* The Coalition for Small Business Loan Transparency…

Every year, Illinois small businesses lose an estimated $450 million as a result of nontransparent loans that often conceal predatory triple-digit interest rates of more than 100%. A coalition of advocates for small business loan transparency have gotten a big boost in their effort to close the loophole that leaves small businesses vulnerable to predatory lending despite Illinois 36% rate cap on consumer loans.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have all endorsed the Small Business Financing Transparency Act (HB744 HA #1), (a.k.a ‘APR for All’) legislation that would require non-bank lenders to disclose the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of loans offered to small businesses.

“Small business owners should have access to basic information when considering loans, and the current lack of transparency especially harms businesses in minority and lower-income communities,” said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. “This legislation helps reduce costs for small businesses by requiring the same transparency that already exists for many consumer lending products, like credit cards and mortgages. I urge the General Assembly to approve this proposal, and I remain committed to advocating for transparency for borrowers in Illinois.”

“Tariffs, high interest rates, and erratic federal policies have created a costly and precarious financial environment for small businesses. By passing the Small Business Financing Transparency Act, Illinois would make it much easier for small businesses to save money and pass these savings on to their customers,” said Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.

“Transparency is crucial in financial matters. You find out the APR when you take out a car loan or a mortgage for a home. Small business owners, who are the backbone of our state’s economy, should get the same information so they can decide what’s best for them,” said Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs. […]

While consumers have long been entitled to APR disclosures thanks to the federal Truth In Lending Act, small businesses are still excluded from these basic protections. Non-bank lenders, which are mostly online lenders, often advertise and make loans using confusing “factor rates” or other pricing schemes that obscure the true cost of borrowing, making it difficult for entrepreneurs to make apples-to-apples comparisons between their financing options.

States like California and New York have already passed APR disclosure laws to protect small businesses, but Illinois has yet to act despite having some of the strongest consumer financial protections of any state.

State Representative Mary Beth Canty (D-Arlington Heights) and Chief Sponsor of APR for All praised the endorsers saying, “I’m thrilled that APR for All is gaining momentum. These protections are essential for small businesses who don’t need yet another obstacle to success thrown at them. Nontransparent lending increases the cost of financing by making it nearly impossible for a small business owner to shop for the best price. These increased costs are passed on to consumers, making day-to-day life less affordable for the average Illinoisan. APR disclosures will empower small businesses to shop for the best price, which will benefit both them and their customers.”

* SB4062 from Sen. Cristina Castro…

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that municipalities authorized to levy impact fees must calculate fees using the statewide formula structure issued by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Provides that municipalities may adopt fees lower than the formula-derived levels. Provides that the Department shall issue, update annually, and make publicly available specified mandatory information to be used in the calculation of standardized impact mitigation fees. Provides that the Department shall issue a model impact fee ordinance that municipalities authorized to levy impact fees must adopt verbatim or with only technical deviations. Provides that each municipality authorized to levy impact fees must, before imposing any fee, publish a schedule identifying: (1) the formula-generated maximum fee per unit type; (2) the State-issued multipliers and assumptions used; (3) any allowable municipal adjustment factors applied; and (4) any municipal reductions adopted. Provides that municipalities authorized to levy impact fees must annually report to the Department, including: (1) fees collected; (2) fund expenditures; (3) fund balances; (4) number and type of housing units approved; and (5) any use of adjustment factors. Requires the Department to adopt rules to implement the provisions. Provides that, beginning 30 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, any impact fee imposed on residential development must be calculated in accordance with the provisions. Limits home rule powers. Effective immediately.

* WAND…

A plan moving in Springfield could create new protections for your genetic information. Sponsors believe the insurance industry should be banned from using genetic information to determine healthcare coverage. […]

[Sen. Julie Morrison’s] bill could ban insurance companies from canceling, limiting, or denying coverage or changing rates based on genetic information collected for healthcare treatment. Insurers would also be blocked from soliciting a person’s genetic information, using genetic test results, or considering a patient’s decisions regarding genetic information in any manner for insurance purposes. […]

Genetic counselors told the Senate Insurance Committee that many patients and families delay or avoid genetic testing because a positive result could limit their ability to receive coverage. They stressed that people may not have access to lifesaving early detection or risk-reducing options under the status quo. […]

However, some argue that this bill would be detrimental to the life insurance industry’s viability in Illinois. The American Council of Life Insurers said they need access to accurate and complete information about patients, including their full medical record with genetic information and family history.

* Rep. Kam Buckner filed HB5626 last week. Synopsis…

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, 8 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a municipality shall, on any lot located in a residential zoning district that permits single-family dwellings, allow (1) on an area of not more than 2,500 square feet, at least one detached single-family dwelling unit; (2) on any lot with an area of more than 2,500 square feet and not more than 5,000 square feet, up to 4 dwelling units; (3) on any lot with an area of more than 5,000 square feet and not more than 7,500 square feet, up to 6 dwelling units; and (4) on any lot with an area of more than 7,500 square feet, up to 8 dwelling units, including cottage clusters. Provides that each municipality shall permit accessory dwelling units in all zoning districts that permit single-family dwellings without additional requirements for lot size, setbacks, aesthetic requirements, design review requirements, frontage, space limitations, or other controls beyond those required for single-family dwelling units without an accessory dwelling unit. Provides that, if a municipality fails to complete its plan review within the deadlines established under the provisions, then the applicant may retain a qualified third-party plan reviewer. Provides that, if a municipality fails to conduct a required inspection within 2 business days, then the applicant may retain a qualified third-party inspector. Provides that municipalities authorized to levy impact fees must calculate fees using the statewide formula structure issued by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the corporate authorities of a municipality shall not establish minimum automobile parking requirements for (A) residential dwellings of less than 1,500 square feet; (B) affordable housing projects under the Illinois Affordable Housing Act; (C) assisted living establishments; (D) ground level nonresidential spaces in mixed-use buildings; or (E) buildings undergoing a change of use from nonresidential to residential. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, no building code adopted by a county or municipality may prohibit residential buildings from having a single stairway serving as an exit for all units if the building satisfies specified requirements. Limits home rule powers. Makes other changes.

* SB4064 from Sen. Javier Cervantes…

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the corporate authorities of a municipality shall not require more than 0.5 automobile parking spaces per multifamily dwelling unit or more than one automobile parking space per single-family home. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the corporate authorities of a municipality shall not establish minimum automobile parking requirements for (A) residential dwellings of less than 1,500 square feet; (B) affordable housing projects under the Illinois Affordable Housing Act; (C) assisted living establishments; (D) ground level nonresidential spaces in mixed-use buildings; or (E) buildings undergoing a change of use from nonresidential to residential. Provides that requirements for automobile parking spaces permanently marked for the exclusive use of individuals with disabilities are not subject to the provisions. Provides that, if the provisions conflict with a developer’s contractual agreement or approved site plan with the corporate authorities of a municipality that was executed or approved on or before the effective date of the amendatory Act, then the contractual agreement or approved site plan is not subject to the provisions. Provides that nothing in the provisions prevents a municipality from enacting or enforcing an ordinance or resolution that establishes a maximum automobile parking requirement that is more stringent than or equal to the automobile parking requirements of the provisions. Provides that nothing in the provisions prohibits a developer from constructing additional automobile parking that is not available to the public. Limits home rule powers.

* WIFR…

A bill proposed by Rockford-area State Rep. Joe Sosnowski would change how property taxes are determined as a way to stop large tax increases for homeowners.

House Bill 4626 would base property taxes on the equalized assessed value or EAV of a home the year it is purchased. The cost would not go up for property tax assessments for as long as someone owns their home.

Sosnowski says the bill would offer more cost-certainty for homeowners and make housing more affordable for first-time homebuyers, working families and seniors on fixed incomes. […]

Sosnowski also has companion legislation that would amend the property tax code.

- House Bill 3723 would cap annual property tax increases at 1% for seniors
- House Bill 3724 would cap annual property tax increases at 3% for all homeowners beginning in the 2026 tax year (collected in 2027)

* Rep. Kimberly DuBuclet…

On Saturday, State Rep. Kimberly DuBuclet, D-Chicago, Speaker Welch, community leaders, and members of the Young Voter Empowerment Coalition at the national headquarters of Operation PUSH to highlight efforts to expand civic participation among Illinois youth. […]

State Rep. DuBuclet introduced House Bill 4339 in January, known as the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Act, to expand participation in Illinois’ democracy by requiring high schools to provide eligible students with the opportunity to register to vote.

Research consistently shows that young people are less likely to participate in elections due to gaps in civic education and the perception that their vote doesn’t matter. Rep. DuBuclet emphasized that her legislation is designed to remove practical barriers while reinforcing civic confidence. […]

House Bill 4339 is structured as a nonpartisan, voluntary initiative focused solely on expanding access to voter registration in trusted educational settings.