Amends the Commission to End Hunger Act. Creates the SNAP Response Working Group. Provides that the co-chairs of the Commission to End Hunger shall convene and appoint the co-chairs of the Working Group. Provides that the Working Group shall review and analyze federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), gather and analyze data regarding the potential impact of the federal changes to SNAP on Illinois residents, and gather relevant estimates and data about Illinois' SNAP payment error rate, including the monthly State-reported error rate. Requires the SNAP Response Working Group to make projections about the cost to the State to maintain SNAP in Illinois in federal Fiscal Year 2028. Directs the Working Group to submit a preliminary report to the General Assembly no later than January 1, 2027. Provides that the preliminary report shall outline the federal changes to SNAP and identify the number of State residents impacted by those changes. Further provides that the preliminary report shall include initial recommendations for State action to prevent or mitigate any harm to State residents caused by the federal changes and shall project the cost to maintain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Illinois in federal Fiscal Year 2028. Provides that, no later than April 1, 2027, the Working Group shall issue a full report to the General Assembly that includes an analysis on the impact of federal changes to SNAP on Illinois, final recommendations for State action to prevent or mitigate harm resulting from those changes, updated projections of the cost to maintain the program in federal Fiscal Year 2028, and any other cost projections relating to the Working Group's recommendations. Requires the SNAP Response Working Group to provide any relevant additional updates to its recommendations or projections as appropriate. Specifies that all reports of the Working Group shall be published by the Department of Human Services on its website. Provides that the SNAP Working Group shall be dissolved on May 31, 2027. Effective immediately.
Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to, subject to available funding, establish a Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) Program to provide FRESH benefits to households subject to termination of the household's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or a reduction in the household's monthly SNAP benefit allotment, if the termination or reduction in SNAP benefits occurred as a result of one or more members of the household failing to meet federal SNAP work requirements. Provides that, for eligible households whose SNAP benefits were reduced or terminated, FRESH benefits shall be provided as a one-time lump sum payment distributed via an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. Requires the Department to make FRESH program applications available online and at local Family and Community Resource Centers immediately upon the first of the month following the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that an application for FRESH benefits shall not be deemed an application for any other public aid provided under the Code. Requires the Department to provide within a specified time frame FRESH benefits to households' that experience a reduction or termination of SNAP benefits prior to or after the first month following the effective date of the amendatory Act, if certain application submission deadlines are met. Requires the Department to publish monthly data reports on the FRESH program and to include such data in the Department's annual report to the General Assembly. Prohibits the Department and local governmental units from considering a household's receipt of FRESH benefits when determining the household's eligibility for other assistance provided under the Code. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are inoperative on and after January 1, 2028. Effective immediately.
Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Illinois Newborn Equity Support Transfer (NEST) Program Act. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer, subject to appropriations, the Illinois Newborn Equity Support Transfer (NEST) Program to provide direct cash assistance to eligible participants by July 1, 2026. Defines "participant" to mean any individual who gives birth in Illinois while enrolled in or eligible for Medicaid through Moms and Babies. Permits the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement the NEST Program. Provides that program participants shall receive a $1,500 lump sum payment in or around the third trimester of pregnancy, prior to delivery; and a $500 monthly cash payment for the first 6 months following delivery. Requires the Department to submit reports to the General Assembly on a biennial basis that summarizes (1) the number of program participants and distribution across the State, (2) outcomes related to maternal and child health, housing stability, and economic security, or other outcomes identified by the Department in collaboration with stakeholders, and (3) recommendations for program improvements or additional populations beyond Medicaid enrollment to include as participants. Provides that cash disbursements made to participants under the NEST Program shall be considered "guaranteed income" as described in the Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act for purposes of determining eligibility for assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code. Effective immediately.
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that any person who was initially determined to be eligible for medical assistance and is receiving institutional services or home and community-based services as authorized under the Article shall be presumed eligible for a continuation of coverage for such services during any redetermination process. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to continue to make payments for such services unless the person experiences a material change in financial circumstances that results in the loss of eligibility. Provides that if the person experiences a material change in financial circumstances that results in the loss of eligibility, the person, or the person's designated caregiver or responsible party, shall notify the Department. Provides that if the Department subsequently conducts a redetermination of eligibility, the Department must provide written notice to the person (i) before the commencement of the redetermination; and (ii) upon conclusion of the redetermination. Requires the Department to develop a process to facilitate the written notifications. Provides that no later than October 1, 2026, the Department shall seek federal authorization to exempt persons with disabilities who are eligible for medical assistance from annual redeterminations of eligibility, except that a full redetermination shall be conducted at least once every 5 years, regardless of whether a material change in financial circumstances has occurred. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois State Police Act. Provides that the Illinois State Police Merit Board is bound by the terms and conditions of any collective bargaining agreement in place between the Illinois State Police and its employees.
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026, each State's Attorney whose term begins after July 1, 2026 shall be compensated at the rate of 100% of the mean of the amount paid to the resident circuit judges in the county courthouse for the State's Attorney.. Provides that the State shall furnish 66 2/3% of the total annual compensation to be paid to each State's Attorney in the State based on the salary in effect on December 31, 1988, and 100% of the increases in salary taking effect after December 31, 1988. Provides that the amount shall be paid from the Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund. Provides that the county shall be responsible for the State and federal income tax reporting and withholding and the employer contributions under the Illinois Pension Code.
Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to establish the Adult Learner Flexible Education Grant Program to facilitate access to online postsecondary education for adults over the age of 25. Sets forth application requirements and eligibility. Provides that grants are applicable only to tuition and mandatory fees. Effective July 1, 2026.
Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that no person shall sell, attempt to sell, or offer to sell to a consumer in the State a non-externally vented natural gas appliance that is manufactured on or after January 1, 2027 unless a label on the gas appliance bears a specified warning message. Provides that the Attorney General may adopt rules setting forth additional requirements for the placement and formatting of the label. Provides that a person who violates the provision commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.
Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, shall develop an educational document explaining, at a minimum, the values of good indoor air quality and shall supply the document to school districts. Provides that, subject to funding from the State Board, a school district shall ensure that all active classrooms are equipped with an air quality monitor.
Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that the Department of Revenue may audit both the marketplace seller and the delivery network company for a qualified delivery network sale. Provides that, with respect to a qualified delivery network sale made on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a delivery network company may deduct or exclude from its tax liability the amount of tax that the delivery network company paid to the marketplace seller in connection with the qualified delivery network sale.
Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Provides that the monthly amount transferred from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund to the Grade Crossing Protection Fund shall be increased in each fiscal year by the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the most recent 12-month period for which data is available on July 1 of the fiscal year for which the monthly grade crossing protection amount is calculated. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a qualified taxpayer may apply to the Department of Revenue for an income tax credit in an amount equal to 20% of the wages paid by the qualified taxpayer to a qualified energy choice worker based in Illinois in the taxable year. Provides that the term "qualified taxpayer" means a taxpayer that is a regulated utility in the State of Illinois or a power generating company providing baseload or intermediate generation in Illinois and that meets specified criteria and is able to demonstrate an adverse and material operational impact to either its overall Illinois-based workforce or its ability to conduct business in Illinois based on the scheduled phaseout target dates of 2030, 2035, 2040, and 2045, as provided in Public Act 102-662. Sets forth limitations on the amount of the credit. Effective immediately.
