Rep. Terra Costa Howard

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, in the case of qualifying expenditures related to (i) clean energy technology, (ii) waste reduction, (iii) recycling, (iv) emissions reduction, (v) environmental sustainability, or (vi) biodegradable or compostable products, the research and development credit shall be 13% (currently, 6.5%) of the qualifying expenditures. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that provides coverage for dependents may not terminate coverage for a dependent before a date not less than 90 days after the death of the insured.

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act and the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act. Provides that a person employed as a firefighter, emergency medical technician (EMT), emergency medical technician-intermediate (EMT-I), advanced emergency medical technician (A-EMT), or paramedic may recover for post-traumatic stress disorder. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Repeals a Section providing authority to use automated traffic law enforcement systems at intersections in which cameras are used to photograph or video record a motor vehicle's failure to stop and yield as required by traffic control signals. Imposes limits on the power of local governments to use automated speed enforcement systems to provide recorded images of a motor vehicle for the purpose of recording its speed. Denies home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement from the State. Makes conforming and other technical changes.

Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall maintain a minimum number of Illinois State Police officers to ensure the safety of the force of Illinois State Police officers and the safety of the State. Provides that in no case shall that minimum number of Illinois State Police officers be less than 2,500 active Illinois State Police officers. Provides that if the total number of Illinois State Police officers in active service is less than 2,500, the Illinois State Police shall make every effort to retain more Illinois State Police officers and it is authorized to take every legal, reasonable step, including increasing training and recruitment efforts, in order to reach a minimum of 2,500 active Illinois State Police officers as soon as is practicable. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that the privilege extended to members of the clergy shall not apply (i) when a member of the clergy is required to report child abuse or neglect pursuant to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, (ii) in a case involving domestic violence, or (iii) in a case involving violent criminal matters. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Exempts from the eavesdropping prohibitions recordings made under the reasonable suspicion that the person is committing, is about to commit, or has committed an act of abuse and that the recording will contain evidence of the abuse. Amends the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Provides that all judges who preside over family law or domestic violence courtrooms, mandated reporters, victim assistance professionals, family law attorneys, family law mediators, court-appointed guardians ad litem, court-appointed child representatives, court-appointed therapists and counselors, and court-appointed experts who practice in the area of family law shall complete the Domestic Violence Foundation Training Course offered by the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Provides that the clerk of the court shall provide to all petitioners seeking an order of protection resources and information on domestic violence and how to obtain assistance as a victim of domestic violence. Provides that, when determining whether to issue an order of protection, the court shall consider the law enforcement records relating to domestic violence committed by the respondent for a period of at least 10 years. Provides that if an order of protection is issued, the petitioner is entitled to attorney's fees incurred in bringing the petition. Provides that the Department of State Police shall maintain a complete and systematic record and index of all valid or expired and recorded orders of protection for a period of at least 20 years. Makes additional changes to provisions concerning: purposes and rules of construction; definitions; remedies; law enforcement recordkeeping; and the National Crime Information Center. Makes a corresponding change in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Changes definitions of "population" to be the total number of inhabitants according to the last preceding federal decennial census (rather than number of inhabitants or number of persons). Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Adds a definition of "population" in the general definition Section.

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Changes the name of the Illinois State Medical Disciplinary Board to the Illinois State Medical Board, and changes the membership of the Board. Changes references to the Illinois State Medical Disciplinary Board and the Medical Licensing Board to the Illinois State Medical Board. Provides that the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation may take action contrary to the recommendation of the Illinois State Medical Board or order a rehearing of a formal disciplinary action if he or she is satisfied that substantial justice has not been done. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may close a complaint, after investigation and approval of the Chief Medical Coordinator, if certain standards are not met. Makes changes to provisions concerning definitions; the Complaint Committee; findings and recommendations; and administrative review. Repeals provisions concerning the Medical Licensing Board and withdrawal of applications. Replaces references to the Medical Disciplinary Board and the Medical Licensing Board. Makes other changes.

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that the Department of Children and Family Services shall develop an appropriate licensing and monitoring system that recognizes the unique population and programming for youth served by the Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services program. Provides that the Department shall maintain licensing staff who are knowledgeable of Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services program standards, as set forth by the Department of Human Services. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall be responsible for the development and implementation of a training curriculum for host homes that recognizes the unique population and programming of youth served in Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services. Provides that host homes licensed by the Department shall not be utilized for a child who is a youth in care of the Department. Defines "host homes". Effective July 1, 2021.

Urges Illinois schools to provide education for all students in grades six to 12 on how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of addictions and mental illnesses, as well as provide instruction for how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Commends the National Council for Behavioral Health and the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health for their work in developing and directing teen Mental Health First Aid training programs for schools. Commends Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, the Paris Union School District, and Clinton High School for participating in the first nationwide pilot programs of teen Mental Health First Aid training for schools. Commends Operation Snowball, the Human Resources Center of Edgar and Clark Counties, and the Heritage Behavioral Health Center for participating in the first nationwide teen Mental Health First Aid instructor trainings.