Sen. Dale Fowler

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Provides that, for persons dying on or after January 1, 2026, the exclusion amount shall be the applicable exclusion amount calculated under Section 2010 of the Internal Revenue Code as that Section exists on the effective date of the amendatory Act, including the inflation adjustment and including any deceased spousal unused exclusion amount (currently, the exclusion amount for Illinois estate tax purposes is $4,000,000). Effective immediately.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that, if the Department of Natural Resources is using its sharpshooting program to manage chronic wasting disease in a deer herd that is found in a specified area or county in the State and if no cases of that disease have been identified in that herd in the preceding 3 calendar years, then the Department shall end the use of that program to manage that disease in that area or county. Provides, however, that the program may be reinstituted within the area or county if chronic wasting disease is again identified in that herd.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Removes provisions prohibiting the construction of new nuclear power reactors with a nameplate capacity of more than 300 megawatts of electricity to be located within the State until the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security finds that the United States Government has identified and approved a demonstrable technology or means for the disposal of high level nuclear waste.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 427 is a commemorative resolution that officially mourns the passing of Charles James "Charlie" Kirk. It serves to acknowledge and honor his memory.

Declares the first full week of March 2026 as Soil Health Week. Encourages schools, agricultural organizations, conservation groups, and communities to observe Soil Health Week through educational activities, outreach, and the promotion of soil stewardship practices.

Expresses support for the Southwest Connector Coalition's efforts to keep its expansion project moving forward and encourages its members to remain engaged in their efforts to improve Illinois.

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that a distressed location project that is located within a distressed community shall be eligible for assistance of up to 100% for the acquisition of open space lands and for capital development and improvement proposals that are in conformity with the purposes of the Act. Specifies that a project that is located within a distressed community, regardless of whether the project is located within a distressed location, is eligible for assistance up to 90% for the acquisition of open space lands and for capital development and improvement proposals that are in conformity with the purposes of the Act. Provides that a distressed location project that is not located in a distressed community shall be eligible for assistance of up to 75% for the acquisition of open space lands and for capital development and improvement proposals that are in conformity with the purposes of the Act. Directs the Department of Natural Resources to prioritize the making of grants under the Act for projects that are located in distressed locations and distressed communities. Sets limits on the appropriated amounts that may be used for grants to distressed communities and distressed locations. Repeals a provision that required the Department of Natural Resources to prepare a Distressed Local Government Report. Repeals provisions that define terms. Adds other definitions. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Grants emergency rulemaking powers to the Department of Natural Resources.

Amends the Stalking No Contact Order Act. Adds to the definition of "stalking" to include harassment that is conduct that is not necessary to accomplish a purpose that is reasonable under the circumstances, would cause a reasonable person emotional distress, and causes emotional distress to the petitioner. Creates a rebuttable presumption that the following conduct is presumed to cause emotional distress: (i) creating a disturbance at the petitioner's place of employment or school; (ii) repeatedly telephoning the petitioner's place of employment, home, or residence; (iii) repeatedly following the petitioner about in a public place or places; (iv) repeatedly keeping the petitioner under surveillance by remaining present outside his or her home, school, place of employment, vehicle, or other place occupied by the petitioner or by peering in the petitioner's windows; (v) threatening the safety of the petitioner's minor child or family member; or (vi) threatening physical force, confinement, or restraint on one or more occasions. Effective immediately.

Creates the Web-Based Signatures Act. Provides that a unit of local government may allow a person to sign any document with a web-based signature if the unit of local government uses a secure web-based platform.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a prosecution for involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons and related offenses may be commenced at any time (rather than within 25 years of the victim attaining the age of 18 years). Provides that this statute of limitations applies to prosecutions for such conduct arising on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act.