Rep. Carol Ammons

Amends the Evidence Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that evidence of a person's immigration status is not admissible in any civil proceeding unless: it is essential to prove an element of a claim or an affirmative defense; or a person or his or her attorney voluntarily reveals his or her immigration status to the court. Provides that a party intending to offer evidence regarding a person's immigration status shall file a written motion at least 14 days before trial. Provides that the court shall conduct an in camera hearing to review the probative value of the person's immigration status. Provides that if the court finds that the probative value of the person's immigration status outweighs its prejudicial nature, the court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding the permitted use of the evidence. Provides that the motion, related papers, and the record of the hearing shall be sealed and remain under seal unless the court orders otherwise. Provides that a party who communicates to a person or witness any threat to or actually disclose a person's or witness's immigration status to any entity or immigration or law enforcement agency with the intent to deter the person from testifying commits a Class C misdemeanor. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill and makes the following changes: Provides that evidence is also admissible if it is offered to prove an interest or bias of a witness, if it does not cause confusion of the issues or mislead the trier of fact, and the probative value of the evidence outweighs its prejudicial nature. Provides that a party intending to offer evidence related to a person's immigration status shall file a written motion that also explains why it is essential to a claim or affirmative defense or is probative of an interest or bias of a witness, it does not cause confusion of the issues or mislead the trier of fact, and the probative value of the evidence outweighs its prejudicial nature. Makes a corresponding change regarding findings of fact and conclusions of law the court must make regarding the permitted use of the evidence. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes language providing that a written motion shall explain why it is essential to a claim or affirmative defense or is probative of an interest or bias of a witness.

Creates the Re-Entering Citizens Civics Education Act. Provides that the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice shall provide a nonpartisan peer-led civics program throughout the correctional institutions of the State to teach civics to soon-to-be released citizens who will be re-entering society. Provides for the curriculum and eligibility for the program. Provides that the program shall be taught by peer educators who are citizens incarcerated in the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice facilities and specially trained by experienced peer educators and established nonpartisan civic organizations. Provides that the nonpartisan civic organizations shall provide adequate training to peer educators on matters including, but not limited to, voting rights, governmental institutions, current affairs, and simulations of voter registration, election, and democratic processes, and shall provide periodic updates to program content and to peer educators. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall adopt rules to carry out the Act within 6 months after the effective date of the Act. Provides that the funding for the voting rights and registration peer education program shall be subject to appropriation by the General Assembly. Contains provisions regarding funding for the program. Effective January 1, 2020. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that the civic education program must be offered by the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice to prisoners scheduled to be discharged within 12 months (rather than 6 months). Provides that established nonpartisan civic organizations may be assisted by area political science or civics educators at colleges, universities, and high schools and by nonpartisan organizations providing re-entry services. Provides that the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice should aim to include the peer reeducation workshop in conjunction with other pre-release procedures and movements. Adds references to "or superintendents" wherever "wardens" appear in the engrossed bill.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that each election authority shall collaborate with the county jail within the jurisdiction of the election authority to facilitate voting by mail for voters eligible to vote in the county who are confined or detained in the county jail. Provides that in a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more, the election authority in the county shall establish a temporary branch polling place in the county jail. Provides that a refusal by an eligible voter to participate in the voting process must be documented by the voter or witnessed by a pollwatcher. Provides that individuals who facilitate a vote by mail process must receive training on the process, responsibilities, and requirements of implementing a vote by mail program. Contains additional provisions concerning the temporary branch polling place in the county jail. Prohibits certain individuals from from being election judges in a temporary branch polling place in a county jail. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that each election authority shall collaborate with the county jail within the jurisdiction of the election authority to facilitate voter registration for voters eligible to vote in that county who are confined or detained in the county jail. Provides that a county jail shall provide a voter registration application to any person in custody at the jail who requests an application and is eligible to vote. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that upon release of a person who is eligible to vote, the Department of Corrections shall provide the person with a specified form that informs him or her that his or her voting rights have been restored. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections and Counties Code. Provides that upon discharge from a county jail or release from the Department of Corrections, a person shall be provided with a voter registration form. Provides that the Department, each county jail, and each county probation office shall provide an individual in its custody with specified information on voting rights. Makes other changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the introduced bill with the following changes: In provisions amending the Election Code, removes language that requires a refusal by an eligible voter to participate in the voting process to be documented by the voter or witnessed by a pollwatcher. Removes language that prohibits active law enforcement officers, employees of the Department of Corrections, or employees of the head sheriff of the facility where voting occurs from being election judges in a temporary branch polling place in a county jail.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that "employer" includes any person employing one (instead of 15) or more employees within Illinois during 20 or more calendar weeks within the calendar year of or preceding the alleged violation. Provides that "employer" does not include any place of worship with respect to the employment of individuals of a particular religion to perform work connected with the carrying on by the place of worship of its activities. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds an effective date of July 1, 2020.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Requires the Illinois Community College Board to establish and administer a manufacturing training grant program. Provides that to qualify for a grant, a community college district and a public high school located in that district must jointly establish a collaborative regional partnership with workforce development organizations, regional economic development organizations, and economic development officials in the district, along with manufacturers, healthcare service providers, and innovative technology businesses that have a presence in the district, to provide a manufacturing training program. Requires a grant recipient to provide the Board with a plan that meets certain requirements. Requires the Board to establish an advisory board for the program; sets forth the membership and duties of the advisory board. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that the Illinois Community College Board shall establish and administer a 21st Century Employment grant program (rather than a manufacturing training grant program). Provides that in awarding grants under the program, the Board must give priority to plans that demonstrate a formal articulation agreement between a public high school and a community college district. Provides that the plan must support a seamless transition into higher education and career opportunities and must outline the college credit and on-the-job training hours that will transfer from the high school to a community college. Adds to the membership of the advisory board. Makes other changes. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Makes the 21st Century Employment grant program subject to appropriation.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. With regard to in-state tuition charges, provides that, beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year, per the federal requirements for maintaining approval for veterans' education benefits, if a person who is on active military duty or is receiving veterans' education benefits, then the board of trustees of each university or community college shall deem that person an Illinois resident for tuition purposes for any academic quarter, semester, or term, as applicable. Effective immediately.

Creates the Asian American Family Commission Act. Creates the Asian American Family Commission. Provides for the appointment of members to the Commission and terms of membership. Provides that members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for Commission-related expenses. Provides for the appointment of liaisons from specified State agencies to serve as ex officio members of the Commission. Provides that the Office of the Governor, in cooperation with the State agencies appointing liaisons to the Commission, shall provide administrative support to the Commission. Provides for funding to the Commission. Requires the Commission to annually report to the Governor and the General Assembly.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency shall provide notice when a permit for a new facility is required.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that, except in personal injury actions, every count in every complaint and counterclaim must request specific remedies the party believes it should receive from the court. Provides that in a personal injury action, a party may not claim an amount of money unless necessary to comply with the circuit court rules about where a case is assigned. Provides that any complaint filed that contains an amount claimed shall be dismissed without prejudice. Provides that a party may request remedies from the court in the alternative. Provides that, except in the case of default, the remedies requested from the court do not limit the remedies available. Provides that in case of default, if a remedy is sought in the pleading that is beyond what the defaulted party requested, notice shall be given to the default party. Provides that the defendant is not prohibited from requesting from the plaintiff the amount of damages sought. Repeals a provision regarding prayer for relief.

Amends the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act. Provides that the State Police shall by rule establish a sexual assault evidence tracking system that conforms to the recommendations made by the Sexual Assault Evidence Tracking and Reporting Commission in its report dated June 26, 2018. Provides that the Department of State Police shall design the criteria for the sexual assault evidence tracking system so that, to the extent reasonably possible, the system can use existing technologies and products. Provides that the sexual assault evidence tracking system shall be operational no later than one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that a treatment hospital, a treatment hospital with approved pediatric transfer, an out-of-state hospital approved by the Department of Public Health to receive transfers of Illinois sexual assault survivors, or an approved pediatric health care facility must comply with rules relating to the collection and tracking of sexual assault evidence adopted by the Department of State Police. Provides for the operations of the sexual assault tracking system to be funded by appropriations from the State Crime Laboratory Fund, together with asset forfeiture and other funds appropriated by the General Assembly. Authorizes emergency rulemaking. Exempts information in the sexual assault evidence tracking system from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, the Freedom of Information Act, the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act, and the Unified Code of Corrections to make conforming changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill. Adds requirements and recommendations of the report created by the Sexual Assault Evidence Tracking and Reporting Commission issued on June 26, 2018 for implementation of the sexual assault evidence tracking system. Effective immediately.