Rep. Marcus Evans

Proposes to amend the Bill of Rights Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that no law shall be passed on or after the effective date of the Constitutional Amendment that prohibits the ability of workers to join together and collectively bargain over wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment through a representative of their own choosing, including any law that prohibits the right of private sector employers and employees to enter into and administer union-security agreements. Allows the General Assembly to establish reasonable amendments to existing law and establish reasonable exemptions relating to collective bargaining rights. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Payday Loan Reform Act. Provides that the finance charge for a payday loan shall not exceed an annual percentage rate of 39%.

Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Central Management Services, in consultation with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, shall develop and implement a program allowing State employees to receive payment for unused vacation days which would go towards the payment of student loans. Allows for the adoption of rules.

Creates the Higher Education Fair Admissions Act. Provides that a public institution of higher education may not require applicants to submit standardized college admissions test scores to the institution as a part of the admissions process. Provides that the submission of standardized test scores to the institution shall be at the option of the applicant. Requires the adoption of a policy. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act, the State Finance Act, and the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Coal to Solar and Energy Storage Act. Authorizes the procurement of renewable energy credits by electric utilities serving more than 300,000 retail customers as of January 1, 2019. Provides for the renewable energy credits to be related to new renewable energy resources installed at the site of electric generation that on January 1, 2019 burned coal as the primary fuel source. Provides for the Illinois Power Agency to manage the procurement of the credits. Establishes the requirements for eligibility for the credits. Requires the electric utilities to file a tariff for the billing and collection of a Coal to Solar and Energy Storage Initiative Charge on each kilowatthour of electricity delivered to its delivery services customers within its service territory at specified rates and to deposit a percentage of its collections in the Coal to Solar and Energy Storage Incentive and Plant Transition Fund. Establishes the Coal to Solar and Energy Storage Incentive and Plant Transition Fund as a special fund in the State treasury to provide transitional support funding to coal-fueled electric utilities participating in the utilization of the renewable energy credits. Effective immediately.

Amends various Acts to make changes concerning references to specified racial and ethnic groups.

Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act. Provides for the issuance of standard Illinois Identification Cards and limited-term Illinois Identification Cards free of charge to persons upon release from a county jail. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in counties with more than 3,000,000 inhabitants (currently, in Cook County), notice of the expiration of the period of redemption may be served by a private detective. Effective immediately.

Creates the Isolated Confinement Restriction Act. Provides that a committed person may not be placed in isolated confinement for more than 10 consecutive days. Provides that a committed person may not be placed in isolated confinement for more than 10 days in any 180-day period. Provides that while out of cell, committed persons may have access to activities, including, but not limited, to: job assignments, educational classes, vocational classes, meals, recreation, yard or gymnasium, day room, medical appointments, visits, and group therapy. Provides exceptions. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall post on the Department's official website quarterly reports on the use of isolated confinement. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2020, except some provisions are effective immediately.

Amends Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that Metra Electric Line fares for transportation wholly within the City of Chicago shall be equal to the fares set by the Chicago Transit Board for rail transportation. Provides that fares for Metra Electric Line transportation that originate or conclude outside of the City of Chicago shall be set by the Commuter Rail Board and be based on the zone in which the transportation originates and concludes. Provides that the Commuter Rail Board shall accept the Ventra card for use on the Metra Electric Line and riders using the Ventra card shall pay through the Ventra application or at a station. Provides that the Commuter Rail Board shall adopt a policy to periodically check riders' tickets, including Ventra tickets, on the Metra Electric Line to determine whether a rider has paid for transportation at the station or on the Ventra application. Provides that lost revenue experienced by the Commuter Rail Board due to the implementation of any requirement relating to specified Metra Electric Line fare provisions are not "costs" in the calculation of whether fares and charges received in each fiscal year equal at least 50% of the aggregate costs of providing public transportation. Effective June 1, 2020.