Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that health plan issuers offering health plans through the State health insurance marketplace update their provider directory on a monthly basis. Provides that the information in provider directories shall be offered in a manner that accommodates individuals with limited English proficiency and with disabilities. Provides that, with respect to dental plans, a dentist listed is considered an active network participant from the location published in the provider directory only if the dentist has filed a claim for a patient enrolled with the dental plan at least once in the previous 3-month period. Amends the Dental Care Patient Protection Act. Provides that managed care dental plans must only list participating dentists who have filed a claim for an enrolled patient within the past 3 months. Makes conforming changes in the Dental Service Plan Act.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Expands the definition of "sexual abuse" to include (i) an employee's actions that result in the sending or showing of sexually explicit images to an individual via computer, cellular phone, electronic mail, portable electronic device, or other media with or without contact with the individual or (ii) an employee's posting of sexually explicit images of an individual online or elsewhere whether or not there is contact with the individual. Defines "sexually explicit images" to include, but not be limited to, any material which depicts nudity, sexual conduct, or sado-masochistic abuse, or which contains explicit and detailed verbal descriptions or narrative accounts of sexual excitement, sexual conduct, or sado-masochistic abuse.
Creates the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act. Provides that a public community college student who earns an associate degree for transfer granted pursuant to the Act is deemed eligible for transfer into the baccalaureate program of a State university if the student (1) completes 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to a State university and (2) obtains a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Requires a community college district to develop and grant associate degrees for transfer that meet the requirements of the Act. Requires a State university to guarantee admission with junior status to any community college student who meets all of the requirements of the Act. Provides that a State university shall grant a local community college student priority admission and admission to a program or major that is similar to his or her community college major or area of emphasis. Provides that a student admitted under the Act shall receive priority over all other community college transfer students. Sets forth provisions concerning coursework, reviews and reports by the Board of Higher Education, and implementation of the Act. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows a county to use a portion of the money in its Transportation Safety Highway Hire-back Fund to purchase equipment for local police departments within that county and fund the production of materials to educate drivers on construction zone safe driving habits. Effective January 1, 2016.
Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that the Authority may issue, sell, and deliver additional Working Cash Notes before July 1, 2018 (now 2016) that are over and above and in addition to the $100,000,000 authorization. Effective immediately.
Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that a guardianship order for a minor that incorporates language governing removal of the minor from the State encompasses only those removals which take place within one year of the order, and must include a provision for the guardian to provide notice to the parents of the date of removal and the residential address of the minor after removal. Effective immediately.
Urges Governor Rauner and the Illinois Department of Transportation to immediately task their existing consultants to prepare an investment-grade ridership analysis for distribution to interested parties around the world and to prepare as expeditiously as possible the Tier One Environmental Impact Statement to qualify the high speed rail project for federal funds and to seek federal planning funds to help pay for this study. Commends Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel for his commitment to building high speed train service between O'Hare International Airport and downtown Chicago and urges all State agencies to provide any and all assistance to the City of Chicago in implementing this crucial transportation project. Commends the Mayors and Village Presidents, Council of Governments, Chambers of Commerce, and south suburban legislators for their planning and foresight with projects like the proposed SouthEast Service Line and their commitment to high speed rail as a necessary part of their regional development plan. Calls upon Congress to return to their previous practice in Fiscal Year 2010 of appropriating $2.5 billion in the annual federal budget for capital grants to states for high speed rail projects in order to help fund this high speed rail project.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval if required, a household that includes an elderly, blind, or disabled person shall be considered categorically eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the gross income of such household is at or below 200% of the nonfarm income poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2); and a household that does not include an elderly, blind, or disabled person shall be considered categorically eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the gross income of such household is at or below 165% of those nonfarm income poverty guidelines. Effective January 1, 2016.
Mourns the death of Dr. Sol Tannebaum.
Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall create and maintain a website to help persons wishing to create new businesses or relocate businesses to Illinois. Establishes requirements for information to be included on the website.