Rep. Delia C. Ramirez

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation, in consultation with the State Refugee Coordinator, to examine means of reducing unnecessary barriers to professional licensure for qualified immigrants to Illinois from foreign countries. Provides that, on or before July 1, 2020, the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation must submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly of his or her findings and any recommendations for legislative action.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides for specified rights of complainants under the Act. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Creates the Puerto Rico Town Designation Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends the Missing Persons Identification Act. Provides that the law enforcement agency official, coroner, medical examiner, or other person who makes a public statement concerning the identification of human remains must report both the biological sex, based on the genitalia of the human remains, and the likely gender of the person based on the chosen appearance of the deceased.

Creates the Rent Control Act. Establishes 6 regional rent control boards in the State. Provides for the election of 7 members to each board beginning in the 2021 consolidated election. Provides that a board shall establish regulations concerning rent stabilization rates for specified lessors and shall impose rent control registration fees to fund a Small Rental Property Owner Repairs and Improvement Fund. Includes enforcement provisions against landlords who charge rent in excess of amounts allowed by the Act. Limits home rule powers except in home rule units that enact a specified rent stabilization regime. Amends the Election Code making conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates rent-controlled and rental property capital improvement tax credits. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Creates procedures for terminating a tenancy or lease of one year or more after expiration of the lease. Provides that a lessor may terminate a lease and recover possession, after providing specified notice and monetary relocation assistance: if the lessor or a qualified relative will reside at the premises; if the lessor is going to substantially rehabilitate, remodel, or repair the premises; or if the lessor intends to demolish or permanently remove the premises from residential use. Provides for damages for failure to pay lessee relocation assistance or for failure to act in good faith in seeking to recover possession under the provisions. Provides that a demand or notice must be accessible to a lessor by being presented in the language of the lessor and contain a statement that the lessor may seek legal advice. Makes other changes. Repeals the Rent Control Preemption Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that beginning in State fiscal year 2020, the specified income threshold shall be no less than 200% of the then-current federal poverty level for each family size. Effective July 1, 2019.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a credit for taxpayers who (i) own residential rental property in the State and (ii) enter into or renew a lease agreement with a qualified renter during the taxable year. Provides that the credit shall be equal to 15% of the annual rent paid to the taxpayer by that qualified renter. Provides that the term "qualified renter" means any person who has been convicted of a crime in this State or any other jurisdiction. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that every sheriff's office and every municipal police department shall report on an annual basis to the General Assembly information regarding complaints filed by a member of the public against a law enforcement officer in his or her official capacity. Provides that the annual report shall include, but not be limited to: (1) a redacted copy of each original complaint submitted against each officer; (2) the results of completed investigations or status of any ongoing investigation as a result of a filed complaint; (3) the nature of any disciplinary action taken; and (4) an overall accounting of the number of complaints filed and the number of times discipline was imposed against an officer within a reporting period. Provides that if the office or department does not report any complaints filed, the office or department may be subject to inspection of records by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

Creates the 2020 Census Grant Program Act. Creates the 2020 Census Grant Program for the purpose of issuing matching grants to local governments and nonprofit organizations to support the accurate counting of the population of the State and its local jurisdictions, and the collection of basic demographic and housing information of the population of this State for the 2020 Census. Creates the 2020 Census Grant Program Panel and provides for its membership. Provides administrative support for the Grant Panel. Provides for the awarding of funds under the Grant Program. Requires notice to be given to units of local government and nonprofit organizations concerning the Grant Program. Provides that for fiscal year 2020, the Governor shall include in the annual State budget for the 2020 Census Grant Program an appropriation of $33,000,000. Provides legislative findings. Defines terms. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2022. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a provision concerning promoting students to the next higher grade level.