Rep. Nick Smith

Amends the Public Community College Act and the Housing Authorities Act. Permits community colleges and housing authorities to develop affordable housing for community college students. Amends the Illinois Affordable Housing Act. Permits non-exempt local governments to develop affordable housing for community college students in coordination with nonprofit affordable housing developers and housing authorities.

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 Roadside Memorial Act. Provides that on and after July 1, 2020, a DUI memorial marker shall bear the message "Don't Drive Under the Influence" (rather than "Please Don't Drink and Drive". Effective immediately.

Amends the Renter's Financial Responsibility and Protection Act. Provides that a rental company may void a damage waiver for damage or loss to the rental vehicle if the rental vehicle is stolen and the renter fails to: (i) return the rental vehicle's ignition key and the key tag identifying the rental vehicle to the rental vehicle company; (ii) file a police report within the 24-hour period after discovery of the rental vehicle theft; and (iii) fully cooperate with the rental company, law enforcement agency, or any other authority in all matters connected to the investigation of the stolen rental vehicle.

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

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.

Creates the State Agency and Grantee Bonus Prohibition Act. Provides that no State agency or hospital shall pay from State funds, in whole or in part, and no employee of a State agency or hospital may receive a bonus as all or part of his or her compensation, including such bonuses as may be received for work on capital projects. Provides that no grantee shall pay and no employee or contract worker of a grantee may receive a bonus paid from grant funds awarded for operational expenses as all or part of his or her compensation, including such bonuses as may be received for work on capital projects. Effective immediately.

Creates the Legislative Accessibility Act. Provides that the General Assembly shall make all efforts to increase public accessibility to the General Assembly, and specifies the efforts to be included. Provides that the Secretary of State shall make all efforts to increase public accessibility to all State buildings. Provides specified accessibility requirements for the State Capitol Building and the James R. Thompson Center.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that, for State Fiscal Year 2020, the Department of Children and Family Services shall increase reimbursement rates payable to each private agency with a purchase of service contract or grant from the Department to an amount that equals the sum of all increases in general inflation during State Fiscal Years 2014 through 2018 as determined by the consumer price index-u published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor, less any rate increases, previously provided by the Department. Sets forth the types of services eligible for the increased reimbursement rate, including, (i) residential services, (ii) specialized, adolescent, treatment, or other non-traditional or Home-of-Relative foster care services, and (iii) intact family services. Provides that beginning in State Fiscal Year 2020, and for every State fiscal year thereafter, the Department shall implement the rate reimbursement methodology outlined in a specified provision of the Illinois Administrative Code when calculating and determining the payment rates for private agencies that contract with the Department to provide specified services. Provides that, for State Fiscal Year 2021, and for every State fiscal year thereafter, foster parent rates and payment rates for other specified services shall be adjusted each year to an amount that equals any increase in general inflation as determined by the consumer price index-u. Effective immediately.

Mourns the passing of Justice Charles E. Freeman.