Dupage Policy Journal

Laura Ellman introduced SB2312 in the Illinois Senate on Feb. 7, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Appropriates the sum of $50,000,000 from the Capital Projects Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the DuPage Children’s Museum for costs associated with capital improvements. Effective July 1, 2025."

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill appropriates $50 million from the Capital Projects Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in Illinois for a grant to the DuPage Children's Museum. The funds are allocated for costs associated with capital improvements at the museum. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Laura Ellman has proposed another 20 bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Ellman graduated from Grinnell College in 1987 with a BS.

Laura Ellman is currently serving in the Illinois State Senate, representing the state's 21st Senate District. She replaced previous state senator Michael Connelly in 2019.

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.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
SB2312	02/07/2025	Appropriates the sum of $50,000,000 from the Capital Projects Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the DuPage Children’s Museum for costs associated with capital improvements. Effective July 1, 2025.
SB2122	02/07/2025	Amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall charge a fee of $65 (rather than $10) for issuing a certificate of free sale, health certificate, or equivalent to Illinois food, dairy, drug, cosmetic, or medical device manufacturers, processors, packers, or warehousers.
SB2123	02/07/2025	Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act for any person to knowingly sell, give, or deliver within the State, whether in a commercial transaction or private transaction, an imitation firearm to any other person. Defines "imitation firearm".
SB2309	02/07/2025	Amends the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. Provides that penalty fees collected for violating the Act and application fees for permits shall be deposited into the Water Resources Fund (rather than the State Boating Act Fund).
SB2310	02/07/2025	Amends the Public Utilities Act. Changes the name of the Retail Electric Competition Article to the Retail and Renewable Electric Competition Article. Changes the name of the Retail Electric Competition Act of 2006 to the Retail and Renewable Electric Competition Act of 2006. Changes the name of the Office of Retail Market Development to the Office of Retail and Renewable Market Development and the title of the head of the Office from Director to Bureau Chief. Provides that the Bureau Chief shall have the authority to employ or otherwise retain at least 2 professionals dedicated to the task of actively seeking out ways to promote distributed renewable energy generation devices and community renewable generation projects in the State to benefit all State consumers. Provides that the Office shall actively seek input from all interested parties and shall develop a thorough understanding and critical analyses of the tools and techniques used to promote development and remove barriers to development of distributed renewable energy generation devices and community renewable generation projects. Provides that the Office shall take steps for interconnections involving distributed renewable energy resources, energy storage systems, utility-scale wind projects, and utility-scale solar projects, including interconnections to a distribution system or a transmission system. Provides that the Interconnection Working Group shall determine a single standardized cost for Level 1 interconnections, which shall not exceed $200. Provides that, in collaboration with the General Counsel of the Commission, the Office shall develop policies and procedures to facilitate employees of the Office in leading the Interconnection Working Group without interference with docketed proceedings. Provides that the Office may employ, designate, or otherwise retain the services of an Ombudsperson who is responsible for oversight of a utility's compliance with the certain rules and any other utility interconnection policies or procedures. Sets forth provisions concerning the authority of the Ombudsperson and interconnection monitoring by the Office. Makes conforming and other changes.
SB2311	02/07/2025	Amends the Flood Control Act of 1945. Requires, not later than July 1, 2026 and before the end of each successive 5-year period after that date, the Department of Natural Resources to prepare and adopt a comprehensive State flood. Provides that the State flood plan must: (1) provide for orderly preparation for and response to flood conditions to protect against the loss of life and property; (2) be a guide to State and local flood control policy; and (3) contribute to water development where possible. Provides that the Department shall adopt guidance principles for the State flood plan that reflect the public interest of the entire State. Requires the Department to: (1) designate flood planning regions corresponding to each river basin; (2) provide technical and financial assistance to the flood planning groups; and (3) adopt guidance principles for the regional flood plans, including procedures for amending adopted plans. Requires the Department to prepare and adopt a plan describing the repair and maintenance needs of flood control dams and prepare and adopt a new plan before the end of the 10th year following the adoption of a plan. Creates the State Flood Plan Implementation Advisory Committee to review the overall operation, function, and structure of the State flood plan and rules adopted by the Department to implement the State flood plan.
SB2313	02/07/2025	Amends the Electric Vehicle Rebate Act. Authorizes rebates for electric vehicles that are electric motorcycles. Specifies that, for a purchaser to be eligible to receive a rebate under the Act, the purchaser must, among other things, apply for the rebate within 180 days (rather than 90 days) after purchase, during an open rebate cycle as identified by the Agency, and certify that the purchaser qualifies as low-income. Provides that amounts appropriated to and deposited into the Electric Vehicle Rebate Fund from the General Revenue Fund, or any other fund, (rather than only the General Revenue Fund) shall be distributed from the Electric Vehicle Rebate Fund to fund the electric vehicle rebate program established under the Act. Makes changes to definitions. Effective July 1, 2025.
SB2314	02/07/2025	Amends the Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Act. Authorizes grants to be provided under the Act for financing shoreline restoration and protection projects on behalf of counties and park districts.
SB2315	02/07/2025	Amends the Build Illinois Bond Act. Authorizes bonds to be issued under the Act for the purpose of making of grants to units of local government, including counties and park districts, through the Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant Program to restore and protect shorelines in the State.
SB2316	02/07/2025	Creates the Parental Consent for Social Media Act. Provides that a social media company shall not permit an Illinois user who is a minor to be an account holder on the social media company's social media platform unless the minor has the express consent of a parent or legal guardian. Provides that a social media company shall verify the age of an account holder using a third-party vendor to perform reasonable age verification before allowing access to the social media company's social media platform. Provides that a social media company shall not permit an Illinois user who is a minor to access the social media platform between the hours of 10 p.m. through 6 a.m. Sets forth provisions concerning liability for social media companies and liability for commercial entities or third-party vendors.
SB2317	02/07/2025	Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that, for construction contracts procured by the Department of Transportation, a requirement that a contract, a contract renewal, an order against a master contract, or an amendment to an existing contract requires the signature of the chief executive officer of the agency, the chief legal counsel of the agency, and the chief fiscal officer of the agency applies only if the contract is in the amount of $750,000 or more or is increased to or by $750,000 or more in a fiscal year. Provides that the Department of Transportation may, by rule, adjust that applicable monetary threshold on a yearly basis to reflect inflationary costs in highway construction. Effective immediately.
SB2318	02/07/2025	Amends the Illinois Banking Act. In provisions concerning the penalty for misleading practices and names, changes the civil penalty that may be imposed to the maximum amount otherwise permitted under specified provisions, $100,000 for each violation (rather than $10,000 for each violation). Provides that the remedies provided in those provisions are in addition to, not to the exclusion of, any other remedies available under the law. Defines terms. Makes other changes.
SB2319	02/07/2025	Creates the Virtual Currency Kiosk Consumer Protection Act. Provides that specified information reported to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation by virtual currency kiosk shall be confidential, except as otherwise provided in the Act. Establishes warning and general terms and conditions disclosure requirements for a virtual currency kiosk operator opening an account for a new customer and prior to entering into an initial transaction for, on behalf of, or with the customer. Requires a receipt to be provided to each customer following a transaction. Requires all virtual currency kiosk operators to have live customer service, as specified; create anti-fraud, enhanced due diligence, and federal and State law compliance policies; designate a compliance officer and a consumer protection officer; and use blockchain analytics software to assist in the prevention of sending purchased virtual currency from a virtual currency kiosk operator to a digital wallet known to be affiliated with fraudulent activity at the time of a transaction; and report the location of each virtual currency kiosk located within this State within 45 days after the end of the calendar quarter. Requires a virtual currency kiosk operator to receive a money transmitter license. Sets forth supervision duties for the Department and the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation.
SB2331	02/07/2025	Amends the Livestock Management Facilities Act. Provides that a new facility created or expanded after the effective date of the amendatory Act that serves 50 or greater animal units shall have a minimum setback distance of 2 miles from the nearest occupied residence and 2 miles from the nearest populated area.
SB2332	02/07/2025	Amends the Livestock Management Facilities Act. Provides that, within 7 days after receiving a form giving notice of intent to construct (i) a new facility that would be a medium CAFO or a large CAFO (rather than a new facility serving 1,000 or more animal units) and that does not propose to utilize a lagoon or (ii) a new facility that does propose to utilize a lagoon, the Illinois Department of Agriculture shall send a copy of the notice form to the county board of the county in which the facility is to be located and shall publish a public notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the county. Provides that, after receiving a copy of the notice form from the Department, the county board may, at its discretion and within 60 days (rather than 30 days) after receipt of the notice, request that the Department conduct an informational meeting concerning the proposed construction. Provides that (i) a new facility that would be a medium CAFO or a large CAFO and that does not propose to utilize a lagoon or (ii) a new facility that does propose to utilize a lagoon may not begin construction if the county board recommends to the Department that the provisions of the Act have not been met for failing to satisfy specified criteria. Makes conforming and other changes.
SB2333	02/07/2025	Amends the Livestock Management Facilities Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture may not approve a livestock management facility or a livestock waste handling facility to expand its capacity to serve 500 or more additional animal units unless the livestock management facility or livestock waste handling facility has a report from the Illinois State Water Survey verifying an adequate water supply for the livestock and the surrounding neighbors within 1.5 miles.
SB2401	02/07/2025	Creates the Wetlands Protection Act. Provides that no person may discharge dredged or fill material into a State jurisdictional wetland except with a permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources. Exempts certain activities from the requirements of the Act. Sets forth procedures for individual permit applications and other related procedural requirements. Provides that the Department shall not issue an individual permit unless the Environmental Protection Agency certifies to the Department that there will not be a violation of State water quality standards. Provides that the Department may issue an after-the-fact permit in certain emergency circumstances. Sets forth financial assurance requirements. Authorizes the Department to adopt general permits under the Act. Provides that any person who intends to conduct a regulated activity may do so in accordance with a general permit issued by the Department, which pre-authorizes a category of activities with minimal adverse effects. Provides procedures and requirements regarding preconstruction notifications. Provides that certain entities may establish and operate a mitigation bank or in lieu fee program. Describes procedures and requirements for mitigation banks. Grants the Department rulemaking powers. Provides that the Department shall prepare certain reports and studies. Provides for the review of final decisions of the Department. Provides for investigations by the Department and enforcement by a State's Attorney or the Attorney General. Provides for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 per day of violation, with interest after judgment, and with certain costs, fees, and expenses, payable to the Wetlands Protection Fund. Provides that any person may file a complaint with the Illinois Pollution Control Board concerning a violation of the Act, a rule adopted under the Act, a condition of a permit issued under the Act, or an order of the Pollution Control Board issued under the Act. Provides for county and special district stormwater program authorities to control or regulate activities in any wetlands within their jurisdiction. Establishes the Wetlands Protection Fund. Provides that a permit review fee for all permit applications is to be set by the Department by rule. Makes corresponding changes to the State Finance Act. Makes findings. Defines terms. Effective immediately.
SB2438	02/07/2025	Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning radon testing, provides that every school building of a school district that is occupied or will be occupied shall be tested by January 1, 2029 and shall be retested every 5 years thereafter for radon (instead of recommending that every occupied school building of a school district be tested every 5 years for radon). Provides that all new schools of a school district shall be built using radon resistant new construction techniques in accordance with the American National Standards Institute/American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists CC-1000, Soil Gas Control Systems in New Construction of Multifamily, School, Commercial and Mixed-Use Buildings standard or a successor standard (instead of recommending that new schools of a school district be built using radon resistant new construction techniques, as shown in the United States Environmental Protection Agency document, Radon Prevention in the Design and Construction of Schools and Other Large Buildings). Removes a provision allowing a person to perform radon screening tests without a license. Makes changes concerning the exemption. Provides that if radon is found to exceed specified levels, then the school district shall (instead of may) hire a licensed radon professional to perform confirmatory measurements (instead of to perform measurements before any mitigation decisions are made). Sets forth provisions concerning mitigation. Provides that a school district may use life safety funds, if available, for radon testing and mitigation. Preempts home rule powers.
SB2472	02/07/2025	Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that specified notices of cancellation of insurance must be mailed at least 30 days prior to the effective date of cancellation to the named insured if the effective date of cancellation is within the first 60 days of coverage. Provides that, after the coverage has been effective for 61 days or more, all notices must be mailed at least 60 days prior to the effective date of cancellation. Makes conforming changes. Creates the Climate Risk Disclosure Article. Provides that the Article applies to all companies licensed in Illinois under Classes 2 and 3 that write $100,000,000 or more annually in premiums. Allows the monetary threshold to be altered by rule. Requires all insurers subject to the Article to, upon direction from the Department of Insurance, participate in National Association of Insurance Commissioners issued climate surveys and Department issued climate surveys.
SB1789	02/06/2025	Creates the Riparian Protection and Water Quality Practices Act. Requires landowners who own property that is adjacent to a water body identified and mapped on a buffer-protection map to maintain a buffer to protect the State's water resources. Sets forth requirements concerning the types of buffers that must be installed and the timelines for their installation. Requires soil and water conservation districts to develop and submit to each local water management authority a summary of watercourses within their jurisdiction by July 1, 2026. Requires local water management authorities to incorporate these recommendations into their comprehensive water management plans. Exempts certain lands from the requirements of the Act. Allows the Department to withhold funding from local authorities that fail to implement the Act. Contains provisions concerning judicial review of decisions of the Department of Natural Resources. Specifies that the Act applies to State property. Defines terms.
SB1790	02/06/2025	Creates the Extreme Weather Recovery Act. Creates a private cause of action for a harmed party against a responsible party in which the amount in controversy is $10,000 or more. Authorizes a harmed party who has suffered damages in that amount that is alleged to have been caused by climate disaster or extreme weather attributable to climate changes or both to sue a responsible party. The Act's covered period is from 1965 to the effective date of the Act. Prohibits the State or unit of local government or an agent or employee of these governmental units from commencing an action under the Act. Makes legislative findings. Makes definitions. Creates a 3-year statute of limitation in which a harmed party must file or commence an action under the Act. Authorizes the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to adopt rules implementing the Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
SB1791	02/06/2025	Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program through which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities for projects that facilitate travel by public transportation to public outdoor recreation sites for outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, boating, picnicking, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, or other nature-based activities. Provides that the Secretary shall offer grants through the Transit-to-Trails program on an annual basis. Requires the Department of Transportation to adopt rules necessary to implement and administer the program. Provides that, in considering grant applications, the Department shall prioritize projects with demonstrated intent to enhance access to outdoor recreation opportunities for populations in greatest need of improved access to outdoor nature-based recreation. Requires the Department to provide technical assistance in preparing grant applications to applicants upon request. Provides that implementation of the grant program is subject to appropriation by the General Assembly.
SB1792	02/06/2025	Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that the owner, licensee, or operator of a generative artificial intelligence system shall conspicuously display a warning on the system's user interface that is reasonably calculated to consistently apprise the user that the outputs of the generative artificial intelligence system may be inaccurate or inappropriate. Provides that a violation of the provision constitutes an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.
SB1793	02/06/2025	Amends the Crematory Regulation Act. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to designate scattering areas for the deposition of cremated remains in Illinois rivers in accordance with a Department-granted permit.
SB1794	02/06/2025	Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Directs the Environmental Protection Agency to establish an enhanced statewide environmental monitoring program for the purpose of protecting communities in the State, including especially environmental justice communities, from the threats to human health caused by pollution of the State's land and waters.
SB1795	02/06/2025	Amends the Responsible Outdoor Lighting Control Act. Specifies that all new luminaires installed on a structure or land that is owned and managed by the Department of Transportation, including roadways, facilities, properties, nonhabitable structures, monuments, and public right-of-way spaces, must comply with the outdoor lighting control requirements set forth in the Act.
SB1949	02/06/2025	Amends the Counties Code. Repeals language that made certain stormwater management provisions applicable to all counties containing an urbanized area, except those counties covered by other provisions of the Code concerning stormwater management, if the question of allowing the county board to establish a stormwater management planning council had been submitted to the electors of the county and approved by a majority of those voting on the question. Specifies that these stormwater management provisions of the Code apply in all counties containing an urbanized area, unless the counties are covered by other provisions of the Code concerning stormwater management.
SB1950	02/06/2025	Amends the Sanitary Food Preparation Act. Provides that, if a food distribution facility is engaged in the collection, storage, packaging, or distribution of food to consumers, then that facility is subject to all provisions of the Act and rules adopted under the Act. Provides that the registered sanitarian of a county health department of where a food distribution facility is located shall have the power to enforce and observe the rules and orders of the Department of Public Health and the provisions of this Section. Defines "food distribution facility".
SB1974	02/06/2025	Amends the Telehealth Act. Provides that no health care provider, health care facility, or associated entity shall impose or collect a facility fee in connection with any telehealth services provided to patients in the State of Illinois. Provides that the prohibition does not apply to any fees that are directly related to in-person services that may be required to supplement telehealth care if such fees are itemized and clearly communicated to the patient before the in-person services are provided.
SB1419	01/31/2025	Appropriates $67,000,000 to the State Board of Education for costs associated with the Healthy School Meals for All Program. Effective July 1, 2025.
SB1293	01/28/2025	Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that the warrant of arrest or summons shall command that the person against whom the complaint was made to be arrested and brought before the court issuing the warrant at a certain day, time, and courtroom number, or the nearest or most accessible court in the same county, or appear before the court at a certain time and place. Provides that if a person has a warrant in another county for an offense and the county where the warrant is outstanding fails to transport the person to the county where the warrant was issued for a hearing no later than 5 calendar days after the end of any detention issued on the charge in the arresting county, the county where the warrant is outstanding shall mark the warrant as served (rather than quash the warrant) and order the person released on the case for which the warrant was issued. Provides that if the issuing county fails to take any action within 5 calendar days, the defendant shall be released from custody on the warrant, and the circuit judge or associate circuit judge in the county of arrest shall set conditions of release and shall admit the defendant to pretrial release and shall schedule for his or her appearance before the court named in the warrant based upon the court day, time, and courtroom number listed on the warrant.
SB1311	01/28/2025	Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Requires an aquatic habitat conservation stamp for every person obtaining a resident or non-resident license under the Code. Creates the Aquatic Habitat Conservation Fund as a special fund in the State Treasury with fees from the sale of aquatic habitat conservation stamps deposited into the fund and with appropriations from the Fund solely to the Department of Natural Resources to be used only (i) for the management, restoration, and protection of aquatic and riparian habitats in Illinois, (ii) for elimination of or protection from aquatic nuisance species, and (iii) for preparation for and protection from the effects of climate change in Illinois, including increased risks of flooding, erosion, and sedimentation. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes to the State Finance Act.
SB1225	01/24/2025	Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Expands the categories of families eligible for child care assistance to include families with a parent or guardian who is employed as a mental health care worker, teacher, or health care provider and has income below the specified income threshold established for such families. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of law or administrative rule to the contrary, beginning in State Fiscal Year 2026, for families with a parent or guardian who is employed as a mental health care worker, teacher, or health care provider, the specified income threshold shall be no less than 300% of the then-current federal poverty level for each family size. Defines terms. Effective July 1, 2025.
SB0008	01/13/2025	Creates the Safe Gun Storage Act. Provides that a firearm owner shall not store or keep any firearm in any premises where the firearm owner knows or reasonably should know a minor without the lawful permission of the minor's parent, guardian, or person having charge of the minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person is likely to gain access to the firearm unless the firearm is secured in a locked container, properly engaged so as to render the firearm inaccessible or unusable to any person other than the owner or other lawfully authorized user. Provides that if the firearm is carried by or under the control of the owner or other lawfully authorized user, then the firearm is deemed lawfully stored or kept. Provides that a violation of the Act is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500, except (i) if any person knows or reasonably should know that a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person is likely to gain access to a firearm belonging to or under the control of that person, and a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person obtains the firearm, the civil penalty shall not exceed $1,000 and (ii) if a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person obtains a firearm and uses it to injure or cause the death of a person or uses the firearm in connection with a crime, the civil penalty shall not exceed $10,000. Provides that the court may order a person who is found in violation of the Act to perform community service or pay restitution in lieu of the civil penalties imposed under this Section if good cause is shown. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to preclude civil liabilities for violations of the Act. Provides that a violation of the Act is prima facie evidence of negligence per se in any civil proceeding if a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person obtains a firearm and causes personal injury to the death of oneself or another or uses the firearm in the commission of a crime. Provides that an action to collect a civil penalty under the Act may be brought by the Attorney General or the State's Attorney of the county in which the violation occurred. Provides that any money received from the collection of a civil penalty under the Act shall be deposited in the Mental Health Fund. Defines terms. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2026.