Rep. Cynthia Soto

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Makes changes concerning a provisional in-state educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations, a career and technical educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations, a provisional career and technical educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations, a Substitute Teaching License, a teacher leader endorsement on a Professional Educator License, educator testing, the minimum requirements for educators trained in other states or countries, fees for Substitute Teaching Licenses, and requirements for licensees retiring during a renewal cycle.

Amends the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act. Provides that the penalty for failure to pay the tax shown due or required to be shown due on a return shall be 15% (instead of 20%) of any amount that is paid after the date the Department has initiated an audit or investigation of the taxpayer. Provides that the penalty shall be rescinded if the taxpayer paid to the Department at least 95% of the final liability resulting from an audit or investigation prior to the initiation of the audit or investigation

Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, provides that in all counties (now, in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants), the county board may by resolution provide that if a person has been granted a senior citizens homestead exemption, the person qualifying need not reapply for the exemption. Provides that the county recorder of deeds shall alert the assessor whenever the transfer of ownership of any property receiving a Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption has occurred. Provides that, if such a transfer occurs, the assessor shall remove the exemption and provide the new property owner with information concerning reapplication. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the nomination of candidates for the General Assembly.

Amends the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the first $100 of child support collected on behalf of a family in a month for one child and the first $200 of child support collected on behalf of a family in a month for 2 or more children shall be passed through to the family and disregarded in determining the amount of the assistance grant provided to the family. Provides that any amount of child support that would be disregarded in determining the amount of the assistance grant shall be disregarded in determining eligibility for cash assistance. Effective immediately.

Amends the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Adds involuntary sexual servitude of a minor to the offenses for which a health care worker license can be revoked. Provides that if a licensed health care worker has been convicted of a forcible felony, other than a forcible felony requiring registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act or involuntary sexual servitude of a minor that is a forcible felony, and the health care worker has had his or her license revoked, the health care worker may petition the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to restore his or her license. Establishes factors that the Department shall consider in determining whether a license shall be restored. Further provides that this process for petition and review by the Department shall apply to a person whose licensed is denied under these provisions.

Creates the Continuum of Care Services for the Developmentally Disabled Act. Creates a license for continuum of care facilities that serve individuals with developmental disabilities. Defines terms. Requires the Director of Human Services, in consultation and coordination with the Director of Public Health and Director of Healthcare and Family Services as necessary, to develop a licensure system for continuum of care facilities in accordance with specified purposes. Requires the Director of Human Services to adopt rules to establish the licensure system. Requires applicants for continuum of care licenses to submit continuum of care plans that meet specified criteria to the Director of Human Services. Requires the Director of Human Services, acting as appropriate through or in coordination with the Director of Public Health, to ensure licensees meet specified requirements. Contains provisions concerning the effects of situations that may impact or change a facility's license. Requires the Director of Human Services and Director of Healthcare and Family Services to ensure reimbursements from State and federal sources going to eligible continuum of care facilities meet specified requirements. Amends the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Director of Healthcare and Family Services, in collaboration and coordination with the Director of Human Services, shall develop and submit a request for a waiver pursuant to the federal Social Security Act for the continuum of care license program.

Amends the Park District Code. Requires park districts to determine if an applicant for employment has been convicted of (rather than convicted of or adjudicated a delinquent minor for) specified criminal or drug offenses listed in the Section within 5 years of the application for employment, or convicted of a felony within 2 years (rather than 7 years) of the application for employment. Removes several offenses from the specified criminal or drug offenses listed in the Section. Amends the Chicago Park District Act making the same changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Includes persons who are foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes in the categories of non-citizens who are eligible for cash or medical assistance under the Code. Defines "foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes". Provides that beginning January 1, 2017, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide medical assistance coverage to foreign-born victims of human trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes and to their derivative family members who: reside in Illinois; are not otherwise eligible under the Code; meet certain income guidelines; and have filed or are preparing to file a formal application for status pursuant to specified provisions of the United States Code. Provides that such a person is ineligible for continued medical assistance coverage if he or she has not filed a formal application for status within one year after the date of his or her application for cash assistance or SNAP benefits; and that if there is a final denial of the person's visa or asylum application, any medical assistance coverage provided to that person and his or her derivative family members shall be terminated. Adds the Survivor Support and Trafficking Prevention Article to the Code with provisions concerning: cash assistance and SNAP benefits for persons who are foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes and their derivative family members; eligibility determinations; work requirements and exemptions; and termination of benefits. Grants the Department rulemaking authority to implement these provisions. Effective immediately.