Rep. Terra Costa Howard

Declares May 19, 2020 as "Hepatitis C Screening Day".

Urges the U.S. Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

Encourages increased awareness of the statistics surrounding the treatment of African American children and families in existing institutions. Encourages legislation to reduce unnecessary government intervention.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Exempts from disclosure risk and vulnerability assessments, security measures, schedules, certifications, and response policies or plans that are designed to detect, defend against, prevent, or respond to potential cyber attacks upon the State's or an election authority's network systems, or records that the disclosure of which would, in any way, constitute a risk to the proper administration of elections or voter registration. Provides that the information is exempt only to the extent that disclosure could reasonably be expected to jeopardize the effectiveness of the measures or the safety of computer systems. Provides that the exemption applies to records held by the State Board of Elections, the Department of Innovation and Technology, election authorities, and any other necessary party to protect the administration of elections. Amends the Election Code. In provisions governing the administration of the cyber navigator program, directs the allocation of resources received in accordance with the 2018 Help America Vote Act Election Security Grant (instead of the allocation of resources received in accordance with the federal Help America Vote Act). Effective immediately. Land Conveyance Appraisal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 4 (Dept. of Transportation) No land conveyances are included in Senate Bill 1863 (HA#4); therefore, there are no appraisals to be filed. Pension Note, House Floor Amendment No. 4 (Government Forecasting & Accountability) SB 1863, as amended by HA 4, will not impact any public pension fund or retirement system in Illinois. State Debt Impact Note, House Floor Amendment No. 4 (Government Forecasting & Accountability) SB 1863, as amended by House Amendment 4, would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued or State-supported bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness. Balanced Budget Note, House Floor Amendment No. 4 (Office of Management and Budget) Please be advised that the Balanced Budget Note Act does not apply to Senate Bill 1863, as amended by House Amendment 4 as it is not a supplemental appropriation that increases or decreases appropriations. Under the Act, a balanced budget note must be prepared only for bills that change a general funds appropriation for the fiscal year in which the new bill is enacted. Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 4 (State Board of Elections) In order to implement the "at least once a month" requirement for information dissemination to political committees, the State Board of Elections will require two additional full time staff members dedicated to the project: (1) Voting and Registrations System Technician - $49,908 (salary) + $3,817.97 (FICA) = $53,726; (2) Voting and Registrations System Specialist Trainee - $33,120 (salary) + $2,533.68 (FICA} = $35,654; (3) Total Fiscal Impact= $89,383. Judicial Note, House Floor Amendment No. 4 (Admin Office of the Illinois Courts) The proposed legislation would neither increase nor decrease the number of judges needed in the state of Illinois. House Floor Amendment No. 5 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 140/7 10 ILCS 5/1A-55 Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 100/5-45.1 new 10 ILCS 5/Art. 2B heading new 10 ILCS 5/2B-1 new 10 ILCS 5/2B-5 new 10 ILCS 5/2B-10 new 10 ILCS 5/2B-15 new 10 ILCS 5/2B-20 new 10 ILCS 5/2B-25 new 10 ILCS 5/2B-30 new 10 ILCS 5/2B-35 new 10 ILCS 5/2B-40 new 10 ILCS 5/2B-45 new 10 ILCS 5/2B-50 new 10 ILCS 5/2B-55 new 10 ILCS 5/2B-60 new 10 ILCS 5/2B-90 new 30 ILCS 500/15-45 105 ILCS 5/24-2 from Ch. 122, par. 24-2 110 ILCS 70/45a from Ch. 24 1/2, par. 38l.1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Election Code. Creates the Conduct of the 2020 General Election Article in the Code. For the 2020 general election, provides for changes to vote by mail, first time registrants and changes of address for registrants, the public dissemination of information for the 2020 general election, early voting and election day requirements, judges of election, electronic service of objections, additional duties of election authorities and the State Board of Elections, and 2020 county party conventions. Establishes November 3, 2020 as a State holiday to be known as 2020 General Election Day to be observed throughout the State. Provides that all government offices (with the exception of election authorities) shall be closed unless authorized to be used as a location for election day services or as a polling place. Provides the State Board of Elections with emergency rulemaking authority. Repeals the Article on January 1, 2021. Makes conforming changes in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, the Illinois Procurement Code, the School Code, and the State Universities Civil Service Act. Effective immediately. Pension Note, House Floor Amendment No. 5 (Government Forecasting & Accountability) SB 1863, as amended by HA 5, will not impact any public pension fund or retirement system in the State of Illinois. State Debt Impact Note, House Floor Amendment No. 5 (Government Forecasting & Accountability) SB 1863, as amended by House Amendment 5, would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued or State-supported bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness. Judicial Note, House Floor Amendment No. 5 (Admin Office of the Illinois Courts) Based on a review of the bill, it has been determined that the proposed legislation would neither increase nor decrease the number of judges needed in the state of Illinois. Balanced Budget Note, House Floor Amendment No. 5 (Office of Management and Budget) Please be advised that the Balanced Budget Note Act does not apply "to Senate Bill 1863, as amended by House Amendment 5 as it is not a supplemental appropriation that increases or decreases appropriations. Under the Act, a balanced budget note must be prepared only for bills that change a general funds appropriation for the fiscal year in which the new bill is enacted. Land Conveyance Appraisal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 5 (Dept. of Transportation) No land conveyances are included in Senate Bill 1863 House Amendment #5 ; therefore, there are no appraisals to be filed. Home Rule Note, House Floor Amendment No. 5 (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not pre-empt home rule authority. State Mandates Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 5 (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not create a State mandate. House Floor Amendment No. 6 In provisions creating the Conduct of the 2020 General Election Article in the Election Code, excludes absent electors in military or naval service from the requirement that any elector submitting an application on or before October 1, 2020 shall receive a ballot no later than October 6, 2020. Provides that provisions concerning changes for first time registrants and change of address registrations do not apply to applications processed through automatic voter registration through the Secretary of State. Makes changes to the requirements for election judges. Reorganizes provisions concerning reimbursement for 2020 general election expenses and provides that the State Board of Elections may (rather than shall) adopt emergency rules to establish a program to provide reimbursement to election authorities for expenses related to the 2020 general election incurred as a result of COVID-19 and the requirements of the amendatory Act. Deletes language concerning 2020 county party conventions. Makes conforming changes. Housing Affordability Impact Note, House Floor Amendment No. 5 (Housing Development Authority) This bill will have no effect on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence. Correctional Note, House Floor Amendment No. 5 (Dept of Corrections) This amendment has no fiscal impact or population impact on the department. Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 5 (State Board of Elections) It is our opinion the contents of Senate Bill 1863, as amended by House Floor Amendment #5 would have an impact on the fiscal operations of the State Board of Elections. We anticipate the contents of the bill will expend all of the allotted funding the SBE has received from the CARES Act, which is approximately $16,759,400 (including matching funds). The aforementioned funding would be expended through grants to local election authorities to help offset costs associated with this bill and other COVID-19 related expenditures. These costs include, but are not limited to: (1) Software programming costs incurred by the local election authorities to meet these requirements; (2).Expanded VBM costs: additional envelopes, certification envelopes, return envelopes, postage, additional costs associated with third-party vendors performing some or all of these services vs. election authorities performing them in-house, etc; (3) Mail processing equipment: sorting, folding, processing, etc; (4) Tabulation equipment: additional tabulators and/or higher volume tabulators.; (5) Additional temporary staffing and/or staffing overtime costs for pre- and post-election activities directly attributable to expanded VBM (i.e. - teams of 3 election judges are more than would be typically required for conducting the signature verification process, etc.); (6) Costs associated with personal protection equipment and sanitation supplies; (7) Purchase and installation of ballot drop boxes; (8) Increase costs associated with securing and staffing Election Day vote centers. The State Board of Elections believes the CARES Act funding will not be sufficient to offset all of the costs associated with SB1863, as amended by House Floor Amendment #5 Judicial Note, House Floor Amendment No. 6 (Admin Office of the Illinois Courts) Based on a review of the bill, it has been determined that the proposed legislation would neither increase nor decrease the number of judges needed in the state of Illinois. State Debt Impact Note, House Floor Amendment No. 6 (Government Forecasting & Accountability) SB 1863, as amended by House Amendment 6, would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued or State-supported bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness. Land Conveyance Appraisal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 6 (Dept. of Transportation) No land conveyances are included in Senate Bill 1863 House Amendment #6; therefore, there are no appraisals to be filed. Balanced Budget Note, House Floor Amendment No. 6 (Office of Management and Budget) Please be advised that the Balanced Budget Note Act does not apply to Senate Bill 1863, as amended by House Amendment 6 as it is not a supplemental appropriation that increases or decreases appropriations. Under the Act, a balanced budget note must be prepared only for bills that change a general funds appropriation for the fiscal year in which the new bill is enacted. Correctional Note, House Floor Amendment No. 6 (Dept of Corrections) This amendment has no fiscal impact or population impact on the department. Pension Note, House Floor Amendment No. 6 (Government Forecasting & Accountability) SB 1863, as amended by HA 6, will not impact any public pension fund or retirement system in the State of Illinois. Home Rule Note, House Floor Amendment No. 6 (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not pre-empt home rule authority. State Mandates Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 6 (Dept. of Human Services) This bill does not create a State mandate. Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 6 (State Board of Elections) It is our opinion the contents of Senate Bill 1863, as amended by House Floor Amendment #6, would have an impact on the fiscal operations of the State Board of Elections. We anticipate the contents of the bill will expend all of the allotted funding the SBE has received from the CARES Act, which is approximately $16,759,400 (including matching funds). The aforementioned funding would be expended through grants to local election authorities to help offset costs associated with this bill and other COVID-19 related expenditures. These costs include, but are not limited to: (1) Software programming costs incurred by the local election authorities to meet these requirements; (2) Expanded VBM costs: additional envelopes, certification envelopes, return envelopes, postage, additional costs associated with third-party vendors performing some or all of these services vs. election authorities performing them in-house, etc.; (3) Mail processing equipment: sorting, folding, processing, etc.; (4) Tabulation equipment: additional tabulators and/or higher volume tabulators; (5) Additional temporary staffing and/or staffing overtime costs for pre- and post-election activities directly attributable to expanded VBM (i.e. - teams of 3 election judges are more than would be typically required for conducting the signature verification process, etc.); (6) Costs associated with personal protection equipment and sanitation supplies; (7) Purchase and installation of ballot drop boxes; (8) Increase costs associated with securing and staffing Election Day vote centers. The State Board of Elections believes the CARES Act funding will not be sufficient to offset all of the costs associated with SB1863, as amended by House Floor Amendment #6. Correctional Note, House Floor Amendment No. 7 (Dept of Corrections) This amendment has no fiscal impact or population impact on the department. State Debt Impact Note, House Floor Amendment No. 7 (Government Forecasting & Accountability) SB 1863, as amended by House Amendment 7, would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued or State-supported bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness. Judicial Note, House Floor Amendment No. 7 (Admin Office of the Illinois Courts) Based on a review of the bill, it has been determined that the proposed legislation would neither increase nor decrease the number of judges needed in the state of Illinois. Balanced Budget Note, House Floor Amendment No. 7 (Office of Management and Budget) Please be advised that the Balanced Budget Note Act does not apply to Senate Bill 1863, as amended by House Amendment 7 as it is not a supplemental appropriation that increases or decreases appropriations. Under the Act, a balanced budget note must be prepared only for bills that change a general funds appropriation for the fiscal year in which the new bill is enacted. Pension Note, House Floor Amendment No. 7 (Government Forecasting & Accountability) SB 1873, as amended by HA 7, will not impact any public pension fund or retirement system in the State of Illinois. Home Rule Note, House Floor Amendment No. 7 (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not pre-empt home rule authority. State Mandates Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 7 (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not create a State Mandate. Housing Affordability Impact Note, House Floor Amendment No. 6 (Housing Development Authority) This bill will have no effect on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence. Housing Affordability Impact Note, House Floor Amendment No. 7 (Housing Development Authority) This bill will have no effect on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence. Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 7 (State Board of Elections) It is our opinion the contents of Senate Bill 1863, as amended by House Floor Amendment #7, would have an impact on the fiscal operations of the State Board of Elections. We anticipate the contents of the bill will expend all of the allotted funding the SBE has received from the CARES Act, which is approximately $16,759,400 (including matching funds). The aforementioned funding would be expended through grants to local election authorities to help offset costs associated with this bill and other COVID-19 related expenditures. These costs include, but are not limited to: (1) Software programming costs incurred by the local election authorities to meet these requirements; (2) Expanded VBM costs: additional envelopes, certification envelopes, return envelopes, postage, additional costs associated with third-party vendors performing some or all of these services vs. election authorities performing them in-house, etc.; (3) Mail processing equipment: sorting, folding, processing, etc.; (4) Tabulation equipment: additional tabulators and/or higher volume tabulators; (5) Additional temporary staffing and/or staffing overtime costs for pre- and post-election activities directly attributable to expanded VBM (i.e. - teams of 3 election judges are more than would be typically required for conducting the signature verification process, etc.); (6) Costs associated with personal protection equipment and sanitation supplies; (7) Purchase and installation of ballot drop boxes; (8) Increase costs associated with securing and staffing Election Day vote centers. The State Board of Elections believes the CARES Act funding will not be sufficient to offset all of the costs associated with SB1863, as amended by House Floor Amendment #7.

Amends the Deposit of State Moneys Act. Modifies a Section concerning agreements entered into by the State Treasurer with any bank or savings and loan association relating to the deposit of securities. Provides that such agreements may authorize the holding of securities in any bank or a depository trust company in the United States (rather than New York City). Adds to the classes of securities that the State Treasurer may accept as collateral for deposits not insured by an agency of the federal government. Adds to and modifies the investments in which the State Treasurer may invest or reinvest on behalf of the State. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 520/10 15 ILCS 520/11 15 ILCS 520/22.5 Adds reference to: 10 ILCS 5/2B-20 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. If and only if Senate Bill 1863 of the 101st General Assembly becomes law in the form in which it passed the House of Representatives on May 21, 2020, then amends the Election Code. In provisions concerning changes for vote by mail official ballot mailing and processing for the 2020 general election, makes changes to the panels created by election authorities to compare the voter's signature on the certification envelope of the vote by mail ballot with the signature of the voter on file in the office of the election authority. Requires a vote of 3 of 3 election judges for a vote by mail ballot to be rejected because the signature on the certification envelope and the signature used by the election authority for verification purposes do not match or the certification envelope contains a signature but not in the proper location. Requires a majority vote (rather than a vote of 3 of 3 judges) for other specified reasons. If election judges (rather than 3 of 3 election judges) determine the ballot should be rejected for any reasons stated in the provisions, requires the judges to mark across the face of the certification envelope the word "rejected" and the date and names of the judges voting to reject the ballot. Requires all collection sites for vote by mail ballots to be secured by locks that may be open only by election authority personnel and requires the State Board of Elections to establish additional guidelines for the security of collection sites. Effective upon becoming law or on the date Senate Bill 1863 of the 101st General Assembly takes effect, whichever is later.

Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Provides that every health insurance carrier that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall ensure that no fewer than 25% of certain individual and group plans offered shall apply a pre-deductible, flat-dollar copayment structure to the entire drug benefit. Provides that the flat-dollar copayment structure for prescription drugs must be reasonably graduated and proportionately related in all tier levels such that the copayment structure as a whole does not discriminate against or discourage the enrollment of individuals with significant health care needs. Requires the health insurance carriers to clearly and appropriately name the plans to aid in consumer or plan-sponsor plan selection. Requires the health insurance carriers to market the plans in the same manner as their other plans. Provides that if a health insurance carrier offers fewer than 4 plans, the health insurance carrier shall ensure that one plan shall use the drug benefit structure, including cost-sharing requirements. Requires the Department of Insurance to adopt rules necessary to implement and enforce the provisions. Effective January 1, 2020. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 215 ILCS 134/45.3 new Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 80/4.32 5 ILCS 80/4.31 rep. 20 ILCS 687/6-7 20 ILCS 3855/1-130 50 ILCS 750/3 from Ch. 134, par. 33 50 ILCS 750/15.3 from Ch. 134, par. 45.3 50 ILCS 750/15.3a 50 ILCS 750/15.6b 50 ILCS 750/30 50 ILCS 750/99 220 ILCS 5/13-1200 220 ILCS 5/21-401 220 ILCS 5/21-1601 415 ILCS 98/55 625 ILCS 57/34 770 ILCS 60/6 from Ch. 82, par. 6 P.A. 101-221, Sec. 99-99 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Extends the repeal of the following by one year: the Crematory Regulation Act; the Cemetery Oversight Act; the Illinois Health Information Exchange and Technology Act; the Radiation Protection Act of 1990; the Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Coal Resources Development Law of 1997; a provision of the Illinois Power Agency Act concerning home rule preemption; the Emergency Telephone System Act; the Telecommunications Article of the Public Utilities Act; provisions of the Cable and Video Competition Article of the Public Utilities Act; the Mercury Thermostat Collection Act; and the Transportation Network Providers Act. Further amends the Emergency Telephone System Act to delay the required implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1 service until December 31, 2021 (rather than July 1, 2020) and to make conforming changes throughout the Act. Further amends the Cable and Video Competition Article of the Public Utilities Act to extend State-issued authorizations to provide cable or video service by one year. Amends the Mechanics Lien Act. In provisions concerning fixing or stipulating time for the completion of a contract or a time for payment in a contract in order to obtain a lien, extends the date that certain provisions are operative for one year. Amends Public Act 101-221. Delays, from July 1, 2020 until March 1, 2021, the effective date of the Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Directs the Department of Veterans' Affairs to establish a veterans assistance hotline as a clearinghouse to answer questions received from veterans and to direct veterans to the aid they need.

Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Removes the requirement for each Legislative District to be divided into 2 Representative Districts. Modifies provisions concerning legislative redistricting. Provides specified requirements for each Legislative District, Representative District, and Congressional District for redistricting purposes. Replaces the current method of legislative redistricting with a 17-member Commission, appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the most senior Supreme Court Justice of a different political party in accordance with specified criteria. Specifies requirements for the Commission concerning redistricting plans. Adds provisions concerning the membership of the Commission and budgetary matters related to the Commission. Provides the Supreme Court with original and exclusive jurisdiction over redistricting matters. Defines terms. Makes conforming and other changes. Effective upon being declared adopted and applicable to redistricting beginning in 2021 and to the election of General Assembly members beginning in 2022.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that companies that issue group policies of accident and health insurance must offer such policies to local chambers of commerce. Provides for enforcement by the Department of Insurance by rule.

Amends the Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Changes the purposes of the Act. Deletes provisions related to a pilot program to allow the electronic filing of petitions for temporary orders of protection and the issuance of such orders. Provides that the clerk of court shall provide resources and information on domestic violence and how to obtain assistance as a victim of domestic violence to all petitioners seeking an order of protection. Provides that when determining whether to issue an order of protection, the court shall consider the pattern of domestic violence of the respondent. Provides that when determining whether to grant a specific remedy, the court shall consider the respondent's past abuse, neglect, exploitation of, or criminal actions against any person within the past 10 years. Provides that the court shall liberally grant both orders of protection and remedies to protect the physical, financial, mental, and emotional health of the victims. Provides that records maintained by the Illinois State Police shall be maintained for at least 20 years and also include expired orders of protection. Provides that data in the National Crime Information Center database shall be used to inform all dispatchers and law enforcement officers at the scene of an alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation or violation of an order of protection. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.