Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel

Appropriates $700,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the Illinois Center for Employee Ownership for the purpose of expanding education, outreach, and technical assistance related to employee ownership transitions and supporting small businesses in evaluating and pursuing succession through employee ownership. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that 20% of the lesser of (rather than the lesser of): (i) the purchase price or (ii) the fair market value shall constitute the rate base associated with the water or sewer utility as acquired by and incorporated into the rate base of the district designated by the acquiring large public utility, subject to any adjustments that the Illinois Commerce Commission deems necessary to ensure such rate base reflects prudent and useful investments in the provision of public utility service. Provides that the difference between the rate base and the purchase price or fair market value shall be borne by the shareholders of the acquiring large public utility. In provisions concerning the acquisition of a water or sewer utility, provides that, at the next election following the public meeting and notice requirements, a referendum shall be placed on the ballot for all electors within the area the water or sewer utility operates. Provides that, if a majority of the electors voting on the referendum within the service area of the water or sewer utility vote in favor of the referendum, then the acquisition may continue. Provides that, if less than a majority of the electors voting on the referendum within the service area of the water or sewer utility vote in favor of the referendum, the Commission shall not approve the large public utility's acquisition of the water or sewer utility. Removes a provision that provides that the Commission may authorize a water or sewer utility to file a surcharge which adjusts rates and charges to provide for recovery of costs associated with an investment in qualifying infrastructure plant, independent of any other matters related to the utility's revenue requirement. Makes other changes.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that a National Board certification-early childhood generalist endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who holds a valid Early Childhood Generalist certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Provides that the endorsement holder is deemed qualified and authorized to provide instruction in early childhood education programs and is deemed to meet or exceed all early childhood instructional competency requirements established by the State Board for pre-kindergarten instruction.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that specified notices of cancellation of insurance must be mailed at least 30 days prior to the effective date of cancellation to the named insured if the effective date of cancellation is within the first 60 days of coverage. Provides that, after the coverage has been effective for 61 days or more, all notices must be mailed at least 60 days prior to the effective date of cancellation. Makes conforming changes. Creates the Climate Risk Disclosure Article. Provides that the Article applies to all companies licensed in Illinois under Classes 2 and 3 that write $100,000,000 or more annually in premiums. Allows the monetary threshold to be altered by rule. Requires all insurers subject to the Article to, upon direction from the Department of Insurance, participate in National Association of Insurance Commissioners issued climate surveys and Department issued climate surveys.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State, upon receipt of all applicable fees and applications made in the form prescribed by the Secretary, to issue special registration plates designated as autism and neurodivergent plates to residents of the State who are autistic or neurodivergent or who are parents of children who are autistic or neurodivergent. Provides that the plates shall display the Just Bee icon used for identification of autistic or neurodivergent individuals. Provides that in all other respects, the design, color, and format of the plates shall be within the discretion of the Secretary. Requires an original certificate from a licensed physician that certifies the applicant, or the applicant's child, as autistic or neurodivergent to accompany each application.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution declares April 2, 2026, as Autism Awareness Day in Illinois. It recognizes the challenges faced by individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including barriers in education, employment, and healthcare, while aligning with the United Nations' observance of World Autism Day. The resolution has no legal effect or direct impact on policies, services, or individuals. It serves solely as a symbolic acknowledgment to promote understanding of autism within the state.

Creates the Dissolution of Special Districts Act. Establishes a method for the dissolution of special districts. Provides that a special district may dissolve upon the affirmative majority vote of its own governing body and the affirmative majority vote of a receiving unit of local government. Provides that, on or before the date of dissolution, all real and personal property, and any other assets, together with all personnel, contractual obligations, and liabilities of the dissolving special district shall be transferred to the receiving unit of local government. Provides that, on the date of dissolution, the dissolving special district is dissolved. Provides that, on and after the date of dissolution, all rights and duties of the dissolving special district may be exercised by the receiving unit of local government. Provides that, before the date of dissolution, the receiving unit of local government shall submit a service continuation plan confirming that the receiving unit of local government has the resources to continue providing the services provided by the dissolving special district. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Strengthen Illinois Homes Fund. On or before July 1, 2028, and depending on availability of funds, provides that the Department of Insurance shall identify areas of need to administer a pilot grant program known as the Strengthen Illinois Homes Program. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in conjunction with the Department of Insurance, to develop a standard application and grant award rubric for the eligible program grantees. Establishes program requirements for contractors. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Establishes notice requirements for companies providing flood coverage. Creates the Climate Risk Disclosure Article, which may be referred to as the Climate Risk Disclosure Law. Requires all companies, corporations, and organizations subject to the Article to, upon direction from the Department, participate in climate surveys issued by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Creates the Strengthen Illinois Homes Article, which may be referred to as the Strengthen Illinois Homes Act. Provides that, for homeowners insurance policies, an insurer shall provide an actuarially justified premium discount or insurance rate reduction to a specified owner. Provides that the Director of Insurance may adopt rules that establish standard discount amounts, targets, or benchmarks for the coverage of insurable property meeting the specified mitigation program standards. Provides that an insurer writing homeowners insurance policies that provide coverage of an insurable property that is a nonfortified insurable property shall offer an optional rider, endorsement, or supplemental policy provision that provides the insured a right to receive claim payments for the cost to upgrade an insurable property to mitigation program standards for a specified claim. Makes other changes. Amends the Dental Service Plan Act, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and the Limited Health Service Organization Act to establish conforming requirements.

Amends the School Code. Provides that certain provisions concerning the recomputation and adjustment of a school district claim for general State aid or evidence-based funding shall end with Fiscal Year 2026. Provides that when a child from an orphanage, foster family home, other State agency, children's home, or State residential unit eligible for special education services is placed in a separate public day school, that school shall meet the programmatic requirements and regulations for separate public day schools. Provides that any funds appropriated for the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program must be used, among other purposes, for indirect costs necessary for Program operation. Provides that an annual retention bonus of up to $4,000 (rather than $4,000) per year for 2 consecutive years shall be awarded to National Board certified teachers employed in hard-to-staff schools and such funds must be disbursed equally on an annual basis among all qualified educators (rather than on a first-come, first-served basis). Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to design, implement, and maintain a statewide program to provide voluntary short-term universal newborn home visiting services to all Illinois families with newborn infants for the purpose of promoting the physical, mental, and social well-being of newborn infants and their parents or caregivers. Requires the Department to: (i) consider recommendations from the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems grant report when adopting rules to implement the universal newborn home visiting program; and (ii) consult, coordinate, and collaborate with specified stakeholders when designing the universal newborn home visiting program. Contains provisions concerning grant awards for the establishment or expansion of local universal newborn home visiting programs; criteria for the selection of eligible service models; program requirements; program data collection and reporting; and other matters. Effective July 1, 2027.