Sen. Chapin Rose

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a commercial wind energy facility, a commercial solar energy facility, or both may not be approved by a county within an unincorporated area of the county that is within a 3-mile radius surrounding a municipality unless both the county board and the city council of the municipality approve the facility, regardless of whether or not the municipality has adopted zoning ordinances or is regulating wind farms and electric-generating wind devices. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending the Illinois Criminal Code to update the definitions and regulations regarding assault weapons, .50 caliber rifles, and specific ammunition types. It directly affects firearm manufacturers, sellers, purchasers, and owners by clarifying which semiautomatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns are classified as assault weapons based on features like detachable magazines, pistol grips, and barrel modifications. The legislation includes a detailed list of specific firearm models, such as various AK and AR types, that are explicitly included in the assault weapon definition. By revising these legal definitions, the bill aims to ensure that current firearms and their components are accurately covered under existing state laws prohibiting their manufacture, possession, sale, and purchase.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially names Illinois Route 40 as it passes through Casey the "Army Specialist Charles Lamb Memorial Highway" to honor a military service member. The legislation designates this specific stretch of road with a commemorative title, serving as a permanent tribute rather than changing how the road is operated or funded. A recent amendment to the bill updates the text to refer to the "US" instead of "Illinois," clarifying the context of the memorial. Once passed, the change appears on official maps and signage to recognize Specialist Lamb's service.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Illinois Route 133 in Oakland as the "Lieutenant Jared W. Southworth Memorial Highway" to honor a local resident who died in service. The legislation directly affects the community of Oakland and the Illinois Department of Transportation, which will be responsible for updating road signage. It is based on the life and sacrifice of Lieutenant Jared Southworth, a former National Guard member and Oakland native who was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. The bill does not change laws or funding but serves as a formal commemorative act to recognize his service and legacy.

Urges OSHA and the federal government to not implement new fire protection standards that will place a financial burden on public safety. Urges OSHA and the federal government to conduct further analysis on the proposed changes to minimize the financial burden on small-entity volunteer fire departments.

Amends the Clerks of Courts Act. Removes language providing for the compensation of Clerks of the Circuit Court. Provides instead that the salary of a clerk of the circuit court elected or appointed after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall be set as a percentage of the salary of Judges of the Circuit Court and shall be in the following amounts: in counties where the population is less than 14,000, 55%; in counties where the population is 14,001 to 30,000, 60%; in counties where the population is 30,001 to 60,000, 65%; in counties where the population is 60,001 to 100,000, 70%; in counties where the population is 100,001 to 200,000, 75%; in counties where the population is 200,001 to 300,000, 80%; in counties where the population is 300,001 to 3,000,000, 85%; and in counties where the population is over 3,000,000, 90%. Requires the State to furnish 66 2/3% of the total annual salary to be paid to a clerk of the circuit court, and the county to furnish 33 1/3% of the total annual salary. Provides that if, on the effective date of the amendatory Act, the salary of a clerk is greater than the percentage of the circuit judges salary in the provisions, that circuit clerk's salary shall not be reduced.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that, for community-based providers serving persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities, subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2025 shall include an increase in the rate methodology sufficient to provide a $3 per hour wage rate increase for all direct support personnel and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings, with at least $1.50 of those funds to be provided as a direct increase to base wages and the remaining $1.50 to be used flexibly for base wage increases. Provides that the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2025 shall include an increase sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding direct support personnel, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as defined by rule by the Department of Human Services. Provides that for facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act as ID/DD facilities and under the MC/DD Act as MC/DD facilities, subject to federal approval of a State Plan Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2025, shall include a $3 per hour wage rate increase for all direct support personnel and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings, with at least $1.50 of those funds to be provided as a direct increase to all aide base wages and the remaining $1.50 to be used flexibly for base wage increases to the rate methodology for aides. Provides that for residential services delivered on or after January 1, 2025, the rates shall include an increase sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding aides, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as determined by the Department. Requires the Department to adopt rules, including emergency rules, to implement the amendatory Act.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that first full week of March each year is designated as Soil Health Week to be observed throughout the State as a week to celebrate and raise awareness regarding the importance of soil health to Illinois agriculture and Illinois farmers.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval, beginning January 1, 2025, and each year thereafter, the monthly personal needs allowance for a nursing facility resident who is determined to be eligible for medical assistance shall increase by an amount equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the consumer price index-u during the preceding 12-month calendar year. Provides that subject to federal approval, beginning January 1, 2025, for a supportive living facility resident who is determined eligible for medical assistance, in addition to the minimum monthly personal needs allowance authorized under the Social Security Act, the State shall pay an amount that is equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the consumer price index-u during the preceding 12-month calendar year. Provides that the monthly amount paid by the State shall be adjusted each year to reflect an increase, if any, in the consumer price index-u.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that if the defendant committed the offense in or on the grounds of a hospital, ambulatory surgical treatment center, physician's office, or other medical facility that treats patients and the offense was a crime of violence committed against a licensed health care professional or an employee of a hospital, ambulatory surgical treatment center, physician's office, or other medical facility that treats patients, this factor shall be accorded weight in favor of imposing a term of imprisonment or may be considered by the court as a reason to impose a more severe sentence.