Sen. Patrick Joyce

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act for a consumer reporting agency: (1) to make, create, or furnish any consumer report or credit report containing, incorporating, or reflecting any adverse information that the consumer reporting agency knows or should know relates to medical debt incurred by the consumer or a collection action against the consumer to collect medical debt; and (2) to maintain in the file on a consumer any information relating to medical debt incurred by a consumer or a collection action against the consumer to collect medical debt.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that it is unlawful to take wild turkey except by use of a bow and arrow or a shotgun of not larger than 10 gauge nor smaller than .410 bore (rather than no smaller than 20 gauge with shot size not larger than No. 4). Provides that the Department of Natural Resources may by administrative rule restrict shot size, material, or density.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, on or before July 1, 2025, the Department of Transportation shall create and implement a Type II Noise Suppression Program to provide noise abatement on existing highways in the State. Provides that, on or before July 1, 2025, the Department shall provide notice to the General Assembly that the Noise Suppression system has been activated. Effective July 1, 2024.

Amends the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act. Removes references to the State-Wide One-Call Notice System and replaces it with JULIE, Inc. Sets forth additional definitions. Provides that owners or operators of underground utility facilities are required to be members of JULIE. Sets forth requirements for excavators engaging in nonemergency excavation or demolition. Sets forth notice requirements prior to engaging in the excavation or demolition. Provides that underground utility facility owners or operators may request to be present when excavation occurs when there is a critical facility within a proposed excavation area and excavators shall comply with a request to be present during excavation. Creates the positive response system to be implemented by January 1, 2026. Provides that excavators and facility owners or operators shall use the positive response system to send and respond to required notices. Sets forth required response times in various circumstances. Provides that facility owners or operators shall respond to a valid planning design request and the requirements for the response. Provides for joint meet notifications and sets forth responsibilities of excavators and facility owners or operators for a joint meet. Provides that any county or the State that has shared geographic information system data with any other not-for-profit or agency shall share the information with JULIE. Sets forth requirements for emergency excavation or demolition circumstances. Sets forth liability for damage or dislocation of a facility. Makes other changes. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. In provisions concerning the College Savings Pool, provides that an account may be rolled over into a Roth IRA account, to the extent permitted by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. In provisions concerning the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program, provides that the definition of "eligible child" includes a child born or adopted after December 31, 2022, to a parent who is a resident of Illinois at the time of the birth or adoption, as evidenced by documentation received by the Treasurer from a parent or legal guardian of the child. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that the Directory published each year by the Department of Public Health for each public health region listing facilities shall contain the facility website address, if any.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Energy Transition Act to establish the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, which aims to train and place workers in Illinois clean energy jobs. The program will create a network of regional hub sites across the state, including specific locations in Chicago, Rockford, Aurora, and other major cities, to deliver training through community-based organizations. A key provision requires that at least one-third of job placements be reserved for residents of areas facing economic and environmental challenges, with additional preference given to individuals who face barriers to employment, such as those with low educational attainment, prior criminal records, or foster care backgrounds. The bill also mandates regular reporting on program performance and participant demographics to ensure transparency and track progress toward employment goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Property Tax Code to allow Illinois taxing districts to reduce property taxes for specific facilities related to electric vehicles and renewable energy. Under the new provisions, local governments can vote to lower taxes for manufacturers of electric vehicles, their parts, or power supply equipment that have existing agreements with the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The tax reductions can last for up to 30 years and apply to facilities that are part of the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois Act program. Additionally, the bill permits multiple taxing districts to jointly agree on tax abatements for these qualifying projects. The changes take effect once the legislation is signed into law.

Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Provides that before June 29, 2023, the additional organization license, issued by the Illinois Racing Board for standardbred racing to a racetrack located in specified townships of Cook County, shall not be issued within a 35-mile radius of another organization license issued by the Board, unless the person having operating control of such racetrack has given written consent to the organization licensee application, which consent must be filed with the Board at or prior to the time application is made.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the question of whether a unit of local government shall continue to be a home rule unit (rather than shall cease to be a home rule unit) shall be submitted in a form as specified. Makes conforming changes.