Sen. Jil Tracy

Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions concerning the exercise of eminent domain powers by a public utility, provides that an owner or operator of a pipeline designed, constructed, and operated to transport carbon dioxide to which the Illinois Commerce Commission has granted a certificate under the Carbon Dioxide Transportation and Sequestration Act shall not seek or exercise eminent domain authority from the Commission. Amends the Carbon Dioxide Transportation and Sequestration Act. Provides that a certificate of authority does not grant an owner or operator of a carbon dioxide pipeline the authority to take and acquire an easement in any property or interest in property for the construction, maintenance, or operation of a carbon dioxide pipeline through the exercise of eminent domain power. Removes corresponding provisions concerning eminent domain.

Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act . Provides that the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Office of Homeland Security shall conduct a comprehensive study of weather radar in the State. Provides that the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Office of Homeland Security shall prepare a written report summarizing the findings of the study. Requires the report to include recommendations, if any, for legislative or administrative action to improve or expand weather radar coverage in the State. Requires the Agency to submit the report to the Governor and the General Assembly by no later than one year after the effective date of the Act.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning tax sales, provides that, for tax sales that occur on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the redemption period shall be 5 years (instead of 2.5 years). Provides that a tax deed grantee may file a petition in the circuit court of the county in which the property is located forcing a judicial sale of the property. Contains provisions concerning the distribution of surplus funds. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that any purchase by a county with fewer than 2,000,000 inhabitants, or an elected official in a county with fewer than 2,000,000 inhabitants, including an elected official with control of the internal operations of the office, of services, materials, equipment, or supplies in excess of $60,000 (rather than $30,000), other than professional services, shall be contracted (1) by a contract let to the lowest responsible bidder after advertising for bids in a newspaper published within the county or, if no newspaper is published within the county, then a newspaper having general circulation within the county; (2) by a contract let without advertising for bids in the case of an emergency if authorized by the county board; or (3) by a contract let without advertising for bids in the case of the expedited replacement of a disabled, inoperable, or damaged patrol vehicle of the sheriff's department if authorized by the county board.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning the Medicaid Access Adjustment payments to nursing facilities, provides that for dates of service beginning January 1, 2027, the Medicaid Access Adjustment shall be increased by $5.75 to $10.50 per diem. Provides that beginning January 1, 2027, facilities located outside of Rate Areas 6, 7, and 8 shall have the Medicaid percent of occupied bed days to be at least 60% of all occupied bed days adjusted quarterly to qualify for the Medicaid Access Adjustment. Provides that the remaining facilities shall have their threshold remain at 70%.

Creates the Adult Content Age Verification Act. Provides that a commercial entity that knowingly and intentionally publishes or distributes material harmful to minors on the Internet from a website that contains a substantial portion of material harmful to minors shall be subject to civil penalties if the entity fails to perform reasonable age verification methods to verify the age of individuals attempting to access the material. Provides that the Attorney General may investigate alleged violations and initiate a civil action for an injunction and to assess civil penalties. Provides that the civil penalties shall be deposited into the Cyber Exploitation of Children Fund, which shall be expended for the investigation of cybercrimes involving the exploitation of children. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change.

Creates the Social Media Age Restriction Act. Provides that an operator of a social media platform shall take reasonable steps, including the implementation of an age assurance system, to prevent a child from creating or maintaining an account on the social media platform. Provides that an operator may enter into an agreement with application distribution services or device manufacturers to allow for user information to be shared for age assurance purposes. Provides that the provision does not apply to a parent or guardian who allows a child to use an account held by the parent or guardian. Sets forth provisions concerning a 30-day cure period and civil penalties. Provides that an operator shall have 180 days after the effective date of the Act to comply with the requirements of the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026, each State's Attorney whose term begins after July 1, 2026 shall be compensated at the rate of 100% of the mean of the amount paid to the resident circuit judges in the county courthouse for the State's Attorney.. Provides that the State shall furnish 66 2/3% of the total annual compensation to be paid to each State's Attorney in the State based on the salary in effect on December 31, 1988, and 100% of the increases in salary taking effect after December 31, 1988. Provides that the amount shall be paid from the Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund. Provides that the county shall be responsible for the State and federal income tax reporting and withholding and the employer contributions under the Illinois Pension Code.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that no member of the State Board of Elections or affiliated person shall contribute, either financially or in services or goods or any other way, to any political party, candidate, or organization engaged in political activity. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to submit, beginning June 1, 2027, annual reports to the General Assembly on the total number of youth in care who were classified by the Department as missing during the previous calendar year and, from that reported number, the total number of missing youth who were later located or recovered. Requires the annual reports to include for each youth who was classified as missing: information on the youth's age and gender, the type of placement the youth was placed in before the youth was classified as missing, the total length of time the youth has been under the Department's custody or guardianship, the date upon which the youth was first classified as missing, the circumstances leading up to the Department classifying the youth as missing, actions the Department has taken to locate or recover the youth, and, if applicable, the date on which the Department located or recovered the youth. Requires the Department to follow all State and federal privacy laws and regulations when collecting, sharing, storing, or reporting the data and information on missing youth in care.