Rep. Lilian Jiménez

Creates the Strengthening Community Media Act. Provides that a State agency shall direct at least 50% of its total spending on advertising to local news organization publications. Sets forth exceptions and reporting requirements. Provides that a local news organization shall not be sold to an out-of-state company without giving written notice 120 days before the sales occurs to specified individuals and organizations. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a taxpayer that is an eligible news journalist employer shall be allowed a credit against the Personal Property Tax Replacement Income Tax for each qualified journalist hired by the eligible news journalist employer during the taxable year. Provides that an eligible news journalist employer is entitled to a credit against taxes in an amount equal to 50% of the wages paid for up to 150 qualified journalists. Provides that an eligible small business is entitled to a credit against taxes in an amount equal to the amount paid by the eligible small business to local newspapers or broadcasters for advertising in the State. Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Creates the Journalism Student Scholarship Program. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall award scholarships to students who will work at a local news organization in the State for a period of not less than 2 years.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that interest or other income which may be earned from moneys deposited with the Department of Juvenile Justice by a resident of the Department of Juvenile Justice shall accrue to the Residents' Benefit Fund (rather than providing that interest or other income from moneys deposited with the Department of Juvenile Justice by a resident of the Department in excess of $200 shall accrue to the individual's account, or in balances up to $200 shall accrue to the Residents' Benefit Fund).

Amends the Crime Victims Compensation Act. Expands the definition of "applicant" under the Act. Changes the definition of "victim" to include a grandparent solely for the purpose of compensating for pecuniary loss incurred for psychological treatment of a mental or emotional condition caused or aggravated by the crime. Provides that a victim or applicant who has been convicted of a felony not related to the crime for which the individual is seeking compensation may apply for assistance under this Act at any time but no ward of compensation may be considered or granted while the victim or applicant is held in a correctional institution. Authorizes the Attorney General to issue subpoenas to compel production of law enforcement reports maintained by law enforcement agencies. Prohibits the Attorney General's office from disclosing to the public law enforcement reports obtained from an applicant or victim under this Act. Allows the Attorney General and the Court of Claims to extend the time for reporting to law enforcement (rather than, for most crimes of violence, within 72 hours of the crime) if the Attorney General determines that the extension is justified by extraordinary circumstances. Provides that an application based on an allegation of police misconduct causing the injury or death may not be denied solely because a police report was not made the by victim. Amends the Juvenile Court. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits law enforcement agencies from disclosing law enforcement reports and records to the Attorney General to comply with the Crime Victims Compensation Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately, except that some provisions are effective January 1, 2025.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that an employer that uses predictive data analytics in its employment decisions may not consider the applicant's race or zip code when used as a proxy for race to reject an applicant in the context of recruiting, hiring, promotion, renewal of employment, selection for training or apprenticeship, discharge, discipline, tenure or terms, privileges, or conditions of employment. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to prevent the use of predictive data analytics to support the inclusion of diverse candidates in making employment decisions. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that a person or entity that relies either partially or fully on predictive data analytics to determine a consumer's creditworthiness may not allow the use of information about the consumer that assigns specific risk factors to the consumer's race or zip code resulting in rejection of credit or other adverse credit-related action to a consumer. Provides that a person or entity that uses predictive data analytics to determine the creditworthiness of more than 50 consumers in a calendar year who are State residents shall devise procedures to ensure that it does not consider information that assigns specific risk factors to a consumer's race or zip code when rejecting or taking other adverse action on a consumer's application for credit. Provides that a person or entity that violates the provisions commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.

Creates the Landlord Retaliation Act. Declares that it is against the public policy of the State for a landlord to take retaliatory action against a tenant. Prohibits a landlord from knowingly terminating a tenancy, increasing rent, decreasing services, bringing or threatening to bring a lawsuit against a tenant for possessing or refusing to renew a lease or tenancy because the tenant has in good faith has taken certain actions, including but not limited to (i) complaining of code violations applicable to the premises to the relevant governmental agency responsible for enforcement of a building, housing, health, or similar code; (ii) complaining of a building, housing, health, or similar code violation, or an illegal landlord practice to a community organization or the news media; or (iii) complaining or requesting the landlord to make repairs to the premises as required by a building code, health ordinance, other regulation, or the residential rental agreement. Creates remedies for violation by a landlord including damages, punitive damages, or recovering possession of the premises. Creates an affirmative defense under the Code of Civil Procedure in eviction actions if a landlord violates the Landlord Retaliation Act. Repeals the Retaliatory Eviction Act. Makes other changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for determining in-state tuition eligibility at the University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University. It establishes new requirements for international students and others who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents to qualify for lower resident tuition rates. To qualify, these individuals must have attended Illinois schools for a specified number of years, graduated from an Illinois high school, and agree to apply for permanent U.S. residency if they become eligible. The changes also maintain existing provisions that allow military personnel and veterans stationed in Illinois to receive resident tuition rates.

Maddy summarySB 508, known as the Employment-Tech bill, amends the Labor Dispute Act to update how notices are handled during employment-related investigations. The law requires that original notices sent to employees be redacted to protect their personal privacy under state and federal laws. It also clarifies that these specific procedures do not apply to routine inspections of employer I-9 employment verification forms. This change ensures that sensitive employee information is safeguarded while allowing standard immigration compliance checks to continue.

Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Changes the name of the Medication Aide Pilot Program to the Medication Aide Program. Makes conforming changes. Provides that to be approved as a qualified facility under the program (instead of for the duration of the pilot program), a facility must meet specified requirements. Removes provisions that provide that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall submit a report regarding patient safety, efficiency, and errors, as determined by rule, to the General Assembly no later than 6 months after termination of the pilot program. Removes language providing that licenses under the Medication Aide Program Article may not be renewed or restored. Makes corresponding changes.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides a conviction that was the result of a negotiated plea may be challenged under the post-judgment relief provisions that require evidence of a forcible felony, domestic violence, or gender-based violence.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Deletes, from a provision concerning breast cancer-related educational materials that are to be prepared by the Department of Public Health, language recommending clinical breast exams as a method for detecting breast cancer. Amends the Radiation Protect Act of 1990. Requires mammography patients to receive the educational materials developed by the Department of Public Health. Effective immediately.