Lake County Gazette

Nabeela Syed introduced HB3564 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 Landlord and Tenant Act. Prohibits a landlord from imposing a move-in fee. Provides that a landlord may not demand any charge for the processing, reviewing, or accepting of an application, or demand any other payment, fee, or charge before or at the beginning of the tenancy. Exempts entrance fees charged by nursing homes or similar institutions. Prohibits a landlord from renaming a fee or charge to avoid application of these provisions. Limits fees for the late payment of rent in certain situations. Provides that any provision of a lease, rental agreement, contract, or any similar document purporting to waive or limit these provisions is void and unenforceable as against public policy. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that State policy is that access to housing is a fundamental human right in preventing discrimination based on familial status or source of income in real estate transactions. Changes the definition of "source of income"by stating that the definition prohibits a person engaged in a real estate transaction from requiring a credit check before approving another person in the process of renting real property or requiring a move-in fee in lieu of a security deposit or in addition to a security deposit."

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 Landlord and Tenant Act to introduce limitations on tenant fees. It allows landlords to charge a fee for background checks, but the fee must be the lesser of the actual cost or $20 and must be waived if the tenant provides a recent background check. The bill prohibits move-in fees and any pre-tenancy fees unless otherwise provided by law. It specifically excludes entrance fees charged by nursing homes. Landlords cannot impose late payment fees unless rent is over five days late, capping the fee at $10 for the first $1,000 of rent and 5% for any amount over $1,000. This bill voids any lease provisions attempting to waive its terms as against public policy.

Nabeela Syed has proposed another 27 bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Syed graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2021 with a BA and again in 2021 from the University of California with a BS.

Nabeela Syed is currently serving in the Illinois State House, representing the state's 51st House District. She replaced previous state representative Chris Bos 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
HB3564	02/07/2025	Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Prohibits a landlord from imposing a move-in fee. Provides that a landlord may not demand any charge for the processing, reviewing, or accepting of an application, or demand any other payment, fee, or charge before or at the beginning of the tenancy. Exempts entrance fees charged by nursing homes or similar institutions. Prohibits a landlord from renaming a fee or charge to avoid application of these provisions. Limits fees for the late payment of rent in certain situations. Provides that any provision of a lease, rental agreement, contract, or any similar document purporting to waive or limit these provisions is void and unenforceable as against public policy. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that State policy is that access to housing is a fundamental human right in preventing discrimination based on familial status or source of income in real estate transactions. Changes the definition of "source of income"by stating that the definition prohibits a person engaged in a real estate transaction from requiring a credit check before approving another person in the process of renting real property or requiring a move-in fee in lieu of a security deposit or in addition to a security deposit.
HB3570	02/07/2025	Amends the Firearms Restraining Order Act. Requires the court or allows a State's Attorney to provide simplified forms and clerical assistance to help with the filing (rather than the writing and filing) of a petition for a firearms restraining order by any person not represented by counsel. Requires the clerk to immediately notify the State's Attorney of the filing of each firearms restraining order when it is filed. Gives the State's Attorney legal standing to represent any and all petitioners if the petitioners request the State's Attorney's assistance in filing the pleadings or in conducting the hearings. Requires a verified pleading (rather than an affidavit or verified pleading). Changes references to an intimate partner to references to a specific intimate partner. In provisions regarding ex parte hearings, requires the court to consider specific evidence and changes the burden of proof from probably cause to a preponderance of the evidence. Provides for the issuance of a plenary (rather than 6-month) firearms restraining order after a full hearing. Makes other changes.
HB3573	02/07/2025	Amends the School Code. In a provision concerning third party non-instructional services, allows a board of education to enter into a one-time contract (rather than a contract), of no longer than 3 months in duration, with a third party for non-instructional services currently performed by an employee or bargaining unit member for the purpose of augmenting the current workforce in an emergency situation that threatens the safety or health of the school district's students or staff, provided that the school board meets all of its obligations under the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act prior to entering into such a contract (rather than not specifying a time period). Defines "emergency situation". Provides that a board of education that attempts to enter into a contract with a third party for non-instructional services, as specified, more than once during a school year is required to receive the mutual agreement of the affected collective bargaining unit or units. Effective immediately.
HB3589	02/07/2025	Amends the General Provisions Article of the School Code. Provides that students in grades 9 through 12 must satisfactorily pass a medical evaluation each year and, if applicable, receive an electrocardiogram before participating in an interscholastic athletic activity. Creates a waiver exception. Provides that a student in any grade who participates in an interscholastic athletic activity or who is a candidate for an interscholastic athletic activity's team must satisfactorily pass a medical evaluation each year before participating in the interscholastic athletic activity or engaging in any practice, tryout, workout, conditioning, or other physical activity associated with the student's candidacy for the interscholastic athletic activity. Requires that a medical evaluation only be administered by a licensed health care professional or a physician. Provides requirements for the content of a preparticipation physical evaluation form. Requires that the results of a medical evaluation of a student be provided to the student's school. Effective January 1, 2026.
HB3739	02/07/2025	Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Specifies that the Act shall not apply to non-community water supplies, except for purposes of: (1) the Environmental Protection Agency's implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act; (2) the Pollution Control Board's adoption of rules that expressly pertain to non-community water supplies or all public water supplies; or (3) any provisions of the Act or rules adopted by the Board under the Act that are referenced in, or applicable to, non-community water supplies under the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act and rules adopted by the Department of Public Health under that Act. Amends the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act. Authorizes the imposition of administrative and civil penalties. Effective immediately.
HB3040	02/06/2025	Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that, by January 15, 2027 and January 15 of each subsequent school year, the Board of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Illinois Community College Board and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, shall prepare and release a State Data Dashboard Report and Data Dashboard Report for each public institution of higher education and each private college and university in the State. Lists the data required to be collected by the report. Requires the Board to publish the report on a publicly available website. Allows the Board to adopt rules to administer the provisions.
HB3052	02/06/2025	Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Superintendent, in the determination of indicators and the presentation of the school report card, does not need to include the 5 absences for the mental or behavior health of a student in the percentage of students with less than 10 absences in a school year.
HB2763	02/05/2025	Amends the Election Code. Provides that specified applications processed by the Secretary of State shall also serve as applications to apply for permanent vote by mail ballot status. Makes conforming changes.
HB2900	02/05/2025	Creates the Mobile Panic Alert System Act. Provides that the Act may be referred to as Alyssa's Law. Requires, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, each public school to implement a mobile panic alert system capable of connecting diverse emergency services technologies to ensure real-time coordination between multiple first responder agencies. Requires, for the 2026 fiscal year, the State Board of Education to issue a competitive solicitation to contract for a mobile panic alert system that may be used by each school district. Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code to make a conforming change. Effective January 1, 2026.
HB2901	02/05/2025	Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that if the Department of Transportation is conducting a bridge restoration project and the municipality in which the bridge is located wants to engage in a beautification project of the bridge, then the Department shall work with the municipality to aid in the beautification of the bridge. Provides that the municipality shall use its own funds to invest in the beautification of the bridge.
HB2931	02/05/2025	Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall, in consultation with appropriate agencies and organizations, establish a public awareness campaign to assist the public in understanding the harm of abusing fentanyl, with certain requirements.
HB2932	02/05/2025	Amends the Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act. Provides that any student or student media adviser may institute proceedings for injunctive or declaratory relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the rights to free speech or free press. Provides that nothing shall be construed to create any private action on behalf of a student other than to seek injunctive relief allowing the publication of the speech in question. Allows a court to award reasonable attorney's fees to a plaintiff that substantially prevails.
HB2533	02/04/2025	Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that at the next election following the public meeting and notice required in provisions regarding a water or sewer utility that is owned by the State or any political subdivision thereof being acquired by a large public utility, a referendum, subject to the requirements of the Election Code, shall be placed on the ballot for all electors within the area the water or sewer utility operates. Provides that the votes on the referendum shall be recorded as "yes" or "no". Provides that, if a majority of the electors voting on the referendum within the service area of the water or sewer utility vote in favor of the referendum, then the acquisition may continue. Provides that, if less than a majority of the electors voting on the referendum within the service area of the water or sewer utility vote in favor of the referendum, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall not approve the large public utility's acquisition of the water or sewer utility.
HB2534	02/04/2025	Amends the Genetic Information Privacy Act. Provides that an insurer may not seek information derived from genetic testing for use in connection with a policy of life insurance. Provides that an insurer may consider the results of genetic testing in connection with a policy of life insurance if the individual voluntarily submits the results and the results are favorable to the individual. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an insurer must comply with the provisions of the Genetic Information Privacy Act in connection with the amendment, delivery, issuance, or renewal of a life insurance policy; claims for or denial of coverage under a life insurance policy; or the determination of premiums or rates under a life insurance policy.
HB2535	02/04/2025	Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a fire protection charge by a public utility shall be no greater than the average cost spent by the public utility on the maintenance, connection, or use of any fire protection services over the past 10 years.
HB2712	02/04/2025	Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that 20% of the lesser of (rather than the lesser of): (i) the purchase price or (ii) the fair market value shall constitute the rate base associated with the water or sewer utility as acquired by and incorporated into the rate base of the district designated by the acquiring large public utility, subject to any adjustments that the Illinois Commerce Commission deems necessary to ensure such rate base reflects prudent and useful investments in the provision of public utility service. Provides that the difference between the rate base and the purchase price or fair market value shall be borne by the shareholders of the acquiring large public utility. In provisions concerning the acquisition of a water or sewer utility, provides that, at the next election following the public meeting and notice requirements, a referendum shall be placed on the ballot for all electors within the area the water or sewer utility operates. Provides that, if a majority of the electors voting on the referendum within the service area of the water or sewer utility vote in favor of the referendum, then the acquisition may continue. Provides that, if less than a majority of the electors voting on the referendum within the service area of the water or sewer utility vote in favor of the referendum, the Commission shall not approve the large public utility's acquisition of the water or sewer utility.
HB2428	02/03/2025	Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on January 1, 2026 the reimbursement rates for applied behavior analysis services for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder shall be increased by 3.5% above the reimbursement rates in effect on December 31, 2025.
HB2429	02/03/2025	Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, the Nursing Home Care Act, the MC/DD Act, and the ID/DD Community Care Act. Provides that a service delivery contract or other contract between a facility and a resident shall not permit rate increases for a resident's room and board before the expiration of the residency period specified in the contract. Provides that, if there is a rate increase for a resident's room and board provided in a subsequent contract that is greater than the percentage increase in the consumer price index-u during the preceding residency period, the facility must provide justification for the increase.
HB2430	02/03/2025	Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that striped skunks and raccoons may be released alive. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to adopt rules to implement the amendatory Act.
HB2431	02/03/2025	Amends the Election Code. Provides that members of the General Assembly and the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer shall be elected by ranked-choice voting. Provides for ranked-choice ballots to be produced. Provides that voters may rank their choice for candidates for those offices and provides for interpretations of certain ballot marks. Provides that tallying ranked-choice votes proceeds in rounds. Provides that in each round, the number of votes for each continuing candidate must be counted, that each continuing ballot counts as one vote for its highest-ranked continuing candidate for that round, and that exhausted ballots are not counted for any continuing candidate. Provides that if only 2 candidates remain, the candidate with the higher vote total wins, and that if more than 2 candidates remain, the last-place candidate is eliminated and another round of tallying is to commence. Provides that rounds continue until a winner is found. Makes conforming changes.
HB2526	02/03/2025	Amends the Firearms Restraining Order Act. Includes in the definition of "petitioner" under the Act any of the following health care professionals who have treated the person against whom the order is sought in the 6 months immediately preceding the filing of the petition: (1) a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches under the Medical Practice Act of 1987; (2) a psychiatrist as defined in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code; (3) a clinical psychologist licensed under the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act; (4) a licensed clinical social worker licensed under the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act; (5) an advanced practice registered nurse, nationally certified as a mental health or psychiatric nurse practitioner and licensed under the Nurse Practice Act; or (6) a licensed marriage and family therapist licensed under the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act.
HB2347	01/30/2025	Appropriates $4,700,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health to be used to pay costs and administrative expenses associated with the Healthy Illinois Survey. Effective July 1, 2025
HB1890	01/29/2025	Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that responsible alcohol service training must contain at least one hour of training on sexual assault prevention, as prescribed by Illinois Liquor Control Commission rule.
HB1891	01/29/2025	Amends the School Code. Requires, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, school boards to report specified data to the State Board of Education regarding computer science courses in schools maintaining any of grades kindergarten through 8. Requires the State Board to make the data publicly available. In provisions concerning required high school courses, provides that a computer science course (rather than an Advanced Placement computer science course) qualifies under the mathematics requirement. Requires each pupil entering the 9th grade beginning with the 2027-2028 school year to successfully complete one year of high school computer science as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, which may be taken in any of grades 7 through 12 and shall count toward the fulfillment of certain other high school graduation requirements. Requires the State Board to create guidelines for school districts. Provides that the computer science course requirement does not apply to a pupil transferring to a high school in this State from another state after the pupil's 11th grade year. Allows a school to enter into a cooperative resource sharing agreement to ensure that its students can enroll in a computer science course. Makes other and conforming changes.
HB1701	01/24/2025	Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the maximum income limitation for the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption shall be increased in each taxable year by the annual cost of living adjustment, if any, in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits that takes effect in that taxable year. Effective immediately.
HB1613	01/23/2025	Amends the Public Utilities Act. Removes the recovery of costs associated with an investment in a qualifying infrastructure plant from reasons the Commission may authorize a water or sewer utility to file a surcharge. Makes a conforming change.
HB1614	01/23/2025	Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that an applicant who receives the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities and who submits documentation by the examining provider that the applicant is totally and permanently disabled need not be reexamined to receive the exemption in a subsequent taxable year, provided that (i) the applicant attaches the original documentation of total and permanent disability to his or her application in the subsequent taxable year, (ii) the exemption has not been deemed erroneous since the last application, and (iii) the claimant has not reported their ineligibility to receive the exemption.
HB1442	01/17/2025	Amends the Election Code. Provides that election authorities shall establish curbside voting (currently, may establish curbside voting) for individuals to cast a ballot during early voting and on election day (currently, during early voting or on election day).
HB1443	01/17/2025	Creates the Health Care Availability and Access Board Act. Establishes the Health Care Availability and Access Board to protect State residents, State and local governments, commercial health plans, health care providers, pharmacies licensed in the State, and other stakeholders within the health care system from the high costs of prescription drug products. Contains provisions concerning Board membership and terms; staff for the Board; Board meetings; circumstances under which Board members must recuse themselves; and other matters. Provides that the Board shall perform the following actions in open session: (i) deliberations on whether to subject a prescription drug product to a cost review; and (ii) any vote on whether to impose an upper payment limit on purchases, payments, and payor reimbursements of prescription drug products in the State. Permits the Board to adopt rules to implement the Act and to enter into a contract with a qualified, independent third party for any service necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the Board. Creates the Health Care Availability and Access Stakeholder Council to provide stakeholder input to assist the Board in making decisions as required by the Act. Contains provisions concerning Council membership, member terms, and other matters. Provides that the Board shall adopt the federal Medicare Maximum Fair Price as the upper payment limit for a prescription drug product intended for use by individuals in the State. Prohibits the Board from creating an upper payment limit that is different from the Medicare Maximum Fair Price for the prescription drug product that has a Medicare Maximum Fair Price. Requires the Board to implement an upper payment limit that is the same as the Medicare Maximum Fair Price no sooner than the Medicare implementation date. Provides that Medicare Part C and D plans are not required to reimburse at the upper payment limit. Provides that the Attorney General may enforce the Act and may pursue any available remedy under State law when enforcing the Act. Effective 180 days after becoming law.
HB1444	01/17/2025	Amends the Election Code. Provides that the application for a vote by mail ballot for a single election shall include an option to apply for permanent vote by mail status in a form consistent with an application for permanent vote by mail status.
HB1445	01/17/2025	Amends the Election Code. In provisions concerning public university voting, provides that each appropriate election authority must conduct voting, grace period registration, and grace period voting from the 6th day before a general primary or general election through the day before (currently the 4th day before) a general primary or general election from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Provides that the voting required by the provision must be conducted on the day of a general primary or general election from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
HB1448	01/17/2025	Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, shall not impose any prior authorization or utilization management controls on covered behavioral health services. Makes conforming changes to the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Insurance and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish a process for receiving complaints from providers and covered individuals for violations of the mandate. Grants the Department of Insurance and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services the authority to issue cease and desist orders and administrative fines. Amends the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall adopt rules consistent with the Act. Provisions amending the Prior Authorization Reform Act are effective immediately.