Sen. Chris Balkema

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that a non-resident may carry a handgun under the Act if the non-resident is 21 years of age or older, has a license or permit in a state where the training requirements are substantially similar under the Act or to non-residents of contiguous states if a reciprocal agreement has been entered into, the license or permit holder is not a resident of Illinois, and the license or permit holder is a legal resident of the United States. Provides that a non-resident is subject to the same laws and restrictions as a license holder under the Act. Provides that if a resident of another state who is permitted to carry under this provision establishes legal residence in this State, the license or permit shall be valid in this State for 90 days following the date on which the holder of the license or permit establishes legal residence in this State. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act. Provides that Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may designate a business that intends to establish a new wind power facility or a utility-scale solar facility as a high impact business only if the municipality in which the facility will be located (or the county in which the facility will be located, if the facility will be located in an unincorporated area of the county) approves, in writing, the designation of the business as a high impact business. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Prevailing Wage Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Mandates Act. Provides that any State mandate regarding any subject matter enacted on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act that necessitates additional expenditures from local government revenues shall be void and unenforceable unless the General Assembly makes necessary appropriations and reimbursements to implement that mandate. Provides that the failure of the General Assembly to make necessary appropriations and reimbursements shall relieve the local government of the obligation to implement any State mandate. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that a taxing district shall reduce its aggregate extension base for the purpose of lowering its limiting rate for future years upon referendum approval initiated by the submission of a petition by the voters of the district. Provides that the extension limitation shall be: (a) the lesser of 5% or the average percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the immediately preceding 10 years; or (b) the rate of increase approved by the voters. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases distributions into the Local Government Distributive Fund on and after August 1, 2025. Effective immediately.

Maddy summarySR 42 designates March 24 through March 30, 2025, as Civilian Law Enforcement Personnel Week in the State of Illinois. This resolution serves to formally recognize civilian staff working in law enforcement.

Amends the Illinois State Auditing Act. Provides that, in calendar years 2025, 2030, 2035, 2040, and 2045, the Auditor General shall conduct a performance audit of (i) the programs and procurement activities administered by the Illinois Power Agency to implement the Renewable Portfolio Standard and (ii) the Adjustable Block program established under the Illinois Power Agency Act. Provides that the performance audits shall address several questions related to renewable energy, solar vendors, and other issues. Provides that performance audits shall each include physical inspections of 3 random solar sites funded through the Adjustable Block program. Provides that the Auditor General shall consult with energy experts in the audit process and may employ an energy consulting firm. Provides for the Auditor General to report findings and recommendations. Repeals the provisions added by this amendatory Act on July 1, 2046. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure to provide that illegal possession of land during a 7-year period may not be used for a claim of adverse possession. Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Provides that no person has the right or legal standing to occupy or remain on or in any real property, residence, or structure if the person has no written property interest under a written lease or rental agreement with the owner of the property listed in county tax records or the owner's agent; no documentation of payment of rent made to the owner of the property or the owner's agent; or otherwise fails to provide any evidence of an oral or written agreement in which a property interest is claimed. Provides that all persons legally occupying a property, residence, or structure shall be listed by name and date of birth on a lease, rental agreement, or rental application associated with the lease or rental agreement or provide evidence that the person is an invitee of a lessee or authorized occupant of the property. Provides that no subleasing shall be allowed or deemed as legal in contrast to a lease or rental agreement that specifically prohibits subleases. Provides that a sublease made in violation of a lease or rental agreement shall not establish legal standing to occupy or remain on or in any real property, residence, or structure by the sublessee and the sublessee shall vacate the property after receiving notice from the property owner of record to depart.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the owner of a commercial wind energy facility or commercial solar energy facility must compensate landowners if the facility adversely affects the flow of water within the landowner's land, including, but not limited to, by affecting a drainage tile.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the expiration date of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card issued on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act must be boldly and conspicuously displayed on the face of the card. Provides that the expiration date of a combined Firearm Owner's Identification Card and concealed carry license issued on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act must be boldly and conspicuously displayed on the face of the card and must clearly identify the expiration date of the person's Firearm Owner's Identification Card and the expiration date of the person's concealed carry license.

Declares April 2025 as Distracted Driving Awareness Month in the State of Illinois. Urges the citizens and businesses of the State of Illinois to observe Distracted Driving Awareness Month by practicing safe driving behaviors and pledging to drive distraction-free.

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Makes certain changes concerning estates that contain qualified farm property. Provides that, for the purposes of calculating the State Death Tax Credit, those estates are subject to an exemption of $6,000,000 (rather than an exclusion amount of $4,000,000), which shall be deducted from the net estate value after the net estate value is computed in accordance with the Act. Provides that the exemption shall be adjusted each year according to the increase in the Consumer Price Index. Makes changes concerning the calculation of the deceased spousal unused exclusion amount for those estates. Provides for a special use valuation to provide that the value of the qualified farm property shall be calculated without regard to certain limitations under the Internal Revenue Code. Makes changes concerning the definition of "qualified heir".