Rep. Theresa Mah

Amends the Whistleblower Act. Changes the definitions of "employer" and "employee". Defines "adverse employment action", "public body", "retaliatory action", and "supervisor". Provides that an employer may not take retaliatory action against an employee who discloses or threatens to disclose information about an activity, policy, or practice of the employer that the employee has a good faith belief that such activity, policy, or practice violates a State or federal law, rule, or regulation or poses a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. Includes additional relief, damages, and penalties for violation of the Act. Allows the Attorney General to initiate or intervene in a civil action to obtain appropriate relief if the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person or entity is engaged in a practice prohibited by the Act. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act apply to claims arising or complaints filed on or after January 1, 2025. Effective January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for determining in-state tuition eligibility at the University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University. It establishes new requirements for international students and others who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents to qualify for lower resident tuition rates. To qualify, these individuals must have attended Illinois schools for a specified number of years, graduated from an Illinois high school, and agree to apply for permanent U.S. residency if they become eligible. The changes also maintain existing provisions that allow military personnel and veterans stationed in Illinois to receive resident tuition rates.

Maddy summarySB 508, known as the Employment-Tech bill, amends the Labor Dispute Act to update how notices are handled during employment-related investigations. The law requires that original notices sent to employees be redacted to protect their personal privacy under state and federal laws. It also clarifies that these specific procedures do not apply to routine inspections of employer I-9 employment verification forms. This change ensures that sensitive employee information is safeguarded while allowing standard immigration compliance checks to continue.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides a conviction that was the result of a negotiated plea may be challenged under the post-judgment relief provisions that require evidence of a forcible felony, domestic violence, or gender-based violence.

Amends the Day and Temporary Labor Services Act. Provides that, if an applicant seeks a work assignment as a day or temporary laborer with a day and temporary labor service agency, including in-person, online or through an app-based system, and is not placed with a third party client or otherwise contracted to work for that day by the day and temporary labor service agency, the day and temporary labor service agency shall provide the applicant with a confirmation that the applicant sought work that satisfies specified criteria. Sets forth compensation requirements for day or temporary laborers based on directly hired comparative employees of a third party. Provides that it shall be the responsibility and duty of a day and temporary labor service agency to calculate and determine the hourly rate of pay and the benefits it shall offer to a day or temporary laborer, including any cash equivalents. Makes changes in provisions concerning the right to refuse assignments due to a labor dispute and the duties of third party clients. Defines terms.

Creates the Summary of Rights for Safer Homes Act. Requires the Department of Human Rights to create a summary form advising tenants who have suffered domestic violence or sexual violence of the rights that they have under Illinois law that provide protection in their ability to have safe housing. Requires landlords to attach a copy of the summary as the first page of any written residential lease entered into with a tenant.

Amends the Home Equity Assurance Act. In provisions authoring a governing commission with no less than $4,000,000 in its guarantee fund to establish a Low Interest Home Improvement Loan Program, provides that the loan may be used for repair or maintenance of a guaranteed residence's water and sewer pipes and repair of a guaranteed residence, including, but not limited to, basement repairs, following flooding damage or other natural disaster damage to the property (rather than following flooding damage to the property). Provides that a commission may use loan funds to issue a grant or rebate for repairs, maintenance, remodeling, alteration, or improvement of a guaranteed residence for purposes of preventing or repairing damage as a result of a natural disaster, including, but not limited to, flooding.

Maddy summaryHB 778 is a technical amendment to the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois that updates the short title of a specific section within the law. The bill does not introduce new policies, alter existing regulations, or directly impact any individuals or organizations. Its sole purpose is to correct the official name used to refer to a part of the state's technology-related statutes. Once signed into law, the change will become effective on January 1, 2025.

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual plan of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act must provide coverage for wigs or other scalp prostheses worn for hair loss caused by alopecia, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment for cancer or other conditions. Makes a conforming change in the Health Maintenance Organization Act and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that, in anticipation of the successful completion of a diversion program, a petitioner may file a petition for expungement at least 61 days before the anticipated dismissal of the case. Provides that, if a petition is filed, and upon the successful completion of the diversion program and dismissal of the case, the court shall review the petition and shall grant expungement if the petitioner meets all requirements. Amends the Drug Court Treatment Act, the Veterans and Servicemembers Court Treatment Act, and the Mental Health Court Treatment Act to make conforming changes.