Budget & Taxes

This bill allocates $5 million from the state's General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services to provide a grant to Youth Guidance. The funding is designated to cover contingent and operational expenses for the organization starting July 1, 2026. The legislation is a straightforward appropriations measure that directs state money to a specific nonprofit entity without additional policy requirements. It does not create new programs or change existing laws, but simply authorizes the expenditure of funds for Youth Guidance's operations.

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the Road Fund to the Illinois State Police for installation and maintenance of camera systems under the Expressway Camera Act and for associated telecommunications costs and camera warranties. Effective July 1, 2026.

Appropriates $3,500,000 from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the Family YMCA of Northwest Illinois for the costs associated with the purchase of a building and other capital improvements. Effective July 1, 2026.

Urges full, sustainable funding for Mandated Categoricals (MCATs), as well as greater transparency and predictability in MCAT funding levels. Urges all future education funding discussions to account for the cumulative impact of underfunded categoricals, particularly transportation and special education costs borne disproportionately by districts. Encourages school districts to respectfully urge legislators to ensure Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) in conjunction with MCATs ensure an equitable approach to education funding.

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the Lead Poisoning Screening, Prevention, and Abatement Fund and $90,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Environmental Protection Agency for grants to municipalities to replace lead service lines. Effective July 1, 2026.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department of Military Affairs for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $25,882,300; Other State Funds $6,100,000; Federal Funds $43,210,700; Total $75,193,000.

Amends the Clerks of the Courts Act. Increases the filing fee and appearance fee in civil actions. Requires $5 of those fees to be deposited into the Guardianship and Advocacy Fund. Provides that no fee may be charged for accounts filed for guardianships established for minors under the Minors Article of the Probate Act of 1975 or for disabled adults of the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that no fee may be charged for a commitment petition or petition for discharge under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Repeals the provisions imposing the guardianship and advocacy operations fee.

Appropriates $500,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create the Chicago Cultural district. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Small Communities Health and Safety Grant Program. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall use funds deposited into the Small Communities Health and Safety Competitive Grant Fund to create and administer a statewide, competitive grant for municipalities and units of local government with populations under 50,000 to make capital and infrastructure improvements that promote and support the health and safety of residents of those municipalities and to pay for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the program. Provides that the Department shall receive and consider applications from eligible municipalities and units of local government for grants. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Small Communities Health and Safety Competitive Grant Fund as a special fund in the State Treasury. Amends the Build Illinois Bond Act. Provides that, beginning in fiscal year 2027, in each fiscal year, the State Comptroller shall order transferred and the State Treasurer shall transfer from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Small Communities Health and Safety Competitive Grant Fund a portion of the amount set aside for capital improvements not to exceed $70,000,000.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Office of Executive Inspector General for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $10,980,500; Other State Funds $2,089,600; Total $13,070,100.