Sen. Rachel Ventura

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that the maximum amount of notes or bonds that may be issued by the Illinois Finance Authority for any one agricultural real estate borrower may be increased by a higher amount than currently allowed if a higher amount is permitted by statute or regulation. In provisions concerning agricultural assistance loans, removes provisions providing that no proceeds from any bonds issued by the Illinois Finance Authority shall be loaned for the purchase of new depreciable agricultural property to any natural person who has a net worth in excess of $500,000. Effective immediately.

Declares April 3, 2026 as Jane Goodall Day in the State of Illinois in recognition of the life and work of Jane Goodall, Ph.D. and the importance of conservation, sustainability, and living in peace with our environment.

Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall permit applicants to choose between "male", "female", or "X" (rather than "male", "female", or "non-binary") on an application for an identification card, driver's license, or permit. Provides that an applicant who wants to change the sex listed on an issued identification card, driver's license, or permit must submit a gender designation form. Sets forth the requirements of the gender designation form.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that the Prescription Monitoring Program does not apply to testosterone, mifepristone, misoprostol, GnRH analogues, or estrogen. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall purge from the records of the Prescription Monitoring Program all existing information concerning the prescribing or dispensing of testosterone, including any such information contained in the central repository or database, on or before January 1, 2027, and shall ensure that no further records concerning the prescribing and dispensing of testosterone are created or maintained by the Prescription Monitoring Program. Provides that the Department shall update and adopt rules consistent with the provision no later than January 1, 2027. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Sets forth provisions requiring an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance amended, delivered, issued, or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 2028 to provide coverage for up to a 12-month supply of prescription hormone therapy, and the necessary supplies for self-administration, that is prescribed by a network provider within the provider's scope of practice and dispensed at one time for an enrollee by a provider or pharmacist, or at a location licensed or otherwise authorized to dispense drugs or supplies. Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a dispensing provider or pharmacist shall dispense, at a patient's request, up to a 12-month supply of a prescription hormone therapy and the necessary supplies for self-administration pursuant to a valid prescription that specifies an initial quantity followed by periodic refills, except as specified. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 and the Illinois Public Aid Code to require coverage under the provisions of those Acts.

Amends the Illinois Notary Public Act. Provides that every applicant for appointment and commission as a notary shall complete an application in a format prescribed by the Secretary of State stating, among other things, that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony within the 10 years immediately preceding the date of application (now, the applicant must state that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony).

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2028 that provides coverage for: habilitative services shall provide coverage for habilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering, regardless of whether the stuttering is classified as developmental; rehabilitative services shall provide coverage for rehabilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering; or both habilitative services and rehabilitative services shall provide coverage for habilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering, regardless of whether the stuttering is classified as developmental, and shall provide coverage for rehabilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering. Sets forth requirements and limitations for the coverage. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to require coverage under the provisions of those Acts. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective January 1, 2028.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall ensure that a committed person and the committed person's correspondents are not charged any fee, surcharge, or cost for mail communication or mail scanning services that exceed the standard postage rate set by the United States Postal Service. Provides that the Department shall not charge the committed person or correspondent any fee, surcharge, or cost for any incoming mail addressed to and received by the committed person, including any material received through mail scanning services. Provides that the Department shall not charge the committed person any fee, surcharge, or cost for outgoing mail delivery or mail scanning services that exceeds the postage rate set by the United States Postal Service for any outgoing mail. Provides that the Department or any third-party vendor that the Department contracts with, shall not impose any fee, surcharge, or cost to the committed person above the United States Postal Service rate for mail communication, including the delivery or scanning of mail. Provides that the Department shall not use the provision of voice communication services, mail communication, mail scanning services, or any other communication services to supplant in-person contact visits. Provides that the Department shall not receive revenue, directly or indirectly, from the provision of voice communications, mail communication, mail scanning services, or other communication services to a person in custody in any institutions and facilities of the Department. Provides that beginning July 1, 2027, the Department shall annually report to the General Assembly on the status of any communication services contracts and plans to consolidate contracts to maximize purchasing power for voice communication services, mail communication services, and all other communication services. Provides that the Department shall post the report on its website. Effective immediately.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that a grocery store that offers a digital coupon to consumers shall make available a corresponding paper coupon of equal value. Provides that the paper coupons shall be easily accessible at the service desk and may also be placed in other locations around the store. Provides that a grocery store that violates the requirement commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Prohibits a landlord from imposing a move-in fee. Provides that a landlord may not demand any charge for the processing, reviewing, or accepting of an application, or demand any other payment, fee, or charge before or at the beginning of the tenancy. Exempts entrance fees charged by nursing homes or similar institutions. Prohibits a landlord from renaming a fee or charge to avoid application of these provisions. Limits fees for the late payment of rent in certain situations. Provides that any provision of a lease, rental agreement, contract, or any similar document purporting to waive or limit these provisions is void and unenforceable as against public policy. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that State policy is that access to housing is a fundamental human right in preventing discrimination based on familial status or source of income in real estate transactions. Changes the definition of "source of income"by stating that the definition prohibits a person engaged in a real estate transaction from requiring a credit check before approving another person in the process of renting real property or requiring a move-in fee in lieu of a security deposit or in addition to a security deposit.