North Cook News

Kevin John Olickal introduced HB3507 in the Illinois House on Feb. 7, 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 Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Defines "grounds". Removes a prohibition from carrying a firearm into any real property under the control of the Cook County Forest Preserve District. Allows a forest preserve district to prohibit persons from carrying a firearm into any botanic garden, swimming pool, grounds of a swimming pool, athletic venue, picnic grove, nature center, grounds of a nature center, pavilion, grounds of a pavilion, golf course, driving range, adventure course, grounds of an adventure course, zipline building, grounds of a zipline, equestrian center, grounds of an equestrian center, exercise venue, grounds of an exercise venue, or any public or private gathering or special event conducted on property that requires the issuance of a permit. Adds an exception for persons carrying a firearm while traveling along a public right of way that touches or crosses forest preserve districts where firearms are prohibited. Adds an exception for forest preserve districts from provisions regarding required signage."

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 Firearm Concealed Carry Act, redefining "grounds" to mean any area within 75 feet from the entrance to a prohibited area or any fenced area on forest preserve property. It removes a blanket prohibition on carrying firearms in properties under the Cook County Forest Preserve District but allows forest preserve districts to prohibit firearms in venues like botanic gardens, swimming pools, athletic venues, and other specified facilities. It exempts those traveling along public rights of way that intersect these areas from restrictions on carrying firearms. Additionally, it exempts forest preserve districts from specific signage requirements that indicate firearm prohibition.

Kevin John Olickal has proposed another 16 bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Olickal graduated from Ohio State University in 2015 with a BS and again in 2025 from Loyola University Chicago School of Law with a JD.

Kevin John Olickal is currently serving in the Illinois State House, representing the state's 16th House District. He replaced previous state representative Denyse Wang Stoneback in 2023.

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
HB3507	02/07/2025	Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Defines "grounds". Removes a prohibition from carrying a firearm into any real property under the control of the Cook County Forest Preserve District. Allows a forest preserve district to prohibit persons from carrying a firearm into any botanic garden, swimming pool, grounds of a swimming pool, athletic venue, picnic grove, nature center, grounds of a nature center, pavilion, grounds of a pavilion, golf course, driving range, adventure course, grounds of an adventure course, zipline building, grounds of a zipline, equestrian center, grounds of an equestrian center, exercise venue, grounds of an exercise venue, or any public or private gathering or special event conducted on property that requires the issuance of a permit. Adds an exception for persons carrying a firearm while traveling along a public right of way that touches or crosses forest preserve districts where firearms are prohibited. Adds an exception for forest preserve districts from provisions regarding required signage.
HB3361	02/07/2025	Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. In provisions concerning required posting of information, provides that the posting of information is not required if staffing was at 90% staffing of the minimum staffing requirements or if a facility has corrected the minimum staffing requirements before the posting deadline.
HB3420	02/07/2025	Amends the Illinois Physical Therapy Act. Adds a provision requiring that applicants for licensure as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant shall submit their fingerprints for the purpose of criminal history records background checks. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may adopt rules necessary to implement the amendatory provisions. Provides that the State of Illinois ratifies and approves the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact. Provides that the purpose of the Compact is to facilitate interstate practice of physical therapy with the goal of improving public access to physical therapy services, and states that the Compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure. In the Compact, contains provisions concerning definitions, state participation in the Compact, active duty military personnel and their spouses, adverse actions, establishment of the Physical Therapy Compact Commission, a data system, rulemaking, oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement, date of implementation, withdrawal, construction, and severability.
HB3559	02/07/2025	Creates the Reentry Financial Empowerment Act. Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to oversee the Illinois Reentry Account program to provide no-fee, federally insured debit accounts to reentering citizens who have been released from an Illinois correctional facility for fewer than 12 months. Requires accounts for reentering citizens to include no monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, or minimum balance requirements; access to a network of ATMs for cash withdrawals created in partnership with a financial administrator or financial administrators partnered with the state; a secure debit card for account access; and online and mobile banking options. Provides that the Department shall work with the Illinois Department of Corrections to ensure eligible reentering citizens are informed of the program upon release, and the Illinois Department of Corrections shall facilitate enrollment into the program. Requires the Department to contract with one or more financial institutions to administer accounts under the program and provides standards for the institutions. Establishes monitoring responsibilities for the Department and requires reporting of the program's progress to the General Assembly. Effective immediately.
HB3560	02/07/2025	Creates the Public Banking Option Act. Establishes the Illinois Bank Account Board under the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for the purpose of protecting consumers who lack access to traditional banking services from predatory, discriminatory, and costly alternatives. Sets forth provisions concerning the actions required by the Board to create the Illinois Bank Account Program, including establishing a process by which an individual may open an Illinois Bank Account, which shall be designed to maximize Program participation; the mechanisms by which an account holder may deposit funds into an Illinois Bank Account for no fee; a process through which an account holder may elect to have a portion, up to the entirety, of the account holder's paycheck or earnings due for labor or services performed directly deposited by electronic fund transfer into the account holder's Illinois Bank Account; a process through which employers and hiring entities shall be required to remit through a payroll direct deposit arrangement each worker's elected payroll contribution to the worker's Illinois Bank Account in accordance with the worker's election; and mechanisms by which an account holder can withdraw funds from an Illinois Bank Account using an Illinois Bank Account debit card for no fee; a process, available to all account holders for no fee, through which an account holder may arrange for payment to a registered payee using a preauthorized electronic fund transfer from an Illinois Bank Account; a process and terms and conditions for becoming a registered payee; voluntary automatic disbursement rules to assist an account holder in managing automated payments to registered payees based on the availability of funds in the account holder's account; and other specified actions. Establishes duties concerning the Program for employers with more than 25 employees, hiring entities with more than 25 independent contractors performing the same or similar labor or service, and landlords or a landlord's agent. Grants the Department rulemaking authority to implement the provisions of the Act. Effective immediately.
HB3583	02/07/2025	Creates the Motor Fuel Minimum Markup Act. Provides that it is unlawful for a retailer, wholesaler, or refiner to sell or offer to sell motor fuel at less than a specified cost with the intent or effect of inducing the purchase of other merchandise or diverting trade from a competitor. Sets forth notice requirements. Provides that a violation of the Act constitutes a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change.
HB3584	02/07/2025	Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Provides that any obligor paying child support under the Act must annually notify the obligee, in writing, if the obligor's adjusted net income has increased by 10% or more in the obligor's most recent federal tax return. Provides that if the obligor fails to do so, and the obligee files a petition to modify child support, the court must consider that failure to notify as a substantial change in circumstances and also award the obligee attorney's fees and costs for bringing this petition. Provides that the changes made to the amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly apply to federal tax returns filed on or after the effective date of the Act. Effective immediately.
HB3653	02/07/2025	Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that a business providing customer support that uses an automated telephone answering system or an automated text interface that simulates conversation shall, during the normal hours of operation of the business, provide the customer with the option of communicating with a human representative at the beginning of the phone call or text interaction.
HB3694	02/07/2025	Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Creates a distillery shipper's license, a class 3 craft distiller license, and a spirits showcase permit. Provides that a class 3 craft distiller license, which may be issued to a distiller or a non-resident dealer, shall allow the manufacture of no more than 100,000 gallons of spirits per year and shall allow the sale of spirits from the class 3 craft distiller's in-state or out-of-state class 3 craft distillery premises to retail licensees, class 3 brewers, and class 3 craft distillers as long as the class 3 craft distiller licensee meets certain requirements. Authorizes a class 3 craft distiller to self-distribute subject to certain requirements and limitations. Provides that a distillery shipper's license shall allow a person with an Illinois distiller license, a craft distiller license, a class 1 craft distiller license, a class 2 craft distiller license, or a class 3 craft distiller license or who is licensed to make spirits under the laws of another state to ship spirits directly to a resident of this State who is 21 years of age or older for that resident's personal use and not for resale. Provides that a spirits showcase permit shall allow an Illinois-licensed distributor to transfer a portion of its spirits inventory from its licensed premises to the premises specified in the spirits showcase permit license; in the case of a class 3 craft distiller, to transfer only spirits the class 3 craft distiller manufactures from its licensed premises to the premises specified in the spirits showcase permit license; and to sell or offer for sale at retail, only in the premises specified in the spirits showcase permit license, the transferred or delivered spirits for on or off premises consumption, but not for resale in any form and to sell to non-licensees not more than 156 fluid ounces of spirits per person. Sets forth provisions concerning licensure application; fees; recordkeeping; and shipping and delivery of spirits. Preempts home rule powers. Makes conforming and other changes.
HB3788	02/07/2025	Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Central Management Services shall compile a list of nonprofit businesses that employ persons with developmental disabilities. Provides that the list shall be accessible to State agencies so that the agencies may make those businesses aware of procurement opportunities with the State.
HB3098	02/06/2025	Amends the Consumer Electronics Recycling Act. Adds and changes definitions. Changes references to residential covered electronic devices (CEDs) to references to CEDs from covered entities. Adds a nonprofit organization or recycler to certain provisions regarding the use of a retail or private network (rather than only retail) collection site with the agreement of the applicable retailer under certain local agreements. Changes references to retail collection sites to references to retail or private network collection sites. Adds to requirements for certain agreements, including those to be reduced to writing and included in the manufacturer e-waste program plan. Adds to requirements for the manufacturer e-waste program plan. Adds conditions in certain provisions regarding the applicable county, municipal joint action agency, or municipality. Adds certain waivers for charges for shortfalls in provisions regarding collection of CEDs. Adds requirements for the Advisory Electronics Task Force to submit certain information to the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as to communicate regarding certain updates and certain feedback. Adds provisions regarding education and consumer awareness requirements. Deletes an automatic repeal provision.
HB3177	02/06/2025	Amends the Innovations for Transportation Infrastructure Act. Provides that the Department of Transportation or the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority may use the design-build project delivery method for transportation facilities if the capital costs for transportation facilities delivered utilizing the design-build project delivery method or Construction Manager/General Contractor project delivery method or Alternative Technical Concepts in a design-bid-build project delivery method do not for transportation facilities delivered by the Department, exceed the value of 20% of the projects annually programmed in (rather than $400 million of contracts awarded during) the Department's multi-year highway improvement program on an annual basis (rather than for any 5-year period). Removes language that provides that notwithstanding any other law, and as authority supplemental to its existing powers, the Department may use the Construction Manager/General Contractor project delivery method for up to 2 transportation facilities per year. Effective immediately.
HB3320	02/06/2025	Creates the Responsibility in Firearm Legislation (RIFL) Act. Establishes a firearms manufacturer licensing program in the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, with certain requirements, including that the sum of all fees for firearms manufacturer licenses shall be equal to the public health costs and financial burdens from firearm injuries and deaths. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2028, a manufacturer of firearms may not operate in this State without a license from the Department and that a manufacturer who violates this provision is subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000,000 per month. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2028, a retailer may not sell a firearm to a consumer in this State from a manufacturer who does not have a license from the Department and that a retailer who violates this provision is subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation, with certain requirements. Establishes the RIFL Fund as a special fund in the State treasury, with certain limitations. Provides that the proceeds from fees under the licensing program shall be deposited into the RIFL Fund. Establishes a financial assistance program in the Department with moneys from the RIFL Fund for financial assistance to victims of firearms and for other purposes. Provides that the Department shall contract with a program administrator to administer the financial assistance program, with certain requirements. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules for financial assistance to victims of firearms, with certain requirements, including regarding exemption from certain State taxes. Provides that the Department may contract with a program administrator to implement or administer any part of the Act, with certain requirements. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall report certain information to the Department. Provides that the Department may provide for other civil penalties of no more than $1,000 per violation. Provides that the Attorney General may enforce the Act. Makes other provisions. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes.
HB2909	02/05/2025	Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Changes the Public Accommodations and Financial Credit Articles to prohibit discrimination on the basis of citizenship, primary language, or immigration status that includes discrimination against a person because of the person's actual or perceived characteristic or characteristics within the listed categories or that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any particular characteristic or characteristics within the listed categories. "Citizenship" means the status of being: (i) a born U.S. citizen; (ii) a naturalized U.S. citizen; or (iii) a U.S. national. "Immigration status" means citizenship of some country other than the United States, including stateless persons, and the specific authority, or lack thereof, to reside in or otherwise to be present in the United States. "Primary language" means a person's preferred language for communication. Provides that it is not a civil rights violation to verify immigration status or any discrimination based upon verified immigration status if required by federal law. Nothing in the Act may be construed to require the provision of services or documents in a language other than English beyond that which is otherwise required by other provisions of federal, State, or local law. Provides that a civil rights violation for a violation of Articles 4 and 5 may include statutory damages of 3 times the amount of actual damages sustained or $8,000, whichever is the greater.
HB2348	01/30/2025	Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Prisoner Review Board shall be the authority for setting conditions for mandatory supervised release under specified provisions and determining whether a violation of those conditions warrant revocation of mandatory supervised release or the imposition of other sanctions. Provides that the Board shall hear by at least one member and through a panel of at least 3 members determine the conditions of mandatory supervised release, determine the time of discharge from mandatory supervised release, impose sanctions for violations of mandatory supervised release, and revoke mandatory supervised release for those sentenced under specified provisions. Provides that if a person was originally prosecuted under the provisions of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012, sentenced under the provisions of the Act pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, and convicted as an adult and committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Juvenile Justice shall, no less than 120 days prior to the date that the person reaches the age of 21, send written notification to the Prisoner Review Board indicating the day upon which the committed person will achieve the age of 21. Requires the Prisoner Review Board to conduct a hearing with no less than 3 members to determine whether or not the minor shall be assigned mandatory supervised release or be transferred to the Department of Corrections prior to the minor's 21st birthday.
HB1922	01/29/2025	Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision concerning payments to nursing facilities to increase compensation for certified nursing assistants (CNA), removes language requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish, by rule, payments to nursing facilities equal to Medicaid's share of the tenure wage increments for all reported CNA employee hours compensated. Instead provides that, based on the schedule set forth in the amendatory Act, the Department shall pay to each facility Medicaid's share of the facility's estimated CNA hours performed by employees and agency workers, estimated overtime hours, and benefits and taxes paid to and on behalf of CNA workers at the beginning of each quarter. Provides that moneys paid by the Department to each facility and moneys paid by each facility to workers and agencies or on behalf of workers and agencies shall be reconciled at the end of each quarter. Sets for a schedule concerning the calculation of tenure compensation which shall include: (i) compensation for regular CNA hours; (ii) overtime calculated at time and a half; and (iii) benefits and taxes at 25%. Provides that estimates of overtime shall be calculated at time and a half and benefits and taxes at 25%. Requires the Department to pay the facility for qualifying promotions estimated at the beginning of each quarter and reconciled at the end of the quarter. Effective immediately.
HB1643	01/23/2025	Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Creates the Department of Corrections Independent Ombudsperson Law. Provides that the Corrections Oversight Committee shall appoint the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson. Provides that the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson shall serve a term of 6 years and may be only removed from office by the Governor for cause. Provides that the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson shall not be a current or former employee of the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or a contractor for those departments. Establishes the duties of the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson. Provides that the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson shall: (1) monitor and inspect facilities of the Department of Corrections; (2) investigate unresolved complaints from committed persons, their families, and corrections staff regarding correctional facility conditions and treatment of committed persons; (3) create a uniform reporting system and collect and analyze data related to deaths, suicides, sexual and physical assaults, lockdowns, staff vacancies and committed persons-to-staff ratios, visits to committed persons, and use of solitary confinement in correctional facilities; (4) conduct regular inspections of correctional facilities at least once every year for facilities not meeting standards, and at least once every 36 months for facilities that are meeting standards; and (5) publicly issue periodic facility inspection reports and an annual report with recommendations and a summary of data. Establishes other duties of the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson. Provides that the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson shall report regularly on its activities, investigations, and inspections, including an annual report, which shall be presented to and discussed at a meeting of the Corrections Oversight Committee and make other reports on topics of special interest. Provides that all reports of the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson shall be made available to the public online and provided to the Director of Corrections, the Governor, the Attorney General, and the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. Effective July 1, 2026.
HB1438	01/17/2025	Appropriates $1,500,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Office of the Independent Corrections Ombudsperson for the Office’s ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2025.
HB1439	01/17/2025	Amends the Illinois Insurance Code, the Dental Care Patient Protection Act, and the Dental Service Plan Act. Provides that no insurer, dental service plan corporation, professional service corporation, insurance network leasing company, company offering a managed care dental plan, company offering a point-of-service plan, or any company that amends, delivers, issues, or renews an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance that provides dental insurance in this State may deny coverage for replacement of teeth to any insured on the basis of those teeth having been extracted or otherwise lost prior to the person becoming covered under the plan.
HB1440	01/17/2025	Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that tax deeds issued to the county as trustee shall be recorded by the county and shall not require a municipal transfer stamp or be subject to any municipal real estate transfer taxes, requirements, or certifications prior to recording.
HB1426	01/16/2025	Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Repeals a provision excluding certain minors accused of committing specified crimes from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. Effective immediately.
HB1427	01/16/2025	Creates the Prohibition of Algorithmics in Rent Act. Provides that in setting the amount of rent to be charged to a tenant for the occupancy of a residential premises, including determining any change in the amount of rent to be charged for the renewed occupancy of a residential premises, a landlord shall not employ, use, or rely upon, or cause another person to employ, use, or rely upon, an algorithmic device that uses, incorporates, or was trained with nonpublic competitor data. Defines "algorithmic device" to mean a device that uses one or more algorithms to perform calculations of data, including data concerning local or statewide rent amounts being charged to tenants by landlords, for the purpose of advising a landlord concerning the amount of rent that the landlord may consider charging a tenant. Provides that this definition does not include (i) any report published periodically, but no more frequently than monthly, by a trade association that receives renter data and publishes it in an aggregated and anonymous manner; or (ii) a product used for the purpose of establishing rent or income limits in accordance with the affordable housing program guidelines of a local government, the State, the federal government, or other political subdivision. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a corresponding change. Provides that any person who violates the Prohibition of Algorithmics in Rent Act commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
HB1428	01/16/2025	Creates the Isolated Confinement Restriction Act. Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Nelson Mandela Act. Provides that a committed person may not be in isolated confinement for more than 10 consecutive days. Provides that a committed person may not be in isolated confinement for more than 10 days in any 180-day period. Provides that the provision of basic needs and services, such as nutritious food, clean water, hygiene supplies, clothing, bedding and mattress, religious materials, legal materials, access to grievance forms, and access to medical and mental health, shall not be restricted as a form of punishment or discipline for committed persons in isolated confinement. Provides that a committed person in protective custody may opt out of that status by providing informed, voluntary, written refusal of that status. Provides that a committed person shall not be placed in isolated confinement if the committed person: (1) is 21 years of age or younger; (2) is 55 years of age or older; (3) has a disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; or (4) is pregnant or postpartum. Provides that nothing in the Act is intended to restrict any rights or privileges a committed person may have under any other statute, rule, or regulation. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.
HB1429	01/16/2025	Amends the Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act. Prohibits the State or a unit of local government from creating or enforcing policies or ordinances imposing fines or criminal penalties against people experiencing unsheltered homelessness for occupying or engaging in life-sustaining activities on public property. Provides exceptions to maintain access to property or address risks to public health and safety. Creates a necessity defense for charges alleging violation of laws criminalizing life-sustaining activities while the individual was experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Defines terms. Limits the exercise of concurrent home rule powers.