Sen. Ram Villivalam

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life of Mohamed Miah Ali Mohamed, a man who fled persecution in Burma and later became a U.S. citizen living in Chicago. The bill formally expresses the Illinois Senate's condolences to his family and friends while acknowledging his community service with the Rohingya Culture Center and his advocacy work on behalf of Burma. As a commemorative measure, the resolution directs that a copy be presented to his family as a gesture of sympathy.

Declares the month of October 2024 as Hindu Heritage Month in the State of Illinois. Encourages the citizens of Illinois to recognize and celebrate the vibrant contributions of the Hindu community to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the State.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life of Evin Agassi, an Assyrian-American singer who passed away in September 2024, and extends condolences to his family. The document outlines his five-decade music career, noting his extensive touring across multiple countries and his role in blending traditional Assyrian melodies with modern styles despite facing censorship in the Middle East. It also acknowledges his support for Assyrian philanthropic organizations and lists his surviving relatives, including his wife, children, and grandchildren. Finally, the resolution directs that a copy of the document be presented to Agassi's family as a formal expression of sympathy.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution declares October 31, 2024, as Diwali Day in the State of Illinois to honor the cultural and religious significance of the festival. The bill directly affects Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh communities in Illinois by officially recognizing their holiday within state records. It does not create a legal holiday for schools or businesses, nor does it provide paid time off; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture acknowledging the diversity of the state's population. The resolution highlights the festival's themes of light overcoming darkness and its celebration by millions of people worldwide.

Creates the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act. Establishes the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board within the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for the purpose of advising and making recommendations to the Department regarding the provision of psilocybin and psilocybin services. Provides that the Department shall begin receiving applications for the licensing of persons to manufacture or test psilocybin products, operate service centers, or facilitate psilocybin services. Contains licensure requirements and prohibitions. Provides that a licensee or licensee representative may manufacture, deliver, or possess a psilocybin product. Provides that the Department may obtain, relinquish, or dispose of psilocybin products to ensure compliance with and enforcement of the Act and rules adopted under the Act. Creates the Psilocybin Control and Regulation Fund and the Illinois Psilocybin Fund and makes conforming changes in the State Finance Act. Requires the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and the Department of Revenue to perform specified duties. Contains provisions concerning rulemaking, taxes, fees, zoning, labeling, and penalties. Preempts home rule powers. Contains other provisions. Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Changes the dates by which specified records for minor cannabis offenses shall be automatically expunged. Provides for expungement of specified records concerning the possession of psilocybin and psilocin. Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Removes psilocybin and psilocin from the list of Schedule I controlled substances. Amends the Illinois Independent Tax Tribunal Act of 2012. Provides that the Tax Tribunal shall have original jurisdiction over all determinations of the Department of Revenue reflected on specified notices issued under the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to exempt specific records from disclosure. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to store or leave a firearm outside of that person's immediate possession or control unless the firearm is unloaded and secured in a lock box or container in a manner that renders it inaccessible to anyone but the owner or another lawfully authorized user. Eliminates provisions that the offense only is applicable if the person knows or has reason to believe that a minor under the age of 14 years who does not have a Firearm Owner's Identification Card is likely to gain access to the firearm without the lawful permission of the minor's parent, guardian, or person having charge of the minor, and the minor causes death or great bodily harm with the firearm. Eliminates that the provisions concerning storage of firearms do not apply: (1) if the minor under 14 years of age gains access to a firearm and uses it in a lawful act of self-defense or defense of another; or (2) to any firearm obtained by a minor under the age of 14 because of an unlawful entry of the premises by the minor or another person. Defines "immediate possession or control". Effective January 1, 2025.

Creates the Small Business Economic Incentive Act. Provides that at least 50% of the dollar value of all economic incentives awarded to businesses by the State or by any State agency on or after January 1, 2025 shall be awarded to businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees. Effective January 1, 2025.

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the 100 Club of Illinois Fund. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State to issue special registration plates designated as 100 Club of Illinois license plates to residents of this State upon receipt of an application made in the form prescribed by the Secretary of State. Provides that the design and color of the plates is wholly within the discretion of the Secretary. Provides that an applicant shall be charged a $45 fee for original issuance in addition to the appropriate registration fee, if applicable. Requires all money in the 100 Club of Illinois Fund to be paid, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and distribution by the Secretary, as grants to the 100 Club of Illinois for giving financial support to children and spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty and mental health resources for active duty first responders.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes a minor technical correction to the Judicial Circuits Apportionment Act of 2005 by updating its short title. The change directly affects the official naming convention used for this existing law governing how judicial districts are divided. No new powers, funding, or operational rules are added; the amendment simply clarifies the law's name for future reference. The update became effective on January 1, 2025.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, by January 1, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency shall propose and, within one year after receipt of the Agency's proposal, the Board shall adopt: (1) amendments to the Board's primary drinking water standards that will repeal the prohibition on the use of recycled sewage treatment plant effluent under the Illinois Administrative Code and that will make any other revisions to those rules that are necessary to facilitate water reuse in the State; and (2) rules establishing programs for both direct potable and nonpotable reuse of treated wastewater, including rules establishing permitting standards and a permit application process. Effective immediately.