(a) “Emergency” means the existence of any situation that any agency finds reasonably constitutes a threat to the public interest, safety, or welfare.
     (b) If any agency finds that an emergency exists that requires adoption of a rule upon fewer days than is required by Section 5-40 and states in writing its reasons for that finding, the agency may adopt an emergency rule without prior notice or hearing upon filing a notice of emergency rulemaking with the Secretary of State under Section 5-70. The notice shall include the text of the emergency rule and shall be published in the Illinois Register. Consent orders or other court orders adopting settlements negotiated by an agency may be adopted under this Section. Subject to applicable constitutional or statutory provisions, an emergency rule becomes effective immediately upon filing under Section 5-65 or at a stated date less than 10 days thereafter. The agency’s finding and a statement of the specific reasons for the finding shall be filed with the rule. The agency shall take reasonable and appropriate measures to make emergency rules known to the persons who may be affected by them. The agency shall accept data, views, arguments, or comments regarding the emergency rulemaking from any interested persons. The agency shall accept submissions in writing, including submissions by email or by other publicly accessible electronic means through its website. In the discretion of the agency, submissions may be submitted orally. The notice published in the Illinois Register shall indicate the manner selected by the agency for the submissions, including the email address or website address where submissions will be accepted. The agency shall consider all submissions received.
     (c) An emergency rule may be effective for a period of not longer than 150 days, but the agency’s authority to adopt an identical rule under Section 5-40 is not precluded. No emergency rule may be adopted more than once in any 24-month period, except that this limitation on the number of emergency rules that may be adopted in a 24-month period does not apply to (i) emergency rules that make additions to and deletions from the Drug Manual under § 5-5.16 of the Illinois Public Aid Code or the generic drug formulary under Section 3.14 of the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, (ii) emergency rules adopted by the Pollution Control Board before July 1, 1997 to implement portions of the Livestock Management Facilities Act, (iii) emergency rules adopted by the Illinois Department of Public Health under subsections (a) through (i) of Section 2 of the Department of Public Health Act when necessary to protect the public’s health, (iv) emergency rules adopted pursuant to subsection (n) of this Section, (v) emergency rules adopted pursuant to subsection (o) of this Section, or (vi) emergency rules adopted pursuant to subsection (c-5) of this Section. Two or more emergency rules having substantially the same purpose and effect shall be deemed to be a single rule for purposes of this Section.
     (c-5) To facilitate the maintenance of the program of group health benefits provided to annuitants, survivors, and retired employees under the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, rules to alter the contributions to be paid by the State, annuitants, survivors, retired employees, or any combination of those entities, for that program of group health benefits, shall be adopted as emergency rules. The adoption of those rules shall be considered an emergency and necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (d) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the State’s fiscal year 1999 budget, emergency rules to implement any provision of Public Act 90-587 or 90-588 or any other budget initiative for fiscal year 1999 may be adopted in accordance with this Section by the agency charged with administering that provision or initiative, except that the 24-month limitation on the adoption of emergency rules and the provisions of Sections 5-115 and 5-125 do not apply to rules adopted under this subsection (d). The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (d) shall be deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (e) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the State’s fiscal year 2000 budget, emergency rules to implement any provision of Public Act 91-24 or any other budget initiative for fiscal year 2000 may be adopted in accordance with this Section by the agency charged with administering that provision or initiative, except that the 24-month limitation on the adoption of emergency rules and the provisions of Sections 5-115 and 5-125 do not apply to rules adopted under this subsection (e). The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (e) shall be deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (f) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the State’s fiscal year 2001 budget, emergency rules to implement any provision of Public Act 91-712 or any other budget initiative for fiscal year 2001 may be adopted in accordance with this Section by the agency charged with administering that provision or initiative, except that the 24-month limitation on the adoption of emergency rules and the provisions of Sections 5-115 and 5-125 do not apply to rules adopted under this subsection (f). The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (f) shall be deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (g) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the State’s fiscal year 2002 budget, emergency rules to implement any provision of Public Act 92-10 or any other budget initiative for fiscal year 2002 may be adopted in accordance with this Section by the agency charged with administering that provision or initiative, except that the 24-month limitation on the adoption of emergency rules and the provisions of Sections 5-115 and 5-125 do not apply to rules adopted under this subsection (g). The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (g) shall be deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (h) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the State’s fiscal year 2003 budget, emergency rules to implement any provision of Public Act 92-597 or any other budget initiative for fiscal year 2003 may be adopted in accordance with this Section by the agency charged with administering that provision or initiative, except that the 24-month limitation on the adoption of emergency rules and the provisions of Sections 5-115 and 5-125 do not apply to rules adopted under this subsection (h). The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (h) shall be deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (i) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the State’s fiscal year 2004 budget, emergency rules to implement any provision of Public Act 93-20 or any other budget initiative for fiscal year 2004 may be adopted in accordance with this Section by the agency charged with administering that provision or initiative, except that the 24-month limitation on the adoption of emergency rules and the provisions of Sections 5-115 and 5-125 do not apply to rules adopted under this subsection (i). The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (i) shall be deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (j) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of the State’s fiscal year 2005 budget as provided under the Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Implementation (Human Services) Act, emergency rules to implement any provision of the Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Implementation (Human Services) Act may be adopted in accordance with this Section by the agency charged with administering that provision, except that the 24-month limitation on the adoption of emergency rules and the provisions of Sections 5-115 and 5-125 do not apply to rules adopted under this subsection (j). The Department of Public Aid may also adopt rules under this subsection (j) necessary to administer the Illinois Public Aid Code and the Children’s Health Insurance Program Act. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (j) shall be deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (k) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of the State’s fiscal year 2006 budget, emergency rules to implement any provision of Public Act 94-48 or any other budget initiative for fiscal year 2006 may be adopted in accordance with this Section by the agency charged with administering that provision or initiative, except that the 24-month limitation on the adoption of emergency rules and the provisions of Sections 5-115 and 5-125 do not apply to rules adopted under this subsection (k). The Department of Healthcare and Family Services may also adopt rules under this subsection (k) necessary to administer the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Prescription Drug Discount Program Act (now the Illinois Prescription Drug Discount Program Act), and the Children’s Health Insurance Program Act. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (k) shall be deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (l) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of the State’s fiscal year 2007 budget, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may adopt emergency rules during fiscal year 2007, including rules effective July 1, 2007, in accordance with this subsection to the extent necessary to administer the Department’s responsibilities with respect to amendments to the State plans and Illinois waivers approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services necessitated by the requirements of Title XIX and Title XXI of the federal Social Security Act. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (l) shall be deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (m) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of the State’s fiscal year 2008 budget, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may adopt emergency rules during fiscal year 2008, including rules effective July 1, 2008, in accordance with this subsection to the extent necessary to administer the Department’s responsibilities with respect to amendments to the State plans and Illinois waivers approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services necessitated by the requirements of Title XIX and Title XXI of the federal Social Security Act. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (m) shall be deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (n) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of the State’s fiscal year 2010 budget, emergency rules to implement any provision of Public Act 96-45 or any other budget initiative authorized by the 96th General Assembly for fiscal year 2010 may be adopted in accordance with this Section by the agency charged with administering that provision or initiative. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (n) shall be deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare. The rulemaking authority granted in this subsection (n) shall apply only to rules promulgated during Fiscal Year 2010.
     (o) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of the State’s fiscal year 2011 budget, emergency rules to implement any provision of Public Act 96-958 or any other budget initiative authorized by the 96th General Assembly for fiscal year 2011 may be adopted in accordance with this Section by the agency charged with administering that provision or initiative. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (o) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare. The rulemaking authority granted in this subsection (o) applies only to rules promulgated on or after July 1, 2010 (the effective date of Public Act 96-958) through June 30, 2011.
     (p) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Public Act 97-689, emergency rules to implement any provision of Public Act 97-689 may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (p) by the agency charged with administering that provision or initiative. The 150-day limitation of the effective period of emergency rules does not apply to rules adopted under this subsection (p), and the effective period may continue through June 30, 2013. The 24-month limitation on the adoption of emergency rules does not apply to rules adopted under this subsection (p). The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (p) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (q) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Articles 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12 of Public Act 98-104, emergency rules to implement any provision of Articles 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12 of Public Act 98-104 may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (q) by the agency charged with administering that provision or initiative. The 24-month limitation on the adoption of emergency rules does not apply to rules adopted under this subsection (q). The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (q) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (r) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Public Act 98-651, emergency rules to implement Public Act 98-651 may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (r) by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The 24-month limitation on the adoption of emergency rules does not apply to rules adopted under this subsection (r). The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (r) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (s) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Sections 5-5b.1 and 5A-2 of the Illinois Public Aid Code, emergency rules to implement any provision of Section 5-5b.1 or § 5A-2 of the Illinois Public Aid Code may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (s) by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The rulemaking authority granted in this subsection (s) shall apply only to those rules adopted prior to July 1, 2015. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, any emergency rule adopted under this subsection (s) shall only apply to payments made for State fiscal year 2015. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (s) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (t) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Article II of Public Act 99-6, emergency rules to implement the changes made by Article II of Public Act 99-6 to the Emergency Telephone System Act may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (t) by the Department of State Police. The rulemaking authority granted in this subsection (t) shall apply only to those rules adopted prior to July 1, 2016. The 24-month limitation on the adoption of emergency rules does not apply to rules adopted under this subsection (t). The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (t) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (u) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of the Burn Victims Relief Act, emergency rules to implement any provision of the Act may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (u) by the Department of Insurance. The rulemaking authority granted in this subsection (u) shall apply only to those rules adopted prior to December 31, 2015. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (u) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (v) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Public Act 99-516, emergency rules to implement Public Act 99-516 may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (v) by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The 24-month limitation on the adoption of emergency rules does not apply to rules adopted under this subsection (v). The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (v) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (w) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Public Act 99-796, emergency rules to implement the changes made by Public Act 99-796 may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (w) by the Adjutant General. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (w) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (x) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Public Act 99-906, emergency rules to implement subsection (i) of Section 16-115D, subsection (g) of Section 16-128A, and subsection (a) of § 16-128B of the Public Utilities Act may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (x) by the Illinois Commerce Commission. The rulemaking authority granted in this subsection (x) shall apply only to those rules adopted within 180 days after June 1, 2017 (the effective date of Public Act 99-906). The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (x) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (y) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Public Act 100-23, emergency rules to implement the changes made by Public Act 100-23 to Section 4.02 of the Illinois Act on the Aging, Sections 5.5.4 and 5-5.4i of the Illinois Public Aid Code, Section 55-30 of the Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act, and Sections 74 and 75 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (y) by the respective Department. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (y) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (z) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Public Act 100-554, emergency rules to implement the changes made by Public Act 100-554 to § 4.7 of the Lobbyist Registration Act may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (z) by the Secretary of State. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (z) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (aa) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely initial implementation of the changes made to Articles 5, 5A, 12, and 14 of the Illinois Public Aid Code under the provisions of Public Act 100-581, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may adopt emergency rules in accordance with this subsection (aa). The 24-month limitation on the adoption of emergency rules does not apply to rules to initially implement the changes made to Articles 5, 5A, 12, and 14 of the Illinois Public Aid Code adopted under this subsection (aa). The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (aa) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (bb) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Public Act 100-587, emergency rules to implement the changes made by Public Act 100-587 to Section 4.02 of the Illinois Act on the Aging, Sections 5.5.4 and 5-5.4i of the Illinois Public Aid Code, subsection (b) of Section 55-30 of the Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act, § 5-104 of the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, and Section 75 and subsection (b) of Section 74 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (bb) by the respective Department. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (bb) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (cc) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Public Act 100-587, emergency rules may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (cc) to implement the changes made by Public Act 100-587 to: Sections 14-147.5 and 14-147.6 of the Illinois Pension Code by the Board created under Article 14 of the Code; Sections 15-185.5 and 15-185.6 of the Illinois Pension Code by the Board created under Article 15 of the Code; and Sections 16-190.5 and 16-190.6 of the Illinois Pension Code by the Board created under Article 16 of the Code. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (cc) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (dd) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Public Act 100-864, emergency rules to implement the changes made by Public Act 100-864 to Section 3.35 of the Newborn Metabolic Screening Act may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (dd) by the Secretary of State. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (dd) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (ee) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Public Act 100-1172, emergency rules implementing the Illinois Underground Natural Gas Storage Safety Act may be adopted in accordance with this subsection by the Department of Natural Resources. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (ff) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely initial implementation of the changes made to Articles 5A and 14 of the Illinois Public Aid Code under the provisions of Public Act 100-1181, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may on a one-time-only basis adopt emergency rules in accordance with this subsection (ff). The 24-month limitation on the adoption of emergency rules does not apply to rules to initially implement the changes made to Articles 5A and 14 of the Illinois Public Aid Code adopted under this subsection (ff). The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (ff) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (gg) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Public Act 101-1, emergency rules may be adopted by the Department of Labor in accordance with this subsection (gg) to implement the changes made by Public Act 101-1 to the Minimum Wage Law. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (gg) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (hh) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Public Act 101-10, emergency rules may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (hh) to implement the changes made by Public Act 101-10 to subsection (j) of § 5-5.2 of the Illinois Public Aid Code. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (hh) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (ii) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Public Act 101-10, emergency rules to implement the changes made by Public Act 101-10 to Sections 5-5.4 and 5-5.4i of the Illinois Public Aid Code may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (ii) by the Department of Public Health. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (ii) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (jj) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of Public Act 101-10, emergency rules to implement the changes made by Public Act 101-10 to Section 74 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (jj) by the Department of Human Services. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (jj) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (kk) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, Public Act 101-27, and Public Act 102-98, the Department of Revenue, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of State Police, and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may adopt emergency rules in accordance with this subsection (kk). The rulemaking authority granted in this subsection (kk) shall apply only to rules adopted before December 31, 2021. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c), emergency rules adopted under this subsection (kk) shall be effective for 180 days. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (kk) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (ll) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of the Leveling the Playing Field for Illinois Retail Act, emergency rules may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (ll) to implement the changes made by the Leveling the Playing Field for Illinois Retail Act. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (ll) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (mm) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of § 25-70 of the Sports Wagering Act, emergency rules to implement § 25-70 of the Sports Wagering Act may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (mm) by the Department of the Lottery as provided in the Sports Wagering Act. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (mm) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (nn) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the Sports Wagering Act, emergency rules to implement the Sports Wagering Act may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (nn) by the Illinois Gaming Board. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (nn) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (oo) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of subsection (c) of § 20 of the Video Gaming Act, emergency rules to implement the provisions of subsection (c) of § 20 of the Video Gaming Act may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (oo) by the Illinois Gaming Board. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (oo) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (pp) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of § 50 of the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act, emergency rules to implement § 50 of the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (pp) by the Department of State Police. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (pp) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (qq) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act, emergency rules may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (qq) to implement the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (qq) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
     (rr) In order to provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the provisions of subsection (c) of Section 2-3.130 of the School Code, emergency rules to implement subsection (c) of Section 2-3.130 of the School Code may be adopted in accordance with this subsection (rr) by the State Board of Education. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by this subsection (rr) is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.