Budget & Taxes

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Commission on Equity and Inclusion for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $5,596,500.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $220,000; Other State Funds $0; Federal Funds $5,263,500; Total $5,483,500.

Appropriates $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for Assisted Outpatient Treatment related projects. Effective July 1, 2026.

Creates the Catch Heart Disease Early Act. Provides that all Illinois residents, 20 years of age or older, are entitled to heart disease screenings at no cost according to the following schedule: one screening every 6 years for individuals aged 20 through 39 years; and one screening every 2 years for individuals aged 40 years and older. Provides that no individual shall be charged any co-payment, co-insurance, deductible, out-of-pocket fee, or other cost-sharing amount or required to enter into any cost-sharing agreement in order to access heart disease screenings. Provides that the State of Illinois shall be the payer of last resort and only cover any outstanding screening costs for eligible uninsured or underinsured individuals whose public or private insurance, including Medicaid or Medicare, does not cover the full cost of heart disease screenings. Provides that service providers of heart disease screenings for eligible uninsured or underinsured Illinois residents shall be reimbursed through a voucher program. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to perform certain functions to implement the Act, including, but not limited to: (i) establishing a confidential registry to track screening dates and prevent duplicate heart disease screenings outside the authorized frequency; and (ii) provide a mechanism for individuals and providers to verify screening eligibility. Requires health care providers to verify an individual's age, residency, date of last heart disease screening, and other matters prior to administering a screening and recording it in the individual's medical record. Contains provisions on Department rules. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department shall implement the voucher program by July 1, 2027. Adds conforming language to the State Employees Group Insurance Act, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Illinois Public Aid Code, and the Illinois Insurance Code. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Arts Council for grants to public radio and television stations and related administrative expenses under the Public Radio and Television Grant Act. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Establishes a homestead exemption for qualified homestead property that has been continuously owned, used, and occupied as the primary residence by the qualified taxpayer for at least 30 years prior to January 1 of the taxable year for which the exemption would apply. Requires taxpayers who have been granted an exemption to reapply on an annual basis. Provides that the assessor or chief county assessment officer may determine the eligibility of residential property to receive the homestead exemption by application, visual inspection, questionnaire, or other reasonable methods. Sets forth provisions concerning the review of exemptions granted under the provisions. Defines "qualified homestead property" and "qualified taxpayer". Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities and veterans of World War II, provides that, if the veteran has a service-connected disability of 50% or more, then the first $250,000 in equalized assessed value of the property is exempt from taxation under the Code (currently, if the veteran has a service-connected disability of 50% or more but less than 70%, the annual exemption is $5,000, and, if the veteran has a service-connected disability of 70% or more, then the first $250,000 in equalized assessed value of the property is exempt). Effective immediately.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department of Transportation for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: Other State Funds $5,760,285,739; Federal Funds $14,911,796; Total $5,775,197,535.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a homestead exemption is granted for property that (i) is located in a county with 1,000,000 or more inhabitants and (ii) is owned and occupied as a principal residence during the taxable year by a qualified municipal worker. Provides that the amount of the homestead exemption shall be a reduction from the equalized assessed value of the property in an amount equal to 5% of the equalized assessed value of the property. Effective immediately.

Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that the credit against withholding that is awarded to taxpayers who are primarily engaged in the recycling and melting of steel products and in the manufacturing of new steel wire and rod products shall be 100% of the amount of withholding.