Sen. Laura Fine

Amends the Smoke Detector Act. Bans, beginning December 31, 2027, the selling, offering for sale, or giving as a gift a smoke detector that is not designed to receive primary power from the building wiring or does not meet certain battery requirements set forth in the Act. Specifies that this does not prohibit manufacturing within the State and distributing, selling, offering for sale, or giving as a gift outside the State any smoke detector. Specifies that a person who violates this requirement is guilty of a petty offense and is subject to a fine. Defines "person" within certain provisions of the Act.

Creates the Operating Room Patient Safety Act. Provides that each surgical technologist hired or contracted by a health care facility on or after January 1, 2027 shall meet specified educational, certification, or experiential requirements. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits an individual from performing surgical technology services if the individual is acting within the scope of the individual's license or registration or is a student or intern under the direct supervision of a licensed health care provider.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month within the State of Illinois. The measure aims to recognize the historical contributions of Jewish Americans to the nation and state, highlighting their roles in founding democratic ideals, cultural development, and public service. By declaring this specific month, the legislation encourages reflection on Jewish heritage and promotes understanding and respect for diverse cultures. The resolution does not alter laws or budgets but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the community's legacy in Illinois.

Maddy summaryHB 598 makes a technical amendment to the Salaries Act. Specifically, it revises a section concerning the short title of the Act. This bill primarily affects the formal naming convention within the existing law rather than substantive salary provisions.

Creates the Protective Medical Equipment Freedom Act. Provides that all individual in the State have the right to wear protective medical equipment in any place of public accommodation where they have a lawful right to be without obligation to disclose health status or any other protected information, and no person, entity, or authority shall deny, restrict, or infringe upon this right. Provides that operators and public officials shall not discriminate against or penalize medical device wearers for exercising their right to wear protective medical equipment. Provides that discrimination under the Act includes, but is not limited to: denial of service; eviction from premises; any form of harassment to remove or refrain from wearing such equipment for any amount of time; specified actions taken by employers; and provision of unequal goods, services, facilities, advantages, or accommodations. Sets forth provisions concerning the protection against retaliation, the exceptions for security requirements, operational safety, age and identity restricted products, and financial institution customer identification, and an undue hardship exemption. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to file an amendment to the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program for Adults with Developmental Disabilities that shall include an increase in the rate methodology sufficient to provide for a wage rate of 150% of the statewide, regional, or local minimum wage for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027, for all direct support personnel and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings. Provides that for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027, the rates shall include adjustments to employment-related expenses as defined by rule by the Department. Requires the Department to adopt rules, including emergency rules, to implement the rate increases. Contains provisions on benchmark rates for therapy and counseling for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities; tiered rates for community day services; community integration supports for community day services; and benchmark rates for CILA transportation cost and for the supported employment program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to submit a Title XIX State Plan amendment to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that shall include an increase in the rate methodology sufficient to provide for a wage rate of 150% of the statewide, regional, or local minimum wage for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027, for all direct support personnel and all other frontline personnel at ID/DD and MC/DD facilities. Provides that the State Plan amendment shall provide wage increases for all residential non-executive direct care staff. Effective immediately.

Creates the Passenger Rail Planning Act. Sets forth intercity passenger rail routes serving or originating in the State. Requires the Department of Transportation to incorporate the aspirational frequencies into the Illinois State Rail Plan and the Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan. Authorizes the Department to nominate corridors for inclusion in the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program and enter into memoranda of understanding or other cooperative agreements for each identified interstate corridor to provide for shared data, joint investment prioritization, and aligned performance measures and planning schedules. Requires the Department to include a recurring section titled Progress Toward High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail within each update to the Illinois State Rail Plan and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Requires each Metropolitan Planning Organization in the State to: (1) recognize the target intercity and long-distance passenger rail frequencies; (2) identify relevant rail corridors within or adjacent to the Metropolitan Planning Organization planning area; and (3) include a narrative discussion of how regional transportation investments can support achievement of those frequency targets. Requires the Department and each Metropolitan Planning Organization to consider progress toward the target passenger rail frequencies when developing project prioritization criteria for multimodal investments. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Township Code. Provides that 3 members of the township board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Provides that the affirmative vote of 3 members of the township board is necessary to adopt any motion, resolution, or ordinance, unless a greater number is otherwise required by State law.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may enter into contracts, including, but not limited to, making grants and loans, with employment social enterprises. Defines terms.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 760 is a formal congratulatory message from the Illinois Senate to the band Terrapin Flyer, celebrating the group's 25th anniversary. The resolution acknowledges the band's history, musical style, and recent achievements, including their recognition as one of the top Grateful Dead tribute acts and a charitable guitar donation made in 2025. As a ceremonial document, it does not create new laws or change policies but instead expresses official state appreciation and wishes the band continued success.