Budget & Taxes

Amends the Live Theater Production Tax Credit Act. Provides that a pre-Broadway production must have a presentation scheduled for Broadway's Theater District in New York City no later than 18 months after its Illinois presentation (currently, must have a goal of having a presentation scheduled for Broadway's Theater District in New York City after its Illinois presentation). Provides that, if, in any State fiscal year, less than $2,000,000 in credits are awarded for long-run productions and pre-Broadway productions under the Act, then the difference between $2,000,000 and the amount of credits awarded for long-run productions and pre-Broadway productions in that fiscal year may be added to the $2,000,000 in credits allowed to be awarded for commercial Broadway touring shows in that State fiscal year. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Extends the sunset of the live theater production credit until January 1, 2039 (currently, January 1, 2027). Effective immediately.

HB 1790 creates a state income tax credit for Illinois taxpayers who purchase qualifying firearm safety devices (like gun safes, lock boxes, or cases) from federally licensed dealers. The credit allows a nonrefundable deduction of up to $300 per taxpayer annually for eligible purchases made between 2026 and 2031, with a total annual limit of $5 million across all taxpayers. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to five years to offset future tax liability. This policy directly affects Illinois residents buying these safety devices, aiming to reduce their out-of-pocket costs through tax relief.

Creates the Ground-Based Sparkler Purchaser Excise Tax Act. Imposes a tax, beginning July 1, 2025, upon purchasers for the privilege of using ground-based sparklers and not for the purpose of resale at the rate of 6% of the purchase price of ground-based sparklers. Prohibits certain retail combinations or bundles. Requires every retailer required to collect the tax to apply to the Department of Revenue for a certificate of registration. Provides that any retailer required to collect the tax shall be liable to the Department for the tax, whether the tax has been collected, and any such tax shall constitute a debt to the State. Provides for the making of returns. Provides that from the revenue collected, the Department shall pay 25% into the Fireman's Annuity and Benefit Fund, 25% into the Firefighters' Pension Investment Fund, and 50% into the General Revenue Fund. Provides for recordkeeping requirements. Establishes penalties for violations of the Act. Provides that the Department shall have full power to administer and enforce the Act. Allows for the arrest of any person who violates the Act, the search of any place of business to inspect all ground-based sparklers, and the seizure of any ground based-sparklers without a warrant. Sets forth hearing requirements after seizure. Allows the Department to adopt rules. Amends the Fireworks Regulation Act of Illinois. Allows a municipality to prohibit the sale and use of ground-based sparklers on public property. Prohibits ground-based sparklers from being sold to a person under the age of 18 years. Amends the Pyrotechnic Use Act. Prohibits ground-based sparklers from being sold to a person under the age of 18 years. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the State Finance Act and the State Revenue Sharing Act. Provides that certain provisions concerning distributions from the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund and from the Local Government Distributive Fund constitute an irrevocable and continuing appropriation. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that transfers among line item appropriations to a State agency from the same State treasury fund shall not exceed 1% of the aggregate amount appropriated to that State agency for the same category of appropriation. Provides that moneys appropriated to a State agency as a result of grants, reimbursements, or matching funds received from an outside party may not be transferred to a different line item appropriation or to a different State agency. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a person may apply for the senior citizens homestead exemption if the person is 64 years of age or older, as long as the person will be 65 years of age during the assessment year for which the exemption is sought. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Modifies the allocation of moneys from the Cannabis Regulation Fund. Provides that, of the 8% of funds transferred to the Local Government Distributive Fund, 2% shall be used to fund law enforcement training programs that include (i) the use of de-escalation techniques to prevent or reduce the need for force whenever safe and feasible, (ii) specific training on officer safety techniques including cover, concealment, and time, and (iii) training focused on high risk traffic stops; 2% shall be used for the purchase of body cameras; 2% shall be for law enforcement to use at their discretion; 1% shall be allocated to counties for costs associated with pretrial services; and 1% shall be allocated to counties for costs associated with juvenile expungements.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning platted and subdivided but undeveloped property, provides that (i) beginning with the 2025 taxable year, no property's assessed value shall be reduced to less than $150 under those provisions and (ii) beginning with the 2035 taxable year, no property shall be eligible for calculation of its assessed value under those provisions for more than a 10-year period.

Creates the Caring for Caregivers Act. Provides that a taxpayer who is a family caregiver and who incurs eligible expenditures during the taxable year for the care and support of an eligible family member may apply to the Department of Revenue for an income tax credit. Provides that the credit shall be equal to 50% of the eligible expenditures incurred during the taxable year by the family caregiver for the care and support of an eligible family member, subject to certain specified limitations. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the maximum income limitation under the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption shall be adjusted each year by the annual cost of living increase, if any, in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits that took effect during the immediately preceding calendar year. Amends the Energy Assistance Act. Provides that eligibility limits under the energy assistance program may not exceed the greater of (1) 150% of the federal nonfarm poverty level as established by the federal Office of Management and Budget or 60% of the State median income for the current State fiscal year as established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, whichever is higher; or (2) the eligibility limit for the immediately preceding calendar year, increased by the annual cost of living increase, if any, in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits that took effect during the immediately preceding calendar year. Effective immediately.