Amends the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act. Adds student loan borrowers to the definition of "consumer". Adds to the definition of "debt settlement provider" any person or entity engaging in, or holding itself out as engaging in, or any person who solicits for or acts on behalf of such person or entity engaging in or holding itself out as engaging in, the business of student loan debt relief services in exchange for any fee or compensation assessed against or charged to a consumer. Excludes institutions of higher education from the definition of "debt settlement provider". Defines other terms. Requires a specified notice and disclosure to student loan borrowers to be included in advertising and marketing communications concerning student loan debt relief services. Requires providers of student loan debt relief services to provide a specified notice and disclosure before a student loan borrower signs a contract. Provides that any fees charged to a student loan borrower in exchange for student loan debt relief shall comply with a provision concerning fees. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the School Code. Prohibits a school district employee or volunteer or an independent contractor of a school district from placing a student in seclusion; defines seclusion. Provides that this prohibition does not apply to the use of seclusion in a court-ordered placement, other than a placement in an educational program of a school district, or in a placement or facility to which other laws or rules apply. Requires State Board of Education rulemaking. Effective immediately.
Amends Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that Metra Electric Division and Rock Island Division 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 Division and Rock Island Division 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 Division and Rock Island Division 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 and the Ventra application, on the Metra Electric Division and Rock Island Division to determine whether a rider has paid for transportation at the station or on the Ventra application. Provides that transfer fees using Ventra cards or the Ventra application between transportation provided by the Chicago Transit Board, Suburban Bus Board, and the Electric District or Rock Island District of the Commuter Rail Board shall be equal to the transfer fare between Chicago Transit Board transportation. Provides that lost revenue experienced by the Commuter Rail Board due to the implementation of any requirement relating to specified Metra Eclectic Division and Rock Island Division 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. Amends the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act making conforming changes. Effective June 1, 2020.
Amends the Higher Education Veterans Service Act. Requires each public college and university to use its best efforts to hire a veteran of the United States armed forces as the Coordinator of Veterans and Military Personnel Student Services. Provides that the Coordinator of Veterans and Military Personnel Student Services must create and maintain a contact list of all veterans attending the public college or university and may communicate with veterans of the public college or university via email or other electronic means. Effective immediately.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Extends the repeal date of the Cable and Video Competition Law of 2007 from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2025. Extends the expiration date of Illinois Commerce Commission authorizations to provide cable and video services from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2028. Extends the repeal date of the Universal Telephone Service Protection Law of 1985 from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2025. Effective immediately.
Creates the Pangolin Protection Act. Prohibits the possession, sale, trade, and distribution of pangolin products. Establishes an exemption for organizations engaged in pangolin research or conservation. Provides that a violation is a Class A misdemeanor.
Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act. Creates the South Suburban Trauma Center Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides for the deposit and use of moneys in the fund. Provides for duties of the Health Facilities and Services Review Board regarding a south suburban trauma center. Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides for the use of specified toll revenue. Amends the State Finance Act to provide for the South Suburban Trauma Center Fund. 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.
Urges the U.S. Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.
Declares February 16 to 22, 2020 as Grain Bin Safety Week.