Rep. Bob Rita

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Adds the percentage of Medicaid funded residents as one of the factors the Department of Healthcare and Family Services must considered in grouping nursing facilities for purposes of payment. Provides that a resident of a nursing facility whose application for long term care benefits is awaiting final action shall be included in the calculation as a Medicaid funded resident.

Congratulates Pearl Place Myers on her 100th birthday.

Amends the General Assembly Organization Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the deposit of books, bills, documents, and papers with the Secretary of State.

Amends the Assumed Business Name Act. Provides that filings under the Act shall be in the manner prescribed by the County Clerk. Provides for the renewal of assumed business names every 5 years in counties with a population of 4,000,000 or more inhabitants.

Amends the Use Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Extends the repeal date of the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985 from January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2026. Amends the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985. Provides for the licensure of barber stylists and spa technicians. Makes changes in provisions concerning: definitions; licensure renewal and continuing education requirements; display of license; exceptions to the Act; qualifications for licensure; professionals licensed or registered elsewhere; the definition of "cosmetology"; examinations; continuing education; investigations by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; the definition of "hair braiding"; the powers and duties of the Department; and disciplinary actions. Requires a 30-day correction period be provided to approved schools found in violation of the Act (now, discretionary). Requires the Attorney General or a state's attorney to open an investigation whenever allegations of certain violations are raised against an approved school. Requires changes in the Board's composition in order to reflect the newly licensed professions. Provides for a salon/barber shop/braiding salon license (rather than a certificate of registration). Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Creates a new Section prohibiting all units of local government from enacting or enforcing ordinances or regulations that penalize tenants who contact police or other emergency services if (1) the contact was made with the intent to prevent the perpetration or escalation of domestic violence, sexual violence, criminal activity, or any other emergency situation; (2) the contact was made with the intent to respond to domestic violence, sexual violence, criminal activity, or other emergency situation; (3) the intervention or emergency assistance was needed to respond to the perpetration or escalation of domestic violence, sexual violence, criminal activity, or other emergency situation; or (4) the contact was concerning an individual with a disability. Requires any ordinances inconsistent with this Section to be repealed or modified. Provides that a landlord or tenant may bring a civil suit seeking to invalidate the ordinance, compensatory damages, attorney fees, court costs, and other equitable relief. Provides that the new Section is a denial and limitation of home rule powers and functions. Provides that this Section does not limit enforcement of provisions of the Emergency Telephone System Act, the Criminal Code of 2012, and the Forcible Entry and Detainer Article of the Code of Civil Procedure, or does not limit or prohibit any unit of local government from enacting or enforcing an ordinance that does not penalize landlords or tenants on the basis of contact made to police or other emergency service. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable year 2016 and thereafter, the amount of the senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption shall be the greater of (i) the amount of the exemption otherwise calculated under that Section of the Code or (ii) $2,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that public bodies may hold closed meetings to consider building safety and security.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to receive and consider applications for grant assistance from persons enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a medical assistant program at an institution of higher learning that will lead to certification to work as a medical assistant in the Roseland Community Medical District. Sets forth provisions concerning the selection of recipients, the amount of a grant, applications for grant assistance, administration, and rulemaking.