Rep. Lisa Hernandez

Creates the Natural Organic Reduction Regulation Act. Provides that any person doing business in this State, or any cemetery, crematory, funeral establishment, corporation, partnership, joint venture, voluntary organization, or any other entity, may erect, maintain, and operate a natural organic reduction facility in the State and provide the necessary appliances and facilities for the natural organic reduction of human remains in accordance with the Act. Provides that an individual or a person, cemetery, crematory, funeral establishment, corporation, partnership, joint venture, voluntary organization, or other entity may reduce human remains only in a natural organic reduction facility operated by a disposition authority licensed for this purpose and only under the limitations provided in the Act. Provides for: grounds for denial or discipline; surrender of a license; license, display, transfer; authorizing agent; authorization for natural organic reduction; performance of natural organic reduction services, training; recordkeeping; natural organic reduction procedures; disposition of reduced human remains; limitation of liability; hazardous implants; penalties; failure to file an annual report; injunctive action, cease and desist order; service of notice; investigations, notice and hearing; compelling testimony; administrative review, venue, certification of record, costs; and preneed of natural organic reduction arrangements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Early Childhood Education Act to establish a framework for early childhood education in Illinois. A specific provision within the legislation ensures that the rights, benefits, and employment status of state employees and their agencies remain unchanged by the new act. It explicitly states that the law does not affect existing personnel codes, labor relations, collective bargaining agreements, or pension plans. The bill was signed into law and became effective on June 25, 2024, with some provisions taking effect on July 1, 2026.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on January 1, 2025, or as soon thereafter as practical, the State Comptroller shall direct and the State Treasurer shall transfer the remaining balance from the Electronic Health Record Incentive Fund into the Public Aid Recoveries Trust Fund. Provides that upon completion of the transfer, the Electronic Health Record Incentive Fund is dissolved, and any future deposits due to that Fund and any outstanding obligations or liabilities of that Fund shall pass to the Public Aid Recoveries Trust Fund. Provides that on January 1, 2026, or as soon thereafter as practical, the State Comptroller shall direct and the State Treasurer shall transfer the remaining balance from the Juvenile Rehabilitation Services Medicaid Matching Fund into the Public Aid Recoveries Trust Fund. Provides that upon completion of the transfer, the Juvenile Rehabilitation Services Medicaid Matching Fund is dissolved, and any future deposits due to that Fund and any outstanding obligations or liabilities of that Fund shall pass to the Public Aid Recoveries Trust Fund. Repeals a provision requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to conduct annual audits of the County Provider Trust Fund to determine that amounts received from or paid to county providers were correct. Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that on January 1, 2025, or as soon thereafter as practical, the State Comptroller shall direct and the State Treasurer shall transfer the remaining balance from the Provider Inquiry Trust Fund into the Healthcare Provider Relief Fund. Provides that upon completion of the transfer, the Provider Inquiry Trust Fund is dissolved, and any future deposits due to that Fund and any outstanding obligations or liabilities of that Fund shall pass to the Healthcare Provider Relief Fund. Repeals provisions in the Illinois Public Aid Code concerning the Medicaid Research and Education Support Fund and enhancement payments for Medicaid research and education. Repeals the Supportive Living Facility Funding Article and the Supportive Living Facility Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Disaster Relief Act. Provides that the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security may provide State supplemental grants to meet disaster-related necessary expenses or serious needs of individuals and households adversely affected by any disaster declared by the President of the United States in those cases in which individuals and households are unable to meet those expenses or needs through other assistance. Sets eligibility, application, and other requirements for the grants.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that an annual property tax adjustment shall be paid by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to each qualified facility licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act and the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013. Provides that the adjustment shall be the equivalent of each facility's percent of annual paid Medicaid bed days as applied to the facility's property tax bill for the same tax year. Requires the Department to provide an electronic portal for submission of the facility's annual property tax obligation, the percent of paid Medicaid bed days for the same tax year, and the relevant calculations. Requires each facility to submit the information within 60 days of notification by the county of its annual property tax obligation. Requires the Department to have 60 days to audit the facility's information and calculations and pay as a lump sum property tax adjustment owed to the facility.

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to provide persons lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act and other noncitizens the same medical coverage for family planning and family planning-related services and supplies as provided under the Medical Assistance Program to eligible persons who are United States citizens. Provides that to be eligible for family planning and related services, a lawful permanent resident or other noncitizen must meet all other eligibility qualifications under the HFS Family Planning Program established in accordance with the Illinois' Family Planning State Plan Amendment as approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Provides that the Department shall not require lawful permanent residents or other noncitizens who are otherwise eligible for family planning and related services under the amendatory Act to complete a mandatory waiting period as a condition of receiving medical coverage.

Authorizes the Director of Natural Resources to execute and deliver a quitclaim deed to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation for specified real property located in DeKalb County, subject to specified conditions. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall implement and administer a program to make New Arrival Student Grants available to school districts to support the needs of students who are newly arriving immigrant students, regardless of immigration status. Provides that to receive a grant under this program, a school district shall submit an application to the State Board of Education at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by such information as the State Board of Education may reasonably require. Provides that in awarding funds under this program, the State Board of Education may consider (i) the number of new arrival students enrolled in preschool, elementary school, and secondary school within the school district, (ii) the needs of new arrival students in the school district, and (iii) the ability of the school district to meet the needs of new arrival students. Effective July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a memorial resolution honoring Officer Luis M. Huesca, a Chicago Police Department officer who was killed in the line of duty in April 2024. The text formally expresses the sadness of the Illinois House of Representatives regarding his death and extends condolences to his family, friends, and community. It also directs that a copy of the resolution be given to the Huesca family as a gesture of sympathy. This legislative action serves to acknowledge his service and sacrifice rather than to change laws or policies.

Urges the President of the United States to authorize the DHS Secretary to establish a program to evaluate parole and work authorization on a case-by-case basis for long-term immigrant workers who are undocumented and residing in Illinois to address this State's critical need for labor and to secure the family life for tens of thousands of mixed status families in Illinois. Urges the Governor to work with federal partners to urge, by all possible means, the establishment of such a parole and work authorization program for the long-term immigrant population who are undocumented and residing in Illinois.