Rep. Dan Brady

Amends the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing Code. Provides that a licensee, or anyone else lawfully permitted to do so under the Code, shall either embalm or refrigerate a deceased human body if the funeral establishment has been in possession of the body for more than 48 hours and has not received any instruction from the person making the funeral arrangements regarding how the body is to be disposed of. Further provides that, at the time funeral arrangements are made, a licensee shall disclose on the written statement of services provided to the person making the funeral arrangements that it is required to embalm or refrigerate the body after 48 hours.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the improper disclosure of records relating to medical studies.

Amends the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. Provides that no provider of a pre-need contract shall include in the terms of the contract a date by which the pre-need contract must be claimed by a beneficiary. Further provides that a beneficiary shall be paid the proceeds of a pre-need contract only under circumstances that result in the termination of a contract such as the death of the purchaser or withdrawal by the purchaser or beneficiary.

Creates the Public Safety Peer Support Counseling Confidentiality Act. Provides that any communication made by a participant or counselor in a peer support counseling session conducted by a law enforcement agency or by an emergency services provider for public safety personnel or emergency services personnel, and any oral or written information conveyed in the peer support counseling session, is confidential and may not be disclosed by any person participating in the peer support counseling session. Provides that any communication relating to a peer support counseling session made confidential that is made between counselors, between counselors and the supervisors or staff of an employee assistance program, or between the supervisors or staff of an employee assistance program, is confidential and may not be disclosed. Provides exemptions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code concerning the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption. Sets forth provisions for calculating the base amount for a new residence if the taxpayer changes residences and the equalized assessed value of the new residence is equal to or less than the equalized assessed value of the taxpayer's prior residence. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act to require coverage for hearing instruments and related services for all individuals when a hearing care professional prescribes a hearing instrument. Provides that an insurer shall provide coverage for up to $2,500 per hearing aid per insured's hearing impaired ear subject to certain restrictions. Provides that an insurer shall not be required to pay a claim if the insured filed such a claim 36 months prior to the date of filing the claim with the insurer and the claim was paid by any insurer. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Board of Trustees of Illinois State University to designate the logo the Secretary of State is to use for Illinois State University collegiate plates.

Amends the Judges Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Defines terms. Requires Tier I employees to elect (i) to have the amount of their automatic annual increases reduced and to waive their eligibility for automatic annual increases for 2 years, (ii) to make additional employee contributions and to waive their eligibility for automatic annual increases for 3 years, or (iii) to maintain their current benefit package. Specifies that a Tier I employee who has elected either item (i) or (ii) is entitled to have future increases in income treated as pensionable income and remains eligible to participate in the State-sponsored program of health benefits during retirement. Specifies that a Tier I employee who has elected item (iii) is not eligible for any of these benefits. Requires Tier I retirees to elect (i) to delay their eligibility for automatic annual increases or (ii) to maintain their current benefit package. Specifies that a Tier I retiree who elects item (ii) becomes ineligible to participate in the State-sponsored program of health benefits during retirement. Makes conforming changes in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Includes an inseverability provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that certain taxes levied under the Act may also be used for the general operations of a fire protection district, including, but not limited to, emergency services, fire suppression and rescue services. Effective immediately.

Congratulates Emily Bell on the occasion of her retirement as Human Resources Director for the City of Bloomington.