their contribution. These contributions fund scholarships for eligible students from households with incomes up to 300% of the federal poverty level (rising to 400% after receiving a scholarship), who attend qualified non-public schools in Illinois. The legislation amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make these tax credit provisions permanent, replacing a temporary program set to expire in 2025.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the cost-of-living adjustment to the standard exemption applies on a permanent basis (currently, for taxable years that end on or before December 31, 2028). Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Allows a nonresident applicant that resides outside of the United States and who is not a United States citizen to provide a passport number in place of a social security number when applying for a license required under the Wildlife Code or the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Specifies that a person issued a license under this provision may not use that license to hunt on public land. Makes a conforming change in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

Amends the Personnel Code. Adds provisions that are subject to the jurisdiction of the Department of Central Management Services with respect to selection and tenure on the basis of merit and fitness. Provides that civil service examinations for applicants, if required, shall be scheduled and completed within 10 days of the application deadline. Provides that interviews for applicants shall be scheduled and conducted within 20 days of the release of the results of any civil service examinations, or, if no civil service examinations are required, interviews shall be scheduled and conducted within 20 days of the application deadline. Provides that the selection process shall be completed within 10 days of the completion of the interview process. Provides that the Department of Central Management Services is responsible for enforcing the deadlines set forth in this Section. Provides that any deviation from the established deadlines under this Section must be documented and justified by the hiring agency.

Amends the Adoption Act. Defines an "unfit person" to mean a person in which there is substance abuse or addiction or both to alcohol or illegal drugs. Provides that if the evidence indicates a parent's past or current abuse or addiction, the court must review the parent's history of such and make a finding that it no longer is a threat to the health and welfare of a child.