Amends the Public Higher Education Act. Requires the governing board of each public institution of higher education to adopt a policy that prohibits employees of the public institution of higher education from offering incentives to students to vote.
Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to submit an annual report available to the public, on or before July 1, on its website that includes for each school district: (1) the number of students in the school year seeking admission to transfer to or within a school district or withdrawal from a school in the school district under specified provisions, showing the potential net change; (2) the number of rejected transfer requests in the school year; (3) the reason or reasons why each rejected transfer request was rejected in the school year; and (4) the total number of students that either transferred into, out of, or within each district, showing the actual net change. Provides that each year, the State Board of Education shall randomly select 20 school districts in this State to conduct an audit of each school district's approved and denied transfers based on the provisions of the policies adopted by the respective school district. Provides that on or before the first day of January, April, July, and October of each year, it shall be the duty of the superintendent of a receiving school district to file with the State Board of Education a report showing the total number of students granted transfers to or within the receiving school district and their respective school sites and grade levels. Requires each school district to report to the State Board of Education on or before October 1 of each year: (1) the total student capacity for each school in the school district; (2) the number of transfer students enrolled in each receiving school in the receiving school district; (3) the number of requests for specified transfer received; and (4) the number of requests for transfer denied and the reason or reasons supporting the denial of any request for transfer.
Creates the Campus Free Speech Act. Requires the governing board of each public university and community college to develop and adopt a policy on free expression; sets forth what the policy must contain. Requires the Board of Higher Education to create a Committee on Free Expression to issue an annual report. Requires public institutions of higher education to include in their freshman orientation programs a section describing to all students the policies and rules regarding free expression that are consistent with the Act. Contains provisions concerning rules, construction of the Act, and enforcement.
Creates the Noncitizen Population Spending Transparency Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with relevant State agencies, shall prepare an annual report identifying all State spending on services and resources for noncitizen and asylum-seeking populations. Sets forth reporting requirements. Provides that, on or before November 15, 2025, and each year thereafter, the Department of Human Services shall submit the report to the General Assembly. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall post and maintain the report on its publicly available website. Provides that the Department of Human Services is authorized to coordinate efforts with other State agencies to prepare and submit a cohesive report for the General Assembly. Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, beginning with budgets prepared for fiscal year 2027, the budgets submitted by the Governor and appropriations made by the General Assembly for all executive branch State agencies must include a detailed accounting of all proposed spending on noncitizen and asylum-seeking populations. Effective immediately.
Creates the Weather Modification Act. Provides that any form of weather modification shall not be allowed in the State, including the seeding of clouds by plane or ground. Defines "seeding" as a type of weather modification that aims to change the amount or type of precipitation that falls from clouds. Effective immediately.
Amends the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that if a student at a public institution of higher education is required to complete an instructor evaluation, the student shall evaluate the instructor's bias on whether the instructor displays any prejudiced or unfair treatment toward certain individuals or groups based on factors, including, but not limited to, race, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or political ideology.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 63) honoring Senator Dan McConchie for his service in the Illinois General Assembly. It expresses the Illinois Senate's gratitude for his contributions, including his work on education funding, accessibility for disabled individuals, and leadership as Republican Caucus Leader. The resolution has no policy provisions or direct impact on legislation; it solely serves as a formal expression of appreciation. It was adopted unanimously by the Senate on January 29, 2025.
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 Election Code. Prohibits a political committee from making expenditures for payments to attorneys, expert witnesses, investigators, or others to provide a defense in a criminal case.
Creates the Universal Basic Income Prohibition Act. Defines "universal basic income" as a government program that provides a base income to persons residing in Illinois by disbursing direct, recurring cash payments to persons to be used for any purpose without qualification or restriction. Provides that the General Assembly, a state agency, or a unit of local government may not pass a law, rule, resolution, or ordinance establishing a universal basic income program or any similar program. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to (i) diminish, negate, or interfere with a State public aid or social welfare program established by law, rule, resolution, or ordinance before the effective date of the Act that does not meet the criteria of a universal basic income program, including, but not limited to, township general assistance programs, or (ii) prohibit the passage of a law, rule, resolution, or ordinance that establishes or implements a public aid or social welfare program that does not meet the criteria of a universal basic income program or any similar guaranteed income program. Limits home rule powers by providing that regulation of universal basic income is an exclusive power and function of the State. Effective immediately.
