Budget & Taxes

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.

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.

SB 2598 is a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill that allocates state funds for ongoing operations of key state agencies. It directs $2.3 billion for Group Insurance (Department of Central Management Services), $542 million for the Department of Children and Family Services (covering staff, programs, and services), $2.5 million to the DuSable Black History Museum for operational costs, and $20.8 million to the Department of Natural Resources for conservation programs, DEIA initiatives, and park management. The bill specifies funding sources (like the General Revenue Fund) and details exact allocations for salaries, equipment, and specific programs. It affects state agencies directly by providing funds for their ordinary and contingent expenses, without creating new programs or altering existing laws.

Creates the Taxpayer Protection Act. Provides that, on and after the effective date of the Act, for bonds or incurred debt issued through a referendum by a unit of local government or school district, the bonds or incurred debt shall not be extended or reissued unless authorized by a referendum. Provides that a unit of local government or school district shall not submit the question concerning the extension or reissuance of a bond or incurring debt to voters in a referendum until at least one year has passed since the retirement of the bond or debt approved by a referendum. Provides that, on and after the effective date of the Act, a unit of local government or school district shall not submit a question concerning the issuance of a bond or incurring debt to the voters in a referendum until at least one year has passed since that unit or district last proposed a question or proposition concerning the issuance of bonds or incurring debt in a referendum. Limits home rule powers. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that there shall not be a service extension base annual increase unless increased by referendum. Amends the School Code. Provides that no later than 30 days before a school district submits to the voters of that district a question on whether to issue bonds or increase the school district's property tax rate, the school district must send informational material to each resident of voting age in the school district; defines "informational material". Specifies what must be included in the informational material. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities, provides that, if the person with a disability is eligible to receive disability benefits under the federal Social Security Act, then the property is exempt from taxation under this Code. Effective immediately.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Property Tax Appeal Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, as follows: Other State Funds $13,716,800.

Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Treasurer for its FY26 ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that certain property on which a community-integrated living arrangement is located is entitled to a reduction in its equalized assessed value in an amount equal to the product that results when the number of occupants who use the community-integrated living arrangement as a primary residence is multiplied by $2,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for an owner of an agricultural asset who sells or rents the agricultural asset to a beginning farmer. Sets forth the amount of the credit. Provides that the amount of the credit awarded with respect to any single sale or lease agreement shall not exceed $50,000 in any taxable year. Provides that the taxpayer shall apply to the Department of Agriculture for credits under the program. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025 and beginning before January 1, 2030, the Department of Agriculture may not approve more than $5,000,000 in credits under the program in any taxable year. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2030, the Department of Agriculture may not approve more than $10,000,000 in credits under the program in any taxable year. Effective immediately.

Creates the Preserving Illinois Neighborhoods Act. Provides that, for taxable years that begin on or after January 1, 2026 and end on or before December 31, 2031, qualified taxpayers who incur qualified new construction expenditures or qualified rehabilitation expenditures during the taxable year are entitled to a credit. Effective immediately.