HB1039 - PUBLIC OFFICIALS-BODY CAMERAS
Creates the Public Official Body Camera Act. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall develop rules for the use of body cameras by public officials of the State. Specifies requirements concerning the use of body cameras. Provides that recordings made with the use of a body camera worn by a public official are subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act only to the extent recordings or portions of recordings are responsive to the request. Provides that the recordings may be used as evidence in any administrative, judicial, legislative, or disciplinary proceeding. Provides that, if a court or other finder of fact finds by a preponderance of the evidence that a recording was intentionally not captured, destroyed, altered, or intermittently captured in violation of the Act, then the court or other finder of fact shall consider or be instructed to consider that violation in weighing the evidence, unless the State or public official provides a reasonable justification. Makes conforming changes to the Freedom of Information Act.
HB1350 - STATE'S ATTORNEYS SALARY
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, effective December 1, 2025, a State's Attorney in a county containing fewer than 10,000 inhabitants shall make the same salary as a State's Attorney in county containing more than 10,000 inhabitants but fewer than 20,000 inhabitants. Effective immediately.
HB2413 - LOBBYING PROHIBITION
Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Provides that no legislator or executive branch constitutional officer shall engage in compensated lobbying of the governing body of a municipality, county, or township, or an official thereof (now, that prohibition applies only if the legislator is lobbying on behalf of a lobbyist or lobbying entity that is registered to lobby the General Assembly or the executive branch of the State of Illinois).
HB2419 - EPA-LOCAL SITING REVIEW
House Bill 2419 amends the Environmental Protection Act to introduce additional criteria and procedural requirements that county boards and municipal governing bodies must consider when conducting local siting reviews for certain types of facilities.
First, it expands the environmental and community-based factors that local decision-makers must evaluate. In addition to existing siting criteria, they are now required to consider the following:
• Vehicle emissions associated with the proposed facility.
• The potential cumulative impacts of the facility when added to existing pollution sources in the area.
• Disparate impacts created by the new facility in relation to existing pollution burdens.
• Potential disparate impacts specifically on nearby communities, which implies a focus on environmental justice and the equitable distribution of environmental burdens.
These considerations aim to ensure that facility siting decisions take into account broader environmental and social consequences, especially in communities that may already be disproportionately affected by pollution.
Second, the amendment requires that the Pollution Control Board’s local siting decisions include a written statement on whether the public hearing procedures conducted by the county board or municipal body were accessible. This includes accessibility for individuals with disabilities and non-native English speakers. This requirement emphasizes transparency and inclusivity in the public participation process and adds a layer of procedural accountability to ensure that all community members have the opportunity to engage in the siting review process.
Overall, the proposed changes reflect a shift toward more comprehensive environmental assessments and equitable decision-making processes in facility siting.
House Amendment 1 (Tabled)
House Amendment 1 to HB 2419 outlines procedural requirements for how county boards or municipal governing bodies must conduct public hearings related to siting approval.
The provision mandates that the required public hearings be conducted in a way that is accessible to all members of the public. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities and for individuals who are not native English speakers. This language emphasizes inclusivity and suggests that accommodations such as translation services, accessible meeting locations, or assistive technologies may be necessary.
After the hearing is completed, the county board or municipal governing body must certify that it complied with these accessibility requirements. This certification must be included as part of the official written record of the hearing. The presence of this certification in the hearing record will serve as prima facie evidence that the accessibility requirements were met. Furthermore, the provision specifies that claims of noncompliance with these accessibility requirements cannot be used as grounds to appeal a siting approval under Section 40.1. This creates a presumption of compliance that is difficult to challenge and limits potential legal challenges on procedural grounds related to accessibility.
House Amendment 2 (Adopted)
House Floor Amendment No. 2 to HB 2419 significantly scales back the changes originally proposed in the bill. Here’s an analysis of what the amendment does:
Key changes made by the amendment:
1. Removes the addition of environmental justice considerations:
The amendment deletes provisions that would have required county boards or governing bodies to evaluate cumulative pollution impacts, disparate environmental impacts, and disparate impacts on nearby communities when considering siting approval for pollution control facilities. This effectively removes a major equity-focused enhancement that had been proposed in the original bill language.
2. Eliminates enhanced traffic flow evaluation requirements:
A proposed change to Section 40.1 of the Environmental Protection Act, which would have added consideration of traffic flows and emissions related to a proposed facility, has been deleted. This removes a layer of environmental and public health scrutiny tied to transportation impacts.
3. Preserves and narrows accessibility provisions for public hearings:
The amendment retains a requirement that public hearings be accessible to individuals with disabilities and non-native English speakers. It mandates certification by the county board or governing body that the accessibility requirements were met, and such certification will be treated as prima facie evidence of compliance. However, it removes the possibility of challenging siting decisions solely based on allegations of non-compliance with these accessibility provisions.
4. Allows traffic emissions studies by IDOT:
The amendment adds a new provision allowing the local governing authority to request the Illinois Department of Transportation to perform emissions studies associated with traffic to and from a proposed facility. This is optional and not a required part of the siting process.
5. Removes changes to siting appeal procedures:
The amendment deletes proposed changes to the appeal process for siting decisions, preserving the status quo under current law.
Summary Impact:
This amendment removes many of the substantive environmental justice and procedural enhancements that were proposed in HB 2419, leaving behind a narrower set of procedural reforms focused on hearing accessibility and optional traffic studies. The changes reduce the burden on facility applicants and local governments.
HB2616 - CNTY CD-CORONER INVESTIGATIONS
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, when a corner knows or is informed that a death is suspected to be a maternal or fetal death due to an abortion, the coroner shall go to the place where the dead body is located, take charge of the body, and make a preliminary investigation into the circumstances of the death. Effective immediately.
HB2701 - CTY CD-OFFICER COMPENSATION
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, in addition to but separate and apart from the compensation otherwise provided in the Code, the county clerk of each county, the recorder of each county, and the chief clerk of each county board of election commissioners shall receive an annual award of $13,000 for calendar year 2025, $14,000 for calendar year 2026, and $15,000 for calendar year 2027 and for each calendar year thereafter (rather than a $6,500 award per year). Effective immediately.
HB3003 - COUNTY BOARD MEMBER LIMITATION
Amends the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act. In provisions concerning offices a member of a county board may hold during the member's term of office, provides that a member of the county board may serve as a member of an intergovernmental joint self-insurance pool board during the county board member's term of office. Effective immediately.
SB0203 - LOCAL OFFICERS-MULTIPLE BOARDS
Amends the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act. Provides that a resident of a county having fewer than 50,000 inhabitants is not prohibited from serving simultaneously on the governing bodies of more than one State or local governmental unit. Makes conforming changes.
SB1270 - LOCAL GOVERNMENT TERM LIMITS
Creates the Local Government Chairperson Term Limit Review Act. Provides that, no later than December 31, 2025, and no less than every 2 years thereafter, a governmental unit that is governed by an elected governing body that has not enacted term limits for the board's chairperson by ordinance or resolution shall consider and decide, by verbal or written vote, ordinance, resolution, or referendum of the electors of the governmental unit, whether to impose term limits for the chairperson of the governing body. Defines "governmental unit" as a unit of local government or school district. Provides that, if a governmental unit has a term limit policy for the chairperson of its governing body, before a person may be elected chairperson, the governmental unit's clerk or secretary shall determine which members of the governing body are eligible to serve as chairperson of the governing body based upon the term limit policy. Provides that the clerk or secretary shall submit an eligibility report to the governing body listing those members who are eligible and ineligible before the meeting at which the chairperson is to be elected. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Effective immediately.
SB1619 - PUBLIC DEFENDER-COOK COUNTY
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, in counties with a population over 3,000,000, representation by the public defender in immigration cases shall be limited to those arising or being heard within the geographical boundaries of the county where the public defender has been appointed to office and to those of county residents with immigration cases outside of the county unless the county board authorizes the public defender to provide representation beyond those limits (rather than limited to those arising in immigration courts located within the geographical boundaries of the county where the public defender has been appointed to office unless the county board authorizes the public defender to provide representation outside the county).
SB1682 - COUNTY BOARD MEMBER LIMITATION
Amends the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act. In provisions concerning offices a member of a county board may hold during the member's term of office, provides that a member of the county board may serve as a member of an intergovernmental joint self-insurance pool board during the county board member's term of office. Effective immediately.
SB1954 - COUNTIES CD-RECALL OFFICIALS
SB 1954 proposes amendments to the Counties Code by creating the “Recall of Countywide Elected Officials Division.” This legislation intends to provide counties with the authority to establish a process for the recall of countywide elected officials by the electorate. The bill appears to have been introduced as one of the recommendations from the Massey Commission in Sangamon County. The Commission was created following an excessive force killing of a resident by a deputy sheriff.
ISACo and the United Counties Council of Illinois delivered a letter to the sponsor, Senator Doris Turner, expressing our concerns with the legislation as introduced.
Three amendments were filed for SB 1954. Amendment 2 would significantly reduce the scope of the legislation by limiting the referendum for establishing a process to recall countywide elected officials to Sangamon County. Amendment 1 was adopted on April 3, 2025, and amendments 2 and 3 await hearings in the Senate Executive Committee. The original bill as introduced, along with each amendment, are summarized below:
Key Provisions of SB 1954 As Introduced
1. Authorization for Recall Process: The bill permits county boards to adopt a resolution calling for a referendum to establish a recall process for countywide elected officials. If such a resolution is adopted, the county clerk and county board are mandated to present the proposition to the county’s electors at the next general election held in an even-numbered year.
2. Petition-Driven Referendum: Alternatively, the bill outlines a procedure whereby a petition signed by a specified number of registered voters can initiate the establishment of a recall process. Upon filing such a petition with the clerk of the circuit court, the chief judge (or an assigned circuit judge) is responsible for determining its sufficiency. If deemed sufficient, an order is issued directing the county clerk and county board to place the proposition on the ballot at the next general election in an even-numbered year.
3. Recall Petition Requirements: Once a recall process is established, the bill specifies the requirements for petitions to recall a countywide elected official. If a valid and sufficient petition is submitted, the State Board of Elections must certify it, leading to a special election where voters will decide on the recall. The bill restricts the filing of more than one recall petition per official per term of office.
Potential Implications:
• If enacted into law, countywide elected officials would be the only local officials subject to recall, except for some municipalities that approved local recall ordinances using their home rule authority. Notable examples include Oak Park, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Wheeling, Park City and Dolton.
• Implementing recall procedures may require additional administrative resources at the county level, including managing petitions, verifying signatures, and conducting special elections.
Senate Amendment 1 (Adopted)
The amendment to SB 1954 introduces several key changes to the originally proposed legislation regarding the recall of countywide elected officials in Illinois. Here’s a comparative analysis highlighting the primary differences:
1. Initiation of the Recall Process:
• Original Bill: Allowed for the recall process to be initiated either by a county board resolution or by a petition from voters.
• Amended Version: Limits the initiation solely to a county board resolution adopted before the general election of 2026, removing the provision for voter-initiated petitions.
2. Timing of the Referendum:
• Original Bill: Permitted the referendum to be held at the next general election in an even-numbered year following the adoption of the resolution or certification of the petition.
• Amended Version: Specifies that the referendum must be held at the general election of 2026, establishing a fixed timeline for when counties can seek voter approval for the recall process.
3. Definition of “Countywide Elected Official”:
• Original Bill: Did not explicitly exclude any officials from the definition.
• Amended Version: Explicitly excludes county treasurers (who are subject to removal under Section 3-10020) and regional superintendents of schools from the recall process.
4. Petition Requirements for Recall:
• Original Bill: Required a petition signed by at least 15% of the total votes cast for Governor in the county during the preceding gubernatorial election, with signatures collected within 150 days after filing an affidavit of intent.
• Amended Version: Maintains the 15% signature requirement but shortens the collection period to 50 days after filing the affidavit of intent.
5. Filing Window for Affidavit of Intent:
• Original Bill: Allowed the affidavit to be filed no sooner than 6 months after the official’s term began and prohibited filing in the last 6 months of the term.
• Amended Version: Retains these timing restrictions, ensuring that recall efforts cannot commence immediately after an official takes office or as their term is concluding.
6. Certification and Special Election Timeline:
• Original Bill: Did not specify exact timelines for certification and the special election.
• Amended Version: Mandates that the State Board of Elections certify a valid petition within 50 days of filing and that a special election be held within 100 days of certification.
7. Limitations on Recall Attempts:
• Original Bill: Did not explicitly limit the number of recall attempts per term.
• Amended Version: Specifies that only one recall petition can be initiated against a countywide elected official during their current term, preventing multiple recall attempts within the same term.
8. Mootness of Pending Recall Efforts:
• Original Bill: Did not address the status of pending recall petitions or elections if a general election for the same office was imminent.
• Amended Version: States that any recall petition or election pending at the time of the next general election for the same office is considered moot, thereby avoiding redundancy and potential conflicts with the regular electoral process.
Senate Amendment 2 (Adopted)
Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1954 establishes a process specific to Sangamon County that would allow for the recall of countywide elected officials through a referendum initiated by the Sangamon County Board.
The recall process would first need to be authorized by the voters of Sangamon County via a referendum held during the 2026 general election, prompted by a resolution adopted by the Sangamon County Board. If approved, the county would be permitted to implement a formal mechanism for initiating recall elections for countywide officials.
If the referendum passes, a recall effort could be triggered by a petition signed by at least 15% of the number of voters who cast ballots for Governor in the last gubernatorial election in Sangamon County. The petition must be signed by the petitioning electors within 50 days of filing an affidavit of intent with the State Board of Electors and cannot be filed within the first or last six months of an official’s term. Upon certification of a valid petition by the State Board of Elections, a special election would be held within 100 days. If a majority votes for recall, the official is immediately removed from office, and the vacancy is filled in accordance with existing election law. The amendment also contains provisions to prevent multiple recall attempts within the same term and declares any pending recall efforts moot if a regular election for the office occurs. The entire division enabling this process is set to be repealed on January 1, 2027.
Senate Amendment 3 (Adopted)
Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 1954 makes a change to the petition timeframe included within Senate Amendment 2. Per the amendment, once an affidavit of intent to circulate a recall petition is filed with the State Board of Elections, the petition must be fully signed and submitted within 150 (rather than 50) days.
SB2237 - CTY CD-OFFICER COMPENSATION
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, in addition to but separate and apart from the compensation otherwise provided in the Code, the county clerk of each county, the recorder of each county, and the chief clerk of each county board of election commissioners shall receive an annual award of $13,000 for calendar year 2025, $14,000 for calendar year 2026, and $15,000 for calendar year 2027 and for each calendar year thereafter (rather than a $6,500 award per year). Effective immediately.
SB2267 - EPA-LOCAL SITING REVIEW
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, when determining whether certain local siting review criteria have been met, the county board of the county or the governing body of the municipality, as applicable, shall consider, among other things, vehicle emissions and the potential cumulative impacts created by the addition of the facility to the existing pollution sources, the disparate impacts created by the addition of the facility to existing pollution sources, and the potential disparate impacts on nearby communities. Requires the local siting decisions of the Pollution Control Board to include a written statement describing whether the procedures were conducted by the county board or governing body in a manner that is accessible to the public, including individuals with disabilities and individuals who are not native speakers of English.