The Senate was in Springfield for this week's third day of session. For the first time this year, there was some notable action on the floor as 36 bills passed out of the Senate this afternoon. Bills we're tracking are highlighted below.
Committee action took place throughout the day with most of the work surrounding the adoption of amendments.
The Senate will return tomorrow, April 4th with hearings beginning at 9 am. The House will return to Springfield on Monday, April 7th.
Committee Action of Note:
SB 1507, Vehicle Crashes passed as amended Senate Executive 8-4-0. This bill provides that the University of Illinois Chicago Urban Transportation Center shall conduct a study that includes the following: (1) a comprehensive review of the City of Chicago's website multi-year crash data on North and South DuSable Lake Shore Drive; (2) the available research on potential effectiveness of cameras powered by artificial intelligence in improving compliance and reducing crashes and road fatalities on North and South DuSable Lake Shore Drive; (3) an analysis of driving behavior to detect risky driving patterns and to address the DuSable Lake Shore Drive crash corridors; (4) an assessment of the effectiveness of psychological deterrence in reducing habitual speeding; and (5) an assessment of how fatalities can be reduced using these cameras powered by artificial intelligence and other technical options that may be available in place of cameras powered by artificial intelligence.
SB 1797, Digital Assets passed as amended Senate Executive 8-4-0. This bill provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall regulate digital asset business activity in the State.
SB 1827, Design Build passed as amended Senate Executive 12-0-0. This bill, among other things, specifies that fire protection districts are authorized to use a design-build contracting method for construction if a competitive process consistent with the purpose of this Section is used in connection with the selection of the design-builder.
SB 1932 SFA 1, Price Gouging was recommended be adopted Senate Judiciary 8-0-0. As amended, this bill provides that it is an unlawful practice, for a period of 45 days after a disaster is declared by the President of the United States or the Governor, for any person to sell or offer to sell to a consumer in the designated disaster area any consumer food items or goods, goods or services used for emergency cleanup or response, emergency supplies, medical supplies, home heating oil, building materials, housing, lodging, transportation, freight, or storage services,repair or reconstruction services, or any other necessity for an unconscionably high price. Provides that the provision does not apply the sale of petroleum products. Provides that there is a rebuttable presumption that a price increase of 20% or more constitutes an unconscionably high price if it is not attributable to additional costs imposed on the person by the supplier of the goods or directly attributable to additional costs for labor or materials used to provide the services during the declared disaster.
Senate Revenue Committee held a subject matter hearing on three bills this evening but nothing on which the Chamber has an official position.
Floor Action of Note:
SB 58, Regional Manufacturing passed the Senate 55-0-0. This bill provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may enter into grants, contracts, or other agreements to provide technical assistance in support of regional manufacturing partnerships.
SB 220, Military Funeral Leave passed the Senate 55-0-0. This bill amends the Family Military Leave Act. Provides that an employee may use up to 8 hours per calendar month to participate in a funeral honors detail, up to a total of 40 hours per calendar year, or more if authorized by the employer or if provided for in a collective bargaining agreement. Provides for requirements to take leave for funeral honors details.
SB 2372, Farmland Transition passed the Senate 54-0-0. This bill creates the Farmland Transition Commission Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall establish a Farmland Transition Commission to examine current barriers individuals ages 25 through 40 face when trying to purchase or access farmland, review current incentives and policies to encourage the transfer of farmland to current or prospective farmers between the ages of 25 through 40, and to make recommendations on possible incentives or policies to assist these individuals in purchasing or accessing farmland.
SB 2039, IBHE Data Dashboard Report, passed the Senate 37-16-0. This bill amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that, by March 15, 2027 and by March 15 of each subsequent year, the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall jointly prepare and release a Statewide Data Dashboard to include individualized data on each public institution of higher education and each private institution of higher education on a publicly available website. Provides that the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall collaborate jointly and determine the indicators and presentation of the Statewide Data Dashboard, which must include, at a minimum, the most current data collected and maintained by the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission related to student demographics, institution characteristics, affordability characteristics, student success factors, a comparison, institutional profile and mission, and other data.
SB 2040, Towing-Support passed the Senate 55-0-0. This bill amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that any personal property belonging to the vehicle owner in a vehicle subject to a lien shall be subject to that lien, except for the specified items, which may be claimed by immediate family members at the authorization of the vehicle owner. Establishes registration requirements for commercial vehicle safety relocators and tasks the Illinois Commerce Commission with oversight duties and the imposition of penalties. Provides that commercial vehicle safety relocators must follow specified business address requirements. Sets forth provisions concerning liens against personal property in a towed vehicle, making false statements and the power of the Commission to deny an application or revoke registration from a commercial vehicle safety relocator, and the relocation and redemption of vehicles. |
