Rep. Aarón Ortíz

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that, on or before July 1, 2021, the Board shall create a public institutions of higher education informational application for phones and tablets, and, in the Board's discretion, other electronic devices. Provides that the informational application shall include, but is not limited to, admission procedures, website links, and other information as determined by each public institution of higher education. Provides that each public institution of higher education shall be given access and control of its own content in the informational application and shall be responsible for updating its own information. Effective immediately.

Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Requires hospitals that receive a property tax exemption under a provision of the Property Tax Code concerning exemptions related to access to hospital and health care services by low-income and underserved individuals to prove that, upon inspection by the Department of Public Health, for that fiscal year the amount spent on executive salary increases was equivalent to the amount spent on patients who are recipients under the State medical assistance program or are charity care patients.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Provides that, as a prerequisite to receiving an undergraduate degree, the governing board of each public university shall require that a student meet with a career adviser of the university at least once during his or her undergraduate education. Effective January 1, 2021.

Amends the Counties Code. Changes definitions of "population" to be the total number of inhabitants according to the last preceding federal decennial census (rather than number of inhabitants or number of persons). Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Adds a definition of "population" in the general definition Section.

Creates the State Agency and Grantee Bonus Prohibition Act. Provides that no State agency or hospital shall pay from State funds, in whole or in part, and no employee of a State agency or hospital may receive a bonus as all or part of his or her compensation, including such bonuses as may be received for work on capital projects. Provides that no grantee shall pay and no employee or contract worker of a grantee may receive a bonus paid from grant funds awarded for operational expenses as all or part of his or her compensation, including such bonuses as may be received for work on capital projects. Effective immediately.

Creates the Transportation Benefit Program Act. Provides that an employer that is situated in Cook County and for which an average of 20 or more full-time employees work for compensation shall offer a program that allows a covered employee to elect to exclude from taxable wages and compensation the employee's commuting costs incurred for the purchase of a transit pass to use public transit up to a maximum level allowed by federal tax law. Provides that a covered employer may comply by participating in a program offered by the Chicago Transit Authority or the Regional Transit Authority. Provides that all transit agencies shall market the existence of the program to their riders. Establishes penalties for violations of the Act. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Transportation Benefits Program Fund. Effective January 1, 2020.

Amends the Real Estate Transactions Article of the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that it is a civil rights violation to refuse to sell, rent, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, or to alter the terms, conditions, or privileges of the sale or rental, of a housing accommodation or dwelling to any buyer or renter due to the fact of an arrest, juvenile record, or criminal history record information ordered expunged, sealed, or impounded under the Criminal Identification Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Energy Assistance Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning eligibility for and participation in the energy assistance program.

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that a pet shop operator may offer for sale only those dogs or cats obtained from an animal control center, animal care facility, kennel, pound, or training facility operated by any subdivision of local, State, or federal government, or a humane society or rescue organization. Provides that no pet shop operator may offer for sale any dog or cat obtained from a breeder unless the breeder holds a valid USDA Class "A" license as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations implementing the federal Animal Welfare Act, listing all site addresses where regulated animals are located; the breeder owns or possesses no more than 5 female dogs or cats capable of reproduction in any 12-month period; and no more than 5 female dogs or cats capable of reproduction are housed at the site address where the retail animal was born or housed, including animals owned by persons other than the breeder. Effective January 1, 2020.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides for a homestead exemption in the amount of $5,000 for property that is owned and occupied as the principal residence of an active duty member of the military. Effective immediately.