Rep. Theresa Mah

Amends the School Code. With regard to the textbook block grant program, provides that the textbooks authorized to be purchased must accurately portray the diversity of our society, including the role and contributions of people protected under the Illinois Human Rights Act, and must be non-discriminatory as to certain characteristics under the Act. Provides that the teaching of history of the United States in public schools shall include a study of the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country and this State. Requires every public elementary school and high school to include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the significant role of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in society. Specifies instruction requirements. Requires the regional superintendent of schools to monitor a school district's compliance with the curriculum requirements. Effective July 1, 2019.

Creates the Illinois Workers' Rights and Worker Safety Act. Provides that except as authorized by State law enacted after January 1, 2017, a State agency may not amend or revise its rules relating to protection of workers' rights or worker safety in a manner less stringent than specified federal laws. Provides that a State agency may establish workers' rights and worker safety standards that are more stringent than those provided in federal law in existence as of January 1, 2017. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that in certain circumstances an action may be brought in a circuit court by a person in the public interest to enforce standards or requirements concerning air, water, drinking water, and endangered and threatened species adopted under specified provisions of the Act and the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act. Provides that the provisions concerning public interest enforcement shall only become operative if specified events occur. Provides that the enforcement provisions of the Act are severable. Adds provisions concerning protection of the environment, natural resources, and public health. Requires various State agencies to adopt, maintain, and enforce rules concerning air, water, drinking water, and endangered and threatened species that are at least as stringent as various regulatory baselines under federal law, in addition to State law requirements. Provides that every State agency shall undertake all feasible efforts to implement and enforce these provisions. Contains reporting requirements. Deletes provisions providing that an air pollution construction or operating permit shall not be required due to emissions of greenhouse gases if certain events occur. Deletes certain language concerning exemptions from provisions concerning the Clean Air Act Permit Program.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Adds families that are not recipients of benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and that need child care assistance to participate in education and training activities to the list of family categories that are covered under the child care assistance program. Deletes a provision: requiring the Department of Human Services to allocate $7,500,000 annually for a test program for families that are income-eligible for child care assistance, are not recipients of TANF, and need child care assistance to participate in education and training activities; and requiring the Department to specify the conditions of eligibility for the test program. Effective July 1, 2017.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that no candidate for President or Vice-President of the United States shall appear on the official ballot for the general election if that candidate has not released his or her tax returns at least 5 days prior to the date set for certification of the ballot for the general election. Defines "released his or her tax returns" to mean that the tax returns filed with the federal Internal Revenue Service for the 5 most recent years in which tax returns have been filed by the candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States have been filed with the Secretary of State. Requires the Secretary of State to post the tax returns on the Secretary of State's website and to certify that the tax returns have been filed to the State Board of Elections. Allows the Secretary of State to adopt rules to implement the provisions.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that upon the filing of an eviction action, the clerk of the circuit court shall immediately seal the court file and mail a specified notice to the defendants in the action. Provides that the clerk shall unseal the file after 30 days after the entry of an eviction order under specified circumstances. Provides that unsealed files shall be re-sealed no later than 5 years after the eviction action was filed or by order of the court. Restricts access to a sealed court record to specified persons. Provides that the clerk of the circuit court shall maintain a record in the aggregate of the number of for-cause and not-for-cause eviction actions, and a count of the final dispositions of for-cause and not-for-cause eviction actions. Restricts the dissemination of any information contained in a sealed court file and provides that certain violations of the restrictions constitute an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Makes a corresponding change in the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning State policy.

Creates the Transportation Benefit Program Act. Provides that an employer that is situated in Cook County or specified townships and for which an average of 25 or more full-time employees work for compensation shall offer a program that allows a covered employee to elect to exclude from taxable wages and compensation the employee's commuting costs incurred for the purchase of a transit pass to use public transit or for the purchase of qualified parking, up to a maximum level allowed by federal tax law. Provides that a covered employer may comply by participating in a program offered by the Chicago Transit Authority or the Regional Transit Authority. Provides that all transit agencies shall market the existence of the program to their riders. Effective January 1, 2019.

Acknowledges May of 2018 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that January 30 of each year is designated as Fred T. Korematsu Day, to be observed throughout the State as a day in honor of the man and his courageous fight and efforts for civil liberties, and to encourage schools and institutes of higher learning in this State to incorporate the story of Fred Korematsu and his valiant stand for American values of justice into their curricula. Provides a preamble. Effective immediately.