Sen. Chris Balkema

Amends the Motor Vehicle Franchise Act. Provides that it shall be deemed a violation for a manufacturer, a distributor, a wholesaler, or other specified entity to distribute new motor vehicles directly to consumers or to circumvent franchise distribution obligations under the Act. Provides that it shall be deemed a violation for any manufacturer with an established franchise dealer network in the State to engage in the sale, lease, or servicing of new motor vehicles in a manner that bypasses or competes with the manufacturer's existing franchisee network. Makes conforming and other changes. Defines terms.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. In provisions concerning data center incentives, provides that, as a condition of receiving and maintaining a data center certificate of exemption, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall require that the qualified data center operator execute and comply with a community benefit agreement with the host community in which the qualified data center is located. Provides that the community benefit agreement shall require the qualified data center operator to make annual minimum payments to the host community. Provides that the amount of the minimum host community payments may exceed but shall be at least 10% of the property tax that would have been levied against the qualified data center property, irrespective of any exemptions, abatements, or exclusions applicable to the property, for the year immediately preceding the year in which the community benefit agreement is entered into. Provides that not less than 50% of the amounts received from the special payments shall be used to provide payments, credits, rebates, or other financial benefits to eligible homestead property owners for the purpose of offsetting residential tax burdens. Effective immediately.

Creates the Data Center Water Transparency and Aquifer Protection Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, no data center operating within the State shall use water from the Mahomet Aquifer. Prohibits State agencies from issuing or renewing a permit authorizing a data center to withdraw groundwater from the Mahomet Aquifer. Requires existing data centers to transition to alternative water sources and cease all groundwater withdrawals from the Mahomet Aquifer by no later than January 1, 2028. Provides that a unit of local government may not enter into, enforce, or renew any nondisclosure agreement, confidentiality clause, or similar contractual provision with a data center that restricts the disclosure of information related to the data center's water use. Contains provisions concerning data confidentiality and public access. Establishes penalties for violations. Grants the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency rulemaking powers.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for taxpayers who are the custodians of one or more children who attend an eligible preschool program in the State during the taxable year. Provides that the amount of the credit shall be 100% of the eligible expenses incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year in sending the child to the eligible preschool program, but not to exceed $1,500 per child. Effective immediately.

Amends the General Obligation Bond Act. Authorizes an additional $1,000,000,000 of State Pension Obligation Acceleration Bonds. Makes a conforming change. Amends the State Employees, State Universities, and Downstate Teachers Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Extends the option for a participant to receive an accelerated pension benefit payment in lieu of any pension benefit or for a reduction in the increases to his or her annual retirement annuity and survivor's annuity to June 30, 2030 (instead of June 30, 2026). Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 862 makes a technical amendment to the Executive Reorganization Implementation Act. This bill specifically corrects the short title of a section within that act, affecting state government administrative law.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of the Code to the contrary, the denial of pretrial release is required if the person is a felon who is charged with a firearm offense.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Changes the repeal date of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Repairer Regulation Act and the Petroleum Equipment Contractors Licensing Act from January 1, 2027 to January 1, 2032. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Makes structural and other changes to the list of controlled substances. Adds xylazine as a Class III controlled substance. Defines "isomer". Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that a member of the board of trustees of a fire protection district having fewer than 4 full-time paid firemen may be compensated a sum not to exceed $1,500 (rather that $1,000) per annum. Provides that a member of the board of trustees of a fire protection district having more than 3 but fewer than 10 full-time paid firemen may be compensated a sum not to exceed $2,000 (rather that $1,500) per annum. Provides that a member of the board of trustees of a fire protection district having 10 or more full-time paid firemen may be compensated a sum not to exceed $2,500 (rather that $2,000) per annum.