Sen. Christopher Belt

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life of Lynnie R. Taylor, a resident of Shiloh who passed away on February 17, 2026. The bill formally mourns her death and extends condolences to her surviving family members, including her children, grandchildren, and extended relatives. It also directs that a copy of the resolution be given to her family as a gesture of sympathy. This type of memorial resolution is a standard legislative practice to acknowledge the lives of community members and does not create new laws or policies.

Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Creates emergency rulemaking procedures for the student teaching stipend program. Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes a person to establish optional credit for periods of service as a student teacher under a specified provision of the Board of Higher Education Act. In provisions requiring an additional employer contribution for certain salary increases greater than 6%, provides that the System shall exclude any stipends paid to an eligible cooperating teacher under the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Creates the student teaching stipend program. Defines terms. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of Higher Education of all eligible students and eligible cooperating teachers who qualify for the stipend program. Creates requirements for the disbursement of stipend funds under the program. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student from participating in the stipend program or from receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Requires an eligible cooperating teacher who receives a stipend to complete specific training. Requires the Board to issue a report in collaboration with the State Board of Education evaluating the impact of the stipend program. Permits the Board to adopt emergency rules regarding the administration of the stipend program in certain circumstances subject to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial memorial resolution (SR 627) passed by the Illinois Senate. It formally mourns the death of Minnie Pearl (Collins) Taylor, a Springfield resident and member of Love Outreach Ministries, and extends condolences to her family. The resolution commemorates her life, including her work history and family, but contains no policy provisions or direct impact on any laws or constituents. It serves solely as a formal expression of respect and sympathy.

Maddy summaryThis is a memorial resolution (SR 628), not a policy bill. It honors Lee Arthur Coleman II, a longtime East St. Louis community leader and former Illinois Department of Transportation equal employment officer, who died on September 10, 2025. The resolution formally mourns his passing and extends condolences to his family, friends, and community. It commemorates his life, including his work advancing minority contractor access to state contracts and his decades of service as a mentor, educator, and advocate.

Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Creates emergency rulemaking procedures for the student teaching stipend program. Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes a person to establish optional credit for periods of service as a student teacher under a specified provision of the Board of Higher Education Act. In provisions requiring an additional employer contribution for certain salary increases greater than 6%, provides that the System shall exclude any stipends paid to an eligible cooperating teacher under the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Creates the student teaching stipend program. Defines terms. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of Higher Education of all eligible students and eligible cooperating teachers who qualify for the stipend program. Creates requirements for the disbursement of stipend funds under the program. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student from participating in the stipend program or from receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Requires an eligible cooperating teacher who receives a stipend to complete specific training. Requires the Board to issue a report in collaboration with the State Board of Education evaluating the impact of the stipend program. Permits the Board to adopt emergency rules regarding the administration of the stipend program in certain circumstances subject to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Municipal Assistance and Permit Review Reform Act. Provides that, by January 1, 2027, each State agency that requires authorization or environmental review of municipal construction or public works projects shall develop a web portal to be posted on the agency's website for the purpose of enhancing review and promoting timely issuance of permits required. Specifies the information an agency must make available on its web portal. Provides that, if an applicant submits a completed permit application to an agency for a covered project in accordance with all applicable State and federal law and there is no final action by the agency, then (1) the application is automatically approved after 180 days if notice and opportunity for public hearing are not required by State or federal law; and (2) the application is automatically approved after 270 days if notice and opportunity for public hearing are required by State or federal law. Amends the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. Removes language providing that a governmental agency of the State is not required to use or permit the use of electronic records or electronic signatures. Provides that the State Board of Elections is exempt from the requirement to accept electronic records and signatures. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. In provisions concerning energy storage systems, provides that the farmland drainage plan that a facility owner must file with a county shall include, among other things, plans to repair any subsurface drainage affected during construction or deconstruction using procedures outlined in the agricultural impact mitigation agreement (rather than outlined in the decommissioning plan) and procedures for the repair and restoration of surface drainage affected during construction or deconstruction. Provides that a county shall (rather than may) require a facility owner to provide a decommissioning plan to the county. Makes changes to the requirements of a decommissioning plan. Provides that a county shall (rather than may) require the facility owner to submit to the county (i) a commercial operation a commissioning report meeting specified requirements of specified publications of the National Fire Protection Association; (ii) a hazard mitigation analysis meeting specified requirements of specified publications of the National Fire Protection Association; (iii) an emergency operations plan meeting specified requirements of specified publications of the National Fire Protection Association; and (iv) a warning that complies with specified publications of the National Fire Protection Association. Provides that the energy storage system owner shall enter into one agricultural impact mitigation agreement for each energy storage system. Requires the agricultural impact mitigation agreement for an energy storage system to include specified plans. Requires a commercial renewable energy facility owner to make available a copy of the signed agricultural impact mitigation agreement at the site of the commercial renewable energy facility during any construction or deconstruction activities. Makes other changes.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 567) congratulating Brian Keith Leonard Sr. on his retirement after a 45-year career at Ameren Illinois. It formally recognizes his service as a meter reader who advanced through roles including regional manager, director of Community Relations, and senior director of Government Relations, where he managed state legislative and community engagement. The resolution has no policy impact - it is a non-binding expression of appreciation with no new laws or funding. It directly affects only Brian Leonard Sr. and the Illinois Senate as a gesture of respect.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 569) honors the life and legacy of Barbara Jean Greenwood, who died on September 4, 2025. It commemorates her 30+ years of service at Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, her post-retirement work with East St. Louis School District #189, and her roles as a devoted wife, mother, and community member. The Illinois Senate formally expresses condolences to her family and friends through this memorial resolution. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or affect policy.

Congratulates Project Compassion, NFP on achieving 20 years of providing unrelenting dedication and love to those in the community who need it most. Wishes the organization many more years of continued success.