Amends the Department of Early Childhood Act. Provides that beginning July 1, 2027, the authority and responsibility to conduct a fingerprint-based criminal history check on providers of day care at day care centers, part day child care facilities, day care homes, and group day care homes shall transfer to the Department of Early Childhood from the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that the Department of Children and Family Services, through June 30, 2027 (rather than June 30, 2026), or the Department of Early Childhood, on and after July 1, 2027 (rather than July 1, 2026), shall allow day care centers, day care homes, and group day care homes to hire, on a probationary basis, any employee or volunteer authorizing a criminal background investigation. Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that information reported to the Illinois State Police under the Act is confidential and shall not be released unless expressly permitted by State or federal law. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall conduct a criminal history background check on an applicant if a qualified entity submits: (1) a request to the Illinois State Police to perform a State and national background check on the applicant in a form and manner prescribed by the Illinois State Police that includes a statement containing the name, address, and date of birth appearing on a valid identification card or document issued by the State to the applicant; (2) a waiver on a form approved by the Illinois State Police that is signed by the applicant allowing the release of the State and national criminal history record information to the qualified entity; (3) the applicant's fingerprints in an electronic format that complies with the form and manner for requesting and furnishing criminal history record information prescribed by the Illinois State Police; and (4) any fee prescribed by the Illinois State Police. Provides that, upon positive identification, the Illinois State Police shall provide the qualified entity with records of the applicant's conviction of or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or sentencing, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States that is a felony or any crime directly related to providing care, treatment, education, training, instruction, supervision, or recreation to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities. Provides that any information received by a qualified entity under the provisions shall be used solely for internal purposes in determining the suitability of an applicant. Provides that a background check conducted under the provisions does not constitute compliance with any background check required by law. Provides that, if the Illinois State Police determines that the Illinois records provided to a qualified entity were inaccurate, then the Illinois State Police shall provide updated records to the qualified entity and the applicant. Defines terms. Makes other changes. Makes the bill effective immediately, except that the amendatory changes made to the Child Care Act of 1969 take effect July 1, 2026 and the amendatory changes made to the Department of Early Childhood Act take effect July 1, 2027.

Creates the Automated Driving Systems Development Act. Provides that the operation of highly automated vehicles participating in an automated vehicle pilot project is subject to all applicable federal and State laws. Sets forth eligibility requirements for participation in an automated vehicle pilot project. Establishes the application process for participation in an automated vehicle pilot project. Creates a review committee within the Department of Transportation. Requires the Secretary of State to develop a driving test to evaluate the capability of highly automated vehicles to safely operate on State roads. Sets forth permit requirements and requirements concerning the suspension, revocation, and reinstatement of a permit. Creates reporting and data sharing requirements. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Incarceration Demographic Data Transparency Act. Provides that for each person confined for any length of time in a State correctional institution or county jail demographic data shall be collected. Provides that the data shall consist of the race, ethnicity, and gender of confined persons. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall establish uniform statewide standards for the collection of demographic data that: (1) are consistent with applicable federal civil rights reporting requirements; (2) promote accuracy and consistency across jurisdictions; and (3) protect the dignity, privacy, and safety of confined individuals. Provides that the Department shall collect and maintain demographic data for all covered individuals confined in State correctional facilities. Provides that each county sheriff shall collect demographic data for covered individuals confined in county jails and shall submit such data to the Department in the form and manner prescribed by the Department. Provides that demographic data shall be submitted and reported at least quarterly and shall include: (1) snapshot population counts; and (2) admissions and releases occurring during the reporting period. Provides that the Department shall publish demographic data collected under the Act on a publicly accessible website in a searchable and downloadable manner. Provides that publicly reported data shall: (1) be aggregated and de-identified; and (2) exclude or suppress categories where disclosure would create a reasonable risk of identifying an individual. Provides that nothing in the Act authorizes the public release of personally identifiable information. Provides that the Department shall oversee implementation and compliance with the Act and provide guidance, reporting templates, and technical assistance to county sheriffs as necessary to implement the Act. Provides that the implementation of the Act is subject to appropriation. Provides that no criminal penalty shall apply to good-faith errors, technical mistakes, or omissions that are promptly corrected upon notice. Provides that the criminal penalties provided in this provision do not preclude administrative sanctions, civil penalties, injunctive relief, or other remedies authorized by law.

Appropriates $1,670,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Arts Council for the purpose of a grant to the Illinois Humanities Council. Appropriates $250,000 to the Department of Natural Resources for the purpose of a grant to the Illinois Humanities Council for costs associated with the Illinois America 250th Commemoration, including general operating costs associated with statewide commemoration efforts. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that revenue from the North Point Marina State Recreation Area shall be deposited into the Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach Marina Fund. Provides that the Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach Marina Fund may receive moneys from the General Revenue Fund and from any other lawful source. Provides that moneys in the Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach Marina Fund may be used only for purposes related to the North Point Marina State Recreation Area in Lake County.

Creates the Agricultural Protection Area Act. Directs the Department of Agriculture to establish and administer a voluntary statewide program for the creation and recognition of agricultural protection areas and to adopt rules. Authorizes the Department to appoint an Agricultural Protection Area Commission to advise the Department and to make recommendations on applications to designate land as an agricultural protection area. Provides procedures for review of an initial application to designate land as an agricultural protection area, for renewal after 20 years, and for adding land to or removing land from an agricultural protection area. Requires recording of agricultural protection areas. Limits local regulations within agricultural protection areas and limits home rule powers and functions. Declares that agricultural activities within an agricultural protection area are not a public nuisance. Restricts eminent domain for nonagricultural purposes. Declares findings. Defines terms.

Appropriates $100,000,000 to the State Board of Education for equal distribution among charter schools authorized by the State Board of Education for school expenses. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code. Creates the State-Authorized Charter School Fund. Provides that funds appropriated from the General Revenue Fund, the Education Assistance Fund, or the Common School Fund and all moneys received by the State Board of Education from a private source for the purposes of the State-Authorized Charter School Fund shall be deposited into the State-Authorized Charter School Fund and the moneys in the State-Authorized Charter School Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the State Board for equal distribution among State Board-authorized charter schools for school expenses. Provides that a school district with a State-authorized charter school may not use any funds from its evidence-based funding for that charter school's expenses and a school district with a State Board-authorized charter school must use funds from the State-Authorized Charter School Fund for that charter school's expenses instead. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code. Provides that a charter school's failure to adequately address racial, socioeconomic, or educational disparities between a school district and the charter school or failure to align the charter mission and vision to a school board's mission and vision are both reasons for the school board or State Board of Education, as the chartering entity, to revoke or not renew a charter. Effective immediately.

Amends the evidence-based funding provisions of the School Code. Includes in the definition of "Organizational Unit" a State-approved charter school that has greater than or equal to 15% fewer low-income students than the school district in which the charter school is located. Requires the State Board of Education to determine how each funding variable within the evidence-based funding formula needs to be adjusted to accommodate the changes made by the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall allow assisted living establishments and supportive living establishments to provide an approved course of training for certified nursing assistants at the establishment, so long as the training meets the requirements of the Nursing Home Care Act and rules adopted by the Department. Sets forth provisions concerning the supervised clinical training portion of the training program. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules requiring that the Health Care Worker Registry include information identifying where an individual received clinical training and may amend specified rules as necessary to implement the certified nursing assistant training program.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, by January 1, 2027, the course for operation of vehicles of the first division being operated as school buses shall be available virtually. Requires, by January 1, 2027, the Secretary of State to make the written test for the operation of vehicles of the first division being operated as school buses available for completion online. Effective immediately.

Amends the Adult Education Act and the Public Community College Act. With respect to the annual report on adult education for the preceding school year by the Illinois Community College Board, removes the requirement to include a summary of State reimbursement for adult basic education, adult secondary education, English language acquisition, high school credit, integrated English literacy and civics education, and bridge and integrated education and training programs in coordination with vocational skills training. Provides that any public community college district maintaining adult educations classes for the instruction of those persons who, among other requirements, are 17 (rather than 16) years of age or older are entitled to claim an apportionment of State reimbursement. Allows classes in adult education to include digital literacy. Removes language providing that the maximum generation rate for reimbursement per credit hour or per unit of instruction shall be equal to the community college system reimbursement rate for adult education divided by one-third. Provides that State adult education funds, other than matching funds, are not subject to the authorizing federal law. Removes language providing that approved programs for adult education may assess students up to $6 per credit hour or unit of instruction per semester per student. Removes language requiring an education plan to be established for each adult learning participating in the instructional programs. Requires each adult learner participating in the instructional programs to complete an assessment of foundational skills to appropriately place the adult learner in an instructional program. Makes other and conforming changes.

Amends the State Comptroller Act. Provides that the State Comptroller shall have the powers and duties provided in the Crematory Regulation Act. Provides that the State Comptroller shall have the power to appoint investigators to conduct investigations, searches, seizures, arrests, and other duties required to enforce the provisions of the Crematory Regulation Act on behalf of the Comptroller and to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the State. Provides that the Comptroller's investigators shall be peace officers and shall have all the powers possessed by police officers in cities and by sheriffs. Provides that Comptroller investigators may exercise these powers throughout the State whenever enforcing the provisions of the Crematory Regulation Act, subject to the rules and orders of the Comptroller. Provides that no Comptroller investigator may have peace officer status or may exercise police powers unless (1) the investigator successfully completes the basic police training course mandated and approved by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board or (2) the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board waives the training requirement by reason of the investigator's prior law enforcement experience, training, or both. The Director responsible for crematory oversight and regulation under the Comptroller must authorize to each investigator of the Comptroller and to any other employee of the agency exercising the powers of a peace officer a distinct badge that, on its face (1) clearly states that the badge is authorized by the Comptroller and (2) contains a unique identifying number.