Rep. Bob Rita

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to award grants for the payment of tuition and fees to eligible applicants who agree to serve a minimum of 4 years as a law enforcement officer in a local community in this State following graduation from a public institution of higher learning. Sets forth provisions concerning applicant eligibility, conditions for maintaining grant eligibility, and conditions requiring the repayment of grant assistance. Provides for rulemaking. Effective immediately.

Creates the Internet Gaming Act. Authorizes a casino or racetrack to offer Internet gaming or contract with a platform to offer Internet gaming, as regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board. Provides the requirements for Internet gaming platforms, Internet wagering accounts, and licenses issued under the Act. Includes provisions for age verification, location of wagering, responsible gaming, diversity goals in procurement and spending by Internet gaming licensees, the applicability of the Illinois Gambling Act and the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act, acceptance of out-of-state wagers, and limitations on home rule units. Provides that a 12% privilege tax is imposed on Internet gaming to be deposited into the State Gaming Fund. Provides that certain tax revenue from Internet gaming shall be paid to the Department of Human Services for the administration of programs to treat problem gambling, the Pension Stabilization Fund, and the Education Assistance Fund. Authorizes the adoption of emergency rules to implement the Act and makes conforming changes in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Video Gaming Act. Removes provisions requiring the Illinois Gaming Board to consider the impact of any economic concentration of the operation of video gaming terminals when deciding whether to approve the operation of video gaming terminals in a location. Effective immediately.

Amends the Video Gaming Act. Provides that a video gaming terminal is not an amusement for purposes of the Illinois Municipal Code and is a gambling device as defined under federal law. Provides that imposing fees for establishments authorized to conduct video gaming, terminal operators, and video gaming terminal players is an exclusive power and function of the State and that a home rule municipality unit may not impose fees for establishments authorized to conduct video gaming, terminal operators, and video gaming terminal players. Adds that the providing and operating of video gaming terminals in accordance with the Act is an occupation not subject to tax by any home rule unit of local government. Prohibits a home rule municipality from imposing a fee for the operation of a video gaming terminal in excess of $250 per year, unless a home rule municipality imposed a fee in excess of $250 a year on or before January 1, 2020 (in which case the fee may not be increased).

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the month of October of each year is designated as Italian Heritage Month to be observed throughout the State as a month to recognize the contributions and influence of Italians on American history, achievement, culture, and innovation. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 490/9 new Adds reference to: 25 ILCS 120/6.7 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Compensation Review Act. Prohibits cost-of-living adjustments for or during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 for State government legislative and executive elected officers and appointees in positions for which the Compensation Review Board previously recommended or determined compensation. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the month of October of each year is designated as Italian Heritage Month to be observed throughout the State as a month to recognize the contributions and influence of Italians on American history, achievement, culture, and innovation.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Makes a technical change concerning the Act's purpose.

Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Removes a provision that provides that an eligible race track located in a county that has a population of more than 230,000 and is bounded by the Mississippi River may establish up to 9 inter-track wagering locations, an eligible race track located in Stickney Township in Cook County may establish up to 16 inter-track wagering locations, and an eligible race track located in Palatine Township in Cook County may establish up to 18 inter-track wagering locations. Removes a provision that provides that any eligible racetrack conducting Standardbred racing may have up to 16 inter-track wagering locations. Provides that an inter-track wagering location licensee may conduct inter-track wagering and simulcast wagering without written consent regardless of whether it is located within 5 miles (or 8 miles for specific locations outside of Chicago) of a race track if the Illinois Racing Board licensed the inter-track wagering location licensee before initially issuing an organization license to the race track in question.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code to provide that an insurer that provides coverage for prescription insulin drugs pursuant to the terms of a health coverage plan the insurer offers shall limit the total amount that an insured is required to pay for a 30-day supply of covered prescription insulin drugs at an amount not to exceed $30 (rather than $100). Makes a conforming change in the Illinois Public Aid Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the Pawnbroker Regulation Act. Clarifies that it shall be unlawful for any pawnbroker to charge or collect a greater benefit or percentage upon money advanced, and for the use and forbearance thereof, than permitted under the Predatory Loan Prevention Act. Amends the Predatory Loan Prevention Act. Provides that the definition of "loan" includes transactions subject to the Pawnbroker Regulation Act. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for any person or entity to solicit, broker, or otherwise engage in any other activity intended to facilitate or result in, or that in fact facilitates or results in, the origination of a loan that violates the Act. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for any person or entity to advertise or cause to be advertised a loan that violates the Act. Provides that a violation of the Act by a person or entity licensed under the Pawnbroker Regulation Act shall subject the person or entity to discipline in accordance with that Act. Makes other changes. Effective June 1, 2023.