Sen. Chris Balkema

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that a school district is exempt from requiring pupils, beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, to complete 2 years of foreign language in order to graduate if the school district sends a written request to waive the requirement to the State Board of Education and includes evidence in the request that the school district does not have the employees necessary to provide 2 years of foreign language education to all pupils in secondary school within the school district. Provides that after receiving a written request from a school district, the State Superintendent of Education shall approve the request if the evidence included in the request is determined by the State Superintendent to be sufficient. Provides that a pupil is exempt from the 2-year foreign language requirement if the pupil or a school counselor, in consultation with the pupil, develops a postsecondary plan that is centered around postsecondary opportunities that do not include postsecondary education through an institution of higher education. Provides that the pupil or the school counselor shall send the postsecondary plan to the superintendent of the school district in order to be exempt from the 2-year foreign language requirement. Effective July 1, 2026.

Creates the Citizens Empowerment Act. Provides that electors may petition for a referendum at the next general election to dissolve a unit of local government. Sets forth the requirements for the petition, together with the form and requirements for the ballot referendum. Provides for the transfer of all real and personal property and any other assets, together with all personnel, contractual obligations, and liabilities of the dissolving unit of local government to the receiving unit of local government. Amends the Election Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $1,000,000, or so much of that amount as may be necessary, from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for payment to McLean County for all costs associated with providing behavioral and mental health treatment and services in the county. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Notice by Publication Act. Provides that when any notice is required by law, court order, or by any contract, to be published in a newspaper, it is considered to be in compliance with the publication requirements if published in an online news media or digital news media platform as long as the media or platform serves the locale in which the notice is required to be published. "Online news media" or "digital news platform" means any website or digital platform that is regularly updated with content at least 5 days per week, has maintained this frequency of publication for no less than one year, and serves the geographic area relevant to the notice. Provides that the provision applies to all notices required to be published on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act.

Amends the Control Over Building and Construction Article of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a municipality may not prohibit the building or usage of accessory dwelling units in the municipality. Provides that a municipality may provide reasonable regulations relating to the size and location of accessory dwelling units similar to other accessory structures unless a regulation would have the effect of prohibiting accessory dwelling units. Limits home rule powers. Defines terms.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Deletes a provision concerning the express prohibition of a municipality's adoption of any ordinance or resolution or the exercise of any power that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the installation of a solar energy system or low-voltage solar-powered devices. Provides that a municipality may regulate or prohibit the installation of a solar energy system or low-voltage solar-powered devices in a way that is consistent with the municipality's comprehensive plan or zoning authority.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Increases, by one class, the penalties for the unlawful possession of nitrous oxide or any substance containing nitrous oxide. Increases, by one class, the penalties for intentionally manufacturing, delivering, or possessing with intent to manufacture or deliver nitrous oxide for any prohibited purpose.

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning a school board's suspension or expulsion of pupils, provides that a student who is determined to have initiated sexual activity with another individual without that individual's consent, a sexual assault, or an attempted sexual assault at a school, a school-sponsored activity or event, or an activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school shall be expelled for a period of not less than one year. Provides that (i) a student initiates sexual activity with another individual without that individual's consent if the student uses force or a threat of force to make the other individual perform a nonconsensual sexual act; (ii) a student initiates a sexual assault if the student commits an act of sexual penetration and uses force or a threat of force; and (iii) a student initiates an attempted sexual assault if, with the intent to commit a sexual assault, the student commits an act that constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of a sexual assault. Allows the expulsion requirement to be modified by the superintendent of the school district and the superintendent's determination to be modified by the school board on a case-by-case basis. Provides that the expulsion shall be construed in a manner consistent with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and a student who is subject to expulsion may be eligible for a transfer to an alternative school program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Provides that, for resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces who receive an Honorable Discharge or General Discharge from the United States Armed Forces, the Illinois National Guard, or the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces, the fee for a lifetime fishing license for those veterans is one-half of the fee charged for a lifetime fishing license. Provides that those veterans must provide to the Department of Natural Resources, according to rule set by the Department, verification of their service. Provides that the Department shall establish what constitutes suitable verification of service for the purpose of issuing lifetime fishing licenses to resident veterans at a reduced fee. Makes technical changes.

Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Modifies the provisions of the Act to apply to veterans and veteran-owned businesses. Modifies a Section concerning the short title. Changes the title of the Act to the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, Veterans, and Persons with Disabilities Act, and makes conforming changes throughout various statutes referencing the title of the Act. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Removes a provision concerning procurement preferences for veterans and veteran-owned businesses. Applies administrative penalties for falsely certified businesses to minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and businesses owned by persons with a disability. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes in various statutes concerning minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and businesses owned by persons with a disability. Effective immediately.