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SB 1347

SB 1347 - Under this act, the Director of the Department of Social Services shall request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to exclude candy, prepared desserts, and certain beverages from the definition of eligible Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) foods. If the waiver is granted, then the Director shall prohibit the purchase of such foods with SNAP benefits. If the waiver is not granted, then the Director shall annually apply for the waiver until it is granted. This act is substantially similar to SB 662 (2025). SARAH HASKINS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jill Carter

Allows voters to petition to dissolve a local government unit and transfer its assets, debts, and staff to a receiving unit, with dual-unit approval and strong vote thresholds.

Second Read and Referred S Families, Seniors and Health Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1347

SB 1347 — Citizens Empowerment Act (Illinois) — Summary

Note: The submitted document included text from unrelated bills (Arizona AHCCCS dental provisions; Hawaii appropriations). This summary covers the Illinois "Citizens Empowerment Act" (SB 1347) introduced 1/28/2025 by Senator Chris Balkema.

Main purpose

SB 1347 creates a statutory process by which registered voters (electors) may petition to place a referendum on the next general election ballot to dissolve a unit of local government and transfer its assets, personnel, obligations and liabilities to a designated receiving unit of local government.

Key provisions

  • Petition filing and content

    • Petitions must be filed with both the governing boards of the dissolving unit and the receiving unit not less than 122 days before a general election.
    • Required petition elements: names of the dissolving and receiving units, proposed date of dissolution, signatures of electors equal to at least 5% of the total votes cast in the preceding general election, and an affidavit of publication showing public notice was published in a local newspaper at least 122 and not more than 152 days before the election.
    • Signatures must have been signed within 365 days before filing; a local unit may, by ordinance/resolution, shorten that window to as little as 180 days.
    • The proposed dissolution date must be at least 90 days after the election.

  • Notice and ballot placement

    • Petitioners must publish a prescribed notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected territories; failure to publish voids the petition and any referendum results.
    • If the petition meets requirements, the dissolution referendum is placed on the next general election ballot with specified ballot language.

  • Approval thresholds

    • The referendum must be approved by electors of both the dissolving unit and the receiving unit.
    • Approval in each unit requires either: (a) three-fifths (60%) of those voting on the question, or (b) a majority of those voting in the election in that unit (i.e., a majority of all ballots cast in the election, not just those answering the question).

  • Effect of approval

    • If approved, on or before the dissolution date all real and personal property, other assets, personnel, contracts, obligations and liabilities transfer to the receiving unit.
    • The dissolving unit is dissolved on the specified date; afterward the receiving unit may exercise all rights and duties of the dissolved unit (including any taxing authority).

  • Conforming changes & effective date

    • Amends the Election Code (modifies Section 28‑7 and related rules) to accommodate the new process. The bill provides that it is effective immediately.

Who is affected

  • Residents and registered voters of any unit of local government that could be targeted for dissolution and the residents of the receiving unit.
  • Local governments (dissolving and receiving) — administrative, financial, personnel and contractual responsibilities will shift on dissolution.
  • Election authorities responsible for administering petitions, notices and the referendum.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Fiscal and operational: dissolution will transfer both assets and liabilities (including debts and contractual obligations), creating potential fiscal impacts for receiving units.
  • Governance and services: consolidations may change local service delivery, taxation authority and local representation.
  • Thresholds and public notice requirements are designed to ensure both localities support a dissolution, but the dual-unit approval and strict timelines may make successful petitions administratively and politically challenging.

Procedural status (from submitted material)

  • Introduced in Illinois Senate on January 28, 2025 by Sen. Chris Balkema; initial readings and referral to assignments occurred thereafter. (Refer to official legislative tracking for current status and committee actions.)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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