Sen. Sue Rezin

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board shall, upon passage of a referendum after submission of a petition signed by no less than 8% of the school district's voters in the last consolidated election, or may, by resolution, enter into a joint agreement with other school boards to share the services of a superintendent or other administrator. Provides that any savings realized by sharing services must be divided equally between classroom needs and property tax relief. Provides that a school district wishing to withdraw from the joint agreement shall obtain from its school board a written resolution approving the withdrawal and shall present a petition for withdrawal to the other member school districts within the timelines designated by the joint agreement if the school district entered into the joint agreement by resolution. Provides that a school district wishing to withdraw from the joint agreement shall submit to the voters of the district the question of whether the school district shall withdraw from the joint agreement if the school district entered into the joint agreement by a referendum vote (also provides for a referendum upon submission of a petition).

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Deletes a provision concerning the express prohibition of a municipality's adoption of any ordinance or resolution or the exercise of any power that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the installation of a solar energy system or low-voltage solar-powered devices. Provides that a municipality may regulate or prohibit the installation of a solar energy system or low-voltage solar-powered devices in a way that is consistent with the municipality's comprehensive plan or zoning authority.

Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that the Illinois High School Association and the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association, and the National Institutes of Health, may develop and implement eligibility standards for public and nonpublic schools and institutions of higher education to obtain a Safe Sports School Seal. Sets forth standards to receive the Safe Sports School Seal, and provides for application. Grants rulemaking authority to the State Board of Education. Effective July 1, 2026.

Creates the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact Act. Provides that, one year after the effective date of the Act, the State of Illinois enters into the PA Licensure Compact in substantially the form provided in the Act with all other states joining the Compact. Provides that the purpose of the Compact is for participating states of the Compact to have allied in common purpose to develop a comprehensive process that complements the existing authority of state licensing boards to license and discipline physician assistants and to seek to enhance the portability of a license to practice as a physician assistant while safeguarding the safety of patients. Contains provisions relating to requirements for state participation in the contract. Includes the procedures a licensee must follow to apply for and obtain compact privilege. Provides that a participating state in which a licensee is licensed under the Compact shall have exclusive power to impose adverse action against the qualifying license issued by that participating state. Provides for the creation of a PA Licensure Compact Commission, including a delegate selected by each participating state's licensing board. Includes other provisions relating to the operation of the Commission, including when the Commission is implemented, the data system used by the Commission, and Commission rules. Includes provisions relating to oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement; construction and severability; and the binding effect of the Compact. Amends the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987. Requires, no later than 3 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to (i) submit a report to the Governor and General Assembly describing all rule and statutory changes necessary to comply with the PA Licensure Compact and (ii) begin rulemaking procedures necessary to modify its rules to conform with the requirements of the PA Licensure Compact.

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning a school board's suspension or expulsion of pupils, provides that a student who is determined to have initiated sexual activity with another individual without that individual's consent, a sexual assault, or an attempted sexual assault at a school, a school-sponsored activity or event, or an activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school shall be expelled for a period of not less than one year. Provides that (i) a student initiates sexual activity with another individual without that individual's consent if the student uses force or a threat of force to make the other individual perform a nonconsensual sexual act; (ii) a student initiates a sexual assault if the student commits an act of sexual penetration and uses force or a threat of force; and (iii) a student initiates an attempted sexual assault if, with the intent to commit a sexual assault, the student commits an act that constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of a sexual assault. Allows the expulsion requirement to be modified by the superintendent of the school district and the superintendent's determination to be modified by the school board on a case-by-case basis. Provides that the expulsion shall be construed in a manner consistent with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and a student who is subject to expulsion may be eligible for a transfer to an alternative school program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for taxpayers who are employed as an early childhood teacher or an early childhood assistant during the taxable year and who have a federal adjusted gross income for the taxable year of $75,000 or less. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on January 1, 2026 and beginning before January 1, 2027, the amount of the credit is $1,000. Provides that, for subsequent taxable years, the credit amount shall be adjusted by the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for the preceding calendar year.

Amends the Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for any person to possess, purchase, attempt to purchase, sell, or attempt to sell, or for any recyclable metal dealer to purchase or attempt to purchase, telecommunications wire in any amount unless the seller is an authorized agent, a representative or employee of a licensed contractor of a public utility, a provider of telecommunications services, as described in the Public Utilities Act, or a provider of broadband service, interconnected VoIP services, or wireless services, as described in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Recyclable Metal Theft Task Force shall review the effectiveness of its efforts in deterring and investigating the problem of recyclable metal theft specific to telecommunications wires, burned wire, and any other equipment used to provide (i) telecommunications services, as described in the Public Utilities Act, or (ii) broadband service, interconnected VoIP services, or wireless services, as described in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Task Force shall consider and develop long-term solutions, both legislative and enforcement-driven, for the rising problem of theft of these wires and equipment in this State. Provides that the Task Force shall be composed of one representative of a wireless telecommunications carrier. Provides that the Task Force shall, by October 31 of each year, report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor. Changes the definition of the term "recyclable metal". Defines the terms "burned wire" and "telecommunications wire". Effective July 1, 2027.

Appropriates $20,000,000 to the University of Illinois for the purpose of increasing the extension service trust fund allocation for the University of Illinois Extension program. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that notwithstanding any other provisions of the Code, if the defendant is charged with a violation of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act involving the manufacture or delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, a controlled substance, a counterfeit substance, or controlled substance analog of 15 grams or more of a substance containing fentanyl, or an analog thereof, then the burden of proof is on the defendant to show by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant's pretrial release does not pose a real and present threat to the safety of any person or persons or the community, based on the specific articulable facts of the case.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that if a continuance is requested and granted for a hearing on pretrial detention, the hearing shall be held within 72 (rather than 48) hours of the defendant's first appearance if the defendant is charged with first degree murder or a Class X, Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 felony.