The House and Senate both returned to Springfield today for this week's first day of the extended session. There was floor and committee action throughout the afternoon and into the evening but most of the work occurred behind the scenes as final budget negotiations were wrapping up.
While a budget was introduced with an amendment to SB 250, no action was taken. Once again, another self-imposed deadline was missed. This means that session will now continue, at minimum, for one additional day.
The House and Senate will both return to the floor tomorrow, May 25th. Committee hearings will begin tomorrow at 8:30 am with the House and Senate on the floor at 10 am.
Floor Action of Note:
HB 2296, Health Insurance passed the Senate 38-19-0. This bill provides that beginning before or on May 1, 2026, and each May 1 thereafter, the Department of Insurance shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly on health insurance coverage, affordability, and cost trends. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that any forms and rates filed for large employer group accident and health insurance shall be automatically deemed approved after 90 days after filing. Provides that beginning plan year 2026, rate increases for all individual and small group accident and health insurance policies must be filed with the Department for approval. Provides that unreasonable rate increases or inadequate rates shall be modified or disapproved. Provides that beginning plan year 2025, the Department shall post all insurers' rate filings and summaries on the Department's website. Provides that the Department shall open a 30-day public comment period on the date that a rate filing is posted on the website. Provides that after the close of the public comment period, the Department shall issue a decision to approve, disapprove, or modify a rate filing within 60 days, and post the decision on the Department's website. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules implementing specified procedures.
HB 3857, Sales Tax/Sparklers passed the Senate 48-6-0. This bill amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2024, in addition to the 6.25% general rate, a tax of 3% is imposed on the selling price of ground based sparklers. Provides that each month the Department of Revenue shall pay into the Fireman's Annuity and Benefit Fund and the Firefighters' Pension Investment Fund, cumulatively, 50% of the net revenue realized for the preceding month from the 3% tax from sales of ground-based sparklers. Provides that the remaining 50% of the proceeds from that tax shall be deposited into the General Revenue Fund. Amends the Fireworks Regulation Act of Illinois and the Pyrotechnic Use Act. Provides that "fireworks" and "consumer fireworks" do not include handheld or ground-based sparklers that are nonexplosive and nonaerial, sometimes producing a crackling or whistling effect, and containing 75 grams or less of pyrotechnic composition per tube or a total of 500 grams or less for multiple tubes (rather than only sparklers) or wood stick or wire sparklers containing not more than 100 grams of pyrotechnic mixture per item.
HB 3882, Standard Identification passed the Senate 33-18-0 and has now passed both chambers. This bill amends the Illinois Identification Card Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Changes the term "non-compliant identification card" to "standard identification card". Changes the definition of "limited term REAL ID compliant identification card" to include cards that have been issued to an individual who has an approved application for asylum in the United States or has entered the United States in refugee status. Allows the Secretary of State to accept, as proof of date of birth and written signature of an applicant for a standard identification card, any passport from the applicant's country of citizenship or a consular identification document validly issued to an applicant. Provides that no temporary visitor's driver's licenses shall be issued after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that every driver's license application shall state the social security number of the applicant; except if the applicant is applying for a standard driver's license and is ineligible for a social security number, then if the applicant has documentation authorizing the applicant's presence in the country, the applicant shall provide such documentation instead of a social security number. Provides that if applicant does not have documentation authorizing the applicant's presence in the country, the applicant must submit documentation establishing that the applicant has resided in the State for a period in excess of one year and a passport validly issued to the applicant from the applicant's country of citizenship. Changes the definition of "standard identification card" to require such card to be marked "Federal Limits Apply" (rather than "Not for Federal Identification"). Provides that an applicant who submits a passport as proof of date of birth and written signature for an identification card must be a person who does not have a social security number or documentation issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security authorizing the person's presence in the country. In the Illinois Vehicle Code: Defines "limited term REAL ID compliant driver's license" as a REAL ID compliant driver's license issued to a person who is not a permanent resident or citizen of the United States (rather than in compliance with a specified provision), or an individual who has an approved application for asylum in the United States or has entered the United States in refugee status, and marked "Limited Term" on the face of the license. Provides that if an applicant for a license or instruction permit under the Code does not have specified documentation, the applicant shall provide, among other documentation, (i) a passport validly issued to the applicant from the applicant's country of citizenship or a consular identification document validly issued to the applicant by a consulate of that country, as long as such documents are either unexpired or presented by an applicant within 2 years of its expiration date, and (ii) a social security card, if the applicant has a social security number.
SB 89, Extensions passed the Senate 54-0-0 on concurrence. This bill requires the Capital Development Board to consult with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to create and adopt the Illinois Stretch Energy Code. Extends various deadlines related to the Code. Amends the Public Building Commission Act. Extends the repeal date for various provisions in the Act from June 1, 2023, to July 1, 2025. Amends the University of Illinois Act. Extends the date by which the Government Finance Research Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago must issue specified water rate reports. Amends the Sports Wagering Act. Extends the date through which a provision concerning a licensee accepting a wager for a sports event involving an Illinois collegiate team is permitted. Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Extends the date through which a provision concerning the delivery and carry out of mixed drinks is permitted. Amends the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act. Repeals the Act's repealer. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Extends the repeal date for the Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Law from June 11, 2023, to June 1, 2025.
SB 850, Groceries passed the Senate 54-0-0 on concurrence. This bill creates the Grocery Initiative Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall study food insecurity in urban and rural food deserts. Provides that the Department shall establish a Grocery Initiative to expand access to healthy foods in food deserts in Illinois by providing assistance to independently owned for-profit grocery stores, as well as grocery stores owned and operated by local governmental units. Provides that the Department may enter into contracts, grants, or other agreements to administer grants and other financial support. Provides that the Department shall provide technical assistance. Provides the Department with rulemaking powers. Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act. Provides that a business that is a grocery store and receives financial support under the Grocery Initiative Act during a specified period is eligible to be a High Impact Business. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may designate an area as a food desert even if the area does not meet the qualifications set forth in the engrossed bill as long as the designation is made in accordance with criteria established by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity by rule using data that includes, but is not limited to, poverty metrics and access to existing grocery stores. Provides that the provisions of the engrossed bill apply to independently owned for-profit grocery stores, cooperative grocery stores, or not-for-profit grocery stores.
SB 1508, Lottery passed the Senate on concurrence 35-18-0. This bill Provides that the Department of the Lottery shall offer a joint special instant scratch-off game for the benefit of the special causes of: the Carolyn Adams Ticket For The Cure; the Scratch-off for Illinois veterans; the Scratch-out Multiple Sclerosis scratch-off game; the Quality of Life scratch-off game; the Go For The Gold scratch-off game; the Scratch-off for State police memorials; the Scratch-off for homelessness prevention programs; the Scratch-off for Alzheimer's care, support, education, and awareness; the Scratch-off for United Negro College Fund Illinois; and the Illinois DREAM scratch-off. Provides that the joint special instant scratch-off game shall commence on January 1, 2024 or as soon thereafter, at the discretion of the Director of the Lottery, as is reasonably practical and shall be discontinued on January 1, 2027. Provides that once the joint special instant scratch-off game is used to fund a special cause, the game will be used to fund the special cause for the remainder of the special causes' existence per the causes' respective provision. Provides that new specialty tickets and causes authorized by this Law shall be funded by the joint special instant scratch-off game. Provides that the Department shall be limited to supporting no more than 10 causes in total at any given time.
SB 1963, Revenue Omnibus passed the Senate on concurrence 53-1-0. This bill Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, and the Service Occupation Tax Act to update a cross reference. Makes changes concerning incentives for mid-range ethanol blends, gasohol, and majority blended ethanol fuel. Makes changes concerning an exemption for materials, parts, equipment, components, and furnishings incorporated into or upon an aircraft. Provides that the exemption for farm machinery and equipment also includes certain electrical power generation equipment. Makes changes concerning aviation fuel. Provides that amounts paid as taxes under those Acts shall be deemed assessed upon the date of receipt of payment. Amends the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that the tax shall not apply to gross rental receipts received from an entity that is organized and operated exclusively by an organization chartered by the United States Congress for the purpose of providing disaster relief. Amends the New Markets Development Program Act. Increases the annual cap on investments, and extends the sunset of the Act. Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Makes changes concerning municipal tax review of public utilities. Amends the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may certify 2 additional pilot River Edge Redevelopment Zones in the City of Joliet and the City of Kankakee. Amends the Historic Preservation Tax Credit Act. Extends the sunset of the Act and provides for the authorization of additional credits. Amends the Parking Excise Tax Act. Makes changes concerning booking intermediaries. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes changes concerning withholding for investment partnerships. Makes changes to the definition of "investment partnership". Creates a credit for individuals who serve as volunteer emergency workers. Makes changes concerning distributions to retired partners or shareholders under a retirement or disability plan. Amends the Cigarette Tax Act. Makes changes concerning the distribution of moneys collected pursuant to (i) the Cigarette Tax Act, (ii) the Cigarette Use Tax Act, and (iii) the tax imposed on little cigars under the Tobacco Products Tax Act of 1995. Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Makes changes concerning the Non-Home Rule Municipal Use Tax Act and the Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax Act. |
