Rep. Jen Gong-Gershowitz

Creates the State Public Defender Act. Creates the Office of State Public Defender as an agency of State government. Provides that the Office of State Public Defender shall be an independent agency within the judicial branch of government and the Office's records shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that the Office of State Public Defender shall be under the supervision and direction of the State Public Defender. Sets forth the powers and duties of the State Public Defender, including the duties of the initial State Public Defender. Provides that the initial State Public Defender shall be appointed by the Supreme Court. Sets forth specified duties and responsibilities of the initial State Public Defender. Creates the State Public Defender Commission. Sets forth membership and duties of the Commission, including appointments of the State Public Defender after the initial appointment. Amends the Public Defender and Appointed Counsel Division of the Counties Code. Provides that any 2 or more counties of this State that are within the same judicial circuit may by joint resolution of the several county boards involved create a common Office of public defender for the counties so joined or allow representation in one county by the public defender appointed in the collaborating county (rather than 2 or more adjoining counties within the same judicial circuit may create a common Office of public defender). Provides that, when a vacancy occurs in the position of public defender, the State Public Defender shall nominate and the State Public Defender Commission shall appoint a properly qualified public defender using the application and selection process developed under the State Public Defender Act. Removes certain differences based upon county populations. Removes provisions relating to the Public Defender Quality Defense Task Force. Provides that a public defender may be removed only for good cause or dereliction of duty after notice and a hearing before the State Public Defender Commission (rather than by the president of the county board after a notice and hearing of the county board). Modifies how a public defender is compensated and how moneys in the Public Defender Fund may be used. Makes other changes. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes a minor technical correction to the official short title of a section within the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. It does not create new laws, change existing policies, or directly affect any individuals or organizations. The change was approved by both the House and Senate and has been sent to the Governor for final approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates December 19, 2024, as Illinois ABLE Day to honor the tenth anniversary of the federal legislation that created state-run savings accounts for people with disabilities. The resolution recognizes the Illinois ABLE program, which allows eligible individuals to save money for qualified disability expenses like education, healthcare, and transportation without losing federal benefits. By acknowledging the program's growth and impact, the bill aims to highlight the financial independence it provides to Illinoisans with disabilities and their families.

Creates the Securing All Futures through Equitable Reinvestment (SAFER) Communities and Small Business Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer a SAFER Communities Wage Subsidy Pilot Program. Provides that the wage subsidy shall apply to no more than 6,000 participants. Requires the Department to maintain a database of all participants for the duration of the incentive period. Provides that individuals seeking to participate in the pilot program shall register with the Department on or after January 1, 2024. Requires the Department to verify individuals' eligibility to participate in the pilot program by checking their employment and felony conviction history. Contains provisions concerning certificates of eligibility for wage subsidies under the pilot program; the monetary amount of monthly wage subsidy payments awarded under the pilot program; certain conditions program participants must satisfy to receive monthly wage subsidy payments; the maximum amount of wage subsidies allowed under the pilot program; promotion efforts for the pilot program conducted by the Department of Corrections; and other matters. Requires the Department to establish a Returning Citizen and Small Business Grant Program. Sets forth requirements a small business must meet to be eligible for a grant under the program. Provides that an eligible small business shall be awarded grants in the amount of $2,500 per new qualifying returning citizen hired. Limits the total annual amount in grants an eligible small business may receive under the grant program. Contains provisions concerning data collection and reporting requirements for the Secretary of Human Services. Provides that implementation of the Act is subject to appropriation. Permits the Department of Human Services to use State or federal funding to administer the SAFER Communities Wage Subsidy Pilot Program and the Returning Citizen and Small Business Grant Program. Grants rulemaking authority to the Department of Human Services and the Department of Corrections. Provides that the Act is repealed on December 31, 2029. Effective immediately.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that the operating procedures of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board may provide for the inclusion of nonvoting, ex officio members on the Board. With respect to a for-profit or not-for-profit entity being recognized as an educator preparation institution, provides that any for-profit or not-for-profit entity with a presence in this State must also be approved by the Board of Higher Education or the Illinois Community College Board (instead of providing that any for-profit or not-for-profit entity must also be approved by the Board of Higher Education).

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Defines terms. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2025, a retail establishment may not sell or distribute in this State a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam. Exempts specified entities from the prohibition until one year after the amendatory Act's effective date. Effective immediately.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act for a person to advertise, display, or offer a price for goods or services that does not include all mandatory fees and charges other than: (1) taxes or fees imposed by a unit of government on the transaction; and (2) postage or carriage charges that will be reasonably and actually incurred to ship the physical goods to the consumer. Provides that specified transactions are excluded from the provision.

Amends the Genetic Information Privacy Act. Provides that in accordance with the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act, genetic information derived from reference specimens of DNA from: (1) a victim of a sexual assault crime or alleged sexual assault crime; (2) known reference samples of DNA from any individual that were voluntarily provided for the purpose of exclusion: and (3) any profiles developed from those samples, may be used only for purposes directly related to the investigation of the sexual assault crime or alleged sexual assault crime through which the victim's genetic information was obtained. Amends the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act. Establishes procedures for the use by law enforcement of known reference specimens of DNA from a victim of a sexual assault crime or alleged sexual assault crime, and to known reference samples of DNA from any individual that were voluntarily provided for the purpose of exclusion, and to any profiles developed from those samples. Adds various definitions to the Act.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning surplus line insurance, changes the definition of "home state". Amends the Farm Mutual Insurance Company Act of 1986. Sets forth provisions concerning farm mutual insurance company investments in home office real estate. Makes other changes.

Amends the Life Care Facilities Act. Provides that the financial disclosure provided to a resident must include, but is not limited to, fee schedules; fee adjustment policies; the history of fee increases; reserve funding provisions; expected source of funding for the development of new facilities; refund policies; and the status of resident claims on assets if the facility were to fall into bankruptcy or insolvency (instead of only a disclosure of short-term assets and liabilities). Provides that the required financial disclosures shall also be posted in a conspicuous location in the facility to which residents must have access.