Rep. Jay Hoffman

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that if demolitions are conducted at coal-fueled power plants, the owner of the coal-fueled power plant shall, at least 60 days before commencing the demolition or as otherwise required, notify the Environmental Protection Agency and the public of the demolition and provide the Agency and the public with copies of plans for the demolition. Contains requirements for the notice. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that the notice must be provided, where applicable, in both physical and online form in a newspaper of general circulation within 25 miles of where the coal-fueled power plant is located and posted in physical form in 3 prominent public places and, where applicable, posted on a relevant municipal website (rather than must be provided in both physical and online form in local newspapers, where applicable, and municipal buildings and websites). Provides that in the amendatory provisions "public" means the population of a town, village, or city in the State of Illinois that is (rather than a town, village, or municipality) within 25 miles of a coal-fueled power plant at which demolition is to be conducted. Makes other changes.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is authorized to establish the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program for the purpose of fostering research and development in key industry clusters leading to the creation of new products and services that can be marketed by Illinois businesses. Provides that the Department may award innovation vouchers to eligible businesses to offset a portion of expenses incurred through a collaborative research engagement with an Illinois institution of higher education. Provides for the award of matching funds in the form of innovation vouchers. Provides eligibility requirements for receiving innovation vouchers. Provides requirements for administering the Program. Provides for the adoption of rules. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Allows the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program to be administered by a governmental entity with expertise in innovation, technology, economic development, research and development, and public private partnerships. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, subject to appropriation, shall be authorized to provide to the entity administering the Program an administrative fee in an amount not to exceed 10% (rather than 15%) of the total value of vouchers estimated by the Department to be issued in each fiscal year. Makes the awarding of innovation vouchers subject to appropriation. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: New Act 30 ILCS 105/5.935 new Creates the Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund Act. Provides for the creation of the Illinois Broadband Adoption Program for the purpose of expanding availability of broadband Internet connectivity throughout the State. Provides for the creation of the Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund for the purpose of providing financial assistance under the Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services may determine qualifications for broadband Internet provider participation and enter into an agreement with each provider. Provides eligibility requirements for financial assistance. Provides that the Department may provide financial assistance to the individual or to the broadband Internet provider designated by the individual in the form of one or more vouchers to pay for specified expenses. Provides that a provider that receives a voucher from an individual household who subscribes to the provider's broadband Internet service shall deduct the amount of the voucher from the amount owed by the subscriber for the provider's provision of broadband Internet service to the individual household on a monthly basis. Removes provision allowing the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program to be administered by an entity other than the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Makes a conforming changes. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Provides that the Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund is established as a special fund within the State treasury for the purpose of providing financial assistance. Provides that if the Department of Human Services determines that an individual is eligible for financial assistance, the Department may provide financial assistance to the individual or to the broadband Internet provider designated by the individual in the form of one or more vouchers, each in an amount up to (rather than in the amount of) $50, that can be used by the individual to pay one or more specified expenses.

Amends the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Provides that for public institutions of higher education, specified provisions of the Act apply only to awards funded by federal pass-through awards from a State agency to public institutions of higher education (currently, also applies to awards funded by State appropriations). Provides that the Act shall recognize specified provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations as applicable to public institutions of higher education. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Adds reference to: 30 ILCS 740/2-3 from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 663 30 ILCS 740/2-4 from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 664 30 ILCS 740/2-5 from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 665 30 ILCS 740/2-5.1 30 ILCS 740/2-7 from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 667 30 ILCS 740/2-9 from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 669 30 ILCS 740/2-10 from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 670 30 ILCS 740/2-11 from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 671 30 ILCS 740/2-12 from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 672 30 ILCS 740/2-13 from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 673 30 ILCS 740/2-14 from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 674 30 ILCS 740/2-15.2 30 ILCS 740/2-15.3 30 ILCS 740/2-17 from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 678 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with changes. Provides that the requirements established under the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act do not apply to allocations of State revenues paid over by the Comptroller to units of local government and other taxing districts pursuant to the State Revenue Sharing Act from the Local Government Distributive Fund or the Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund, or to allotments of State motor fuel tax revenues distributed by the Department of Transportation to units of local government pursuant to the Motor Fuel Tax Law from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund or the Transportation Renewal Fund. Amends the Downstate Public Transportation Act. Provides that commencing with State fiscal year 2022 programs, and for each fiscal year thereafter, all appropriations made under the provisions of the Act shall not constitute a grant program subject to the requirements of the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall approve programs of proposed expenditures and services submitted by participants under specified provisions. Provides that in the event the Department is prevented from processing applications or certifying that a participant meets specified requirements due to extraordinary circumstances beyond its control, the certification deadline for that application shall be stayed until the Department is able to process and certify the same. Provides that notice from the Department, as well as an explanation of the extraordinary circumstances, shall be provided to each participant affected by such delay. Provides for the adoption of rules to govern participants. Provides requirements for participant applications for funding concerning a program of proposed expenditures and services. Provides additional requirements for specified units of local government when applying for the approval of the program of proposed expenditures and services. Specifies further requirements for participants to receive funding. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish, by rule, a process by which a provider of ambulance services can appeal a denied request for payment of ambulance services (rather than payment of non-emergency transportation by means of ground ambulance service), provides that for all appeals concerning ambulance services provided on and after December 15, 2012, the provider shall establish the medical necessity of the transport utilizing the patient care report and any other materials available in accordance with specified criteria established under the Code. Provides that a Physician Certification Statement, Certificate of Transportation Services, or Medical Certification for Non-Emergency Ambulance form is not necessary to establish subject matter jurisdiction for appeal or medical necessity on appeal but may be considered if available. Provides that all Department rules, or parts thereof, in conflict with the provisions of the amendatory Act shall not apply. Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act shall be construed to affect any rights, actions, or causes of action that accrued prior to the effective date of the amendatory Act, except that the non-necessity of a Physician Certification Statement, Certificate of Transportation Services, or Medical Certification for Non-Emergency Ambulance form as provided in the amendatory Act shall be retroactively applied to the full extent permissible. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that for all claims concerning ambulance services provided to fee-for-service Medicaid beneficiaries denied for failure of submittal of a valid Physician Certification Statement, Certificate of Transportation Services, or Medical Certification for Non-Emergency Ambulance provided on and after December 15, 2012, the provider shall be able to appeal such denial and establish the medical necessity of the transport utilizing the patient care report and any other materials available in accordance with specified criteria established under the Code. Provides that a Physician Certification Statement, Certificate of Transportation Services, or Medical Certification for Non-Emergency Ambulance form is not necessary to establish subject matter jurisdiction for appeal or medical necessity on appeal but may be considered if available. Provides that all Department rules, or parts thereof, in conflict with the provisions of the amendatory Act shall not apply. Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act shall be construed to affect any rights, actions, or causes of action that accrued prior to the effective date of the amendatory Act, except that the non-necessity of a Physician Certification Statement, Certificate of Transportation Services, or Medical Certification for Non-Emergency Ambulance form as provided in the amendatory Act shall be retroactively applied to the full extent permissible, including allowing any claims denied for failure to 4procure such form which were not appealed at the time of denial to have an opportunity for proper appeal. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that for non-emergency ground ambulance claims properly denied under the policy of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services at the time the claim is filed due to failure to submit a valid Medical Certification for Non-Emergency Ambulance on and after December 15, 2012 and prior to January 1, 2021, the Department shall allot $2,000,000 to a pool to reimburse such claims if the provider proves medical necessity for the service by other means. Requires providers to submit any such denied claims for which they seek compensation to the Department no later than December 31, 2021 along with documentation of medical necessity. Provides that no later than May 31, 2022, the Department shall determine for which claims medical necessity was established. Provides that such claims for which medical necessity was established shall be paid at the rate in effect at the time of the service, provided the $2,000,000 is sufficient to pay at those rates. Provides that if the pool is not sufficient, claims shall be paid at a uniform percentage of the applicable rate such that the pool of $2,000,000 is exhausted. Provides that the appeal process described in a specified provision of the Code shall not be applicable to the Department's determinations. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Provides that the showing of interest in support of a petition filed for the purpose of selecting a labor organization as the representative of the employees in a bargaining unit may be evidenced by electronic communications, and such writing or communication may be evidenced by the electronic signature of the employees. Provides that the showing of interest shall be valid only if signed within 12 months prior to the filing of the petition. Provides that a secret ballot election held for the purpose of selecting a labor organization as the representative of the employees in a bargaining unit may be conducted electronically, using an electronic voting system, in addition to paper ballot voting systems. Provides that it shall be an unfair labor practice for an employer to promise, threaten, or take any action because of an employee's specified participation in a strike. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 115 ILCS 5/7 from Ch. 48, par. 1707 115 ILCS 5/8 from Ch. 48, par. 1708 115 ILCS 5/14 from Ch. 48, par. 1714 Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. With respect to the recognition of exclusive bargaining representatives, provides that the showing of interest in support of certain petitions may be evidenced by electronic communications and such writing or communication may be evidenced by the electronic signature of an employee as provided under the Electronic Commerce Security Act. Provides that the showing of interest shall be valid only if signed within 12 months prior to the filing of the petition. In provisions regarding elections, provides that a secret ballot election may be conducted electronically, using an electronic voting system, in addition to paper ballot voting systems. Adds as an unfair labor practice promising, threatening, or taking any action (i) to permanently replace an employee who participates in a strike, (ii) to discriminate against an employee who is working or has unconditionally offered to return to work for the employer because the employee supported or participated in such as a strike, or (iii) to lockout, suspend, or otherwise withhold from employment employees in order to influence the position of such employees or the representative of such employees in collective bargaining prior to a strike. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Specifies that it shall be an unfair labor practice for public employers and educational employers to promise, threaten, or take specified actions against their employees concerning a lawful strike. Effective immediately.

Amends various Acts to revise statutory law to conform the statutes to the reorganization of the executive branch taking effect under Executive Order 2019-12. Makes other changes concerning the Illinois State Police and makes technical and stylistic changes. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the Office of the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator is within the Division of Statewide 9-1-1. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 720 ILCS 648/10 720 ILCS 649/10 720 ILCS 649/15 720 ILCS 649/20 720 ILCS 649/25 730 ILCS 154/11 740 ILCS 175/8 750 ILCS 50/12.3 Replaces references to the Office of the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator with references to the Division of Statewide 9-1-1. Deletes new language that duplicates language in existing law. Removes the text of statutes that are not amended by the bill. Corrects a typographical error in existing law.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is authorized to establish the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program for the purpose of fostering research and development in key industry clusters leading to the creation of new products and services that can be marketed by Illinois businesses. Provides that the Department may award innovation vouchers to eligible businesses to offset a portion of expenses incurred through a collaborative research engagement with an Illinois institution of higher education. Provides for the award of matching funds in the form of innovation vouchers. Provides eligibility requirements for receiving innovation vouchers. Provides requirements for administering the Program. Provides for the adoption of rules. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 605/605-1055 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 605/605-1060 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Removes provision allowing the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program to be administered by an Illinois non-profit membership organization whose mission is to cultivate innovation and technology-based economic development in Illinois. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that an automotive parts recycler, in addition to a scrap processor, may submit a Junk Vehicle Notification to the Secretary of State.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall make information about the availability of referral services to any other State or local agencies known to a parolee or releasee prior to his or her release from the correctional facility where the parolee or releasee has been residing. Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Allows a member to establish optional credit for up to 2 years of service as a teacher or administrator employed by a private school recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education, provided that the teacher (i) was certified under the law governing the certification of teachers at the time the service was rendered, (ii) applies in writing on or before June 30, 2023, (iii) supplies satisfactory evidence of the employment, (iv) completes at least 10 years of contributing service as a teacher, and (v) pays the required contribution. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 40 ILCS 5/16-158 from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 16-158 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Further amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision that requires an employer to make an additional contribution to the System for certain salary increases greater than 6%, excludes salary increases resulting from teaching summer school on or after May 1, 2021 and before September 15, 2022. Effective immediately. Pension Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Government Forecasting & Accountability) SB 1646, as amended by HA 2, would reopen a window for teachers to apply for optional service credit for work done in approved private schools as teachers and administrators. The Teachers' Retirement System reports having 3,463 members who have applied for this private school credit in previous window openings, as described below. TRS estimates that the fiscal impact of this bill would be low, as the member must pay both the member and employer contributions, plus the actuarially assumed rate of interest to take advantage of this credit. The fiscal impact to TRS as a result of exempting summer school teaching from the 6% Final Average Salary Cap is unknown, as it is not known how many teachers would accrue pensionable salary in excess of 6% from the previous school year with the same employer via summer school teaching rendered between May 1, 2021 and September 15, 2022. Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Teachers Retirement System) Actuarial cost impact. SB 1646 as amended would have an unknown impact to TRS. Changes allowing optional service purchase under the bill are designed to be fully paid for by the related member contributions. Changes in required school district contributions would likely create some additional cost to the State of Illinois, but the total cost cannot be calculated without knowing the actual behavior of individual school districts and employees. Administrative cost impact. Administering the provisions of this bill would not increase the administrative costs ofTRS.