Rep. Jerry F. Costello, II

Congratulates Norman Wilke on the occasion of being named 2016 Veteran of the Year by the Shiloh Spurs.

Mourns the death of Stuart Wright of Pinckneyville.

Amends the General Assembly Organization Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the deposit of books, bills, documents, and papers with the Secretary of State.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code to set forth provisions concerning applicability to public institutions of higher education. Amends the Southern Illinois University Management Act. Provides that the Board of Trustees shall include one voting student member chosen from each campus of the University (instead of one voting student member designated by the Governor from one campus and one nonvoting student member from the campus not represented by the voting student member). Makes corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Act. Provides that Illinois ratifies and approves the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. The Compact provides that it will develop a comprehensive process that complements the existing licensing and regulatory authority of state medical boards and provides a streamlined process that allows physicians to become licensed in multiple states. The Compact provides for eligibility requirements, application requirements, fees, renewal requirements, information concerning investigation and discipline, and other procedures to implement the Compact.

Creates the Caregiver Advise, Record, and Enable Act. Provides that after a patient is admitted as an inpatient into a hospital and before the patient is discharged or transferred, the hospital shall provide the patient or the patient's legal representative with an opportunity to designate a caregiver. Provides that the hospital shall document the patient's designation of a caregiver. Requires the hospital to notify the patient's designated caregiver prior to the patient's discharge or transfer, unless the patient indicates that he or she does not want the designated caregiver to be notified. Requires the hospital to consult with the designated caregiver and issue a discharge plan that contains certain information. Provides that the hospital issuing the discharge plan shall make an effort to provide or arrange for the designated caregiver to receive instructions in the after-care assistance tasks described in the discharge plan. Provides that the Act shall not be construed to interfere with the rights of an agent operating under a valid health care directive and shall not be construed to create a private right of action against certain individuals and entities. Contains other provisions. Effective 180 days after becoming law.

Amends the State Agency Web Site Act. Requires that a State agency make applications for licenses under the jurisdiction of that State agency accessible by means of a State agency Web site to the general public no later than January 1, 2017. Defines "license" as any license, certification, registration, or permit issued by a State agency, except for a driver's license, State identification card, or vehicle registration issued by the Secretary of State or any license issued by the State Board of Elections. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable year 2016 and thereafter, the amount of the senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption shall be the greater of (i) the amount of the exemption otherwise calculated under that Section of the Code or (ii) $2,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that accessibility improvements made to residential property shall not increase the assessed valuation of the property. Provides that the term "accessibility improvement" means a modification or addition to residential property that is designed to make the property more accessible to a disabled person, including, but not limited to, the installation of ramps, lifts, or fixtures or the removal of architectural barriers on the property. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Provides that no board member may receive more than one per diem, stipend, or other similar form of compensation for meetings that are held on consecutive days unless: (i) each meeting is more than 4 hours long, or (ii) in the case of an emergency. Defines "board" to include a board, commission, authority, task force, or other similar body to which one or more members are appointed by the Governor.