Rep. Cyril Nichols

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall direct the Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council to establish a framework and voluntary standard for mental health in the workplace that serves to reduce mental health stigma, increase public, employee, and employer awareness of recovery goals, and provide guidance to the Illinois employer community to put in place strategies and programs, as determined by the Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council, to support the mental health and wellness of employees in this State. Provides that the Illinois Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council shall consult with the Department of Labor to develop the standard.

Honors and thanks State Representative Frances Ann Hurley for her years of dedicated service. Wishes her the best on her future success.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the School Code's construction.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the School Code's construction.

Urges the General Assembly to address gun violence in Illinois through comprehensive policy change and support proper appropriations for victim services.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the energy transition assistance charge shall not exceed 1.3% of the amount paid per kilowatthour by eligible retail customers during the year ending May 31, 2009.

Amends the Community Development Loan Guarantee Act. Provides that the State Treasurer may establish the Loan Guarantee Program by establishing one or more Loan Guarantee Accounts at approved financial institutions (currently, one Account as a special account outside the State treasury with the State Treasurer as custodian). Provides that moneys in a Loan Guarantee Account may be paid to a participating financial institution to cover losses on guaranteed loans up to the full amount in the Account or the amount of loss, whichever is lesser. Provides that the State of Illinois and the State Treasurer shall not be responsible for any losses in excess of the full amount in the Loan Guarantee Account designated for a participating financial institution. Provides that the State Treasurer may withdraw funds from any Loan Guarantee Account for a financial institution's failure to comply with Program requirements. Makes conforming and other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, the Local Mass Transit District Act, the Regional Transportation Authority Act, and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Eliminates provisions conditioning the eligibility of a person 65 years of age or older or a person with a disability for the waiver or reduction of certain fees and charges upon income eligibility limitations. Effective January 1, 2023.

Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides for expungement of minor cannabis offenses (as that term is defined in the Act) after receipt of a certified copy of a diploma issued by an Illinois community college by a law enforcement agency that issued a citation relating to a minor cannabis offense from a person who was convicted of the minor cannabis offense. Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that a currently enrolled student at a community college who has provided the community college with documentation evidencing that the person was convicted of a minor cannabis offense that has not been expunged shall receive from the community college the following, as needed by the student: (1) a housing stipend of up to $1,000 per month; (2) health insurance that includes mental health care; and (3) prepaid access to local transit systems for transportation to and from the community college. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall develop an application process for an applicant to a community college or a currently enrolled student to request such assistance.

Amends the School Code. Provides that for the purposes of calculating paid sick leave for the birth of a child or the adoption or placement for adoption of a child, the days do not have to be taken immediately after the birth of the child or the adoption or placement of the child, the days do not have to be taken consecutively, and the school board may not count any day in which school is not in session, including an extended break.