Rep. Carol Ammons

Amends the School Code. Provides that every public elementary school shall include in its 6th, 7th, or 8th grade curriculum, beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, at least one semester of civics education; specifies course content requirements and requires the education to be in accordance with Illinois Learning Standards for social science. Allows school districts to consult with civics education stakeholders, as deemed appropriate by the State Board of Education. Allows school districts to utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics education. Effective July 1, 2019. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year (rather than the 2019-2020 school year), every public elementary school shall include in its 6th, 7th, or 8th grade curriculum at least one semester of civics education. Changes the effective date of the Act to July 1, 2020 (rather than July 1, 2019).

Creates the Limited Cooperative Association Act. Authorizes the organization of a limited cooperative association, as an entity distinct from its members, for any lawful purpose, whether or not for profit. Provides that a limited cooperative association may be a collective worker cooperative in which there is only one class of members consisting of worker-members who manage all of the affairs of the limited cooperative association or a worker cooperative or employment cooperative that includes a class of worker-members who are natural persons whose patronage consists of labor contributed to or other work performed for the limited cooperative association. Contains provisions regarding: findings; formation; articles of organization; organization; bylaws; members; community investors; voting; a board of directors; an assembly; dissolution; conversion; and applicability of securities laws. Amends the Co-operative Act and the Illinois Securities Law of 1953 to make conforming changes. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Changes the short title of the new Act to the Limited Worker Cooperative Association Act. Authorizes the establishment of limited worker cooperative associations rather than limited cooperative associations. Eliminates patron members as a form of membership. Provides for multi-stakeholder cooperatives. Changes the effective date to January 1, 2020.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that no rail carrier shall operate a train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight unless it has an operating crew consisting of at least 2 individuals. Provides that the minimum freight train crew size shall remain in effect until a federal law or rule encompassing the subject matter has been adopted. Grants the Illinois Commerce Commission the power to conduct evidentiary hearings, make findings, and issue and enforce orders, including sanctions, with respect to freight train crew member size. Provides that "train or light engine" does not include trains operated by a hostler service or utility employees. Fiscal Note (Illinois Commerce Commission) The Commision does not anticipate needing additional resources to fulfill the requirements of this bill.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to establish and administer an adult vocational community college scholarship program. Provides that beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year, the Commission shall, each year, receive and consider applications for scholarships to community colleges for people over the age of 30 who have been unemployed and are actively searching for employment and who can identify the specific training certificate, credential, or associate degree that he or she is seeking to obtain. Allows applicants to re-apply for the scholarship if they can demonstrate continual progress toward the desired certificate, credential, or degree. Provides that scholarships shall not exceed $2,000 per recipient per academic year. Allows the Commission to establish appropriate applications and forms. Requires the Commission to adopt all necessary and proper rules to implement the program. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 820 ILCS 405/1900 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following change. Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act to require the Director of Employment Security to make information available, upon request, to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the purpose of determining eligibility for the adult vocational community college scholarship program under the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that if funds appropriated for the adult vocational community college scholarship program are insufficient to provide grants to each eligible applicant, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission may prioritize the distribution of grants based on factors that include an applicant's financial need, duration of unemployment, prior level of educational attainment, or date of application.

Amends the Survivor Support and Trafficking Prevention Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Repeals a provision making the Article inoperative on and after June 30, 2019. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 305 ILCS 5/16-7 rep. Adds reference to: 305 ILCS 5/16-7 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Survivor Support and Trafficking Prevention Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the provisions of the Article are inoperative on and after June 30, 2022 (rather than June 30, 2019). Effective immediately.

Amends the Equitable Restrooms Act. Provides that all restrooms that are open and accessible to the public in a public building shall be equipped with baby changing facilities that are physically safe, sanitary, and usable for that purpose. Provides that the requirement is in addition to any accommodations that may be made for individuals in accordance with any local, State, or federal laws regarding access for persons with disabilities and to existing fire, health, and safety codes or standards. Defines "public building". Makes a conforming change. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 410 ILCS 35/20 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Equitable Restrooms Act. Requires every public building with restrooms open and accessible to the public to have at least one safe, sanitary, convenient, and publicly accessible baby diaper changing station that is accessible to women entering a restroom provided for use by women and one that is accessible to men entering a restroom provided for use by men, or at least one such baby diaper changing station that is accessible to both men and women. Provides exceptions to the requirement for: industrial buildings, nightclubs, or bars that do not permit anyone who is under 18 years of age to enter the premises; restrooms located in a health facility, if the restroom is intended for the use of one patient or resident at a time; and renovations, if a local building permitting entity or building inspector determines that the installation of a baby diaper changing station is not feasible or would result in a failure to comply with applicable building standards governing the right of access for persons with disabilities. Requires a public restroom that is open and accessible to the public and includes a baby diaper changing station to include signage at or near the entrance to the baby changing station indicating the location of the baby diaper changing station. Provides that the requirements are not enforceable by a private right of action.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is an aggravating factor in sentencing for first degree murder that the murdered individual was a member of a congregation engaged in prayer or other religious activities at a church, synagogue, mosque, or other building, structure, or place used for religious worship. Provides that assault and battery committed in a church, synagogue, mosque, or other building, structure, or place used for religious worship are enhanced to aggravated assault or aggravated battery. Provides that the penalty for aggravated assault under this provision is a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that aggravated battery under this provision is a Class 1 felony when the person causes great bodily harm or permanent disability to an individual whom the person knows to be a member of a congregation engaged in prayer or other religious activities at a church, synagogue, mosque, or other building, structure, or place used for religious worship. Provides that a person also commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when the person knowingly carries or possesses with intent to use the same unlawfully against another, any firearm, knife, or other dangerous weapon, in any school church, synagogue, mosque, or other building, structure, or place used for religious worship. Provides that a violation is a Class 2 felony. Makes technical changes. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill, except: (1) provides that aggravated battery committed by knowingly causing great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement is a Class 2 felony (rather than a Class 1 felony in the engrossed bill) when the person causes great bodily harm or permanent disability to an individual whom the person knows to be a member of a congregation engaged in prayer or other religious activities at a church, synagogue, mosque, or other building, structure, or place used for religious worship; and (2) provides that the offense of unlawful use of weapons also includes carrying or possessing with intent to use the same unlawfully against another, any firearm (rather than any firearm, knife, or other dangerous weapon in the engrossed bill) in a church, synagogue, mosque, or other building, structure, or place used for religious worship (deletes school).

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that construction agencies (currently, State purchasing officers) may enter into energy conservation program contracts or energy savings contracts or leases that provide for utility cost savings. Provides that energy conservation program contracts or energy savings contracts and leases may be entered into for a period of time deemed to be in the best interest of the State but not exceeding 30 years (currently, 15 years) inclusive of proposed contract or lease renewals. Provides that renewable energy resources contracts and leases may be entered into for a period of time deemed to be in the best interest of the State but not exceeding 30 years inclusive of proposed contract or lease renewals. Amends the Public University Energy Conservation Act. Provides that guaranteed energy savings contracts under the Act shall include a written guarantee of the qualified provider that either the energy or operational cost savings, or both, will meet or exceed within 30 (currently, 20) years the costs of the energy conservation measures. Provides that the guaranteed energy savings contract may provide for payments over a period of time, not to exceed 30 (currently, 20) years from the date of final installation of the measures. Makes conforming changes. Defines "renewable energy resources". Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 30 ILCS 500/25-45 110 ILCS 62/20 Adds reference to: 30 ILCS 500/25-47 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that State purchasing officers or a State agency may enter into renewable energy resources contracts and leases for a period of time deemed to be in the best interest of the State, but not exceeding 25 years inclusive of proposed contract or lease renewals. Defines "renewable energy resources". Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Removes a sunset provision concerning increases in a property's overall valuation that are directly attributable to the investment, improvement, replacement, or expansion of railroad operating property through State or federal government programs necessary for high speed passenger rail transportation (currently, those provisions sunset on December 31, 2019). Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Makes changes to the introduced bill to provide that provisions of the Property Tax Code concerning increases in a property's overall valuation that are directly attributable to the investment, improvement, replacement, or expansion of railroad operating property through State or federal government programs necessary for high speed passenger rail transportation sunset on December 31, 2029 (currently, those provisions sunset on December 31, 2019; in the introduced bill, the sunset date is removed).

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Provides that, subject to the provisions of the Public Contract Fraud Act, the State Treasurer is authorized during fiscal years 2019 and 2020 to purchase real property located in the City of Springfield, Illinois which the State Treasurer deems necessary to properly carry out the powers and duties vested in him or her. Provides that, subject to provisions of the Treasurer's Procurement Rules, the State Treasurer may enter into contracts relating to construction, reconstruction, or renovation projects for any such buildings or lands acquired under this Act, and the State Treasurer may equip, lease, operate, and maintain those grounds, buildings, and facilities as may be appropriate to carry out the State Treasurer's statutory purposes and duties. Provides that the State Treasurer may enter into agreements with any person with respect to the use and occupancy of the grounds, buildings, and facilities of the State Treasurer, including concession, license, and lease agreements on terms and conditions as the State Treasurer determines and in accordance with the procurement processes for the Office of the State Treasurer, which shall be substantially in accordance with the requirements of Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that exercise of the authority vested by this Act is subject to the appropriation of the necessary funds. Amends the State Finance Act. Expands the use of moneys in the State Pension Fund to include the acquisition of land and buildings in State fiscal year 2019 and 2020 for use by the Office of the State Treasurer, as well as construction, reconstruction, improvement, repair, and maintenance, in accordance with the provisions of laws relating thereto, of such lands and buildings beginning in State fiscal year 2019 and thereafter. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the State Treasurer is authorized to acquire (currently, purchase) real property located in Springfield, Illinois. Provides that real property acquired by the State Treasurer under specified provisions may be acquired subject to any third party interests in the property that do not prevent the State Treasurer from exercising the intended beneficial use of such property. Removes provisions concerning the form in which property may be acquired by the State Treasurer. Removes provisions concerning a leaseback of property. Modifies the term "operational expenses of the Office of the State Treasurer". House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/35 new 30 ILCS 105/8.12 Adds reference to: 15 ILCS 505/1 from Ch. 130, par. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the State Treasurer Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning bond. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/1 from Ch. 130, par. 1 Adds reference to: 35 ILCS 200/24-36 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Property Tax Relief Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall identify the causes of increasingly burdensome property taxes across Illinois, review best practices in public policy strategies that create short-term and long-term property tax relief for homeowners, and make recommendations to assist in the development of short-term and long-term administrative, electoral, and legislative changes needed to create short-term and long-term property tax relief for homeowners. Provides for the membership of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall submit its initial report to the Governor and the General Assembly within 90 days of the effective date of this amendatory Act, and provides that the Task Force shall submit its final report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2019. Repeals these provisions December 31, 2020. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/1 from Ch. 130, par. 1 Adds reference to: 35 ILCS 200/24-36 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Property Tax Relief Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall identify the causes of increasingly burdensome property taxes across Illinois, review best practices in public policy strategies that create short-term and long-term property tax relief for homeowners, and make recommendations to assist in the development of short-term and long-term administrative, electoral, and legislative changes needed to create short-term and long-term property tax relief for homeowners. Provides for the membership of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall submit its initial report to the Governor and the General Assembly within 90 days of the effective date of this amendatory Act, and provides that the Task Force shall submit its final report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2019. Repeals these provisions December 31, 2020. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 4 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/1 from Ch. 130, par. 1 Adds reference to: 35 ILCS 200/24-36 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Property Tax Relief Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall identify the causes of increasingly burdensome property taxes across Illinois, review best practices in public policy strategies that create short-term and long-term property tax relief for homeowners, and make recommendations to assist in the development of short-term and long-term administrative, electoral, and legislative changes needed to create short-term and long-term property tax relief for homeowners. Provides for the membership of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall submit its initial report to the Governor and the General Assembly within 90 days of the effective date of this amendatory Act, and provides that the Task Force shall submit its final report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2019. Repeals these provisions December 31, 2020. Effective immediately.