Rep. Mary Gill

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Route 59 in West Chicago, Illinois, as the "SFC Theodore A. Katsoolias Memorial Highway" to honor a U.S. Army soldier who went missing during the Korean War. The legislation requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to install signs identifying the road with this new name and to present copies of the resolution to the soldier's family and local officials. By naming the highway after Sergeant First Class Katsoolias, the bill formally recognizes his service and sacrifice while creating a permanent public tribute in his hometown.

Amends the State Comptroller Act. Provides an exception for vendors to receive payment by non-electronic means. Provides that outstanding liabilities as of June 30, payable from appropriations which have otherwise expired and interest penalties payable on those liabilities under the State Prompt Payment Act, may be paid out of the expiring appropriations during the 4-month period ending at the close of business on October 31 of each year, without regard to the fiscal year in which the payment is made. Amends the Prompt Payment Act. Removes provisions concerning payments made under the Public Aid Code. Provides that when a State official or agency responsible for administering a contract receives a bill or invoice from a contractor, that State official or agency shall electronically confirm the date on which the bill or invoice was received within 5 business days of receipt, and shall transmit any approved amount to the Comptroller within 30 days of receipt. Amends the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Provides that a pre-qualification requirement may include consideration of past performance in administering grants if past performance failed to meet performance goals, indicators, and milestones. Amends the Court of Claims Act. Provides that all claims against the State founded upon any contract entered into with the State of Illinois, except that undisputed individual claims below $2,500 resulting from lapsed appropriations do not fall under the jurisdiction of Court of Claims. State agencies may pay undisputed individual claims below $2,500 resulting from lapsed appropriations from current fiscal year appropriations. Sets forth that the provisions are not intended to prohibit more frequent reporting to assess items such as service needs, gaps, or capacity. Sets forth other provisions concerning grant agreement specifications, separate accounts for State grant funds, expenditures prior to grant execution and reporting requirements.

Amends the Governmental Account Audit Act. In provisions requiring an annual audit by a governmental unit to be performed of all the accounts and funds of the governmental unit, provides that township accounts and funds audited under the provisions do not include road district accounts or funds. In provisions relating to the type of audit report a governmental unit must provide based upon whether the unit has revenue of less or more than $850,000, provides that township revenue shall be calculated exclusive of road district funds. Effective immediately.

Declares June 10, 2024 as FarmWeek Appreciation Day. Congratulates FarmWeek on its 50th anniversary and wishes the publication continued success.

Creates the Wetlands and Small Streams Protection Act to restore protections for wetlands and small streams that were formerly protected from pollution and destruction by the Clean Water Act. Includes provisions concerning: exemptions; wetlands delineation, classification, notification, permits and veto; general permits; appeal of final decisions made by the Department of Natural Resources and judicial review; investigation and enforcement; and county authority. Creates the Wetlands and Small Streams Advisory Committee and establishes duties and rules for the Committee. Creates the Wetlands and Small Streams Protection Fund. Provides for permit review fees. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes in the State Finance Act and the Illinois Environmental Protection Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Police and Downstate Firefighter Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Establishes a presumption that a firefighter or police officer who becomes disabled as a result of exposure to and contraction of COVID-19 was injured in the line of duty and is entitled to receive a duty disability benefit under the applicable Article of the Code. Specifies that the changes made by the amendatory Act apply retroactively to March 9, 2020, and any police officer or firefighter who has been previously denied a duty disability benefit that would otherwise be entitled to a duty disability benefit under the amendatory Act shall be entitled to a retroactive duty disability benefit. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Declares December 26, 2023 and December 26, 2024 as Cold War Veterans Recognition Day in honor of the contributions and sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces during the Cold War.

States that Illinois is poised to play a leading role in the Research and Development programs created through the CHIPS and Science Act and is the state best suited to serve as the location for the headquarters of the newly-created National Semiconductor Technology Center of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Declares March 12, 2024 as "Equal Pay Day". Encourages the citizens of this State to learn about the pay gap that women experience in society and to learn about these various dates that bring attention to the pay gap that specific groups experience.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act. Requires the State Employees Group Insurance Program to provide coverage for all FDA-approved treatments or medications prescribed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease or another related dementia, as determined by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. Provides that diagnostic testing necessary for a physician to determine the appropriate use of treatments or medications shall be covered by the State Employees Group Insurance Program.