Rockford Sun

Dave Vella introduced HB3363 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: "Creates the State Public Defender Act. Creates the Office of State Public Defender as an agency of State government. Provides that the Office of State Public Defender shall be an independent agency within the judicial branch of government and the Office's records shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that the Office of State Public Defender shall be under the supervision and direction of the State Public Defender. Sets forth the powers and duties of the State Public Defender, including the duties of the initial State Public Defender. Provides that the initial State Public Defender shall be appointed by the Supreme Court. Sets forth specified duties and responsibilities of the initial State Public Defender. Creates the State Public Defender Commission. Sets forth membership and duties of the Commission. Amends the Public Defender and Appointed Counsel Division of the Counties Code. Provides that any 2 or more counties of this State that are within the same judicial circuit may by joint resolution of the several county boards involved create a common Office of public defender for the counties so joined or allow representation in one county by the public defender appointed in the collaborating county (rather than 2 or more adjoining counties within the same judicial circuit may create a common Office of public defender). Provides that, when a vacancy occurs in the position of public defender, the State Public Defender shall nominate and the State Public Defender Commission shall appoint a properly qualified public defender using the application and selection process developed under the State Public Defender Act. Removes certain differences based upon county populations. Removes provisions relating to the Public Defender Quality Defense Task Force. Provides that a public defender may be removed only for good cause or dereliction of duty after notice and a hearing before the State Public Defender Commission (rather than by the president of the county board after a notice and hearing of the county board). Modifies how a public defender is compensated and how moneys in the Public Defender Fund may be used. Makes other changes. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes."

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

In essence, this bill establishes the State Public Defender Act, creating an effective public defender system across Illinois. The measure creates the Office of State Public Defender as an independent agency within the judicial branch, tasked with providing legal representation to those unable to afford it, particularly in criminal and juvenile court proceedings. The State Public Defender is appointed for a two-year initial term, transitioning to six-year terms thereafter, and is nominated by the Illinois Public Defender Association. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the State Public Defender, including ensuring legal services are available statewide, training personnel, utilizing law school partnerships, and collaborating with legal entities to improve defense services. The State Public Defender Commission is formed to oversee and approve the Office's activities, including funding distributions from the Public Defender Fund. The bill emphasizes enhancing indigent defense services and ensuring high-quality legal representation regardless of individuals' financial status, in alignment with constitutional rights. Upon appointment, the effective date of the Act is immediate.

Dave Vella has proposed another 34 bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Vella graduated from Augustana College with a BA and again in 1997 from Northern Illinois University with a JD.

Dave Vella is currently serving in the Illinois State House, representing the state's 68th House District. He replaced previous state representative John M. Cabello in 2021.

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
HB3363	02/07/2025	Creates the State Public Defender Act. Creates the Office of State Public Defender as an agency of State government. Provides that the Office of State Public Defender shall be an independent agency within the judicial branch of government and the Office's records shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that the Office of State Public Defender shall be under the supervision and direction of the State Public Defender. Sets forth the powers and duties of the State Public Defender, including the duties of the initial State Public Defender. Provides that the initial State Public Defender shall be appointed by the Supreme Court. Sets forth specified duties and responsibilities of the initial State Public Defender. Creates the State Public Defender Commission. Sets forth membership and duties of the Commission. Amends the Public Defender and Appointed Counsel Division of the Counties Code. Provides that any 2 or more counties of this State that are within the same judicial circuit may by joint resolution of the several county boards involved create a common Office of public defender for the counties so joined or allow representation in one county by the public defender appointed in the collaborating county (rather than 2 or more adjoining counties within the same judicial circuit may create a common Office of public defender). Provides that, when a vacancy occurs in the position of public defender, the State Public Defender shall nominate and the State Public Defender Commission shall appoint a properly qualified public defender using the application and selection process developed under the State Public Defender Act. Removes certain differences based upon county populations. Removes provisions relating to the Public Defender Quality Defense Task Force. Provides that a public defender may be removed only for good cause or dereliction of duty after notice and a hearing before the State Public Defender Commission (rather than by the president of the county board after a notice and hearing of the county board). Modifies how a public defender is compensated and how moneys in the Public Defender Fund may be used. Makes other changes. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes.
HB3365	02/07/2025	Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. In the Abused, Neglected, or Dependent Minors Article of the Act, provides that an environment is injurious to the minor's welfare if conditions in the child's environment create a real, significant and imminent likelihood of harm to the child's health, well-being, or welfare and the parent or caretaker blatantly disregarded his or her parental responsibility to prevent or mitigate such harm consistent with the health, safety, and best interests of the minor to remain in the custody of a parent, guardian, or custodian who experienced domestic violence unless the court determines the parent, guardian, or custodian who experienced domestic violence has committed acts or omissions unrelated to domestic violence against that parent, guardian, or custodian resulting in a determination of abuse or neglect under the Act. Provides that in making a custody determination, the court shall presume that it is consistent with the health, safety, and best interests of the minor to remain in the custody of a parent, guardian, or custodian who experienced domestic violence, unless the court has determined that the parent, guardian, or custodian who experienced domestic violence has committed acts or omissions unrelated to domestic violence against that parent, guardian, or custodian that is sufficient to independently support a determination of abuse or neglect under the Act. Defines "domestic violence".
HB3510	02/07/2025	Amends the Energy Efficient Building Act. Makes changes to adoption dates for the stretch energy codes with site energy index standards.
HB3520	02/07/2025	Appropriates $1,000,000,000 from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Natural Resources for construction and maintenance of State owned, leased, and managed recreation sites and $500,000,000 from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for grants for capital improvements to convention centers. Effective July 1, 2025.
HB3603	02/07/2025	Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions regarding a certificate of public convenience and necessity, makes changes to the limitations on the construction of a nuclear power reactor. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, construction may commence on an advanced nuclear reactor (rather than a new nuclear power reactor with a nameplate capacity of 300 megawatts of electricity or less) within the State under specified conditions. Defines "advanced nuclear reactor". Makes other changes.
HB3604	02/07/2025	Amends the Public Utilities Act. Removes provisions prohibiting the construction of new nuclear power reactors with a nameplate capacity of more than 300 megawatts of electricity to be located within the State until the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security finds that the United States Government has identified and approved a demonstrable technology or means for the disposal of high level nuclear waste.
HB2983	02/06/2025	Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires the Secretary of State to include information advising drivers of the laws and best practices for safely sharing the roadway with bicyclists and pedestrians in the Illinois Rules of the Road Publication. Provides that an applicant for a school bus driver permit or commercial driver's license with a school bus driver endorsement is not required to pass a written test if the applicant holds a valid commercial driver's license or a commercial driver's license that expired in the preceding 30 days issued by another state with a school bus and passenger endorsements. Requires all driver education courses to include information advising drivers of the laws and best practices for safely sharing the roadway with bicyclists and pedestrians. Provides that the examination to test an applicant's ability to read and understand official traffic control devices and knowledge of safe driving practices and traffic laws may be administered at a Secretary of State facility, remotely via the Internet, or in a manner otherwise specified by the Secretary of State by administrative rule. Allows the Secretary to destroy a driving record created 20 or more years ago for a person who was convicted of an offense and who did not have an Illinois driver's license if the record no longer contains any convictions or withdrawal of driving privileges due to the convictions. Provides that the application for an instructor for a driving school must be accompanied by a medical examination report completed by a competent medical examiner (rather than a competent physician). Provides that the restricted commercial driver's license issued for farm-related service industries may be available for periods not to exceed a total of 210 (rather than 180) days in any 12-month period. Removes some of the duration limitations for suspended licenses. Provides that the traffic-control signals also apply to bicyclists. Restricts a person from driving a motor vehicle on a bicycle lane, trail, or path designated by an official sign or marking for the exclusive use of bicycles or pedestrians. Makes other changes. Amends the School Code to make a conforming change. Effective immediately.
HB3173	02/06/2025	Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice for any third-party hotel booking service to facilitate the reservation or booking of a physical accommodation in the State without providing specified disclosures to the consumer. Sets forth requirements for the disclosure, including that it is clear and conspicuous. Defines terms. Effective January 1, 2026.
HB3176	02/06/2025	If and only if Senate Bill 867 of the 103rd General Assembly becomes law, amends the State Parks Act. Provides that the land management agreement with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and other necessary parties for the purpose of managing, maintaining, or operating the real property conveyed to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation shall contain restrictions on gaming operations. Effective immediately or on the date Senate Bill 867 of the 103rd General Assembly becomes law, whichever is later.
HB2564	02/04/2025	Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In provisions requiring an additional employer contribution for certain salary increases greater than 6%, provides that the System shall exclude salary increases given on or after July 1, 2025 resulting from overload work, including summer school, when the school district has certified to the System, and the System has approved the certification, that (i) the overload work is for the sole purpose of classroom instruction in excess of the standard number of classes for a full-time teacher in a school district during a school year and (ii) the salary increases are equal to or less than the rate of pay for classroom instruction computed on the teacher's current salary and work schedule. Effective immediately.
HB2565	02/04/2025	Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that an individual shall be ineligible for benefits for a period totaling and not to exceed 2 weeks (rather than an individual shall be ineligible for benefits for any week) with respect to which it is found that his total or partial unemployment is due to a stoppage of work which exists because of a labor dispute at the factory, establishment, or other premises at which he is or was last employed. Provides that, after the 2-week period, the individual will be eligible for benefits.
HB2657	02/04/2025	Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the costs and benefits of the construction of the South Suburban Airport. Prohibits the State from allocating any additional funds to the construction of the South Suburban Airport until the analysis is completed. Prohibits the Department from using any funds granted to it under the Airport Improvement Program for the construction of the South Suburban Airport until the analysis is completed. Provides that any request for proposal under the Department's current request for quote process submitted to the Department after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall require any private developer to certify to the Department that no additional funds will be used for the construction of the South Suburban Airport until the analysis is completed. Effective immediately.
HB1820	01/28/2025	Amends the Downstate Police and Downstate Firefighter Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision concerning reductions of disability and survivor's benefits for corresponding benefits payable under the Workers' Compensation and Workers' Occupational Diseases Acts, provides that if a person is entitled to a survivor's benefit as a result of the decedent's sickness, accident, or injury incurred in or resulting from the performance of an act of duty or from the cumulative effects of acts of duty, then there shall be no reduction in the benefits payable to that person under the Article. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State.
HB1831	01/28/2025	Amends the Counties Code. Provides that each county shall have power to declare what are nuisances, including, but not limited to, sound amplification, construction noise, and noise from off-road vehicles, and to take all necessary measures to abate nuisances within the county's jurisdiction.
HB1644	01/23/2025	Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person who, in committing a domestic battery, other than by discharge of a firearm, knows the individual battered to be a person 60 years of age or older commits aggravated domestic battery.
HB1569	01/22/2025	Creates the Access to Medically Necessary Vaccinations Act. Provides that any health care provider in this State must provide a vaccination to a patient if: the patient has requested the specific vaccination to be administered; the health care provider has determined that the vaccination is medically necessary; and the health care provider has a stock of one or more doses of the vaccination that have not been reserved for another patient. Prohibits a health care provider from preventing a medically necessary vaccination from being administered to a patient by keeping separate stocks of the vaccination for patients with private insurance and stocks of the vaccination for patients with Medicaid.
HB1578	01/22/2025	Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of domestic assault. Provides that a person commits the offense when, without lawful authority, he or she knowingly engages in conduct that places any family or household member in reasonable apprehension of great bodily harm, or permanent disability or disfigurement. Provides that if the defendant is arrested for domestic assault, upon release of the defendant from custody pending trial, the court, at the preliminary examination, shall order that the defendant refrain from contact or communication with the victim of the domestic assault and refrain from entering or remaining at the victim's residence for a minimum of 72 consecutive hours. Provides that domestic assault is a Class A misdemeanor. Defines "family or household member".
HB1579	01/22/2025	Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall create and administer a bid credit program to provide economic incentives, through bid credits, for small and medium-sized manufacturers. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.
HB1567	01/21/2025	Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that the Illinois Finance Authority and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board may jointly administer a squad car revolving loan program. Creates the Squad Car Revolving Loan Fund. Provides that loans under the program shall be paid out of the Squad Car Revolving Loan Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.
HB1420	01/16/2025	Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county may consider public comment concerning commercial wind energy facilities and commercial solar energy facilities.
HB1290	01/13/2025	Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, each corporation that increases its average employee head count in the State by more than 10% over the corporation's average employee head count in the State in the immediately preceding taxable year is entitled to an income tax credit in an amount equal to 2% of the corporation's Illinois Income Tax liability for the taxable year.
HB1291	01/13/2025	Creates the Electric Vehicle Motor Fuel Tax Replacement Fee Act. Provides that, for State fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2025, each person that is an owner of an electric vehicle registered with the Secretary of State as of July 1 of that fiscal year shall pay an annual fee for each electric vehicle owned by that person. Sets forth the amount of the fee. Requires the Secretary of State and the Department of Transportation to certify certain information to the Department of Revenue for the purpose of calculating the amount of the fee. Effective immediately.
HB1246	01/10/2025	Amends the Downstate Police and Downstate Firefighter Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the annual employer contribution shall include an amount sufficient to bring the total assets of the pension fund up to 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the pension fund by the end of municipal fiscal year 2050 (instead of 2040). Makes a conforming change. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
HB1247	01/10/2025	Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that the definition of "public works" includes sewer inspection projects that utilize a closed-circuit television to identify issues in a sewer system, such as cracks in pipes, root intrusion, blockages, or other structural damage.
HB1248	01/10/2025	Amends the Government Zero-Emission Vehicle Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2030, all passenger vehicles, except for law enforcement vehicles, purchased or leased by a governmental unit must be manufactured in the United States by a company that is headquartered in the United States.
HB1249	01/10/2025	Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning prohibited transactions.
HB1250	01/10/2025	Amends the Transportation Article of the School Code. Provides that each school board may provide free transportation for any pupil residing within a one-half mile (rather than one and one-half miles) from the school attended where conditions are such that walking, either to or from the school to which a pupil is assigned for attendance or to or from a pick-up point or bus stop, constitutes a serious hazard to the safety of the pupil due to either vehicular traffic or rail crossings or a course or pattern of criminal activity.
HB1251	01/10/2025	Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Creates a manufacturer child care center incentive pilot program in this State. Provides that an applicant shall follow staffing, medication, background checks, and liability insurance requirements as contained in administrative rule. Provides that the pilot program is limited to 10 sites and is available to any manufacturer who has a facility in the State. Provides that a manufacturer may apply on an individual basis or in a group of 2 or more manufacturers. Provides that a child care center must only be made available to employees of the manufacturer at no cost to the employee. Provides the application requirements for the pilot program. Provides requirements for maintaining and dispensing medications for the child care center. Provides that a child care center shall require all persons subject to background checks under administrative rule to furnish written information regarding any criminal convictions, to submit to fingerprinting, and to authorize the background checks required. Provides that the Department of Children and Family Services shall create a website and application process for the pilot program that streamlines the application process and is maintained on the Department website. Provides that an application for the pilot program shall receive priority consideration once submitted. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for each taxpayer who participates in the manufacturer child care center incentive pilot program in the amount of $250 for each child enrolled in the taxpayer's child care center.
HB1051	01/09/2025	Amends the Illinois Water Well Construction Code. Provides that the minimum lateral setback distance between a closed-loop well and a storm sewer, sanitary sewer, combined sewer, or any other potential source of contamination is 5 feet. Specifies that setbacks from footing drains and pits, crawl spaces, and basements do not apply to closed-loop wells.
HB1052	01/09/2025	Creates the Food Truck Freedom Act. Provides that a municipality, county, or township may create a license or permitting scheme for a food truck to operate within its jurisdiction. Provides that a food truck license or permit obtained from a municipality, county, or township in Illinois has full force and effect in all other jurisdictions in Illinois so long as that license or permit was issued after: (1) an inspection by a local health department that uses recommendations made by the Food and Drug Administration concerning food trucks and (2) an inspection by a local fire department that uses recommendations made by the National Fire Prevention Association concerning food trucks. Provides that nothing in the provisions prevents a municipality, county, or township from imposing placement or zoning restrictions or fees so long as those restrictions and fees are uniformly applied to all food trucks, regardless of the food truck's license or permit jurisdiction. Defines "food truck". Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Effective January 1, 2026.
HB1053	01/09/2025	Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that the chief procurement officer may not award a contract to a vendor if more than 10% of the services contracted, based on the cost of services, are to be performed outside of the United States.
HB1054	01/09/2025	Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that any contractor or subcontractor and any officer, employee, or agent of the contractor or subcontractor whose duty it is to file a certified payroll who willfully fails to file the certified payroll on or before the date the certified payroll is required to be filed and any person who willfully files a false certified payroll that is false as to any material fact is in violation of the Act and, in addition to being subject to penalties under the Act, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor (currently, is in violation of the Act and guilty of a Class A misdemeanor). Makes a conforming change.
HB1055	01/09/2025	Amends the Criminal Identification Act. In provisions concerning expungement, modifies the definition of "Minor Cannabis Offense" to mean a violation of specified provisions of the Cannabis Control Act concerning not more than 100 grams (rather than 30 grams) of any substance containing cannabis if the violation did not include a penalty enhancement under specified provisions of the Cannabis Control Act and is not associated with an arrest, conviction, or other disposition for a violent crime as defined in the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act.
HB1056	01/09/2025	Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that the definition of "public works" includes all fixed works constructed or demolished on publicly-owned property.
HB1057	01/09/2025	Amends the Toll Highway Act. Allows a veteran who is traveling to or from a medical appointment to use a toll highway without paying the toll if the veteran has applied for and received from the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority an Official Permit Card. Requires the Authority to adopt rules for the issuance of a permit that allows a veteran to use any toll highway without paying the established toll.
HB1058	01/09/2025	Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that all penalties imposed shall be remitted to the Department of Labor and shall be used for the administration and enforcement of the Act.
HB1059	01/09/2025	Amends the Military Veterans Assistance Act. Defines "veteran" to mean any person who (i) served on active duty in the armed forces for at least 90 days and whose last discharge or release was under conditions other than dishonorable; or (ii) served on active duty, to include active duty solely for training purposes, in the armed forces, and was awarded a service-connected disability or who died in such service under conditions other than dishonorable; or (iii) served in the National Guard or as a reservist in any branch of the armed forces, including active duty solely for training purposes, and was awarded a service-connected disability or who died in such service under conditions other than dishonorable; or (iv) is determined to be a veteran according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; provided, that in any case, the service of such person qualified under items (i) through (iv) was entered into or served in Illinois, or such person has resided in the State for one day, except for the purpose of determining the residential eligibility of a deceased veteran's dependents.
HB1060	01/09/2025	Amends the General Assembly Compensation Act. Provides that nothing prohibits a member from transferring a portion of the amount that is authorized to be expended by the member to another member for expenditure in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
HB1061	01/09/2025	Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that redemption payments may be made by credit card.
HB1063	01/09/2025	Amends the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act. Provides that, for the purpose of the Illinois Works Apprenticeship Initiative, apprenticeship programs must provide to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity evidence that the apprenticeship program has graduated, in each of the 3 calendar years immediately preceding the date on which the public works project begins, at least 2 apprentices in each construction craft to be performed at the relevant project. Provides that apprenticeship programs are not required to provide graduation information with respect to apprenticeship crafts that are dedicated exclusively to the transportation of materials and equipment to and from the project. Provides that those provisions do not apply to public works projects contracted by school districts or units of local government. Effective immediately.