Rep. Carol Ammons

Creates the Health Insurer Claims Assessment Act. Imposes an assessment of 1% on claims paid by a health insurance carrier or third-party administrator. Provides that the moneys received and collected under the Act shall be deposited into the Healthcare Provider Relief Fund and used solely for the purpose of funding Medicaid services provided under the medical assistance programs administered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

Creates the High Speed Railway Commission Act. Prescribes the membership of the Commission. Provides that the Commission shall create a statewide plan for a high-speed rail line and feeder network connecting St. Louis, Missouri and Chicago, Illinois that includes current existing Amtrak and Metra services, connects the cities of Rockford, Moline, Peoria, and Decatur, and uses inter-city bus service to coordinate with the rail line. Provides that the Commission shall conduct a ridership study and shall make findings and recommendations concerning a governance structure, the frequency of service, and implementation of the plan. Provides that the Commission shall report to the General Assembly and the Government no later than December 31 of each year. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall provide administrative support to the Commission. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2025. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to require managed care organizations (MCOs) to ensure: (1) that any provider under contract with an MCO on the date of service shall be paid for any medically necessary service rendered to any of the MCO's enrollees, regardless of inclusion on the MCO's published and publicly available roster of available providers; (2) that all contracted providers are listed on an updated roster within 7 days of entering into a contract with the MCO; and (3) that the roster under item (2) is readily accessible by all medical assistance enrollees for purposes of selecting an approved healthcare provider. Requires the Department to require MCOs to expedite payments to providers based on specified criteria (rather than providing that the Department may establish a process for MCOs to expedite payments to providers based on criteria established by the Department). Contains provisions concerning discharge notifications and facility placements and other matters. Effective immediately.

Commends Mary Patton for her volunteer work as a lobbyist for AARP.

Mourns the death of Willeta Mae Hassell Donaldson of Urbana.

Creates the Right to Know Act. Provides that an operator of a commercial website or online service that collects personally identifiable information through the internet about individual customers residing in Illinois who use or visit its commercial website or online service shall notify those customers of certain specified information pertaining to its personal information sharing practices. Requires an operator to make available certain specified information upon disclosing a customer's personal information to a third party, and to provide an e-mail address or toll-free telephone number whereby customers may request or obtain that information. Provides for a right of action to customers whose rights are violated under the Act. Provides that any waiver of the provisions of the Act or any agreement that does not comply with the applicable provisions of the Act shall be void and unenforceable. Provides that no provision of the Act shall be construed to conflict with or apply to certain specified provisions of federal law or certain interactions with State or local government. Provides findings and purpose. Defines terms.

Amends the Real Estate License Act of 2000. Abolishes the Real Estate Education Advisory Council. Transfers functions of the Council to the Real Estate Administration and Disciplinary Board or the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Allows the Department to make continuing education requirements for licensed leasing agents without the advice of the Advisory Council and Board. Makes changes to the membership and terms of the Board. Allows the Secretary of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to establish temporary or permanent committees of the Board. Effective immediately.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. In the provision governing the graduation incentive grant program, removes the requirement that the Board of Higher Education annually submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a budgetary recommendation for the grants and the requirement that the Board notify applicants that the award of grants is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds.

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Requires the Department of Labor to publish, by July 15 of each year on its official website, a prevailing wage schedule for each county in the State based upon the prevailing rate of wages investigated and ascertained by the Department during the month of June. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. In a provision concerning the Community Care Program, establishes the following rate increases in the wages paid by vendors to their employees who provide homemaker services: on July 1, 2018, rates shall be increased to $19.89 for the purpose of increasing wages by at least $1 per hour; on July 1, 2019, rates shall be increased to $21.49 for the purpose of increasing wages by at least $1 per hour; on July 1, 2020, rates shall be increased to $23.09 for the purpose of increasing wages by at least $1 per hour; and on July 1, 2021, rates shall be increased to $24.69 for the purpose of increasing wages by at least $1 per hour. Provides that fringe benefits, including, but not limited to, any paid time off or payments for training, health insurance, travel, or transportation shall not be reduced in relation to the rate increases established in this provision. Effective July 1, 2018.