Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable years 2026 and thereafter, in all counties, a taxpayer who has been granted a senior citizens homestead exemption need not reapply for that exemption. Effective immediately.

Mourns the passing of James L. "Jim" Widger of Macomb, formerly of Canton.

Amends the Local Government Debt Reform Act. Provides that, in the case of bonds authorized to be issued under the School Code and approved by voters of Iroquois County Community Unit School District Number 9 in an April 2021 referendum, the bond approval, once obtained, remains for 10 years after the date of the referendum. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Rosemary Argus of Des Plaines.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, the cursive writing instruction offered by public elementary schools must be offered to students in grades 3 through 5 (rather than requiring school districts to determine at what grade level or levels students are to be offered cursive writing, provided that such instruction must be offered before students complete grade 5).

Mourns the death of Jo Marie Bonell.

Amends the Child Labor Law of 2024. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits a minor's parent or legal guardian from employing the minor outside of school hours at a business in which the minor's parent or legal guardian has at least 51% ownership and that employs no more than 50 employees.

Commends Roger L. Byrne on his service to the Village of Vernon Hills.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the valuation of wind energy devices, provides that, for taxable year 2026 and thereafter, the real property cost basis is $588,000 per megawatt of nameplate capacity (currently, $360,000 per megawatt of nameplate capacity). In provisions concerning the valuation of solar energy systems, provides that, for taxable year 2026 and thereafter, the real property cost basis is $446,000 per megawatt of nameplate capacity (currently, $218,000 per megawatt of nameplate capacity). Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Lori T. Healey of Chicago.

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.

Mourns the death of May Young Chin.

Mourns the passing of Price Eugene "Gene" Edwards of Industry.

Amends the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish an online portal on the Department's website with links to certain federal and State agencies for the purposes of, among other things, providing assistance to users in navigating regulations, avoiding punitive enforcement actions, collaborating with experts, and obtaining information regarding funding opportunities. Requires the Department of Agriculture, in each year in which the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the United States Department of Agriculture releases its Census of Agriculture, to issue a report to the General Assembly regarding lost Illinois farmland.

Creates the Energy Production Zones Act. Defines terms. Provides that a project owner is not required to obtain a permit or any other land use or zoning approval from a local authority for the construction of an electric generation facility if: (1) the Illinois Commerce Commission grants the project owner a certificate under the Public Utilities Act for the construction, the Commission declines jurisdiction over the construction under the Public Utilities Act, or the electric generation facility files notice with the Commission to not use a certificate under the Public Utilities Act; (2) the electric generating facility will be located on a premise of land that is an energy production zone; and (3) the project owner complies with other provisions of the Act. Provides that no later than 270 days before beginning construction, a project owner shall provide notice of the construction to the local authority with planning authority for the premise of land on which the construction will occur. Sets forth requirements for the content of the notice. Provides that, no later than 60 days after a project owner's provision of notice, the project owner shall hold a public hearing in the unit of local government in which the electric generation facility will be located, during which the project owner shall provide information to the public and receive public comment regarding the electric generation facility and the construction of the electric generation facility. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.