Chicago City Wire

La Shawn K. Ford introduced HB3998 in the Illinois House on Feb. 27, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Removes a provision that requires the termination of medical assistance for childless adults who do not otherwise qualify for assistance if Illinois' federal medical assistance percentage for such persons is reduced below 90%. Effective immediately."

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the Illinois Public Aid Code by eliminating a provision that mandates the termination of medical assistance for childless adults who do not otherwise qualify if the state's federal medical assistance percentage for these individuals drops below 90%. The legislation removes this restriction, potentially allowing for continued medical assistance coverage for such individuals even if federal support decreases. This change takes effect immediately upon the bill becoming law, aiming to ensure ongoing medical assistance access without being contingent on specific federal funding percentages.

La Shawn K. Ford has proposed another 27 bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Ford graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 1995 with a BS.

La Shawn K. Ford is currently serving in the Illinois State House, representing the state's 8th House District. He replaced previous state representative Calvin Giles in 2007.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
HB3998	02/27/2025	Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Removes a provision that requires the termination of medical assistance for childless adults who do not otherwise qualify for assistance if Illinois' federal medical assistance percentage for such persons is reduced below 90%. Effective immediately.
HB3461	02/07/2025	Repeals the Educational Loan Default Act. Effective immediately.
HB3563	02/07/2025	Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a commercial wind energy facility or commercial solar energy facility proposed to be located on property in an unincorporated area of the county within the zoning jurisdiction of a municipality and located adjacent to the corporate boundary of a municipality shall either be annexed to the municipality or be subject to the municipality's zoning regulations. Provides factors for determining if a request for siting approval or a special use permit for a commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility, or modification of an approved siting or special use permit, is in compliance with the standards and conditions imposed in the Code, the zoning ordinance adopted consistent with the Code, and the conditions imposed under State and federal statutes and regulations. Provides that a county may not approve a request for siting approval or a special use permit for a commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility or modification of an approved siting or special use permit, if the proposal shall disturb more than one acre of land, unless the facility owner has obtained a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System ("NPDES") permit from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Requires a facility owner to provide the county in which a commercial solar energy facility or commercial wind energy facility to be located, a deconstruction plan that has been prepared by a professional engineer who has been selected by the facility owner. Provides that, based on an initial evaluation or reevaluation during the county approval process, the county may require changes in the level of financial assurance used to calculate the financial assurance level from the facility owner. Amends the Renewable Energy Facilities Agricultural Impact Mitigation Act. Provides that the standard agricultural impact mitigation agreements shall be amended as needed to conform with the financial assurance procedures and requirements under specified provisions of the Counties Code. Makes other changes.
HB3624	02/07/2025	Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Director of Corrections shall establish a canine unit pilot program within the Department of Corrections, which shall consist of a contraband screening program that includes the use of a leashed and controlled canine trained to detect illegal drugs only in mail sorting and screening areas of each correctional institution or facility housing 100 or more committed persons. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall, by rule, establish standards concerning the operation of the canine units, the chain of command, assignment of canine handlers, the uniforms to be worn by canine handlers, the shifts and assignments of canine handlers, the training of canines for drug detection, the equipment to be issued to canine handlers, the supply of contraband drugs to canine handlers in order to teach the canines drug detection, the transportation of the canines, canine care, handler responsibility for the care of the canines, canine selection, standards for the selection of canine handlers, the placement of the canines after the canines are no longer used in drug detection, veterinary care for the canines, evaluation of canine handlers and the canines in drug detection, and any other standards that the Department deems necessary for the effective operation of the canine drug detection program.
HB3714	02/07/2025	Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that if the defendant has been incarcerated for a Class 4 felony or a Class A, B, or C misdemeanor and has been released from imprisonment, the court shall impose an unconditional sentence in any case in which the court is of the opinion that no proper purpose would be served by imposing any condition upon the defendant's release. Provides that when an unconditional sentence is imposed for a felony, the court shall set forth in the record the reasons for its action.
HB3719	02/07/2025	Amends the Emergency Telephone System Act. Provides that a law enforcement agency that encrypts police scanner transmissions must provide, by license or otherwise, real-time access to those transmissions to broadcast stations, broadcasting stations, radio broadcast stations, and newspapers. Effective January 1, 2026.
HB3069	02/06/2025	Amends the Notice By Publication Act. Provides that whenever a municipality is required to provide notice by publication in a newspaper by law, order of court, or contract, the municipality may publish the notice on an official municipal website instead of in a newspaper if the notice published on the official municipal website is also published electronically on a searchable online database website and that website provides independent certification of the publication. Provides conditions concerning the availability and format of the searchable online database website. Repeals a Section concerning the placement of published notices on a statewide website and makes corresponding changes throughout the Act and in the Newspaper Legal Notice Act. Effective immediately.
HB3189	02/06/2025	Amends the Secretary of State Act. Provides that the Secretary of State shall create an Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services to connect faith-based community organizations with grant opportunities, as well as provide assistance in completing grant applications. Provides that the Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services shall promote collaboration and unity among diverse groups, foster interfaith dialogue and interagency collaboration to offer comprehensive support services, ensure equitable distribution of resources across various community groups to support their missions and projects, leverage faith-based properties to increase housing opportunities, and develop guides on mental health, grant application processes, housing initiatives, and creating sensory-friendly spaces for the faith community. Provides that the Secretary of State shall appoint an Interfaith Advisory Council to advise the Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services and collaborate with religious communities in this State.
HB2727	02/05/2025	Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that it is unlawful to apply for a new commercial vehicle relocator's license or safety relocator's registration certificate while the commercial vehicle relocator's license or safety relocator's registration certificate of the applicant, or an entity that the applicant has an ownership interest in, is suspended. Provides that it is unlawful to apply for a new commercial vehicle relocator's license or safety relocator's registration certificate within 5 years after the date when the commercial vehicle relocator's license or safety relocator's registration certificate of the applicant, or an entity that the applicant has an ownership interest in, was revoked. Provides that it is unlawful to relocate a vehicle of which the commercial vehicle relocator has possession from any premises controlled by the commercial vehicle relocator without (1) providing at least 90 days notice by posting on the premises, visible to the general public, a notice of intent to relocate the vehicle prior to the relocation of the vehicle, and (2) providing at least 60 days notice by mail to the registered address of the registered owner or owners of the vehicle prior to the relocation of the vehicle. Provides that a commercial vehicle safety relocator shall provide a price list indicating both the per mile towing charge and per day storage charge to the driver of the vehicle prior to removing the vehicle, to specified others if the driver cannot be located, or, under specified conditions, mailed within 24 hours to the registered address of the registered vehicle owner.
HB2837	02/05/2025	Amends the Chicago Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that "salary" means the actual salary attached to the exempt rank position held by the fireman, if specified contributions have been made and the fireman has held one or more exempt positions for at least 3 years (instead of 5 consecutive years) and has held the rank of battalion chief, field officer, captain, ambulance commander, lieutenant, or paramedic-in-charge for at least 3 years (instead of held the rank of battalion chief or field officer for at least 5 years) during the exempt period. Removes a provision that limits application of that salary definition to firemen born before 1955. Makes conforming changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.
HB2927	02/05/2025	Creates the Inclusive History Act. Establishes the Inclusive History Commission to (i) address the deficiencies and inadequacies in both perspective and content in traditional history course material and instruction and (ii) develop multiperspective, inclusive, and comprehensive standards that a school may use as a guide in replacing or developing its curricula for history education. Sets forth the membership of the Commission. Contains provisions concerning meetings, duties, and reporting. Repeals the provisions on December 31, 2026. Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires schools to suspend all instruction in history education, with exceptions. Not later than June 30, 2026, requires the State Superintendent of Education to provide to schools instructional guidelines and standards based on the recommendations of the Commission so that schools may develop alternative curricula to replace traditional course material and instruction to ensure that students obtain a multiperspective, inclusive, and comprehensive understanding about history. Provides that beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, schools shall resume instruction in history, which shall require the use of age-appropriate discussion, textbooks, and other course material that reframe the study of history by presenting to students an examination of history through the inclusion of diverse perspectives, contrary interpretations, and the viewpoints of various groups of people whose voices have traditionally been excluded from the conventional teaching of history. Effective immediately.
HB2929	02/05/2025	Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a mechanism to collect research and data regarding overdose prevention sites (OPSs) and prepare a report for the General Assembly within 12 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that the report shall contain information on (1) current research on the effectiveness of an OPS as an overdose prevention strategy; (2) OPS best practices for staffing, placement, and activities; and (3) the benefits and challenges of different OPS models - structures and settings. Requires the Department, in collaboration with people with lived experience, to develop a pilot service, subject to available funding, aimed at saving the lives of people who use substances that shall include the establishment of at least one OPS. Requires the pilot OPSs to offer people, who are most likely to use drugs in public, unobserved, high-risk, and unsanitary locations, a safe space to use pre-obtained substances and connect to community supports or other existing treatment and recovery programs, harm reduction services, and health care. Contains provisions concerning certain principles pilot OPSs must abide by; OPS staffing and location requirements; pilot OPS services; and other matters. Permits the Department to approve an entity to operate a pilot program in one or more jurisdictions. Grants criminal and civil immunity to persons who use pilot OPSs services; pilot OPS staff; and any real property owner upon which the OPS site is located or operates. Contains provisions on public awareness outreach; OPS reporting requirements; home rule exemption; and other matters. Effective immediately.
HB2656	02/04/2025	Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning the child care assistance program, provides that notwithstanding any other law or rule to the contrary, on and after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Human Services shall include all federal holidays as paid days that are eligible for reimbursement under any purchase of service contract or voucher payment agreement the Department enters into, renews, or extends with a child care provider under the child care assistance program.
HB2502	02/03/2025	Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall require that each school district annually report the number of students who were referred to a law enforcement agency or official and the number of instances of referrals to law enforcement that students received. Provides that on or before January 31, 2027 and on or before January 31 of each subsequent year, the State Board of Education shall prepare a report on student referrals to law enforcement in all school districts in the State. Requires a parent-teacher advisory committee to develop policy guideline procedures to establish and maintain a reciprocal reporting system between the school district and local law enforcement agencies regarding both criminal and civil offenses (rather than only criminal offenses) committed by students. Removes language providing that a student may not be issued a monetary fine or fee as a disciplinary consequence. Instead, prohibits school personnel from issuing a monetary fine, fee, ticket, or citation for a municipal code violation. Provides that school personnel (rather than a school district) may not refer a truant, chronic truant, or truant minor to any other local public entity, school resource officer, or peace officer (rather than only to any other local public entity) for that local public entity, school resource officer, or peace officer to issue the child a fine or fee as punishment for truancy. Effective immediately.
HB1288	01/13/2025	Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a person convicted of a felony, after the completion of his or her sentence, including the completion of his or her parole or mandatory supervised release term, shall be eligible to be nominated for, and elected to, an elective public office. Provides that the provision does not apply to a person convicted of a felony, bribery, perjury, or other infamous crime for an offense committed while he or she was serving as a public official in the State. Defines "elective public office". Amends the Election Code and the Illinois Municipal Code to make conforming changes.
HB0001	01/09/2025	Creates the Prevention of Use of Hemp Cannabinoid Products Intended for Human Consumption by Ingestion or Inhalation by Persons Under 21 Years of Age Act. Permits the sale and possession of hemp cannabinoids by persons 21 years of age or over. Provides that no person shall offer or sell hemp cannabinoid products to consumers in the State unless the person applies for and holds a hemp retailer license issued by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides that no person shall sell ready-to-eat hemp products to end consumers without holding a hemp food establishment license issued by the Department of Public Health. Provides that a hemp food establishment that sells ready-to-eat cannabinoid products shall be exclusively licensed and located in the State. Provides that hemp food establishments and hemp retailers shall require proof of age from a purchaser of any cannabinoid products before selling the product to that person. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall administer and enforce the provisions of the Act relating to licensing and oversight of hemp distributors and hemp retailers unless otherwise provided in the Act. Establishes standards for the issuance of licenses under the Act. Provides for criminal and civil penalties for violation of the Act.
HB0002	01/09/2025	Amends the Election Code. Repeals provisions that prohibit a person that is serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution from voting until his or her release from confinement. Further amends the Election Code and amends the Unified Code of Corrections making conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2026.
HB0003	01/09/2025	Amends the Code of Civil Procedure to provide that illegal possession of land during a 7-year period may not be used for a claim of adverse possession. Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act to provide that no person has a right to occupy or remain on or in any real property, residence, or structure in which the person has no written property interest under a written lease or rental agreement with the owner of the property. Provides that all persons legally occupying the property, residence, or structure shall be listed by name and date of birth on leases, rental agreements, or the rental application associated with the lease or rental agreement. Provides that no subleasing is allowed unless it is specifically allowed in the tenant's written lease or rental agreement with the owner. Provides that any such violation of the lease or rental agreement does not establish legal standing to occupy or remain on or in any real property, residence, or structure by the sublessee who must vacate the property after receiving notice to vacate from the property owner of record or the owner's agent.
HB0004	01/09/2025	Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to conduct a study on managed care pharmacy access standards. Provides that the study shall review the current access standards, with a focus on disproportionately impacted areas. Requires the Department to seek input from consumers of pharmacy services. Requires the Department to report its findings to the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2026 and to publish the report on the Department's website. Provides that any retail pharmacy that is enrolled as an eligible retail pharmacy provider in the medical assistance program and is not sanctioned under investigation for fraud, waste, or abuse shall provide retail pharmacy services to any medical assistance recipient who resides in the same zip code as the pharmacy, regardless of whether the retail pharmacy is contracted to provide pharmacy services for the managed care organization that the recipient is enrolled with. Requires the managed care organization to pay the retail pharmacy the managed care organization's standard contractual rate. Effective immediately.
HB0005	01/09/2025	Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that, on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, when a person commits an offense and the person is under 21 years of age at the time of the commission of the offense, the court, at the sentencing hearing, shall consider certain additional factors in mitigation in determining the appropriate sentence. Provides, that notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the defendant is under 18 at the time of the commission of the offense and convicted of first degree murder and would otherwise be subject to sentencing under certain provisions, the court shall impose a sentence of not less than 40 years of imprisonment. Provides that, in addition, the court may, in its discretion, decline to impose the sentencing enhancements based upon the possession or use of a firearm during the commission of the offense.
HB0006	01/09/2025	Creates the Blight Mitigation Act. Provides that a property owner that lives within one-fourth of a mile of and on the same street as residential real property that has been abandoned may, after the property has been continuously abandoned for 12 months, petition the court for title to the land. Provides that the court shall order that title to the real property be transferred to the petitioner if the petitioner presents clear and convincing evidence that: (1) the property is abandoned; (2) the owner of the property has been made a party to the action in accordance with the Code of Civil Procedure and court rules; and (3) the property is not: listed for sale on a multiple listing service; being maintained in receivership status; or under contract for sale. Effective immediately.
HB0007	01/09/2025	Amends the Unified Code of Corrections relating to certificates of expungement for Class 3 and 4 felonies. Eliminates the requirement that a certificate of expungement may only be issued to a person who has served in the United States Armed Forces or National Guard of this or any other state and had received an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces or National Guard or who at the time of filing the petition is enlisted in the United States Armed Forces or National Guard of this or any other state and served one tour of duty and who meets the requirements of this provision. Expands the offenses ineligible for a certificate of expungement to include offenses involving domestic violence as defined in the Protective Orders Article of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963, including aggravated assault, aggravated battery, violation of an order of protection, domestic battery, or aggravated domestic battery. Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that, notwithstanding the eligibility requirements of the expungement provisions, upon the issuance of a certificate of expungement by the Prisoner Review Board under the Unified Code of Corrections, the circuit court shall automatically expunge all records of arrests or charges not initiated by arrest and all court records that resulted in the conviction for the Class 3 or Class 4 felony listed in the certificate of expungement.
HB0008	01/09/2025	Amends the Election Code. Provides that a person must be 17 years of age or older (currently, 18 years of age or older) to circulate petitions for nomination.
HB0037	01/09/2025	Amends the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Act. Provides that the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority may sell certain specified property. Provides for the disposition of moneys received from the sale. Authorizes the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority to enter into any agreements and execute any documents necessary to arrange for the sale of the property.
HB0038	01/09/2025	Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Includes in the offense of mob action (1) the knowing or reckless steering of a motor vehicle so that it makes a controlled skid sideways through a turn with the front wheels pointed in a direction opposite to that of the turn if the activity results in the use of force or violence disturbing the public peace and (2) the knowing or reckless act of street racing if the activity results in the use of force or violence disturbing the public peace. Defines "street racing". Provides that the penalty for these offenses is a Class 4 felony.
HB0041	01/09/2025	Amends the Election Code. Provides that a person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution shall have his or her right to vote restored and shall be eligible to vote not later than 14 days following his or her conviction. Provides that a correctional institution shall make available to a person in its custody current election resource material from the State Board of Elections and current election resource material that is requested by a person in custody and received at the correctional institution from a local election authority in response to the request. Creates the Post-Conviction Task Force to strengthen and improve provisions that restore the right to vote to a person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution. Makes other changes. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2026.
HB1084	01/09/2025	Amends the Revised Cities and Villages Act of 1941. Establishes a procedure for a special recall election to recall the Mayor of Chicago and the election of a successor mayor at a special successor election or special runoff election. Effective immediately.
HB1143	01/09/2025	Creates the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act. Establishes the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board. Provides a timeline for the Board. Provides that the Department of Public Health, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Illinois State Police, and the Department of Revenue may adopt rules and implement the Act. Provides for licensing to operate a service center, facilitate psilocybin services, manufacture psilocybin products, and test psilocybin products by certain State agencies, with certain requirements. Provides for the lawful manufacture, delivery, and possession of psilocybin products. Provides procedures for psilocybin services, including requirements for certain sessions, plans, and forms. Limits the sale of psilocybin products with certain restrictions. Provides for investigations and inspections under the Act. Provides for certain fees, fines, actions against a licensee, criminal penalties, and civil penalties for violations of the Act. Provides for administrative hearings and other requirements for disciplining an applicant or licensee. Provides requirements for psilocybin-producing fungi as a crop, food, or other commodity. Provides for labeling and packaging requirements. Imposes a tax on psilocybin. Establishes the Psilocybin Control and Regulation Fund and Illinois Psilocybin Fund as special funds in the State treasury. Limits home rule powers. Makes other provisions. Makes corresponding changes to the State Finance Act. Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Exempt certain correspondence and records under the Act. Amends the Illinois Independent Tax Tribunal Act of 2012. Adds the Act to the jurisdiction of the Tax Tribunal. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Adds psilocybin or psilocin to the list of prohibited substances for a person driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle. Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Removes psilocybin or psilocybin products from the definition of "Controlled Substance". Removes psilocybin and psilocyn from the list of Schedule I controlled substances. Effective immediately.