Sen. Mark Walker

Creates the Operating Room Patient Safety Act. Provides that each surgical technologist hired or contracted by a health care facility on or after January 1, 2027 shall meet specified educational, certification, or experiential requirements. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits an individual from performing surgical technology services if the individual is acting within the scope of the individual's license or registration or is a student or intern under the direct supervision of a licensed health care provider.

Creates the Protective Medical Equipment Freedom Act. Provides that all individual in the State have the right to wear protective medical equipment in any place of public accommodation where they have a lawful right to be without obligation to disclose health status or any other protected information, and no person, entity, or authority shall deny, restrict, or infringe upon this right. Provides that operators and public officials shall not discriminate against or penalize medical device wearers for exercising their right to wear protective medical equipment. Provides that discrimination under the Act includes, but is not limited to: denial of service; eviction from premises; any form of harassment to remove or refrain from wearing such equipment for any amount of time; specified actions taken by employers; and provision of unequal goods, services, facilities, advantages, or accommodations. Sets forth provisions concerning the protection against retaliation, the exceptions for security requirements, operational safety, age and identity restricted products, and financial institution customer identification, and an undue hardship exemption. Effective immediately.

Creates the Passenger Rail Planning Act. Sets forth intercity passenger rail routes serving or originating in the State. Requires the Department of Transportation to incorporate the aspirational frequencies into the Illinois State Rail Plan and the Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan. Authorizes the Department to nominate corridors for inclusion in the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program and enter into memoranda of understanding or other cooperative agreements for each identified interstate corridor to provide for shared data, joint investment prioritization, and aligned performance measures and planning schedules. Requires the Department to include a recurring section titled Progress Toward High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail within each update to the Illinois State Rail Plan and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Requires each Metropolitan Planning Organization in the State to: (1) recognize the target intercity and long-distance passenger rail frequencies; (2) identify relevant rail corridors within or adjacent to the Metropolitan Planning Organization planning area; and (3) include a narrative discussion of how regional transportation investments can support achievement of those frequency targets. Requires the Department and each Metropolitan Planning Organization to consider progress toward the target passenger rail frequencies when developing project prioritization criteria for multimodal investments. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board Act. Sets forth findings and defines terms. Establishes the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board within the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for the purpose of advising and making recommendations to the Department regarding the provision of psilocybin and psilocybin services. Sets forth requirements for members of the Board. Provides that, within 3 months after the effective date of the Act, the Governor, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, the Minority Leader of the House, and the Minority Leader of the Senate shall appoint certain individuals to the Board. Provides that, between January 1, 2027 and January 1, 2029, the Board shall meet at least once every 2 calendar months at a time and place determined by the chairperson or a majority of the voting members of the Board and that, after January 1, 2029, the Board shall meet at least once every calendar quarter. Provides that the Board shall perform certain duties, including publishing an annual report describing the Board's activities and making recommendations concerning (i) the safety and efficacy of psilocybin and other substances, (ii) potential requirements for providing psilocybin services to clients, (iii) a potential code of ethics and possible training requirements for facilitators, and (iv) public health considerations. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, on and after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a redevelopment project area and any amendment adding an additional area to any existing redevelopment project areas created under the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act of the Municipal Code may include areas within the Big Island River Conservancy District created under the River Conservancy Districts Act only if the municipality receives unanimous consent from both (1) the board of trustees of the Big Island River Conservancy District and (2) the joint review board created to review the proposed redevelopment project area and any proposed amendment of any existing redevelopment area. Amends the River Conservancy Districts Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Maddy summarySB 939 amends the School Code by making a technical correction to the short title of a specific section. It does not change any substantive educational policies or programs. This procedural adjustment solely affects the formal naming of a section within the School Code. No new requirements, funding, or direct impacts on students, schools, or educators are created by this bill.

Maddy summaryThis is a memorial resolution (SR 544) honoring Beverly (Kall) Sussman, a dedicated educator and public servant from Buffalo Grove, Illinois. The resolution formally mourns her passing, recognizes her 26-year career as a science teacher (including a Presidential Award), her eight years as Buffalo Grove village president, and her 15 years serving on the Rick Kahen Commission for Residents with Disabilities. It extends condolences to her family and acknowledges her lifelong commitment to education, community service, and supporting residents. As a procedural memorial, it does not create policy changes or affect any specific group.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes changes concerning certifications by the Department of Revenue for the purpose of establishing guidelines and valuations for farmland. Provides that cropland, permanent pasture, and other farmland shall be defined according to guidelines issued by the Department of Revenue (currently, U.S. Census Bureau definitions). Makes changes concerning equalization factors applied to farmland property. In provisions concerning property under a forestry management plan, provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall inform the Department of Revenue of each parcel of land covered by an approved forestry management plan, and the Department of Revenue shall notify each chief county assessment officer of each parcel of land covered by an approved forestry management plan (currently, the Department of Natural Resources notifies the Department of Revenue and each chief county assessment officer). Effective immediately.

Creates the Automated Driving Systems Development Act. Provides that the operation of highly automated vehicles participating in an automated vehicle pilot project is subject to all applicable federal and State laws. Sets forth eligibility requirements for participation in an automated vehicle pilot project. Establishes the application process for participation in an automated vehicle pilot project. Creates a review committee within the Department of Transportation. Requires the Secretary of State to develop a driving test to evaluate the capability of highly automated vehicles to safely operate on State roads. Sets forth permit requirements and requirements concerning the suspension, revocation, and reinstatement of a permit. Creates reporting and data sharing requirements. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Enterprise Zone Act. Provides that certain credits related to high impact businesses do not apply on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a construction jobs credit does not apply for taxable years ending on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that a high impact business construction jobs credit does not apply for taxable years ending on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Makes changes concerning the business interest deduction. Creates an addition modification for the federal deduction for domestic research or experimental expenditures. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Makes changes concerning incentives for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and biodiesel blends. Makes other changes.