Rep. Thaddeus Jones

Amends the Adult Guardianship Article of the Probate Act of 1975. Deletes language providing that if the respondent is unable to pay the fee of the guardian ad litem or appointed counsel, or both, the court may enter an order for the petitioner to pay all such fees or such amounts as the respondent or the respondent's estate may be unable to pay. Provides instead that the allocation of guardian ad litem fees is within the discretion of the court. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the allocation of guardian ad litem fees and costs (rather than just fees) is within the discretion of the court. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Provides that no legal fees, appointed counsel fees, guardian ad litem fees, or costs shall be assessed against the Office of the State Guardian, the public guardian, an adult protective services agency, the Department of Children and Family Services, or the agency designated by the Governor under the Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act. Deletes language providing that in cases where the Office of State Guardian, the public guardian, an adult protective services agency, or the Department of Children and Family Services is the petitioner, no guardian ad litem or legal fees shall be assessed against the Office of State Guardian, the public guardian, the adult protective services agency, or the Department of Children and Family Services.

Urges that violence be labeled as a disease and treated as a public health crisis.

Creates the Black Wall Street Program Act. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create and administer the Black Wall Street Program to provide loans and financial assistance to designated communities for the creation of Black Wall Street Business Districts. Specifies further requirements concerning Program eligibility and the disbursement of loan funds under the Program. Requires each municipality receiving a loan under the Program to establish a municipal investment program by which loan funds are dispersed to qualified African American business entities and persons for the purpose of establishing Black Wall Street Business Districts. Allows for the use of loan funds to invest in, issue, or sell bonds for the purpose of the construction of Black Wall Street Business Districts and all related matters. Requires the Department to compile and make available to the public a database of qualified African American contractors and engineers. Requires the Department to create and administer a Black Wall Street Investment Hub for the purposes of providing specified assistance to African American business entities and persons in establishing Black Wall Street businesses. Provides for the adoption of administrative rules. Creates the Black Wall Street Fund as a special fund in the State treasury for specified purposes. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes.

Creates the Police Department Nonlethal Force Policy Act. Provides that the Illinois State Police, Secretary of State Police Department, and each mass transit district police force, university police force, county sheriff's office, and municipal police department of this State shall develop a plan or strategy for the use of nonlethal force on a person suspected of committing or having committed a criminal offense or resisting arrest. The plan or strategy shall include the use of new technologies and alternatives to the use of firearms in apprehending a suspect or in protecting the officer from harm by a suspect.

Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. After January 1, 2022, requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to adopt rules to issue 100 Adult Use Dispensing Organization Licenses on or before December 31, 2022 to African American-owned businesses, Hispanic-owned businesses, and Social Equity Applicants in specified communities and in specified amounts.

Urges the Illinois General Assembly and the United States Congress to explore a new, domestic investment plan to promote economic growth and recovery in targeted African American communities.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the $80 fee paid by tax purchasers is non-refundable. Reinstates provisions imposing a 5% fee on taxes, interest, and penalties due at purchase.

Amends the Court of Claims Act. Creates the COVID-19 Family Assistance Program. Provides for the Court of Claims to administer a program for the payment of $50,000 to families of persons who die because of COVID-19. Authorizes the Court of Claims to issue rules necessary for the administration of the Program. Requires annual reports to the Governor and General Assembly. Amends the Line of Duty Compensation Act. Creates a benefit of $100,000 for health care workers who die as a result of COVID-19. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that Juneteenth National Freedom Day shall be observed on June 19 of each year as a holiday throughout the State (currently, not a holiday and is observed on the third Saturday of June of each year). Provides that when June 19 falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be held and considered the holiday. Amends the Election Code, the Illinois Procurement Code, the School Code, and the Promissory Note and Bank Holiday Act to include Juneteenth National Freedom Day as a holiday. Effective June 1, 2020.

Amends the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. Provides that, for contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2019, a direct contractor making or taking a contract in the State for the erection, construction, alteration, or repair of a building, structure, or other private work shall assume, and is liable for, any debt owed to a wage claimant or third party on the wage claimant's behalf, incurred by a subcontractor at any tier acting under, by, or for the direct contractor for the wage claimant's performance of labor included in the subject of the contract between the direct contractor and the owner. Provides for enforcement by the Department of Labor. Provides authorization for third parties owed fringe or other benefits or a joint labor-management cooperation committee to bring a civil action to enforce liability against a direct contractor. Provides exemptions for work done by an employee of the State or any political subdivision of the State. Provides requirements and guidelines for notice, awards, filing, and records retention. Provides that the new provisions are severable, and that the obligations and remedies provided are in addition to any obligations and remedies otherwise provided by law. Provides that nothing the Section shall alter specified obligations and penalties set forth in the State Prompt Payment Act. Effective immediately.