Rep. Jen Gong-Gershowitz

Amends the School Code. Provides that every public elementary school shall include in its 6th, 7th, or 8th grade curriculum, beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, at least one semester of civics education; specifies course content requirements and requires the education to be in accordance with Illinois Learning Standards for social science. Allows school districts to consult with civics education stakeholders, as deemed appropriate by the State Board of Education. Allows school districts to utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics education. Effective July 1, 2019. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year (rather than the 2019-2020 school year), every public elementary school shall include in its 6th, 7th, or 8th grade curriculum at least one semester of civics education. Changes the effective date of the Act to July 1, 2020 (rather than July 1, 2019).

Creates the Limited Cooperative Association Act. Authorizes the organization of a limited cooperative association, as an entity distinct from its members, for any lawful purpose, whether or not for profit. Provides that a limited cooperative association may be a collective worker cooperative in which there is only one class of members consisting of worker-members who manage all of the affairs of the limited cooperative association or a worker cooperative or employment cooperative that includes a class of worker-members who are natural persons whose patronage consists of labor contributed to or other work performed for the limited cooperative association. Contains provisions regarding: findings; formation; articles of organization; organization; bylaws; members; community investors; voting; a board of directors; an assembly; dissolution; conversion; and applicability of securities laws. Amends the Co-operative Act and the Illinois Securities Law of 1953 to make conforming changes. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Changes the short title of the new Act to the Limited Worker Cooperative Association Act. Authorizes the establishment of limited worker cooperative associations rather than limited cooperative associations. Eliminates patron members as a form of membership. Provides for multi-stakeholder cooperatives. Changes the effective date to January 1, 2020.

Amends the School Code. With regard to the textbook block grant program, provides that the textbooks authorized to be purchased must include the roles and contributions of all people protected under the Illinois Human Rights Act and must be non-discriminatory as to any of the characteristics under the Act. Provides that textbooks purchased with grant funds must be non-discriminatory. Provides that in public schools only, the teaching of history of the United States shall include a study of the roles and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country and this State. Effective July 1, 2020. Balanced Budget Note (Office of Management and Budget) Please be advised that the Balanced Budget Note Act does not apply to House Bill 246, as it is not a supplemental appropriation that increases or decreases appropriations. Under the Act, a balanced budget note must be prepared only for bills that change a general funds appropriation for the fiscal year in which the new bill is enacted. Correctional Note (Dept of Corrections) There is no fiscal or population impact on the Department of Corrections. Land Conveyance Appraisal Note (Dept. of Transportation) No land conveyances are included in House Bill 246; therefore, there are no appraisals to be filed. State Debt Impact Note (Government Forecasting & Accountability) This bill would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued or State-supported bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness. Judicial Note (Admin Office of the Illinois Courts) This bill would neither increase nor decrease the number of judges needed in the State of Illinois. Pension Note (Government Forecasting & Accountability) This bill does not impact any public pension fund or retirement system in Illinois. Housing Affordability Impact Note (Housing Development Authority) This bill will have no effect on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence. State Mandates Fiscal Note (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not create a State mandate. Home Rule Note (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not pre-empt home rule authority. Fiscal Note (IL State Board of Education) This bill will not have a fiscal impact on the State Board of Education.

Amends the Survivor Support and Trafficking Prevention Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Repeals a provision making the Article inoperative on and after June 30, 2019. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 305 ILCS 5/16-7 rep. Adds reference to: 305 ILCS 5/16-7 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Survivor Support and Trafficking Prevention Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the provisions of the Article are inoperative on and after June 30, 2022 (rather than June 30, 2019). Effective immediately.

Amends the Equitable Restrooms Act. Provides that all restrooms that are open and accessible to the public in a public building shall be equipped with baby changing facilities that are physically safe, sanitary, and usable for that purpose. Provides that the requirement is in addition to any accommodations that may be made for individuals in accordance with any local, State, or federal laws regarding access for persons with disabilities and to existing fire, health, and safety codes or standards. Defines "public building". Makes a conforming change. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 410 ILCS 35/20 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Equitable Restrooms Act. Requires every public building with restrooms open and accessible to the public to have at least one safe, sanitary, convenient, and publicly accessible baby diaper changing station that is accessible to women entering a restroom provided for use by women and one that is accessible to men entering a restroom provided for use by men, or at least one such baby diaper changing station that is accessible to both men and women. Provides exceptions to the requirement for: industrial buildings, nightclubs, or bars that do not permit anyone who is under 18 years of age to enter the premises; restrooms located in a health facility, if the restroom is intended for the use of one patient or resident at a time; and renovations, if a local building permitting entity or building inspector determines that the installation of a baby diaper changing station is not feasible or would result in a failure to comply with applicable building standards governing the right of access for persons with disabilities. Requires a public restroom that is open and accessible to the public and includes a baby diaper changing station to include signage at or near the entrance to the baby changing station indicating the location of the baby diaper changing station. Provides that the requirements are not enforceable by a private right of action.

Amends the Consent by Minors to Health Care Services Act. Provides that a minor of 12 years or older who may have come into contact with any sexually transmitted disease or may be determined to be an intoxicated person or a person with a substance use disorder, or who may have a family member who abuses drugs or alcohol, may give consent to the furnishing of health care services or counseling related to the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment, rather than just the diagnosis or treatment, of the disease.

Creates the Home Birth Maternity Care Crisis Study Committee to provide the General Assembly a consumer-focused, evidence-based solution to the Illinois Home Birth Maternity Care Crisis. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Changes the date that the final report is due.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Provides that, subject to the provisions of the Public Contract Fraud Act, the State Treasurer is authorized during fiscal years 2019 and 2020 to purchase real property located in the City of Springfield, Illinois which the State Treasurer deems necessary to properly carry out the powers and duties vested in him or her. Provides that, subject to provisions of the Treasurer's Procurement Rules, the State Treasurer may enter into contracts relating to construction, reconstruction, or renovation projects for any such buildings or lands acquired under this Act, and the State Treasurer may equip, lease, operate, and maintain those grounds, buildings, and facilities as may be appropriate to carry out the State Treasurer's statutory purposes and duties. Provides that the State Treasurer may enter into agreements with any person with respect to the use and occupancy of the grounds, buildings, and facilities of the State Treasurer, including concession, license, and lease agreements on terms and conditions as the State Treasurer determines and in accordance with the procurement processes for the Office of the State Treasurer, which shall be substantially in accordance with the requirements of Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that exercise of the authority vested by this Act is subject to the appropriation of the necessary funds. Amends the State Finance Act. Expands the use of moneys in the State Pension Fund to include the acquisition of land and buildings in State fiscal year 2019 and 2020 for use by the Office of the State Treasurer, as well as construction, reconstruction, improvement, repair, and maintenance, in accordance with the provisions of laws relating thereto, of such lands and buildings beginning in State fiscal year 2019 and thereafter. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the State Treasurer is authorized to acquire (currently, purchase) real property located in Springfield, Illinois. Provides that real property acquired by the State Treasurer under specified provisions may be acquired subject to any third party interests in the property that do not prevent the State Treasurer from exercising the intended beneficial use of such property. Removes provisions concerning the form in which property may be acquired by the State Treasurer. Removes provisions concerning a leaseback of property. Modifies the term "operational expenses of the Office of the State Treasurer". House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/35 new 30 ILCS 105/8.12 Adds reference to: 15 ILCS 505/1 from Ch. 130, par. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the State Treasurer Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning bond. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/1 from Ch. 130, par. 1 Adds reference to: 35 ILCS 200/24-36 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Property Tax Relief Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall identify the causes of increasingly burdensome property taxes across Illinois, review best practices in public policy strategies that create short-term and long-term property tax relief for homeowners, and make recommendations to assist in the development of short-term and long-term administrative, electoral, and legislative changes needed to create short-term and long-term property tax relief for homeowners. Provides for the membership of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall submit its initial report to the Governor and the General Assembly within 90 days of the effective date of this amendatory Act, and provides that the Task Force shall submit its final report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2019. Repeals these provisions December 31, 2020. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/1 from Ch. 130, par. 1 Adds reference to: 35 ILCS 200/24-36 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Property Tax Relief Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall identify the causes of increasingly burdensome property taxes across Illinois, review best practices in public policy strategies that create short-term and long-term property tax relief for homeowners, and make recommendations to assist in the development of short-term and long-term administrative, electoral, and legislative changes needed to create short-term and long-term property tax relief for homeowners. Provides for the membership of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall submit its initial report to the Governor and the General Assembly within 90 days of the effective date of this amendatory Act, and provides that the Task Force shall submit its final report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2019. Repeals these provisions December 31, 2020. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 4 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/1 from Ch. 130, par. 1 Adds reference to: 35 ILCS 200/24-36 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Property Tax Relief Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall identify the causes of increasingly burdensome property taxes across Illinois, review best practices in public policy strategies that create short-term and long-term property tax relief for homeowners, and make recommendations to assist in the development of short-term and long-term administrative, electoral, and legislative changes needed to create short-term and long-term property tax relief for homeowners. Provides for the membership of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall submit its initial report to the Governor and the General Assembly within 90 days of the effective date of this amendatory Act, and provides that the Task Force shall submit its final report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2019. Repeals these provisions December 31, 2020. Effective immediately.

Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Prohibits an employer from: (i) screening job applicants based on their wage or salary history, (ii) requiring that an applicant's prior wages satisfy minimum or maximum criteria, and (iii) requesting or requiring as a condition of being interviewed or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment that an applicant disclose prior wages or salary. Prohibits an employer from seeking the salary, including benefits or other compensation or salary history, of a job applicant from any current or former employer, with some exceptions. Limits defenses. Provides for penalties and injunctive relief. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Provides that the exceptions to the equal pay requirement based on sex also apply to the equal pay requirement for African-American employees. Provides that an employer may prohibit a human resources employee, supervisor, or other employee whose job responsibilities require or allow access to other employees' wage or salary information from disclosing that information without prior written consent from the employee whose information is sought or requested. Provides that specified provisions shall not be construed to prevent an employer or employment agency from: providing information about the wages, benefits, compensation, or salary offered in relation to a position; or engaging in discussions with an applicant for employment about the applicant's expectations with respect to wage or salary, benefits, and other compensation. Provides that an employer is not in violation of specified provisions when a job applicant voluntarily and without prompting discloses his or her current or prior wage or salary history, including benefits or other compensation, on the condition that the employer does not consider or rely on the voluntary disclosures as a factor in determining whether to offer a job applicant employment, in making an offer of compensation, or in determining future wages, salary, benefits, or other compensation. Makes other changes. Effective 60 days after becoming law. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that a wage differential factor that is not based on sex or a factor that would constitute unlawful discrimination under the Illinois Human Rights Act must account for the differential (instead of "the entire differential").

Creates the Coal Ash Cleanup and Storage Act. Provides a short title only. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 415 ILCS 5/3.135 was 415 ILCS 5/3.94 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act. Tasks the Environmental Protection Agency with enforcing the Act's provisions. Provides that specified coal combustion residual (CCR) units shall close. Provides that an owner or operator of a CCR unit required to close by removal shall, within 6 months of the Act's effective date, halt the placement of CCR in those CCR units and begin removal of the CCR in those CCR units. Provides that those owners or operators shall complete the removal of CCR from the CCR unit no later than 15 years after initiating the closure process at that CCR unit. Requires the submission by an owner or operator of a CCR unit of specified documentation to the Agency within 60 days of the Act's effective date. Provides that an operator of any CCR unit required to close by removal shall submit a closure plan to the Agency within 90 days after the Act's effective date. Specifies what shall be included in the closure plan. Provides requirements for Agency approval of a closure plan. Provides that an entity conducting closure activities shall utilize local labor and ensure that the work is performed by responsible contractors and subcontractors that pay workers the prevailing wage and fair benefits. Provides requirements for the transport of CCR, including manifests with specified information regarding the CCR being transported and a transport plan with specified requirements. Provides that no CCR that is removed from a CCR unit may be transported without a CCR transport permit approved by the Agency. Provides that no CCR removed from a CCR unit may be disposed of in a landfill off of the property on which the CCR unit is located without approval from the Agency. Provides that no CCR removed from any CCR unit may be beneficially used in Illinois unless the Agency has issued a beneficial use permit for that CCR. Provides that on or before October 1, 2022, and on October 1 of each even-numbered year thereafter until closure of all of a facility's CCR units is complete, the operator of a CCR unit shall compile a closure progress report. Provides that an owner or operator of a CCR unit from which CCR is required to be removed shall, within one year of the effective date of the Act, conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the extent of CCR pollution of groundwater, surface water, and soils at any property surrounding the property on which a CCR unit is located. Provides public notice, comment, and hearing requirements for applications, permits, plans, and reports submitted under the Act. Provides that an owner or operator of a CCR unit located in Illinois is required to provide and maintain financial assurance for closure and corrective action. Provides that, beginning 18 months after the Act's effective date, no CCR generated in Illinois may be treated, stored, or disposed of in a CCR surface impoundment or unlined CCR landfill. Contains provisions regarding violation of the Act and resulting civil penalties, criminal fines, or injunctive relief. Provides requirements for various applications, permits, plans, and reports submitted under the Act. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Removes language providing that a "coal combustion by-product" (CCB) is a coal combustion waste when used beneficially in specified ways. Removes language restricting specified uses of coal combustion waste as a CCB. Removes language regarding beneficial use determinations of CCB. Makes other changes. Provides that the Act's provisions are severable. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Deletes reference to: New Act 415 ILCS 5/3.135 Adds reference to: 415 ILCS 5/3.140 was 415 ILCS 5/3.76 415 ILCS 5/3.142 new 415 ILCS 5/3.143 new 415 ILCS 5/21 from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1021 415 ILCS 5/22.59 new 415 ILCS 5/39 from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1039 415 ILCS 5/40 from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1040 30 ILCS 105/5.891 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires a permit for persons conducting any waste-storage, waste-treatment, or waste-disposal operation on CCR surface impoundments. Prohibits persons from performing any specified actions that may cause or tend to cause a violation of the Act. Requires the owner of a CCR surface impoundment to submit to the Agency for approval a closure alternatives analysis. Exempts owners or operators of CCR surface impoundments that have completed closure in accordance with a plan approved by the Agency prior to 12 months after the amendatory Act's effective date from obtaining a construction permit for the surface impoundment closure. Provides that the owner of a CCR surface impoundment shall post all closure plans, permit applications, and supporting documentation, and any Agency approval of the plans or applications on its publicly available website. Requires the owner or operator of a CCR surface impoundment to pay the following fees: an initial fee of $50,000 for closed CCR surface impoundments or $75,000 for CCR surface impoundments that have not completed closure; and annual fees of 25,000 for each CCR surface impoundment that has not completed closure or $15,000 for each CCR surface impoundment that has completed closure but has not completed post-closure care. Requires any monies forfeited to the State from any performance bond or other security required under the amendatory Act's provisions to be placed in the Coal Combustion Residual Surface Impoundment Financial Assurance Fund. Allows the Agency to issue RCRA permits exclusively to persons owning or operating a CCR surface impoundment. Requires a permit applicant to make available to the public for inspection all documents submitted by the applicant to the Agency in furtherance of an application, with the exception of trade secrets, at the office of the county board or governing body of the municipality where CCR from the CCR surface impoundment will be permanently disposed. Makes other changes. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Coal Combustion Residual Surface Impoundment Financial Assurance Fund. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Makes changes to the bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 3 to require owners and operators of CCR surface impoundments to have submitted a closure plan to the Agency by May 1, 2019 (currently, May 31, 2019) and to have completed closure prior to 24 months (currently, 12 months) after the amendatory Act's effective date in order to be exempt from obtaining a construction permit.