Creates the Small Business Advocate Act. Creates the four independent Offices of the Executive Small Business Advocate for the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, the Comptroller, and the Treasurer. Provides that every State agency consisting of 500 or more employees shall establish an independent Office of the Small Business Advocate. Provides that each Office shall be under the direction and supervision of an Executive Small Business Advocate or a Small Business Advocate, and shall be a fully independent Office with separate appropriations. Provides for the appointment and duties of Executive Small Business Advocates and Small Business Advocates. Provides that each Office shall assist small businesses in understanding and complying with State requirements, as well as facilitating interactions between small businesses and State government. Provides for the adoption of rules. Provides that beginning January 1, 2021, and for each year thereafter, each Office of the Executive Small Business Advocate and each Office of the Small Business Advocate shall submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly detailing specified items. Defines Terms. Effective January 1, 2020.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that not less than 75% of the amounts collected by a municipality within DuPage County pursuant to the municipal hotel operators' occupation tax and municipal hotel use tax shall be used to promote tourism within that municipality. Requires that the municipality belong to a not-for-profit organization headquartered in DuPage County that is recognized by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity as a certified local tourism and convention bureau entitled to receive State tourism grant funds. Provides that the remainder of the amounts collected may be used by the municipality for economic development or capital infrastructure. Repeals the provisions on January 1, 2021. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Extends the repeal of provisions regarding a municipal hotel operators' and hotel use tax in DuPage County from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2023.
Declares April 2, 2019 as Pay Equity Day.
Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the Department of State Police has authority to deny an application for or to revoke and seize a Firearm Owner's Identification Card previously issued under the Act if the Department finds that the applicant or the person to whom the card was issued is or was at the time of issuance a person who has been convicted within the past 5 years of stalking or a substantially similar offense in another jurisdiction, in which a firearm was used or possessed. Makes conforming changes.
Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that charges alleging a violation under provisions concerning employment may be filed and deemed timely if filed within 3 years after the date of the alleged violation. Effective immediately.
Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that on and after July 1, 2019, any fixed route public transportation services provided by or through the Commuter Rail Board shall be provided at a 50% discounted fare off the non-discounted adult fare to all students who present a valid student ID card issued within the previous 12 months by a college or university, or under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Commuter Rail Board. Effective immediately.
Creates the Freedom to Disclose Act. Provides that an employer may not require an employee or prospective employee to sign a nondisclosure agreement, waiver, or other document that prevents the employee from disclosing sexual harassment or sexual violence occurring in the workplace, at work-related events coordinated by or through the employer, or between employees or an employer and employee off the employment premises. Provides that any such nondisclosure agreement is void. Provides that it is a violation of the Whistleblower Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act for an employer to discharge or otherwise retaliate against an employee for disclosing or discussing sexual harassment or sexual violence occurring in the workplace, at work-related events coordinated by or through the employer, or between employees or an employer and an employee off the employment premises. Provides that settlement agreements may contain nondisclosure provisions if specified requirements are met. Provides that an employer's ability to require confidentiality is not limited under certain circumstances. Makes corresponding changes in the Illinois Human Rights Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the Crime and Traffic Assessment Act. Provides that an additional assessment of $100 shall be imposed upon any person who pleads guilty, is convicted of, or who receives a disposition of court supervision for, a sex offense or an attempted sex offense. Provides that the funds shall be deposited in the State Crime Laboratory Fund to pay for the costs of processing and analyzing the Illinois State Police Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits under the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act to assist in reduction of the number of unanalyzed and unprocessed Kits. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Defines "sex offense".
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Increases the penalties for stalking, aggravated stalking, and cyberstalking by one class if the victim of the offense is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense.
Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a person who willfully or maliciously tortures, mutilates, injures, disables, poisons, or kills any animal used by a law enforcement department or agency in the performance of the functions or duties of the department or agency of when placed off duty, any service animal, any search and rescue dog, any law enforcement, service, or search and rescue animal in training, or any accelerant detection canine used by a fire officer for arson investigations in the performance of his or her functions or while off duty, if the animal is not killed or totally disabled, the person is guilty of a Class 3 felony, and if the animal is killed or totally disabled, the person is guilty of a Class 2 felony. Provides that a person who kills or severely injures any animal used by a law enforcement department or agency in the performance of the functions or duties of the department or agency of when placed off duty, any service animal, any search and rescue dog, any law enforcement, service, or search and rescue animal in training, or any accelerant detection canine used by a fire officer for arson investigations in the performance of his or her functions or while off duty, while he or she is in the commission of a felony, is guilty of a Class 2 felony. Provides that if the offender is found guilty, the offender shall is responsible for any veterinarian bills for the animal that was injured and training costs for another animal, if the animal injured or killed is no longer able to be in service. Makes other changes.