Rep. Theresa Mah

Amends the Electric Vehicle Rebate Act. Defines "electric bicycle" and "nonattainment area". Provides that, beginning July 1, 2024, and continuing as long as funds are available, a person may apply for a rebate following the purchase of an electric bicycle in the State. Provides for a schedule of rebates awarded. Provides for a secondary schedule of rebates awarded for individuals who can provide proof of eligibility for the Food Assistance for Women, Infants, and Children, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance, or otherwise make less than 300% of the federal poverty limit. Provides that a community shall be prioritized for the electric bicycle rebate program if the community is within a nonattainment area. Provides that the incentive for a rebate for an electric bicycle shall be available at the point of sale in order to maximize the impact for low-income and mid-income communities. Provides that a business in a nonattainment area shall register with the Department of Revenue to directly receive rebates for the business' sales with the retailer collecting specified information.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, except during the 27 days immediately preceding any election, the State Board of Elections may furnish electronic voter registration records at a reasonable cost to any person who makes a sworn affidavit. Sets forth restrictions on the information that may be disclosed. Provides that voter registration records or data shall be limited to bona fide election purposes and shall not be used for any personal, private, or commercial purpose, including, but not limited to, the intimidation, threat, or deception of any person or the advertising, solicitation, sale, or marketing of products or services. Sets forth penalties for violations of these provisions. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall not consider as an expense of any public utility, for the purpose of determining any rate or charge, any amount expended for contributions or gifts to political candidates, political parties, political or legislative committees, or any committee or organization working to influence referendum petitions or elections or contributions to a trade association, chamber of commerce, or public charity, including, but not limited to, a charity managed by the public utility or affiliated interest. Provides that the Commission shall not consider as an expense of any public utility, for the purpose of determining any rate or charge, any amount expended by the public utility for director and officers liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance. Provides that in determining whether other types of insurance purchased by the public utility are recoverable, the Commission shall determine whether the insurance is of financial benefit to ratepayers of the public utility or its shareholders. Provides that if the Commission determines the insurance purchased by the public utility is of benefit to its shareholders, then it shall not be a recoverable expense. Provides that, if a gas, electric, water, or sewer utility requests a general rate increase, the Commission shall hold at least one public hearing for the public to provide input on the proposed increase in rates. Provides that the public hearing shall be held in the service area of the public utility that is requesting the general rate increase at a time and location determined by the Commission. Makes changes in provisions definitions; donations made by a public utility for energy assistance; consideration of attorney and expert compensation as an expense; and the Consumer Intervenor Compensation Fund.

Amends the Public-Private Partnerships for Transportation Act. Provides that each year, at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the responsible public entity's fiscal year, the responsible public entity shall submit to the General Assembly a description of potential projects that the responsible public entity is considering undertaking under the Act to each county, municipality, and metropolitan planning organization, with respect to each project located within its boundaries. Requires any new transportation facility developed as a project under the Act to be consistent with the regional plan then in existence of any metropolitan planning organization in whose boundaries the project is located. Provides that, prior to the approval of the public-private agreement, the responsible public entity must notify the public at least 60 days prior to the approval of the public-private agreement for any projects under the Act and must hold at least one public meeting within the impacted community. Sets forth additional notice requirements. Sets forth public meeting requirements. Requires the responsible public entity to create a meeting summary including issues raised by the public and respond to all questions in writing no later than 14 days after the meeting. Requires the responsible public entity to post the summary and responses to the responsible public entity's publicly accessible website. Makes other changes.

Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act. Provides that gambling and gambling addiction shall be included in the Comprehensive Health Education Program. Effective July 1, 2024.

Creates the Work Without Fear Act. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to engage in, or to direct another person to engage in, immigration-related retaliation against any person or his or her family member or household member for the purpose of, or with the effect of, retaliating against any person for exercising any right protected under State employment laws or by any local employment ordinance. Sets forth the duties and powers of the Department of Labor under 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 has violated the Act. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to prevent any person from making complaint or prosecuting his or her own claim for damages caused by retaliation. Allows a person who is the subject of retaliation prohibited by the Act to bring a civil action for: (1) back pay, with interest, and front pay, or, in lieu of actual damages, liquidated damages of $30,000; (2) a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000; (3) reasonable attorney's fees and court costs; and (4) equitable relief as the court may deem appropriate and just. Provides that a person that violates any provision of the Act shall be subject to an additional civil penalty in an amount of $25,000 for each violation, or $50,000 for each repeat violation within a 5-year period. Sets forth license suspension penalties for violations of the Act. Effective January 1, 2025.

Creates the Let the People Lift the Ban Act. Includes legislative findings and purpose. Defines terms. Excludes specified types of residences and occupancies from the Act. Includes provisions relating to rental agreements, tenant and landlord rights and obligations, tenant and landlord remedies, security deposits, retaliatory conduct, lockouts, and conflict with other provisions of law. Amends the Rent Control Preemption Act. Provides that a prohibition on a unit of local government enacting, maintaining, or enforcing an ordinance or resolution that would have the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property does not apply if the voters of the unit of local government have approved a referendum allowing rent control. Adds provisions about local rent control regulation, including regulation within a district, precinct, ward, or other similar subdivision of a unit of local government. Changes the home rule preemption of the Act to concurrent exercise of home rule powers by a unit rather than exclusive exercise by the State. Repeals the Retaliatory Eviction Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides if a public body is a local school council organized under the Chicago School District Article of the School Code, then subject to certain requirements, an open or closed meeting subject to the Act may be conducted by audio or video conference, without the physical presence of a quorum of the members, so long as specified conditions are met. Amends the School Code. Provides that at the organizational meeting, the local school council shall take a vote to determine if meetings shall be held in-person or remotely; however, a declaration by the Governor or Director of Public Health limiting the size of or prohibiting an in-person meeting shall supersede a local school council's vote to meet in-person.

Recognizes the cultural and historical significance of the Lunar New Year to Asian American communities. Expresses the deepest respect for Asian Americans and people throughout Illinois and the world who celebrate the Lunar New Year, and wishes those who celebrate a happy and prosperous new year.

Amends the Equitable Restrooms Act. Provides that every public restroom open to the public shall include menstrual hygiene products at no cost to the users of that public restroom. Provides that all menstrual hygiene products shall be placed within the public restroom and be openly accessible to users of that public restroom. Provides that the entity providing the public restroom shall be responsible for ordering, stocking, and replenishing the supply of menstrual hygiene products in the public restroom. Provides that the provisions do not apply to mosques, temples, churches, or other places of worship. Includes provisions relating to inspection of public restrooms and rules that the Department of Public Health shall adopt. Provides that a violation of provisions relating to baby changing stations, all-gender single-occupancy restrooms, and menstrual hygiene products is a petty offense with a fine of not more than $100. Effective immediately.