The new bill authored by State Sen. Michael E. Hastings in the Illinois Senate aims to establish a regulatory and taxation framework for nonsports prediction markets in the state, according to the Illinois State Senate.
The bill, introduced as SB4168 on March 5, 2026, during the general assembly session 104, was summarized by the state legislature as follows: “Creates the Prediction Markets Regulation and Taxation Act. Includes findings and legislative intent provisions. Provides that no person shall operate a prediction market offering qualifying prediction market contracts to Illinois residents without first obtaining a master prediction market license from the Illinois Gaming Board and paying a $1,000,000 license fee to the Board. Provides that the master prediction market license is renewable annually upon payment of a $1,000,000 renewal fee and a determination of the Board that the licensee meets the requirements of the Act and the Board’s rules. Requires the Board to adopt rules for licensing and establishes provisions concerning construction of the Act. Provides that the State shall impose and collect a privilege tax equal to 50% of a platform operator’s adjusted gross receipts derived from qualifying prediction market contracts placed by or with Illinois residents. Sets forth provisions concerning additional requirements for the tax. Provides that violation of the Act shall constitute unlicensed gambling under the Criminal Code of 2012 and may result in cease and desist orders, civil penalties, license revocation, or referral for criminal prosecution. Grants the Board rulemaking authority to implement the Act. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that, in addition to existing provisions, a person commits gambling when the person knowingly violates the Prediction Markets Regulation and Taxation Act.”
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill creates the Prediction Markets Regulation and Taxation Act to license and tax nonsports prediction markets in Illinois. It requires platform operators to obtain a master prediction market license from the Illinois Gaming Board, pay a $1 million initial and annual renewal fee, and follow board rules on age limits, geofencing, anti-money-laundering, responsible gambling tools, and market integrity. The bill imposes a 50% tax on adjusted gross receipts from qualifying prediction market contracts placed by Illinois residents and bars coverage of sports and casino-style gambling already regulated under other laws. Violations are treated as unlicensed gambling under the Criminal Code and may trigger civil, administrative, or criminal penalties.
Hastings has proposed another 55 bills since the beginning of the 104th session, with nine of them being adopted.
Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.
You can read more about bills and other measures here.
Hastings graduated from United States Military Academy at West Point in 2003 with a BS and again in 2014 from The John Marshall Law School with a JD.
Hastings, a Democrat, was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 2013 to represent the state’s 19th Senate District, replacing previous state senator Maggie Crotty.
Bills Introduced by Michael E. Hastings in Illinois Senate During General Assembly Session 104
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB4168 | 03/05/2026 | Creates the Prediction Markets Regulation and Taxation Act. Includes findings and legislative intent provisions. Provides that no person shall operate a prediction market offering qualifying prediction market contracts to Illinois residents without first obtaining a master prediction market license from the Illinois Gaming Board and paying a $1,000,000 license fee to the Board. Provides that the master prediction market license is renewable annually upon payment of a $1,000,000 renewal fee and a determination of the Board that the licensee meets the requirements of the Act and the Board’s rules. Requires the Board to adopt rules for licensing and establishes provisions concerning construction of the Act. Provides that the State shall impose and collect a privilege tax equal to 50% of a platform operator’s adjusted gross receipts derived from qualifying prediction market contracts placed by or with Illinois residents. Sets forth provisions concerning additional requirements for the tax. Provides that violation of the Act shall constitute unlicensed gambling under the Criminal Code of 2012 and may result in cease and desist orders, civil penalties, license revocation, or referral for criminal prosecution. Grants the Board rulemaking authority to implement the Act. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that, in addition to existing provisions, a person commits gambling when the person knowingly violates the Prediction Markets Regulation and Taxation Act. |
| SB3812 | 02/06/2026 | Amends the Attorney Act. Prohibits a private equity group, hedge fund, or any entity owned, operated, or controlled by a private equity group or hedge fund, including management services organizations, that is involved with a law firm or an attorney’s practice from: (1) interfering with the professional judgment of attorneys in representing clients; (2) exercising control over or being delegated the power to own or determine the content of client records, select, hire, or terminate the employment of attorneys or allied legal staff in whole or in part based on competency or proficiency; or set competency or proficiency parameters for attorneys or allied legal staff; or (3) charging any fee to the attorney or law firm that is directly or indirectly based on the fees, revenues, or profits of the attorney or law firm. Prohibits an attorney from sharing legal fees directly or indirectly with an out-of-state alternative business structure unless: (1) the attorney is also licensed in the state in which the alternative business structure is approved; (2) the fees are compensation for providing legal services in that state; and (3) the law of that state is controlling under the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct or a successor rule. Provides for the recovery of statutory damages, attorney’s fees and costs, and injunctive or declaratory relief as a remedy for violation. Defines terms. Contains applicability provisions. Effective immediately. |
| SB3827 | 02/06/2026 | Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates the Rates for Fire and Extended Coverage Insurance Article. Provides that the Article applies to policies of fire and extended coverage insurance and establishes policies that are exempt from the Article. Provides that rates shall not be excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, as specified. Requires each insurer to file with the Director of Insurance all rates and supplementary rate information for risks that are to be written in this State 20 days prior to the effective date of the rates. Sets forth provisions concerning filing requirements for insurers in competitive and noncompetitive markets and the monitoring duties of the Director concerning market competition and the availability of insurance for the policies of insurance to which the Article applies. Provides that a competitive market is presumed to exist for a line of insurance unless the Director, after a hearing, issues an order stating that a reasonable degree of competition does not exist in the market. Provides that the ruling of the Director regarding market competition is subject to judicial review under the Administrative Review Law. Effective January 1, 2028. |
| SB4009 | 02/06/2026 | Amends the Missing Persons Identification Act. Provides that, if biological samples are not available from a missing person, then biological samples may be used from any (rather than closely related) biological relatives of the missing person. Provides that biological samples from relatives must be provided voluntarily and that all consent and information forms must be completed and submitted with the samples. Provides that biological samples collected for DNA analysis shall be submitted to an accredited forensic laboratory for DNA testing for entry by a Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) participating laboratory (rather than a Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) or other accredited laboratory where DNA profiles are entered into local, State, and national DNA Index Systems) within 90 days from the date of the police report. Provides that the DNA profiles of biological samples from the remains of unidentifiable individuals collected by a coroner, medical examiner, or assisting law enforcement agency shall be entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) (rather than the appropriate State and National DNA Index System) within 90 days from the discovery of the remains. |
| SB3551 | 02/05/2026 | Creates the Government Communications Transparency and Security Act. Prohibits a government entity, government officer, or government employee from downloading, installing, accessing, activating, or using an end-to-end encryption platform with autodeletion on a government communication device. Prohibits an Internet service provider, telecommunications carrier, server operator, mobile application marketplace, or digital platform doing business in the State from enabling the download, installation, activation, or operation of an end-to-end encryption platform with autodeletion on a government communication device. Requires Internet service providers, telecommunications carriers, and digital platforms to implement reasonable technological measures to block access to, installation of, or operation of end-to-end encryption platforms with autodeletion on government communication devices. Establishes penalties for violations. Authorizes the Attorney General or an Illinois taxpayer to bring suit to enforce the Act, with recovery of attorney’s fees and costs. Requires the Department of Innovation and Technology to adopt rules. Defines terms. Effective January 1, 2027. |
| SB3559 | 02/05/2026 | Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to develop a standardized Uniform Compliance Complaint Form to be used statewide and made available on the website of every regional office of education and intermediate service center. Provides that the Uniform Compliance Complaint Form shall allow a complainant to allege a school district’s or school’s violation of the Code or a rule over which the regional superintendent of schools or intermediate service center’s executive director has oversight. Provides that upon receipt of a written and signed complaint using the form, the regional office of education or intermediate service center shall conduct an independent investigation. Requires the regional office of education or the intermediate service center to issue a written decision to the complainant within 60 calendar days after receipt of the complaint. Provides that if the regional office of education or intermediate service center finds a violation of the Code or a rule, the regional office of education or intermediate service center shall issue a report requiring the district to develop a corrective action plan. Provides that any district or school official who knowingly provides false information during the investigation or refuses to cooperate with the regional office of education or the intermediate service center in its investigation is subject to a hearing regarding the official’s professional educator license status. Allows a party to a complaint to appeal the decision of the regional office of education or the intermediate service center to the State Superintendent of Education within 30 days after the issuance of the written decision. Requires the State Board to adopt rules as are necessary to implement the provisions. |
| SB3560 | 02/05/2026 | Amends the Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act, the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act, and the Illinois Physical Therapy Act. In provisions concerning the use of dry needling, provides that “dry needling”, also known as intramuscular therapy, means an advanced needling skill or technique limited to the treatment of myofascial pain, using a single use, single insertion, sterile filiform needle (rather than a single use, single insertion, sterile filiform needle without the use of heat, cold, or any other added modality or medication), that is inserted into the skin or underlying tissues to stimulate trigger points. Provides that “dry needling” does not include the teaching or application of acupuncture in accordance with traditional and modern practices of East Asian medical theory (rather than the teaching or application of acupuncture described by the stimulation of auricular points, utilization of distal points or non-local points, needle retention, application of retained electric stimulation leads, or other acupuncture theory). |
| SB3561 | 02/05/2026 | Creates the Buy-Now-Pay-Later Loan Regulation Act. Provides that it is unlawful for a person to act as a buy-now-pay-later lender unless the person registers with the Division of Financial Institutions of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Sets forth requirements for registration; duties and powers of the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation; and administrative procedures. Provides that a buy-now-pay-lender shall provide specified disclosures to recipients. Provides that a violation of the Act constitutes an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change. |
| SB3562 | 02/05/2026 | Amends the Automatic Contract Renewal Act. Provides that any person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation that sells or offers to sell any products or services to a consumer pursuant to a contract, where such contract automatically renews, shall provide the consumer with the option to cancel the contract, at any time, using a simple cancellation mechanism in the same medium that the consumer used to consent to the contract. Provides that an entity shall provide a clear and conspicuous notice, in a manner that may be retained by the consumer, of any material change to the terms of a contract containing an automatic renewal offer at least 3 days prior to the change to the terms. Sets forth additional requirements concerning the cancellation of automatic renewal offers, continuous service offers, and free trial or promotional period offers entered into online, including requiring an entity to provide a one-step online cancellation link. Makes other changes. |
| SB3599 | 02/05/2026 | Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides a process for an operator of a hotel to evict an occupant of the hotel who fails to pay the full amount of lodging when due and remains on the premises without the consent of the operator. Provides that nothing in the Act may be construed to affect the rights or remedies of an occupant who is a tenant under a bona fide lease agreement governed by Illinois landlord-tenant law. Provides that an operator or employee of an operator who is acting in good faith and in substantial compliance with the Act to be civilly or criminally liable for requesting law-enforcement assistance or for the peaceful removal of a non-paying occupant. Provides that the Act does not apply to any occupant placed in a hotel under a government-funded emergency, disaster-relief, or transitional housing program if: (1) the cost of lodging is paid for, directly or indirectly, by a federal, State, or local agency; and (2) the lodging agreement or agency contract expressly specifies the occupant’s temporary stay and removal procedures. Authorizes a peace officer to remove a non-paying occupant as a trespasser upon verification of the operator’s documentation under the Act and arrest the person for criminal trespass to real property under the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that nothing in the Act requires law enforcement to intervene in a bona fide lease dispute or a matter in which the occupant’s payment status is genuinely contested. Authorizes the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board to adopt model policies and training materials for law-enforcement agencies and operators regarding the application of the Act. |
| SB3392 | 02/04/2026 | Creates the Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Project Act. Provides that in order to commence an autonomous vehicle pilot project, a person must provide to the Department of Transportation a statement that sets forth the operational design domain for an autonomous vehicle pilot project. Provides that the operational design domain for an autonomous vehicle pilot project must be confined to counties having or exceeding a population of 1,000,000 individuals, as determined by the most recent federal decennial census, Sangamon County, or the counties of Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe. Allows the Department to authorize the statewide deployment of autonomous vehicles beyond the operational design domain after a period of 3 years following the effective date of the Act, as long as the Department determines the pilot projects conducted have demonstrated safety and operational readiness. Sets forth the conditions a person must meet to operate an autonomous vehicle on the public roads of the State with the automated driving system engaged. Requires a person to obtain authorization from the Department to operate an autonomous vehicle on the public roads of the State. Includes provisions regarding licensing, duties following crashes involving autonomous vehicles, registration and title, operation of a motor vehicle with an automated driving system by a human driver, vehicle equipment standards, evaluation data, the controlling authority, and home rule. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2029. Makes conforming changes to the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Effective immediately. |
| SB3393 | 02/04/2026 | Amends the Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Act. Provides that the Office of the State Fire Marshal shall prepare a report evaluating the effectiveness and industry impacts of the continuing education requirements established under the Act. Requires the report to include recommendations for statutory or rule changes and to be delivered to the General Assembly by December 31, 2026. Effective immediately. |
| SB3394 | 02/04/2026 | Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. In the provision of the Code that provides that a person who by illegal gambling loses $50 or more to another person may sue for and recover the money or other thing of value, so lost and paid or delivered, in a civil action against the winner thereof, with costs, in the circuit court, applies only to a natural person with residency in the State of Illinois. Provides that losses as a result of participation in any fantasy contests against a fantasy contest operator, including single-player fantasy contests, are not recoverable under the provision. Effective immediately. |
| SB3395 | 02/04/2026 | Creates the Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Training Act. Provides that, after July 1, 2027, a guardian ad litem may not continue to serve as a guardian ad litem or receive an appointment to serve in a family law case or juvenile case unless the guardian ad litem completes training as required under this Act. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2027, a guardian ad litem must complete training on medical literacy. Requires the training to include, at a minimum, the following: (1) information regarding chronic medical conditions; (2) a module covering distinguishing medical advocacy from parental conflict; (3) information regarding consulting treating medical professions; (4) a module covering treatment adherence and risk; and (4) a module covering the ethical limits of a guardian ad litem’s medical opinion. Provides that the Act is subject to the supervisory authority of the Illinois Supreme Court. |
| SB3211 | 02/02/2026 | Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. In provisions concerning teledentistry, provides that an initial examination for new patients, excluding patients seeking orthodontic treatment, may be conducted through teledentistry if the authorizing dentist establishes a bona fide dentist-patient relationship by reviewing the patient’s medical and dental history and verifying both the patient’s identity and physical location to ensure that dental care is being administered within the State. Provides that an initial examination for orthodontia treatment shall be performed in person only. Requires an in-person clinical examination to be performed immediately before providing or authorizing services or treatments to patients that are not reversible. Provides that, for ongoing dentist-patient relationships, dentists shall strongly encourage patients to be seen in person at least annually. Makes other changes. |
| SB3029 | 01/29/2026 | Amends the Home Repair and Remodeling Act. Provides that a contractor offering home repair or remodeling services shall not propose to contract or solicit a contract for home repair or remodeling services: (1) while a loss-producing occurrence is continuing at the premises; (2) while the fire department or emergency personnel are engaged at the damaged premises; or (3) between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Provides that a contractor shall not, in person, propose to contract or solicit a contract with a consumer for home repair or remodeling services for a minimum of 72 hours after a disaster proclamation, unless the proposal to contract or the solicitation to contract is initiated by a consumer. |
| SB2947 | 01/27/2026 | Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions regarding the notice of intention not to renew a policy of insurance, provides that no company may impose renewal premium increases of more than 10% for policies of fire and extended coverage insurance that are subject to certain cancellation requirements, unless the company mails or delivers by electronic means to the named insured notice of the increase in renewal premium at least 60 days before the policy renewal or anniversary date. Creates the Rates for Fire and Extended Coverage Insurance Article. Contains provisions concerning the purpose and applicability of the Article. Prohibits rates from being excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, as specified. Sets forth provisions concerning determinations and notice from the Department of Insurance and hearings on the notice. Provides that credible State-specific loss experience shall be used in the development of rates whenever that data is available and statistically reliable. Authorizes insurers, in order to meet actuarial standards of credibility, to supplement State-specific loss experience with countrywide, regional, or out-of-state loss experience. Effective January 1, 2027. |
| SB2948 | 01/27/2026 | Amends the School Safety Drill Act. Provides that school districts and private schools in the State shall consider the use of mobile panic alert systems in the development of their school emergency and crisis response plans. Provides that the mobile panic alert system, if used, shall be known as “Alyssa’s Alert” and shall be capable of connecting to diverse emergency service technologies to ensure real-time coordination between multiple first responder agencies. Provides that the mobile panic alert system, if used, must be capable of integrating with local, public-safety, answering-point infrastructures to transmit 9-1-1 calls and mobile activations. Requires the State Board of Education to conduct market research, in consultation with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, to identify whether an existing market of supply of mobile panic alert systems that satisfy the requirements under the amendatory provisions is available in the State from multiple vendors for use by school districts. Requires the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, to develop standards for a mobile panic alert system. Requires the State Board of Education to establish and administer a Mobile Panic Alert System Grant Program. Provides that school districts and private schools may apply to the State Board of Education for a Program grant to obtain a mobile panic alert system in order to better prepare for emergency responses. Provides that Program grants shall be awarded from moneys appropriated for that purpose from the Mobile Panic Alert System Grant Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. |
| SB2949 | 01/27/2026 | Amends the Missing Persons Identification Act. Provides that, if a missing person remains missing for 30 days after the date of the police report (rather than 60 days after the date of the police report and missing for 60 days after the date of the police report in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)), then the missing person’s dental record shall be added to the missing person entry in the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS). Provides that, if a missing person remains missing for 60 days after the date of the police report, then the missing person’s dental record shall be entered in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). |
| SB2866 | 01/16/2026 | Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Specifies that the purchaser education support policies that are maintained by dispensing organizations must include information on the use of locked storage bags to prevent access to cannabis by children. Requires any dispensing organization that sells edible cannabis-infused products to display a placard that, among other things, states: “Cannabis products should be kept away from children and safely stored in a locked storage container.” Requires dispensing organizations that are authorized to serve registered qualifying patients, caregivers, or purchasers and that offer cannabis-infused products or cannabis-infused products intended for topical use to stock for sale lockable, opaque storage containers designed to prevent access to cannabis products by children. In provisions regarding required warnings for cannabis-infused products, adds a required warning that the product must be stored out of reach of children and should be in a locked container and that provides the phone number to the Illinois Poison Center in case of accidental use. |
| SB2691 | 10/14/2025 | Creates the Nondriving Factors in Insurance Rate-Setting Study Act. Requires the Department of Insurance to conduct a comprehensive study of the use of nondriving factors in the setting of automobile and homeowners insurance premiums in Illinois. By January 1, 2027, requires the Department of Insurance to prepare and submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2028. Effective immediately. |
| SB2692 | 10/14/2025 | Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates the Insurance Rate Fairness and Consumer Protection Article. Provides that the Article may be cited as the Insurance Rate Fairness and Consumer Protection Law. Provides that rates shall not be excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, as specified. Provides that companies issuing policies within the applicability of the Article shall not incorporate catastrophe or extreme event losses from other states into the development of Illinois rates if fully credible loss experience is available within the State of Illinois. Effective immediately. |
| SB2698 | 10/14/2025 | Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates the Rates Article. Provides that the Article may be cited as the Insurance Rate Fairness and Consumer Protection Law. Sets forth provisions requiring insurers to receive prior approval for rate changes from the Department of Insurance on and after January 1, 2028. Provides that no insurer shall increase premiums by more than 10% per year for any policyholder without exceptional justification. Requires the Department to conduct market conduct examinations of insurers at least once every 3 years to ensure compliance with the Article. Establishes penalty and enforcement provisions for violations of the Article. Provides that the Department may adopt rules necessary to implement and enforce the requirements of the Article. Effective January 1, 2028. |
| SB2699 | 10/14/2025 | Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no company shall impose renewal premium increases of more than 10% for policies of fire and extended coverage insurance to which specified provisions apply. In a provision prohibiting a company from making changes in deductibles or coverage for any policy forms applicable to certain lines of business unless the company provides a specified notice, adds delivery by electronic means as a method for providing that notice. Provides that no company may impose renewal premium increases of more than 10% for policies of automobile insurance to which specified provisions apply unless the company mails to the named insured written notice or delivers notice by electronic means of the change in premium or change in deductible or coverage at least 30 days prior to the renewal. Effective January 1, 2028. |
| SB2710 | 10/14/2025 | Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in consultation with the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, to conduct a comprehensive study on parenting-time presumptions in child custody proceedings. Provides that the study examine how statutory presumptions and judicial practices affect fairness, parental involvement, and child outcomes in custody cases. Requires that the review pay particular attention to ensuring that both parents, regardless of gender, are given equitable opportunities to maintain meaningful relationships with their children. Requires that the Department submit a final report to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than December 31, 2026 and include findings, recommendations, and potential statutory language to update Illinois law. Repeals the Act on December 31, 2027. |
| SB2711 | 10/14/2025 | Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Requires the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, in consultation with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children and Family Services, to conduct a comprehensive study on the use, cost, and accessibility of guardian ad litem services in family law proceedings. Provides that the purpose of the study shall be to evaluate the impact of guardian ad litem appointments on litigants, with particular focus on low-income families, and to identify whether current practices promote fairness, access to justice, and the best interests of children. Requires that the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts submit a final report to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than December 31, 2026. Requires that the report shall include findings, analysis, and recommendations, including potential statutory language to update Illinois law governing guardian ad litem appointments, costs, and funding structures. Repeals the new provisions on January 1, 2028. |
| SB2278 | 02/07/2025 | Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities and veterans of World War II, provides that, if the taxpayer is the surviving spouse of a veteran whose death was determined to be service-connected or (currently, and) the taxpayer is certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a recipient of dependency and indemnity compensation, then the first $250,000 in equalized assessed value of the property is exempt from taxation under the Code. Effective immediately. |
| SB2303 | 02/07/2025 | Amends the Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Act. Provides that any person, entity, or business that offers fire sprinkler contractor services under the Act without being licensed or exempt under the Act shall pay a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $50,000 (rather than $10,000) for each offense. Provides that, if any person, entity, or business commits a second offense within 24 months, the civil penalty shall be no less than $10,000 which shall be deposited into the Fire Prevention Fund. Provides that, if any person, entity, or business commits more than 2 offenses within 24 months, the civil penalty shall be no less than $25,000 which shall be deposited into the Fire Prevention Fund. Provides that any person who practices, offers to practice, attempts to practice, or holds himself or herself out to practice as a fire sprinkler inspector without being licensed or exempt under the Act shall pay a civil penalty not to exceed $50,000 (rather than $10,000) for each offense. Provides that, if any person commits a second offense within 24 months, the civil penalty shall be no less than $10,000 which shall be deposited into the Fire Prevention Fund. Provides that, if any person commits more than 2 offenses within 24 months, the civil penalty shall be no less than $25,000 which shall be deposited into the Fire Prevention Fund. Effective immediately. |
| SB2468 | 02/07/2025 | Amends the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act. Provides that, if the injured employee subsequently dies, the employer shall continue to pay the entire health insurance premium for the surviving spouse (rather than the surviving spouse until remarried) and for the dependent children under specified conditions. |
| SB2469 | 02/07/2025 | Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a prescriber shall not be required to issue prescriptions for a substance classified in Schedule II, III, IV, or V electronically if the prescription is issued by a licensed veterinarian within 7 (rather than 2) years after November 17, 2023 (the effective date of Public Act 103-563). |
| SB2056 | 02/06/2025 | Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Provides that a patient of record who is provided services through a mobile dental van or portable dental unit does not need to receive an in-person physical examination from a dentist prior to receiving treatment that utilizes teledentistry if such services are limited to certain procedures. |
| SB2057 | 02/06/2025 | Amends the School Safety Drill Act. Requires the State Board of Education and the Office of the Fire Marshal to develop clear and definitive guidelines to school districts, private schools, and first responders as to how to develop threat assessment procedures, rapid entry response plans, and cardiac emergency response plans. Requires the State Board of Education and the Office of the State Fire Marshal to cooperate to adopt rules to implement the provisions of the amendatory Act. Grants emergency rulemaking powers to the State Board of Education and the Office of the State Fire Marshal to implement the provisions of the amendatory Act for a period not to exceed 180 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Requires the State Board of Education to provide school districts with standards outlining what steps or consideration shall be included within the school district’s threat assessment procedure. Makes a corresponding change in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Effective immediately. |
| SB2066 | 02/06/2025 | Amends the Capital Development Board Act. Provides, in a provision that limits the enforceability of ordinances of units of local government with respect to the remediation, redevelopment, or improvement of certain State facilities, that a unit of local government shall not include a municipal wastewater agency or unit of local government that is organized under the Sanitary District Act of 1907, the North Shore Water Reclamation District Act, the Sanitary District Act of 1917, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act, the Sanitary District Act of 1936, the Metro-East Sanitary District Act of 1974, or the Eastern Will Sanitary District Act. Provides that an ordinance or regulation of a municipal wastewater agency or unit of local government that is organized under the Sanitary District Act of 1907, the North Shore Water Reclamation District Act, the Sanitary District Act of 1917, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act, the Sanitary District Act of 1936, the Metro-East Sanitary District Act of 1974, or the Eastern Will Sanitary District Act regarding the use of or connection to the wastewater treatment or collection system of the agency or unit of local government is valid and enforceable by the agency or unit of local government with respect to the construction, reconstruction, improvement, or installation of a State facility on or after the effective date. Effective immediately. |
| SB1715 | 02/05/2025 | Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction for any amount included in gross income as a result of a basis adjustment to investment credit property under the Internal Revenue Code. Effective immediately. |
| SB1716 | 02/05/2025 | Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images is a Class 3 felony if the person who commits the offense of non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images uses an end-to-end encryption messaging system or device to transmit or disseminate the image to the victim or to another person. Defines “end-to-end encryption messaging system or device”. Effective immediately. |
| SB1717 | 02/05/2025 | Amends the Election Code. Provides that the State Board of Elections and the various election authorities and local election officials with whom petitions for nomination are filed shall: (i) create a form for a prospective candidate to request a petition for nomination; (ii) provide a prospective candidate with a petition for nomination within 24 hours after receiving a completed request form; (iii) timestamp when a completed petition for nomination is filed; and (iv) make publicly available a list of filed petitions for nomination that shall be preserved for a period of not less than 6 months. |
| SB1718 | 02/05/2025 | Creates the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Act. Provides that no sales tax shall be imposed on eligible merchandise purchased by any individual or entity in the State of Illinois during the sales tax holiday period. Provides that the sales tax holiday period is the period beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday in August and ending at 11:59 p.m. on the following Sunday. Provides that “sales tax” means the taxes imposed under the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act. Effective immediately. |
| SB1443 | 01/31/2025 | Amends the Mortgage Act. Provides that the Act does not abrogate the Illinois common law that the payment in full of a debt secured by a mortgage extinguishes the lien. Provides that payment in full of a debt secured by a mortgage pursuant to a payoff statement, as defined in the Mortgage Certificate of Release Act, issued by or on behalf of the holder of the indebtedness extinguishes the lien of the mortgage. Effective immediately. |
| SB1444 | 01/31/2025 | Creates the Chicago Water Contracts Transparency Study Act. Provides that the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shall commission an independent study on the City of Chicago’s water contracts with distributing municipalities, including detailed information on the agreements and costs associated with those agreements. Provides that the study shall also assess the potential cost impacts of establishing an alternative stream of water distribution, such as through the creation of a Southwest Water Authority or similar entity. Provides that the Commission shall hold at least 2 public hearings to solicit input from municipal representatives, water industry experts, and other stakeholders and include any relevant information resulting from those hearings in the study. Provides that the Commission shall complete the study and submit a report that includes an executive summary, detailed findings, and any recommendations resulting from the study to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than one year after the effective date of the Act. Effective immediately. |
| SB1289 | 01/28/2025 | Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning surplus line insurance, changes the definition of “home state”. Makes other conforming changes. |
| SB1353 | 01/28/2025 | Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act with respect to the Illinois Veteran grant program. Provides that a grant recipient is not required to pay any tuition or mandatory fees while attending a State-controlled university or public community college in this State for a period that is based on the length of his or her active duty service, as verified on his or her U.S. Department of Defense form DD-214, calculated at specified credit hour rates (rather than for a period that is equivalent to 4 years of full-time enrollment, including summer terms). Provides that a grant may be transferred to a qualified dependent beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year. Amends the School Code to make a related change. Effective July 1, 2025. |
| SB1354 | 01/28/2025 | Creates the Tax Increment Financing and Zoning Ethics and Political Contributions Prohibition Act. Prohibits certain political contributions from those who receive a benefit from a TIF district or a benefit from a zoning variance. Requires corporate disclosure of directors, employees, investors, and family who receive a benefit from a TIF district or a benefit from a zoning variance. Establishes penalties for violations. Exempts certain unrelated persons and unrelated contributions. Defines terms. Effective September 1, 2025. |
| SB1355 | 01/28/2025 | Creates the Public Official Conflict of Interest and Natural Resource Misuse Act. Provides that it is unlawful for any public official, for personal gain, to offer, propose, or allow the use or allocation of a city’s natural resource as a condition for settlement or compensation for damage caused to a resident’s personal property, with a Class 3 felony that includes a fine not to exceed $250,000 and restitution to the resident, as well as removal from office in the case the public official is an elected official. Provides for powers of investigation and enforcement for the Attorney General, as well as for local law enforcement agencies in consultation with the Executive Ethics Commission. Provides for protection for whistleblowers. Declares a purpose. Defines terms. |
| SB1356 | 01/28/2025 | Creates the Video Gaming Ethics and Political Contributions Prohibition Act. Prohibits a video game terminal operator, landlord, or property owner, the board of directors or investors of a terminal operator, landlord, or property owner, or immediately family members of a terminal operator, landlord, or property owner from making a contribution to: (1) a municipal or county official responsible for issuing gaming licenses; or (2) a political action committee that supports or is affiliated with such officials. Provides that any corporation, organization, or entity receiving benefits from a gaming license shall disclose the names of directors, employees, investors, landlords, and their immediate family members who receive a benefit to the appropriate governmental body. Requires political organizations, candidates, political action committees, and independent expenditure committees to maintain records and disclose contributions from individuals or entities subject to the Act. Imposes penalties on any person or entity found to have made prohibited political contributions and on any municipal or county official who knowingly accepts prohibited political contributions. Allows the Illinois Gaming Board, the Illinois State Board of Elections, and the Illinois Ethics Commission to enforce the Act. Allows the Attorney General to prosecute violations of the Act. Effective immediately. |
| SB1357 | 01/28/2025 | Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that an elected official of a unit of local government shall not use an alias, false identity, or any other deceptive means to submit a request for public records under the Act if the intent of the request is to cause the unit of local government to incur unreasonable or excessive costs. Sets forth penalties for a violation of this prohibition. Provides that, if an elected official of a unit of local government submits a request or series of requests resulting in unreasonable or excessive costs and if the use of an alias or false identity is discovered, then there is a rebuttable presumption that the request or requests were made to cause the unit of local government to incur unreasonable or excessive costs. Authorizes a unit of local government to seek reimbursement from elected officials who violate this requirement. Authorizes the Attorney General, in coordination with units of local government, to investigate alleged violations and to take appropriate legal action against persons it alleges to have committed violations. |
| SB0268 | 01/24/2025 | Creates the Insurance Fairness and Consumer Protection Law Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that insurers must submit a request for approval to the Department of Insurance for any proposed rate increase for homeowners insurance premiums or automobile insurance premiums. Prohibits implementing any rate increase without prior written approval of the Department. Prohibits using nondriving factors, such as credit score, occupation, and education level, to determine automobile insurance premiums. Provides that, for homeowners insurance, factors unrelated to the insured property’s location, age, and condition shall not be considered in rate setting. Requires a public disclosure and comment period for any proposed rate increase exceeding 10% in a 12-month period. Prohibits an insurer from increasing premiums by more than 15% per year for any policyholder without exceptional justification, which must include specified evidence. Sets forth provisions concerning definitions; penalties; reimbursement of consumers; market conduct actions; Department approval of rate increases; and rulemaking. Effective immediately. |
| SB0269 | 01/24/2025 | Creates the Insurance Rate Transparency Law as an Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, each insurer offering automobile and homeowners insurance policies in Illinois shall maintain a publicly accessible website displaying a summary of the annual percentage increase or decrease in premium rates for homeowners insurance policies and automobile insurance policies. Requires the website to display the rate-change data for the previous 5 years, updated annually by no later than January 31 of each year, and specified other data. Sets forth provisions concerning the format of the renewal notice; enforcement of the requirements by the Department of Insurance; penalties; and rulemaking. Effective immediately. |
| SB0099 | 01/17/2025 | Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities and veterans of World War II, provides that, if the taxpayer is the surviving spouse of a veteran whose death was determined to be service-connected or (currently, and) the taxpayer is certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a recipient of dependency or indemnity compensation (currently, dependency and indemnity compensation), then the first $250,000 in equalized assessed value of the property is exempt from taxation under the Code. Effective immediately. |
| SB0100 | 01/17/2025 | Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Provides that the Illinois Gaming Board shall (1) allow sworn law enforcement personnel employed by the Board who retire in good standing to keep their previously issued Board identification cards or (2) issue photographic identification cards to sworn law enforcement personnel employed by the Board who retire in good standing that indicate their separation from service and identify the person as having been employed by the Board as sworn law enforcement personnel. Provides that, if a Board-issued identification card is lost or stolen, the Board shall immediately reissue a replacement identification card upon written request by the retired sworn law enforcement personnel. Effective immediately. |
| SB0101 | 01/17/2025 | Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that the certification of service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and veteran-owned small businesses is an exclusive power and function of the State. Denies home rule powers. Effective immediately. |
| SB0149 | 01/17/2025 | Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that victims shall be provided access to all discovery materials, including, but not limited to, police reports, relevant cellular communication data, and communications between parties, upon request, in accordance with the Crime Victims’ Rights provision of the Bill of Rights Article of the Illinois Constitution and the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act to aid in their protection against future harm and preparation for civil litigation. Amends the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act. Provides that crime victims shall have the right to discovery information, upon request, for protection and civil litigation preparation. Provides that victims of crimes shall have the right to request and receive, upon request, discovery information that is directly relevant to the criminal case and pertinent to the victim’s involvement in the case. Establishes procedures for the victim to obtain discovery information. Provides that the disclosure of discovery materials must be done in a manner that safeguards the victim’s personal safety and privacy, especially in cases in which there is a known risk of further harm or retaliation by the defendant or others involved in the case. Provides that discovery materials disclosed may only be used for the purpose of understanding the criminal case and preparing for potential civil litigation. Provides that the information may not be disclosed to third parties or used for any purpose unrelated to the criminal proceedings or related civil litigation. Provides that failure of law enforcement or the office of the prosecuting attorney to comply with the disclosure of discovery materials within the required time frame may result in a civil penalty of up to $50,000, or disciplinary action, or both, as determined by the appropriate oversight body. Effective immediately. |
| SB0176 | 01/17/2025 | Creates the Procurement Bid Ethics Transparency Act. Provides that no director, employee, investor, or immediate family member of any director, employee, or investor of any corporation, organization, or entity that directly or indirectly operates a procurement bid process for a unit of local government shall simultaneously submit and compete for a procurement bid in that same unit of local government unless they have formally disclosed their involvement to the Executive Ethics Commission. Effective immediately. |
| SB0024 | 01/13/2025 | Amends the Missing Persons Identification Act. Requires a law enforcement agency to attempt to obtain a biological sample from closely related family members of the missing person or a personal item of the missing person beginning 30 days after the date of the missing person report (rather than within 30 days after receipt of a report). Provides that a law enforcement agency may not establish or maintain a policy that requires the observance of a waiting period before accepting a missing person report. Modifies the circumstances under which a law enforcement agency may not refuse to accept a missing person report. Requires a law enforcement agency to notify a person responsible for the missing person’s welfare, or other specified individuals, about specified efforts to locate a missing person. Provides that, if a person remains missing for 30 days after the date of report, the law enforcement agency shall immediately (rather than may) generate a report of the missing person within NamUs, and the law enforcement agency shall (rather than may) attempt to obtain specified information and materials that have not been received. Modifies the follow-up action required by a law enforcement agency after creation of a missing person report. Modifies the definition of “high-risk missing person”. Upon receipt of a missing person report (rather than immediately), requires the responding local law enforcement agency to enter all collected information relating to the missing person case in the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System and the National Crime Information Center. Makes other changes to reporting requirements. Modifies requirements for submission of fingerprints from unidentified remains for analysis as well as other requirements relating identified human remains. Provides that an assisting law enforcement agency, a medical examiner, a coroner, or the Illinois State Police may not close an unidentified person case until the individual has been identified and must keep the case active. Requires the coroner, medical examiner, or assisting law enforcement agency (rather than the coroner or medical examiner) to obtain a biological (rather than DNA) sample from an individual whose remains are not identifiable, and modifies how the sample may be analyzed and labeled. Makes other changes. |
| SB0025 | 01/13/2025 | Amends the Swimming Facility Act. Defines “cold spa” and provides that it is lawful for a licensee to operate a cold spa in a manner that complies with the provisions of the Act and the rules adopted under the Act. |
| SB0026 | 01/13/2025 | Amends the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015. Provides that the court shall apply Illinois law, including the rules on choice of law, to adjudicate the parent-child relationship, and that such applicable law may (rather than does not) depend on the place of birth of the child or the past or present residence of the child. Effective immediately. |
| SB0027 | 01/13/2025 | Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Defines “child” for purposes of child support to include any child under age 18 and any child over the age of 18 who has not attained age 19 and is still attending high school (instead of any child under age 18 and any child age 19 or younger who is still attending high school.) Effective immediately. |
