Environment

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county board may, by ordinance, establish standards for noise pollution in the unincorporated areas of the county. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for each taxpayer that manufactures renewable diesel in Illinois for use by a rail carrier. Provides that the amount of the credit is $1 per gallon of renewable diesel that is manufactured by the taxpayer in the State for use by a rail carrier. Effective immediately.

Amends the PFAS Reduction Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, a person may not sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale in this State the following products if the product contains intentionally added PFAS: (1) cookware, (2) cosmetics, (3) dental floss, (4) juvenile products, (5) menstrual products, (6) intimate apparel, or (7) food packaging or food contact products. Defines terms.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that striped skunks and raccoons may be rehabilitated by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for treatment and release. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to adopt rules to implement the amendatory Act.

Amends the Electric Vehicle Rebate Act. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026, the rules adopted under the Act shall cause the Agency to establish one rebate application cycle for each State fiscal year, shall cause each rebate application cycle to have a duration of one State fiscal year, and shall cause the Agency to accept rebate applications and issue rebates under the Act throughout each rebate application cycle.

Creates the Household Hazardous Waste Stewardship Act. Requires manufacturers, beginning January 1, 2027, to implement a stewardship program for covered products. Details manufacturer obligations under the stewardship program, including in the context of a stewardship organization comprised of manufacturers. Requires registration by April 1, 2026, and annually, for each manufacturer who sells covered products in the State and each stewardship organization. Details the roles of retailers and collections sites. Outlines stewardship plan components. Provides requirements for the Environmental Protection Agency for stewardship plan approval. Details requirements for a stewardship organization implementing a stewardship plan, as well as other statewide collection requirements. Details reporting requirements. Requires a stewardship organization to pay to the Agency an annual fee of $200,000, split if there is more than one stewardship organization. Provides for responsibilities for the Agency. Provides for immunity from antitrust laws. Provides for rulemaking authority for the Agency. Provides for civil and criminal penalties. Allows collection of covered products by a premium collection service. Makes findings. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. Provides that penalty fees collected for violating the Act and application fees for permits shall be deposited into the Water Resources Fund (rather than the State Boating Act Fund).

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that March of each year is designated as Prescribed Fire Awareness Month, to be observed throughout the State as a month to celebrate the multiple ecological, economic, and cultural benefits of prescribed fire to the State of Illinois.

Creates the Carpet Stewardship Act. Provides that within 60 days after the effective date of the Act, the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency shall appoint specified members to a clearinghouse to administer and implement a carpet stewardship program. Specifies the duties of the clearinghouse. Requires the clearinghouse to be incorporated as a nonprofit. Provides that for all carpet sold in this State, the clearinghouse shall implement, and producers shall finance, a statewide carpet stewardship program that manages the product by reducing the product's waste generation, promotes its carpet recovery and reutilization, and provides for negotiation and execution of agreements to collect, transport, process, and market the old carpet for end-of-life carpet recovery or carpet reutilization. Requires the clearinghouse to submit, by July 1, 2026 and by July 1 every 3 years thereafter, a 3-year plan to the Agency for approval. Specifies the requirements for the plan. Establishes requirements for review of the plan and requirements for producers, retailers, and distributors of carpet. Requires the clearinghouse to submit annual reports to the Agency and pay specified administrative fees. Includes enforcement provisions for the Act. Establishes requirements for State procurement of carpet in the future. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, in the case of water main installation projects, all water main-related appurtenances, and specifically fire hydrants and valves, shall be included in the Agency's written approval of specified public water supply plans. Requires fire hydrants and valves to be designed and installed in accordance with specified standards.