Rep. Lisa Hernandez

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Provides that the Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984 is repealed on January 1, 2030 (rather than January 1, 2025). Amends the Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984. Provides that all applicants and registrants shall: (1) provide a valid address and email address to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which shall serve as the address of record and email address of record, respectively, at the time of application for registration or renewal of a registration; and (2) inform the Department of any change of address of record or email address of record within 14 days after such change either through the Department's website or by contacting the Department's licensure maintenance unit. Provides that every application for an original licensee under the Act shall include the applicant's Social Security Number or individual taxpayer identification number. Provides that the report of findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations of the Certified Shorthand Reporters Board shall be the basis for the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation's (rather than the Department's) action regarding a certificate. Provides that within 20 days after service of a notice of report of refusal to issue or renew, the respondent may present to the Secretary (rather than to the Department) a motion in writing for a rehearing. Removes a provision providing that exhibits shall be certified without cost. Repeals a provision concerning a roster. Makes corresponding and other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that when issuing or marketing a homeowner's insurance policy, an insurer shall disclose whether the homeowner's insurance policy covers damage from a sewer backup or overflow from a sump pump. Provides that if the homeowner's insurance policy being issued does not cover damage caused by a sewer backup or overflow from a sump pump, the insurer shall offer the insured the opportunity to purchase additional coverage for damage caused by a sewer backup or overflow from a sump pump. Provides that the cost of the additional coverage shall be clearly communicated to the insured at the time the opportunity to purchase the additional coverage is offered. Defines "homeowner's insurance policy".

Amends the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that the governing board of each public institution of higher education shall adopt a policy to allow a student who is a member of the National Guard of any state, the District of Columbia, a commonwealth, or a territory of the United States or any reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States to submit classwork and complete any other class assignments missed due to the student participating in a drill required as a member of the National Guard or the reserve component.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment within the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The office is designed to help minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and disability-owned businesses, as well as certain non-profits, by offering outreach, workshops, and assistance with applying for state and federal funding. It will also provide education on business formation, planning, and marketing, while coordinating support with other state agencies. The changes take effect on January 1, 2025.

Amends the Automatic Contract Renewal Act. Provides that any person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation that sells or offers to sell any products or services to a consumer pursuant to a contract that includes a free gift or a trial period of the product or service that lasts 15 days or longer, where such contract automatically renews unless the consumer cancels the contract, shall notify the consumer no less than 2 weeks before the cancellation deadline as described by the automatic renewal offer terms. Provides that if the person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation has the consumer's email address, this notice shall be sent by email.

Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that a hospital having custody of a fetus following a spontaneous fetal death occurring during or after a gestation period of at least 20 completed weeks must notify the gestational parent of the parent's right to receive a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth. Amends the Vital Records Act. Provides that after each fetal death that occurs in the State after a gestation period of at least 20 (rather than 26) completed weeks, or in cases where gestational age is uncertain, where the fetus weighs at least 350 grams, the person who files a fetal death certificate shall also prepare a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth. Requires the person who files a fetal death certificate to notify the gestational parent of the stillborn of that parent's right to request and receive a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that alcoholic liquors may be delivered to and sold at retail or dispensed at any facility, property, or building under the jurisdiction of the State Treasurer if certain conditions are met. Effective immediately.

Creates the Pesticide Application on Rights-of-Way Notification Act. Provides that, at least 24 hours before applying a pesticide to a public right-of-way that is located within the corporate boundaries of a municipality, a certified applicator employed or contracted with by the State or a unit of local government to apply the pesticide shall provide notice of the application to all residents whose residences are located within 200 feet of the public right-of-way to be treated. Provides for monetary penalties for violations following an administrative hearing with the Department of Agriculture. Specifies that penalties are to be deposited into the Pesticide Control Fund, with unpaid penalties subject to collection by the Attorney General. Creates a petty offense and provides for an alternative prosecution by a State's Attorney following referral by the Department of Agriculture, with identical fines for the petty offense. Provides for the adoption of rules by the Department of Agriculture. Defines terms.

Amends the Regional Planning Act. Removes provisions relating to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's Wastewater Committee. Provides that approval of four-fifths of the Board of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning members in office is necessary for the Board to take action regarding the Agency's budget and work plan, a regional plan, the annual federally funded program, the legislative agenda, and any matter regarding the executive director, but action on all other matters shall be taken in accordance with the Board's bylaws. Provides that the Board shall continue directly involving local elected officials in federal program allocation decisions for any other federally suballocated funding as required by law (rather than only directly involving local elected officials in federal program allocation decisions for the Surface Transportation Program and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds). Repeals provisions relating to succession and transfers related to the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission and a transition period of the Board. Provides that each General Assembly shall appropriate dedicated funding to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to fulfill those functions and programs authorized by the Act (rather than additional funding shall be provided to the Agency to support those functions and programs authorized by the Act). Makes other changes.

Amends the Crime Victims Compensation Act. Expands the definition of "applicant" under the Act. Changes the definition of "victim" to include a grandparent solely for the purpose of compensating for pecuniary loss incurred for psychological treatment of a mental or emotional condition caused or aggravated by the crime. Provides that a victim or applicant who has been convicted of a felony not related to the crime for which the individual is seeking compensation may apply for assistance under this Act at any time but no ward of compensation may be considered or granted while the victim or applicant is held in a correctional institution. Authorizes the Attorney General to issue subpoenas to compel production of law enforcement reports maintained by law enforcement agencies. Prohibits the Attorney General's office from disclosing to the public law enforcement reports obtained from an applicant or victim under this Act. Allows the Attorney General and the Court of Claims to extend the time for reporting to law enforcement (rather than, for most crimes of violence, within 72 hours of the crime) if the Attorney General determines that the extension is justified by extraordinary circumstances. Provides that an application based on an allegation of police misconduct causing the injury or death may not be denied solely because a police report was not made the by victim. Amends the Juvenile Court. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits law enforcement agencies from disclosing law enforcement reports and records to the Attorney General to comply with the Crime Victims Compensation Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately, except that some provisions are effective January 1, 2025.