Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Removes a provision specifically excluding academic programs for incarcerated students from the definition of "institution of higher learning", "qualified institution", and "institution". In provisions concerning the AIM HIGH Grant Program, removes the grant eligibility requirement that an applicant not be incarcerated.
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that, upon the release of a committed person on parole, mandatory supervised release, final discharge, or pardon, the Department of Corrections shall provide the person with resources to acclimate the person to life outside the correctional institution or facility, including access to social workers, clinical psychologists, and other counselors. Provides that the counselors shall assist the person in obtaining housing, employment, education, healthcare, State identification, and other resources that the counselors deem necessary to assist in the person's adjustment to society and the prevention of recidivism. Provides that the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Corrections, shall provide assistance to the person to achieve the goals of this provision without interference from the person's assigned parole officer.
Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that a formerly convicted person may petition the Department of Human Rights for a grant of protected class status. Provides that the Department may grant protected class status to a formerly convicted person who meets the following conditions: the person has complied with each term and condition of the person's parole, mandatory supervised release, probation, or conditional discharge; the person has obtained a high school diploma or received a high school equivalency certificate; the person is employed or actively seeking employment or is enrolled in or has successfully completed a vocational training or college educational program; the person has not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor within the last 5 years; and the person has completed all sanctions imposed upon the person through due process of law. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules concerning what constitutes an intellectual or developmental disability that prevents the formerly convicted person from meeting some of the conditions and who is qualified to diagnose such a person. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules to carry out the provisions. Provides that protected class status previously granted to a formerly convicted person shall be revoked by the Department after notice and a hearing, if the formerly convicted person is subsequently convicted of a felony or misdemeanor. Provides that the revocation process shall be initiated by a petition that sets forth the date of the subsequent offense, description of the offense, date of conviction for the subsequent offense, and sentence imposed on the conviction. Provides that a copy of the petition and notice of the hearing date shall be served on the formerly convicted person.
Amends the Lodging Services Human Trafficking Recognition Training Act. Provides that a unit of local government regulating an employer or a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over an employer may, in the course of its regulatory or enforcement duties, monitor and enforce compliance with the Act. Provides that, upon the discovery of a violation of the Act, the unit of local government or law enforcement agency shall provide the employer with a reasonable notice of noncompliance that informs the employer that if the employer does not cure the violation within 30 days after notice the employer is subject to a civil penalty. Provides that, if the unit of local government regulating an employer or a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over an employer verifies that the violation was not corrected within the cure period, the Attorney General or State's Attorney may bring a civil action against that employer. Provides that an employer that violates the Act is guilty of a business offense and may be fined not more than $1,500 for each offense. Makes conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2026.
Amends the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit Act. Amends the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit Act. Creates a second set of incentive periods beginning on July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2031. Provides that the basic wage for the second set of incentive periods is $20 per hour. Provides that the credit may not exceed $2,500 per new employee hired, except that, if the new employee is a returning citizen, then the credit for that employee may not exceed $3,500. Provides that the term "returning citizen" means an individual who (i) is a resident of Illinois, (ii) was formerly incarcerated in a federal, State, or local correctional institution, and (iii) is a new employee. Provides that the aggregate amount of credits that may be awarded under the Act is (i) $20,000,000 for new employees other than returning citizens and (ii) $5,000,000 for returning citizens. Adds provisions concerning recapture of the credit if the employee is terminated by the taxpayer within one year after the credit is awarded. Effective immediately.
