The following are disability-related bills and/or issues pending in the Illinois General Assembly that are scheduled to be heard in committee during the week of April 27, 2026:
Senate Appropriations-Education Committee
April 28, 2026, 3:30 p.m.
Stratton Building, Room A-1
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: SB 4139: ISBE, SB 4151: ISU, SB 4153: SIU, SB 2642, SB 1419, SB 2835, SB 3110, SB 79, SB 2905, SB 2954, SB 3279, SB 3154, SB 3598
SB 4139, Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr.
Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Illinois State Board of Education for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $10,720,733,500; Other State Funds $93,575,900; Federal Funds $4,398,349,500; Total $15,212,658,900.
SB 4151, Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr.
Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of Illinois State University for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $82,997,100; Other State Funds $30,000; Total $83,027,100.
SB 4153, Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr.
Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of Southern Illinois University for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $234,246,700; Other State Funds $1,266,000; Total $235,512,700.
SB 2642, Senator Ram Villivalam
Appropriates $18,000,000 to the State Board of Education for costs associated with implementing a statewide master contract for prepackaged meals. Effective July 1, 2025.
SB 1419, Senator Laura Ellman
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.
SB 2835, Senator Adriane Johnson
Appropriates $5,500,000 to the State Board of Education for grants and administrative and operational expenses associated with the Illinois YouthBuild Coalition. Effective July 1, 2026.
SB 3110, Senator Adriane Johnson
Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, shall develop an educational document explaining, at a minimum, the values of good indoor air quality and shall supply the document to school districts. Provides that, subject to funding from the State Board, a school district shall ensure that all active classrooms are equipped with an air quality monitor.
SB 79, Senator Adriane Johnson
Appropriates $4,500,000 to the State Board of Education for grants to school districts to contract with organizations that directly provide students and school-based staff with mental telehealth services that are billed to Medicaid and commercial insurance plans. Effective July 1, 2025.
SB 2905, Senator Karina Villa
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Creates the Special Education Workload Task Force to develop guidance on the calculation of workload limits for special educators. Sets forth the members. Provides for meetings and administrative support. Requires the Task Force to submit its guidance to the State Board of Education and the General Assembly on or before June 30, 2027. Dissolves the Task Force upon submission of the guidance. Repeals these provisions on June 30, 2028.
SB 2954, Senator Willie Preston
Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Prison Education Fund. Provides that moneys in the Prison Education Fund shall be used by the Illinois Community College Board and the Board of Higher Education to make grants to prison education programs that award associate degrees or bachelor’s degrees to currently incarcerated students. Makes changes concerning the allocation of money from the Cannabis Regulation Fund. Provides that 0.5% of the moneys in the Cannabis Regulation Fund, after certain allocations have been made, shall be transferred from the Cannabis Regulation Fund to the Prison Education Fund.
SB 3279, Senator Mike Porfirio
Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act with respect to the Illinois Veteran grant program. Changes the definition of “qualified applicant” to include a person who, among satisfying other requirements, does not meet requirements regarding residency or public institution of higher education enrollment in the State, but (i) at least 12 months of his or her federal active duty took place in the State, (ii) he or she resided in the State for 2 years after leaving federal active duty service, and (iii) he or she now serves in a reserve component of the Armed Forces.
SB 3154, Senator Christpher Belt
Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to establish the Adult Learner Flexible Education Grant Program to facilitate access to online postsecondary education for adults over the age of 25. Sets forth application requirements and eligibility. Provides that grants are applicable only to tuition and mandatory fees. Effective July 1, 2026.
SB 3598, Senator Meg Loughran Cappell
Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In a provision regarding the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program, changes the definition of “hard-to-staff school” to mean a public school that either (i) is identified as hard-to-staff based on data reported on its school report card or (ii) does not have a school report card but serves a student population in which 30% or more of the student enrollment is considered low-income as determined by the State Board of Education using available enrollment or funding data, and provides that the State Board may not deny a National Board certified teacher a retention bonus solely because the public school at which the teacher is employed does not have a school report card.
- To file an electronic witness slip for any of the bills included in the subject matter hearing: Click
Senate Health and Human Services Committee
April 28, 2026, 3:30 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 400
Springfield, IL
HB 4112, Senator Javier L. Cervantes
Amends the ID/DD Community Care Act. Changes the definition of administrator to a person who is charged with the general administration and supervision of a facility and who is at least 21 years of age and either is licensed under the Nursing Home Administrators Licensing and Disciplinary Act; is a qualified intellectual disabilities professional; or has completed at least 4 semesters of study at an institution of higher education and has at least 2 years of management experience or at least 2 years of experience in a position of progressive responsibility in health care, housing with services, or adult day care; in providing similar services to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities; or in behavioral health (rather than a person who is charged with the general administration and supervision of a facility and licensed, if required, under the Nursing Home Administrators Licensing and Disciplinary Act). Provides that, as a condition of licensure under the Act, the administrator of a facility must participate in at least 20 hours of training every 2 years to assist the administrator in better meeting the needs of the residents of the facility and managing the operation of the facility. Makes conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2027.
Senate Judiciary Committee
April 29, 2026, 4:30 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 400
Springfield, IL
HB 5629, Senator Javier L. Cervantes
Amends the Guardianship and Advocacy Act. Changes references from the federal Developmental Disabilities Services and Facilities Construction Act to the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. Provides that a majority of members of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, excluding vacancies, (instead of 6 members of the Commission) constitute a quorum. In a provision concerning regional authorities making their findings and recommendations public, provides that it shall include in any such public statement any reply made by the State agency, service provider, or other person investigated, if requested by the provider. Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Makes changes to the definitions of “guardian” and “mental illness” and adds a definition of “under guardianship”. Changes references from the Guardianship and Mental Health Advocacy Commission to the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission.
Senate Appropriations-Health and Human Services Committee
April 29, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 212
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: SB 2766, SB 2767, SB 2847, SB 3167, SB 3276, SB 3277, SB 3318, SB 3462, SB 3594, SB 3637, SB 3833, SB 3900, SB 628, SB 2883, SB 3185, SB 3337, SB 3407, SB 3519, SB 3523, SB 3554, SB 3555, SB 3615, SB 3670, SB 3741, SB 4000
SB 2766, Senator Julie A. Morrison
Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for local health protection grants for health protection programs. Effective July 1, 2026.
SB 2767, Senator Julie A. Morrison
Appropriates $1,600,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for the purpose of funding Duchenne muscular dystrophy screenings for newborn babies. Effective July 1, 2026.
SB 2847, Senator Lakeshia Collins
Appropriates the sum of $2,100,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for a grant to Safer Pathways to support the Supportive Reentry Network Collaborative. Effective July 1, 2026.
SB 3167, Senator Graciela Guzman
Amends the Survivor Support and Trafficking Prevention Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Extends eligibility for State funded cash assistance and SNAP benefits to humanitarian immigrants, subject to available funding, if they are not eligible for such benefits solely due to citizenship or immigration status requirements but otherwise meet the financial and nonfinancial factors of eligibility. Lists the classes of humanitarian immigrants eligible for SNAP benefits under the Article. Provides that any individual residing in an institution or other setting that provides the majority of the individual’s daily meals is not eligible for SNAP benefits. Exempts persons who do not have legal authorization to work from the statutory work requirements. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
SB 3276, Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr.
Amends the Commission to End Hunger Act. Creates the SNAP Response Working Group. Provides that the co-chairs of the Commission to End Hunger shall convene and appoint the co-chairs of the Working Group. Provides that the Working Group shall review and analyze federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), gather and analyze data regarding the potential impact of the federal changes to SNAP on Illinois residents, and gather relevant estimates and data about Illinois’ SNAP payment error rate, including the monthly State-reported error rate. Requires the SNAP Response Working Group to make projections about the cost to the State to maintain SNAP in Illinois in federal Fiscal Year 2028. Directs the Working Group to submit a preliminary report to the General Assembly no later than January 1, 2027. Provides that the preliminary report shall outline the federal changes to SNAP and identify the number of State residents impacted by those changes. Further provides that the preliminary report shall include initial recommendations for State action to prevent or mitigate any harm to State residents caused by the federal changes and shall project the cost to maintain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Illinois in federal Fiscal Year 2028. Provides that, no later than April 1, 2027, the Working Group shall issue a full report to the General Assembly that includes an analysis on the impact of federal changes to SNAP on Illinois, final recommendations for State action to prevent or mitigate harm resulting from those changes, updated projections of the cost to maintain the program in federal Fiscal Year 2028, and any other cost projections relating to the Working Group’s recommendations. Requires the SNAP Response Working Group to provide any relevant additional updates to its recommendations or projections as appropriate. Specifies that all reports of the Working Group shall be published by the Department of Human Services on its website. Provides that the SNAP Working Group shall be dissolved on May 31, 2027. Effective immediately.
SB 3277, Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr.
Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to, subject to available funding, establish a Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) Program to provide FRESH benefits to households subject to termination of the household’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or a reduction in the household’s monthly SNAP benefit allotment, if the termination or reduction in SNAP benefits occurred as a result of one or more members of the household failing to meet federal SNAP work requirements. Provides that, for eligible households whose SNAP benefits were reduced or terminated, FRESH benefits shall be provided as a one-time lump sum payment distributed via an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. Requires the Department to make FRESH program applications available online and at local Family and Community Resource Centers immediately upon the first of the month following the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that an application for FRESH benefits shall not be deemed an application for any other public aid provided under the Code. Requires the Department to provide within a specified time frame FRESH benefits to households’ that experience a reduction or termination of SNAP benefits prior to or after the first month following the effective date of the amendatory Act, if certain application submission deadlines are met. Requires the Department to publish monthly data reports on the FRESH program and to include such data in the Department’s annual report to the General Assembly. Prohibits the Department and local governmental units from considering a household’s receipt of FRESH benefits when determining the household’s eligibility for other assistance provided under the Code. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are inoperative on and after January 1, 2028. Effective immediately.
SB 3318, Senator Lakeshia Collins
Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. In provisions regarding a Safety-Net Hospital Health Equity and Access Leadership (HEAL) Grant Program, changes references to safety-net hospitals to references to community safety-net hospitals. Updates references to dates in those provisions. Defines “community safety-net hospital”, “health system”, and “medically underserved area”. Makes changes to required provisions in the report to the General Assembly regarding criteria for a community safety-net hospital to be eligible for the program, deletes required provisions in the report to the General Assembly regarding potential projects eligible for grant funds, and adds required provisions in the report to the General Assembly regarding an application process and criteria, as well as policies, standards, and procedures to admin Appropriates $3,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for grants and administrative and operational expenses associated with GRO Community. Effective July 1, 2026.
SB 3462, Senator Graciela Guzman
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Expands medical assistance coverage to certain categories of lawfully present noncitizens. Sets income guidelines for qualifying persons age 19 through 64 and income guidelines for persons 65 years of age or older. Removes a provision permitting medical assistance coverage for up to 24 continuous months from the initial eligibility date, if otherwise eligible.
SB 3594, Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr.
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, beginning January 1, 2027, to recompute the STAR rating of nursing facilities who had their antipsychotic medication quality measure score suppressed and their STAR rating set to one due to audit action by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Requires quality payments to such nursing facilities to be made based on the recomputed score. Provides that in order to facilitate the recomputation, nursing facilities may provide the Department with documentation regarding the status of the suppression of the score and STAR rating as well as the quarterly report issued by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that lists the long-stay rating points for the quarter.
SB 3637, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the medical assistance program to provide coverage and reimbursement for a prescribed proteomic blood test to identify and manage the risk of spontaneous preterm birth in pregnant persons. Provides that the test results shall be used to assign care management services and other appropriate interventions to manage risk, prolong pregnancy, and improve outcomes.
SB 3833, Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr.
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning the Medicaid Access Adjustment payments to nursing facilities, provides that for dates of service beginning January 1, 2027, the Medicaid Access Adjustment shall be increased by $5.75 to $10.50 per diem. Provides that beginning January 1, 2027, facilities located outside of Rate Areas 6, 7, and 8 shall have the Medicaid percent of occupied bed days to be at least 60% of all occupied bed days adjusted quarterly to qualify for the Medicaid Access Adjustment. Provides that the remaining facilities shall have their threshold remain at 70%.
SB 3900, Senator Lakeshia Collins
Creates the Illinois All-Payer Health Care Payment and Global Budget Act. Creates the Illinois Health Care Cost and Payment Board as an independent body within the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and sets forth its membership and powers. Defines “commercial payer” as any health insurance issuer, health maintenance organization, or third-party administrator subject to regulation by the Illinois Department of Insurance, excluding self-funded plans governed solely by ERISA. Provides that all commercial payers shall reimburse hospitals for covered services at standardized rates established by the Board. Defines “global hospital budget” as a prospective, fixed annual operating revenue amount established for a hospital to cover all inpatient and outpatient hospital services. Provides that the Board shall establish prospective annual global hospital budgets for Illinois hospitals. Provides that the Board shall establish a unified health care data system in coordination with State agencies. Creates the Health Care Payment Reform Advisory Council to advise the Board. Provides that the Governor, in consultation with the Board, shall seek all necessary federal approvals, including Medicare demonstrations and Medicaid waivers, to implement the Act. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, Hospital Licensing Act, Illinois Insurance Code, Health Maintenance Organization Act, and Illinois Public Aid Code with regard to the new Act. Contains a severability clause. Effective immediately.
SB 628, Senator Don Harmon
Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
SB 2833, Senator Lakeshia Collins
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, if bills for the second installment of taxes in any taxable year are not mailed by the deadlines set forth in the Code, then the deadlines set forth for the application for judgment and order of sale shall be extended by an additional 90 days.
SB 3185, Senator Omar Aquino
Appropriates $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for a grant to Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA for program and operating expenses for youth-development based sports initiatives. Effective July 1, 2026.
SB 3337, Senator Adriane Johnson
Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Authorizes the Department of Public Health to conduct a study on lung cancer biomarkers, including, but not limited to, the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene. Provides that the study may focus on identifying genetic variations in lung cancer that are linked to increased risks, genetic variations that are linked to treatment resistance, and genetic variations that are linked to specific disease subtypes. Provides that the Department of Public Health may enter into contracts, grants, or other agreements for the purpose of completing the study. Provides for the repeal of these provisions on January 1, 2029.
SB 3407, Senator Karina Villa
Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that a hospital licensed under the Act shall not charge a covered hospital employee more than 10% of the total health insurance premium cost. Provides that any agreement permitting a charge to a covered hospital employee in excess of 10% of the total health insurance premium cost shall be deemed invalid, void, and unenforceable. Provides that a hospital in violation of those provisions shall pay a civil penalty of $500 to the Department of Public Health for each impacted covered hospital employee.
SB 3519, Senator Karina Villa
Appropriates $15,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for continued funding to the Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. Effective July 1, 2026.
SB 3523, Senator Mattie Hunter
Appropriates $3,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for grants and administrative and operational expenses associated with GRO Community. Effective July 1, 2026.
SB 3554, Senator David Koehler
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2027, certain services shall be eligible for reimbursement at approved programs through the Brain Injury waiver for eligible individuals over the age of 21, including, but not limited to: (1) case management; (2) nursing services; (3) medical oversight by consulting medical director; (4) physical therapy; and (5) occupational therapy. Requires the Department of Human Services to reimburse approved programs at the rates in effect for the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver program most recently approved. Effective January 1, 2027.
SB 3555, Senator David Koehler
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning the supportive living facilities program, provides that sites for the operation of the program shall be selected by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services based upon criteria that may include the need for services in a geographic area, the availability of funding, the site’s ability to meet the standards, and a need to increase access for Medicaid enrollees who need an alternative to nursing home care. Requires the Department to determine need utilizing the most recently available statewide report every 3 years, and to also consider the occupancy rates, vacancies, and waiting lists in surrounding operational supportive living program sites, and public comments. Provides that based on need, the Department shall make the final determination to establish geographic areas utilizing county or zip code-based geographic areas within a rate setting region as the basis for opening a competitive application process. Contains provisions on the analysis and other information required in the statewide report; primary market areas for supportive living program sites; and other matters. Effective immediately.
SB 3615, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford
Amends the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Act. Provides that, on August 1, 2026, and August 1 of each year thereafter, the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the General Revenue Fund to the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Fund a sum equal to the difference between (i) $15,000,000 and (ii) the amount appropriated to the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Fund by the General Assembly for the award of African-American HIV/AIDS Response Grants in the then current State fiscal year. Directs the Department of Public Health to adopt specified revisions to the rules in the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code Part 691) concerning the award of African-American HIV/AIDS Response Grants. Repeals provisions in the Act concerning African-American HIV/AIDS Response Officers and the HIV/AIDS Response Review Panel. Effective immediately.
SB 3670, Senator Adriane Johnson
Creates the Catch Heart Disease Early Act. Provides that all Illinois residents, 20 years of age or older, are entitled to heart disease screenings at no cost according to the following schedule: one screening every 6 years for individuals aged 20 through 39 years; and one screening every 2 years for individuals aged 40 years and older. Provides that no individual shall be charged any co-payment, co-insurance, deductible, out-of-pocket fee, or other cost-sharing amount or required to enter into any cost-sharing agreement in order to access heart disease screenings. Provides that the State of Illinois shall be the payer of last resort and only cover any outstanding screening costs for eligible uninsured or underinsured individuals whose public or private insurance, including Medicaid or Medicare, does not cover the full cost of heart disease screenings. Provides that service providers of heart disease screenings for eligible uninsured or underinsured Illinois residents shall be reimbursed through a voucher program. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to perform certain functions to implement the Act, including, but not limited to: (i) establishing a confidential registry to track screening dates and prevent duplicate heart disease screenings outside the authorized frequency; and (ii) provide a mechanism for individuals and providers to verify screening eligibility. Requires health care providers to verify an individual’s age, residency, date of last heart disease screening, and other matters prior to administering a screening and recording it in the individual’s medical record. Contains provisions on Department rules. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department shall implement the voucher program by July 1, 2027. Adds conforming language to the State Employees Group Insurance Act, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Illinois Public Aid Code, and the Illinois Insurance Code. Effective immediately.
SB 3741, Senator Mattie Hunter
Amends the Newborn Screening Act. Changes the title of the Act and the short title. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026, an additional newborn screening fee of at least $45, determined by the Department by rule, may be collected and deposited into the Metabolic Screening and Treatment Fund for specified purposes. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to override, replace, preempt, or supersede any provision, requirement, or other duty or prohibition under the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act. Limits the application of certain provisions to hearing screenings and makes technical and conforming changes. Makes conforming changes in the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Illinois Procurement Code, the Illinois Public Aid Code, and the Genetic Information Privacy Act. Effective immediately.
SB 4000, Senator Laura Fine
Creates the Community Mental Health Workforce Paid Internship Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish the Community Mental Health Workforce Paid Internship Program to provide funding to eligible entities to support paid internships for non-clinical staff positions within a community mental health organization. Requires the Department to develop the necessary application procedures and standards for acceptance for eligible entities, including, but not limited to, consideration of (1) workforce shortages; (2) service to underserved or rural communities; (3) commitment to training, supervision, and mentorship of interns; and (4) efforts to promote workforce development. Sets forth internship requirements and the permissible uses for funds awarded under the program. Requires eligible entities to submit yearly reports to the Department outlining (1) number of interns hired; (2) duration of internships; (3) positions of internships; and (4) employment outcomes, such as retention, following internship. Requires the Department to submit a report, every 2 years, to the General Assembly outlining the program’s outcomes and impact. Grants the Department rulemaking authority. Provides that the General Assembly may appropriate funds for the purposes of the Act. Effective July 1, 2026.
- To file an electronic witness slip for any of the included in the subject matter hearing: Click
NOTE: If you wish to take any action regarding any of these bills/issues, you may wish to file an electronic witness slip and/or or submit oral or written testimony to the committee holding the hearing and/or contact the members of the committee conducting the hearing and/or the legislators in your home district. The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all legislators, both Representatives and Senators, can be found on the Illinois General Assembly website at www.ilga.gov. You may check this website to find out if any of the committee hearing dates or times have been changed, which may happen upon very short notice.
For additional information, please contact:
Cheryl R. Jansen
Public Policy Director
cherylj2@equipforequality.org
217-303-8543
