Rep. Will Guzzardi

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, subject to federal approval, beginning January 1, 2027, any individual age 22 to 64 who is diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia and is determined to be a person with a disability by the Social Security Administration shall be eligible for services in a supportive living dementia care setting if the individual meets all other eligibility requirements to receive services in a supportive living dementia care setting in accordance with specified administrative rules. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to apply for any federal waiver necessary to implement the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 624, titled "HOUSING-TECH," amends the State Housing Act. This bill makes a technical change specifically to a section within the act that concerns its short title.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, shall develop an educational document explaining, at a minimum, the values of good indoor air quality and shall supply the document to school districts. Provides that, subject to funding from the State Board, a school district shall ensure that all active classrooms are equipped with an air quality monitor.

Creates the Farmer Tax Benefit Act. Provides that taxpayers may apply to the Department of Natural Resources for an income tax credit in an amount equal to either (i) 100% of the fair market value of a qualified donation to a conservation agency of a land protection agreement or (ii) 50% of the fair market value of the qualified donation to a conservation agency of a fee simple interest or a remainder interest in qualified real property. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall create and implement, on January 1, 2027, a pilot program to establish the effectiveness of long-acting injectable medications for opioid use disorders for persons committed to its custody who suffer from opioid use disorders. Provides that the pilot program shall require long-acting injectable medications for opioid use disorders to be used in at least one Department of Corrections facility. Provides that the Director may expand the pilot program to include an additional facility or facilities as he or she deems appropriate. Provides that a minimum of 4,000 administrations of long-acting injectable medications for opioid use disorders shall be included in the pilot program. Provides that the Department shall develop a plan to facilitate access to continued treatment for opioid use disorders in the community following the release of a person participating in the pilot program, including, but not limited to, a referral to a harm reduction provider. Provides that the Department must report to the General Assembly on the effectiveness of the program by January 1, 2028. Effective immediately.

Creates the Natural Organic Reduction Regulation Act. Provides that any person doing business in this State, or any cemetery, crematory, funeral establishment, corporation, partnership, joint venture, voluntary organization, or any other entity, may erect, maintain, and operate a natural organic reduction facility in the State and provide the necessary appliances and facilities for the natural organic reduction of human remains in accordance with the Act. Provides that an individual or a person, cemetery, crematory, funeral establishment, corporation, partnership, joint venture, voluntary organization, or other entity may reduce human remains only in a natural organic reduction facility operated by a disposition authority licensed for this purpose and only under the limitations provided in the Act. Provides for: grounds for denial or discipline; surrender of a license; license, display, transfer; authorizing agent; authorization for natural organic reduction; performance of natural organic reduction services, training; recordkeeping; natural organic reduction procedures; disposition of reduced human remains; limitation of liability; hazardous implants; penalties; failure to file an annual report; injunctive action, cease and desist order; service of notice; investigations, notice, and hearing; compelling testimony; administrative review, venue, certification of record, and costs; and preneed of natural organic reduction arrangements. Effective June 1, 2026.

Creates the Firefighter Paid Family Leave Act. Provides that a firefighter shall receive 6 weeks of paid family leave that may be used: (1) for the birth of a child in order to care for the child; (2) to care for a newly adopted child under 18 years of age, a newly placed foster child under 18 years of age, or a newly adopted or placed foster child older than 18 years of age if the child is incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability; and (3) to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Provides that an employer shall compensate a firefighter granted leave under the Act at the firefighter's regular rate of pay, paid at the same interval the firefighter was paid while working, for those regular work hours during which the firefighter is absent from work. Sets forth provisions concerning employment protection and maintenance of benefits; prohibited acts, limitations of the Act; waiver of leave under the Act; and collective bargaining agreements. Limits home rule. Provides that the Department of Labor may adopt any rules necessary to implement the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Removes provisions requiring the Illinois Investment Policy Board to include companies that boycott Israel in its list of restricted companies. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2028, a person convicted of a felony, or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution, shall have his or her right to vote restored and shall be eligible to vote not later than 14 days following his or her conviction. Provides that a person who is serving a sentence in a correctional institution starting prior to January 1, 2027 shall have his or her right to vote restored not later than January 14, 2028. Provides that a person may not be denied the right to vote because of a past criminal conviction. Provides that each local election authority shall coordinate with the correctional institution, Illinois Department of Corrections, and other correctional agencies incarcerating eligible voters to facilitate voting by mail for those voters eligible to vote in that election jurisdiction who are incarcerated in the correctional institution. Provides that the Attorney General, any individual aggrieved by a violation of these provisions, any entity whose membership includes individuals aggrieved by a violation of these provisions, any entity whose mission would be frustrated by a violation of these provisions, or any entity that would expend resources in order to fulfill its mission as a result of a violation of these provisions may file an action in a court of competent jurisdiction. Provides that the Act is intended to benefit and protect the rights of individual voters and to provide a remedy for infringing on the rights granted under this Act. Amends the Re-Entering Citizens Civics Education Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Reintegration and Civic Empowerment Act. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall conduct the civics peer education program each of the 3 sessions not less than twice a month at each correctional institution totaling not less than 6 sessions per month at each correctional institution. Provides that the civics peer education program and workshops must be made available to all committed persons regardless of the date they were first committed or the length of their sentence. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and the Unified Code of Corrections to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2028.

Amends the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Provides that the advice and technical assistance provided to State grant-making agencies by the Governor's Office of Management and Budget for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the Act shall include training for State agency staff. Sets forth requirements for the training. Provides that a State grant-making agency that awards a grant must issue the grant agreement associated with the grant within 60 days after the grant's effective date. Sets forth requirements for the grant agreement.