Immigration

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a detention center facility may not be located, constructed, or operated within 1,500 feet of the property boundaries of any school, day care center, day care home, cemetery, public park, forest preserve, public housing, private residence, or place of religious worship, regardless of address. Defines "detention center facility" and "federal immigration authority". Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that in the Articles governing employment, financial credit, and public accommodations it is a civil rights violation to use criteria or methods including practices, policies, and groups of practices or policies that has the effect of subjecting individuals to discrimination prohibited under the Act. Changes the definition of "unlawful discrimination" to mean discrimination against a person, whether by purpose or effect, because of his or her actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, order of protection status, disability, military status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, reproductive health decisions, or unfavorable discharge from military service as those terms are defined in the Act.

Amends the Housing Authorities Act. Provides that, unless otherwise required by federal law or regulation, a housing authority shall not establish or implement any rules, policies, or procedures that impose time limits or work requirements as a condition of initial or continued eligibility for any rent subsidy or assistance provided to qualifying tenants of the housing authority or to qualifying individuals through any rent subsidy or other housing assistance program administered by the housing authority. Permits a housing authority to establish, implement, or encourage an applicant or recipient of a rent subsidy or assistance to participate in a voluntary employment or job training program if the program: (1) does not impact the applicant's or recipient's initial or continued eligibility for the rent subsidy or assistance; and (2) has one of the specified goals for program participants, including, but not limited to, (i) increasing personal income, (ii) homeownership, or (iii) expanding employment options.

Amends the Fair Patient Billing Act. Makes changes to findings and defined terms provisions. Provides that a hospital shall not deny any protection or benefit of the Act on the basis of a patient's citizenship or immigration status or assets or prospective assets. Provides that a patient who inquires about a denial of financial assistance in whole or in part must be permitted to appeal the decision within at least 90 days. Requires a hospital to use only a uniform financial assistance form developed and provided by the Attorney General no later than December 31, 2026. Provides that every hospital bill and every collection notice must notify the patient, in the patient's preferred language, of the availability of hospital financial assistance and charity care. Establishes further provisions concerning hospitals pursuing collection actions; outsourced health care services; patient responsibilities; and applicability of the Act. Amends the Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act. Sets forth provisions concerning uninsured patient discounts for specified income levels. Prohibits hospitals from making the availability of a discount under the Act contingent upon the uninsured patient first applying for coverage under public health insurance programs. Provides that patients may not be denied a discount under the Act on the basis of citizenship or immigration status or assets or prospective assets. Makes other changes concerning uninsured patient discounts, outsourcing health care services, and patient responsibilities. Effective immediately.

Amends the Uniform Money Transmission Modernization Act. Provides that licensees may offer every customer who transmits money internationally the option to make a voluntary donation to the Illinois DREAM Fund, as specified. Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to provide to licensees under the Act electronic copies of all marketing materials created by the Illinois DREAM Fund Commission for licensees.

Creates the Dependency Determinations for Unaccompanied Children Act. Creates a process for an unaccompanied child in the custody of the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement housed in Illinois who is alleged to have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents to file a petition seeking a finding of dependency under the Act. Provides that a child declared dependent is eligible for oversight and services as ordered by the court and may be referred for psychological, educational, medical, or social services deemed necessary as a result of parental abuse, abandonment, or neglect or for protection against trafficking or domestic violence. Defines terms. Makes legislative findings. Effective immediately.

Recognizes the rapid responders of Illinois for their dedication, courage, and unwavering commitment to protecting and uplifting communities. Acknowledges the vital role rapid responders play in supporting immigrant families, promoting safety and awareness, and strengthening unity across all communities.

Affirms voting is a protected civic activity that must be free from intimidation, fear, or the appearance of law enforcement surveillance unrelated to election administration. Declares immigration enforcement activity at or in the immediate vicinity of polling places, early voting locations, ballot drop boxes, voter registration sites, and election offices undermines public confidence in elections and the democratic process. Urges all federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to refrain from conducting civil immigration enforcement operations at or near locations where voting or election administration is taking place. Affirms the authority of the State of Illinois to administer elections without interference from unrelated federal enforcement activity. Encourages election authorities, in coordination with the Illinois State Board of Elections, to promote voter education and clear guidance to ensure voters understand their rights and feel safe participating in the electoral process.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish a loan program to provide low interest loans to small businesses that have been negatively impacted by federal immigration enforcement. Provides that the Department may make those loans from the Federal Immigration Recovery Fund and may administer the program directly through the Fund or enter into agreements with banks, credit unions, nonprofit loan administrations, or community development financial institutions. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Federal Immigration Recovery Fund. Effective immediately.

Creates the Victim Centered Approach Pilot Program Act. Provides that the Lake County State's Attorney shall develop a program to represent noncitizen victims of violent crimes in the filing of victim remedies before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Office administrative body. Provides that the Lake County State's Attorney shall use any funding provided to the pilot program to represent or give counsel to 50 noncitizen victims annually for the next 5 years who were victimized by violent crimes in Lake County. Provides that the to be eligible for assistance under the program, an individual must: (1) be a noncitizen victim, who has never been placed in removal proceedings; (2) have suffered a violent crime in Lake County; and (3) not be barred from the immigration remedies before the administrative body. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, in counties with a population of more than 500,000, a State's Attorney may act, without fee or appointment, as an attorney to a noncitizen victim in an immigration case only if the noncitizen victim was victimized within the county the State's Attorney serves and is located within the geographic boundaries of the county served by the State's Attorney.