Pritzker approves lifting nuclear construction mortarium and 16 other bills

Measures ranging from lifting Illinois' nuclear moratorium to addressing electric vehicle policies in the state and lifting some fees on the state’s cannabis industry are now law.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office announced Friday he acted on 17 bills that the Illinois Legislature recently passed.

Effective June 1, 2024, House Bill 2473 lifts the moratorium on new construction of small modular reactors in Illinois and establishes regulatory guidelines. The governor had vetoed a similar bill earlier this year. Sponsors of that measure came together to approve language addressing the governor’s concerns.

“Illinois has a long, successful, and safe history of nuclear energy generation,” said bill sponsor state Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris. “The signing of House bill 2473 will ensure that our state can remain a leader in the energy sector by offering us the ability to utilize the amazing advancements in new nuclear energy technology.”

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the recently enacted Electric Charging Act will be amended by Senate Bill 384 to “clarify which of the Act’s requirements apply to newly constructed residential homes and which apply to new and existing residential units.” Opponents of the requirement raised concerns of increased consumer costs for new home construction.

Senate Bill 1769 exempts law enforcement vehicles from the requirement that passenger vehicles purchased or leased by a state agency must be zero-emission vehicles after Jan. 1, 2030.

Effective immediately, Senate Bill 1559 waives annual license fees for existing cannabis transportation organizations through Jan. 1, 2027, among other changes.

There are pension changes for Chicago police in Senate Bill 1956 and Chicago firefighters in Senate Bill 1629 that are both effective immediately.

The measures acted upon as announced by Pritzker’s officer are below:

Bill Number: HB 2104

Description: Amends the definition of “safety education” in the School Code to include water safety education for prekindergarten through grade 6 students.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill Number: HB 2394

Description: In the near term, gives the IDFPR Secretary authority to extend license renewal and corresponding fee deadlines. In the long term, requires IDFPR to procure and implement electronic licensing software within six months of bill’s effective date.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill Number: HB 2473

Description: Lifts the moratorium on new construction of small modular reactors in Illinois and establishes regulatory guidelines.

Action: Signed

Effective: June 1, 2024

Bill Number: HB 2878

Description: Spring 2023 Procurement Omnibus, returned to the General Assembly by the Governor with recommended changes. The Governor certifies that the re-enrolled HB 2878 incorporates the recommended changes.

Action: Certified

Effective: January 1, 2024

Bill Number: SB 382

Description: Clarifies that digitally altered sexual images are covered under the Civil Remedies for Nonconsensual Dissemination of Private Images Act.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill Number: SB 384

Description: Amends the recently created Electric Charging Act to clarify which of the Act’s requirements apply to newly constructed residential homes and which apply to new and existing residential units.

Action: Signed

Effective: January 1, 2024

Bill Number: SB 385

Description: Authorizes the State to make a land transfer to the city of Venice to enforce local regulation of remediation, redevelopment and improvement of inoperable State facilities.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill Number: SB 584

Description: Makes a technical change to the transfer process from the State Lottery Fund, authorizes the extensions of temporary casino licenses at the discretion of the Illinois Gaming Board, and authorizes payment to host municipalities from the State Gaming Fund.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill Number: SB 696

Description: Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act of the Illinois Municipal Code.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill Number: SB 767

Description: Requires all hearing instruments offered for sale to be accompanied by a 30-business day refund return privilege.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill Number: SB 950

Description: Authorizes the Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections to execute and deliver to the City of Chester 100 acres of specified property via Quit Claim deed for $1.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill Number: SB 1559

Description: Waives annual license fees for existing cannabis transporting organization license holders from January 1, 2024, through January 1, 2027. Prohibits the Department of Agriculture from accepting new applications for cannabis transporting organization licenses from January 1, 2023, through January 1, 2027.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill Number: SB 1629

Description: Amends the Chicago Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Changes the years used to calculate the final average salary for Chicago Firefighters.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill Number: SB 1699

Description: Energy omnibus that makes changes to the Adjustable Block Grant program, requires IPA to conduct a policy study, includes trailer language for the renewable energy project siting bill, requires a thermal energy network workshop by ICC.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill Number: SB 1769

Description: Beginning January 1, 2030, passenger vehicles purchased or leased by a state agency, except law enforcement vehicles, must be zero-emission vehicles.

Action: Signed

Effective: June 1, 2024

Bill Number: SB 1956

Description: Amends the Chicago Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code to remove a birthdate restriction on eligibility for retired police at 55 to receive an automatic 3% annual increase in retirement annuity.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill Number: SB 1988

Description: Codifies the amount of time (30 business days) the Cook County Assessor must accept appeals after assessment notices are mailed or published.

Action: Signed

Effective: June 1, 2024