Photo of Terra Costa Howard
D Illinois House · District 42

Rep. Terra Costa Howard

Compare
Total votes
5,964
all sessions
Attendance
99%
74 missed
Near the chamber average
With party
98%
of cast votes
Near the chamber average
Bipartisan score
1%
crosses aisle rarely
Near the chamber average
Sponsored
962
bills & resolutions
Lower than 85% of chamber peers
Committees
0
assignments
962 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
962
Primary
136
Co-sponsor
826
This page
962
matching current filters
Co-sponsor HB 3908
Passed · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
FIREFIGHTER MATERNITY LEAVE

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 the paid family leave requirements shall be provided to a firefighter regardless of the employer's leave policies and shall be provided to a firefighter who has been employed by the employer for at least one year. Provides that a firefighter may voluntarily waive his or her right to paid family leave. Provides that the Department of Labor may adopt any rules necessary to implement the Act.

Passed Jun 26, 2024 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 64
Passed · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
HIGHWAY ADS-SIGNS

Amends the Highway Advertising Control Act of 1971. Defines "sign" as any outdoor sign, display, device, notice, figure painting, drawing, message, placard, poster, billboard, or other thing, which is operated or owned by a person or entity where any person or entity is paying or earning remuneration directly or indirectly for (i) the existence or placement of the outdoor sign or (ii) the placement of the message on the outdoor sign (rather than any outdoor sign which is designated, intended, or used to advertise or inform, and of which any part of the existing or intended advertising or informative content) is capable of being visible from any place on the main-traveled way of any portion of any Interstate or primary highway and which is within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of such highway. Provides that for purposes of the definition of "erect", attaching a vinyl substrate medium to a sign structure or wall surface shall constitute normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure. Defines "remuneration". Removes the definitions of "on premise sign", "off premise sign", and "real estate sign". Removes language providing that registration must be made of each sign and shall be accompanied by a registration fee of $5. Removes provisions concerning directional and other official signs, real estate signs, on premise signs, off premise signs, and signs affixed by public utilities. Makes corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

Passed Jun 26, 2024 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 3158
Passed · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
NATURAL ORG REDUCE REG-ACT

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, costs; and preneed of natural organic reduction arrangements.

Passed Jun 26, 2024 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 1
Signed into law · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION-TECH

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Early Childhood Education Act to establish a framework for early childhood education in Illinois. A specific provision within the legislation ensures that the rights, benefits, and employment status of state employees and their agencies remain unchanged by the new act. It explicitly states that the law does not affect existing personnel codes, labor relations, collective bargaining agreements, or pension plans. The bill was signed into law and became effective on June 25, 2024, with some provisions taking effect on July 1, 2026.

Signed into law Jun 25, 2024 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 4567
Passed · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
CRIM CD-THREATS-LIBRARY

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Includes in offense of threatening a public official or human service provider, threatening a library employee. Provides that the threat to a public official, human service provider, or library employee includes a threat made electronically or via social media. Defines "library employee". In the offense of threatening a public official, human service provider, or library employee, includes in the definition of "public official" an employee of any State of Illinois constitutional office, State agency, or the General Assembly. Provides that the offense of disorderly conduct includes transmitting or causing to be transmitted threats or false reports electronically or via social media. Provides that disorderly conduct includes the knowing transmission of or causing to be transmitted in any manner, including electronically or via social media, a lewd, lascivious, indecent, or obscene message to a public official. Provides that making a terrorist threat or falsely making a terrorist threat includes making a terrorist threat or falsely making a terrorist threat by any means of communication, including electronically or via social media. Makes other changes.

Passed Jun 13, 2024 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 3268
Signed into law · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
DHFS-FUND TRANSFERS

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on January 1, 2025, or as soon thereafter as practical, the State Comptroller shall direct and the State Treasurer shall transfer the remaining balance from the Electronic Health Record Incentive Fund into the Public Aid Recoveries Trust Fund. Provides that upon completion of the transfer, the Electronic Health Record Incentive Fund is dissolved, and any future deposits due to that Fund and any outstanding obligations or liabilities of that Fund shall pass to the Public Aid Recoveries Trust Fund. Provides that on January 1, 2026, or as soon thereafter as practical, the State Comptroller shall direct and the State Treasurer shall transfer the remaining balance from the Juvenile Rehabilitation Services Medicaid Matching Fund into the Public Aid Recoveries Trust Fund. Provides that upon completion of the transfer, the Juvenile Rehabilitation Services Medicaid Matching Fund is dissolved, and any future deposits due to that Fund and any outstanding obligations or liabilities of that Fund shall pass to the Public Aid Recoveries Trust Fund. Repeals a provision requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to conduct annual audits of the County Provider Trust Fund to determine that amounts received from or paid to county providers were correct. Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that on January 1, 2025, or as soon thereafter as practical, the State Comptroller shall direct and the State Treasurer shall transfer the remaining balance from the Provider Inquiry Trust Fund into the Healthcare Provider Relief Fund. Provides that upon completion of the transfer, the Provider Inquiry Trust Fund is dissolved, and any future deposits due to that Fund and any outstanding obligations or liabilities of that Fund shall pass to the Healthcare Provider Relief Fund. Repeals provisions in the Illinois Public Aid Code concerning the Medicaid Research and Education Support Fund and enhancement payments for Medicaid research and education. Repeals the Supportive Living Facility Funding Article and the Supportive Living Facility Fund. Effective immediately.

Signed into law Jun 10, 2024 1 co-sponsor
Primary HB 4486
In committee · Illinois House · Lead sponsor
MEDICAID-MUSIC THERAPY

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish a reimbursement code for music therapy services provided by licensed music therapists. Provides that, to be eligible for reimbursement, music therapy services must be provided by a music therapist licensed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Requires the reimbursement code to be designed to ensure fair and equitable compensation for music therapy services for all consumers, considering the expertise and specialized skills of music therapists. Provides that health care providers shall be notified of the new reimbursement code, and relevant training may be provided to ensure proper billing and documentation procedures for music therapy services. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act shall be implemented on July 1, 2025, subject to federal approval. Effective immediately.

In committee May 31, 2024 0 co-sponsors
Primary HB 4739
In committee · Illinois House · Lead sponsor
DHFS-MENTAL HLTH FEE SCHEDULE

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that in order to give providers more time to prepare for and implement changes to the Medicaid Mental Health Fee Schedule and to ensure that the quality and delivery of behavioral health care is not disrupted, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide an approved Medicaid Mental Health Fee Schedule to all behavioral health care providers no later than 45 days prior to the date such rate change takes effect, unless contrary to federal law and regulation. Requires the Department to obtain federal approval on any Medicaid Mental Health Fee Schedule by submitting all necessary documentation in a timely manner, including, but not limited to, submitting any required State Plan amendments to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Provides that if the Department is unable to provide 45 days' notice prior to the date such rate change takes effect due to external circumstances beyond the Department's control, the Department must provide a reasonable amount of notice. Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act shall be construed as a requirement to delay or prohibit implementation of rate changes that impact enrollee benefits as determined in the sole discretion of the Department.

In committee May 31, 2024 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor HB 4962
In committee · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
DHFS-DHS-DIRECT SUPPORT WAGE

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish reimbursement rates that build toward livable wages for front-line personnel in residential and day programs and service coordination agencies serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Provides that for community-based providers serving persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, subject to federal approval, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after July 1, 2024 shall be increased sufficiently to: (i) provide a minimum $3.00 per hour wage increase over the wages in effect on June 30, 2024 for front-line personnel; and (ii) provide wages for all other residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding direct support professionals, at the U.S. Department of Labor's average wage as defined, by rule, by the Department. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that for ID/DD facilities and MC/DD facilities, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after July 1, 2024, shall be increased sufficiently to: (i) provide a minimum $3.00 per hour wage increase over the wages in effect on June 30, 2024 for front-line personnel; and (ii) provide wages for all other residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding direct support professionals, at the U.S. Department of Labor's average wage as defined, by rule, by the Department. Requires the same increase for front-line personnel employed at community-based providers serving persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Grants the Departments of Human Services and Healthcare and Family Services emergency rulemaking authority. Effective immediately.

In committee May 31, 2024 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 4189
In committee · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
OPEN SPACE-DISTRESSED LOC PROJ

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that a local government that has submitted a distressed location project as defined by Department of Natural Resources rule shall be eligible for assistance up to 100% for the acquisition of open space lands and for capital development and improvement projects on distressed location projects. Provides that no less than 10% of the amount appropriated under the Act in any fiscal year shall be made available as grants to distressed communities.

In committee May 31, 2024 1 co-sponsor
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