Rep. Lindsey LaPointe

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Removes provisions specifically excluding academic programs for incarcerated students from the definitions of "institution of higher learning", "qualified institution", and "institution". In provisions concerning the AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program, removes the restriction that the applicant must not be incarcerated.

Amends the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Makes various changes concerning references to the Code of Federal Regulations. Defines the following terms: "assistance listing", "assistance listing number", "fringe benefits", "Illinois Stop Payment List", and "Unique Entity Identifier". Makes changes to the definition of "direct costs". Provides that, with certain exceptions, the frequency of reports by recipients and subrecipients with respect to performance goals, indicators, and milestones required shall not be more frequent than quarterly. Provides that the Governor's Office of Management and Budget shall promote best practices for disseminating information about grant opportunities to grant-making agencies statewide, with an emphasis on reaching previously underserved communities and grantees. Provides that provisions requiring nonprofit organizations to maintain separate accounts for State grant funds do not apply to grant payments that are made as reimbursements. Makes other changes.

Creates the Nonopioid Alternatives for Pain Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to develop and publish an educational pamphlet regarding the use of nonopioid alternatives for pain treatment. Provides that a health care practitioner shall exercise professional judgment in selecting appropriate treatment modalities for pain in accordance with specified Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, including the use of nonopioid alternatives whenever nonopioid alternatives exist. Requires a health care practitioner who prescribes an opioid drug to provide certain information to the patient, discuss certain topics, and document the reasons for the prescription. Requires the Department to develop a nonopioid directive form for patients. Sets forth provisions concerning exceptions, execution of a nonopioid directive, opioid administration to a patient with a nonopioid directive, and limitations of liability. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that when a licensed health care practitioner prescribes a nonopioid medication for the treatment of acute pain, it shall be unlawful for a health insurance issuer to deny coverage of the nonopioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug or to require the patient to try an opioid prescription drug before providing coverage. Provides that in establishing and maintaining its drug formulary, a health insurance issuer shall ensure that no nonopioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment or management of pain shall be disadvantaged or discouraged, with respect to coverage or cost sharing, relative to any opioid or narcotic drug for the treatment or management of pain. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that whenever a licensed health care practitioner prescribes a nonopioid medication for the treatment of acute pain, neither the Department of Healthcare and Family Services nor a managed care organization shall deny coverage of the nonopioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug or require a patient to try an opioid prescription drug prior to providing coverage of the nonopioid prescription drug. Makes other changes.

Amends the University of Illinois Act. Provides that the Board of Trustees shall direct the University of Illinois Foundation, in accordance with sound investment criteria and consistent with fiduciary obligations, to not invest the assets of any endowment fund in the stocks, securities, or other obligations of any fossil fuel company or any subsidiary, affiliate, or parent of any fossil fuel company. Provides that this does not preclude the de minimis exposure of any funds held by the endowment fund to the stocks, securities, or other obligations of any fossil fuel company or any subsidiary, affiliate, or parent of any fossil fuel company. Requires the Board of Trustees to direct the University of Illinois Foundation to not invest in any prime commercial paper or corporate bonds issued by a fossil fuel company. Provides that, beginning one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Board of Trustees, subject to an affirmative determination of prudence and in accordance with sound investment criteria and consistent with its fiduciary obligations, shall direct the University of Illinois Foundation to ensure that any endowment fund does not have any indirect investments; defines "indirect investment". Provides that the Board of Trustees shall direct the University of Illinois Foundation to adopt updates to its written investment policies, if necessary, to meet the requirements of these provisions and publish a copy of those updated policies within 90 days after the adoption of the updated policies. Effective immediately.

Amends the Commission on Equity and Inclusion Act. Requires the Commission to prepare and submit a report to the General Assembly evaluating whether the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority has met the equity goals of the Commission and Authority. Amends the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Act. Modifies legislative findings. Provides that "facility" includes stadiums, arenas, or other structures for the holding of athletic contests and other events and gatherings, including professional women's sports (among other illustrative examples). Requires the Authority to work with the Executive Director of the Commission on Equity and Inclusion to evaluate and propose policies that promote equity in decision-making regarding the development and funding of sports facilities. Provides that a person may not be prohibited from participation in, or any of the benefits of, programs or activities at facilities funded under the Act, including facilities established or supported by bonds issued under the Act, on the basis of sex. Provides that, if bonds are issued under the Act to fund facilities for professional men's sports, some bonds must also be issued to fund facilities for professional women's sports; and provides that, if the Authority does not have a professional women's sports facility project to work on at the time of issuance of the bonds, then either: (i) the proceeds from the bonds issued for professional women's sports shall be placed into a dedicated fund until the Authority has a professional women's sports facility project on which to work, or (ii) a portion of the revenue source supporting the bonds must be left unused and dedicated to support a future bond issuance solely focused on professional women's sports facility projects. Provides that the portion required under item (ii) shall be as required by statute or, if no statute sets the portion, shall be in an amount set by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion. Provides that a person may not be prohibited from participation in, or any of the benefits of, programs or activities at facilities funded under this Act, including facilities established or supported by bonds issued under the Act, on the basis of sex. Removes and modifies outdated language, including provisions relating to a dissolved advisory board. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Strengthening Mental Health and Substance Use Parity Act. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, or any third-party administrator administering the behavioral health benefits for the insurer, shall cover all out-of-network medically necessary mental health and substance use benefits and services (inpatient and outpatient) as if they were in-network for purposes of cost sharing for the insured. Provides that the insured has the right to select the provider or facility of their choice and the modality, whether the care is provided via in-person visit or telehealth, for medically necessary care. Sets forth minimum reimbursement rates for certain behavioral health benefits. Sets forth provisions concerning responsibility for compliance with parity requirements; coverage and payment for multiple covered mental health and substance use services, mental health or substance use services provided under the supervision of a licensed mental health or substance treatment provider, and 60-minute individual psychotherapy; timely credentialing of mental health and substance use providers; Department of Insurance enforcement and rulemaking; civil penalties; and other matters. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to authorize emergency rulemaking. Effective immediately.

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.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that owners of income-producing properties shall file physical descriptions of their properties with the chief county assessor in the form and format determined by the chief county assessor. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a municipality or a law enforcement agency may not enforce any provision of law restricting or punishing an individual for sleeping in public spaces in a nonobstructive manner within a municipality if the municipality's homeless population exceeds the number of available beds in homeless shelters within the municipality. Provides that "nonobstructive manner" means in a manner that does not render passageways, walkways, or roadways impassable or hazardous. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers.