Rep. Anna Moeller

Amends the Transportation Article of the School Code. In provisions claiming reimbursement by the State for transportation, provides that, for a State-authorized charter school, the State will pay the prorated allowable cost of transporting eligible pupils less the prior year prorated assessed valuation based on enrollment reported for the previous academic year in a State-authorized charter school proportionate to the State-authorized charter school's local school board's district enrollment for the previous academic year. Provides that a State-authorized charter school's qualifying rate shall be the same as the rate that applies to State-authorized charter school's local school board's district. Provides that if a State-authorized charter school does not have a Transportation Fund tax rate of at least .12% based upon the tax rate of its local school board's district, the State-authorized charter school shall be eligible to receive a reimbursement based on the proportion of students enrolled in the State-authorized charter school compared with the local school board's district enrollment.

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Reenacts a provision concerning the Veterans' Service-Related Ailments Task Force repealed by Public Act 102-417. Changes the name of the Veterans' Service-Related Ailments Task Force to the Veterans' Services Task Force. Changes the frequency of Task Force meetings to at least twice a year and at any other times the Task Force deems necessary. Requires the Task Force to submit its report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2025. Repeals the provisions creating the Task Force on December 31, 2026. Effective immediately.

Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Directs the Secretary of State to grant a waiver of the lobbyist registration fee for any not-for-profit entity with an annual budget of less than $5,000,000 that is classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including a waiver for any lobbyist that exclusively lobbies on behalf of such an entity.

Creates the Illinois Caregiver Assistance and Resource Portal Act. Requires the Department on Aging, in consultation with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Veterans' Affairs, to be responsible for the creation and maintenance of the Illinois Caregiver Assistance and Resource Portal (Portal). Provides that the Portal shall serve as a centralized and trusted online platform offering a wide range of resources related to caregiving, including, but not limited to: (1) information on State and federal programs, benefits, and resources on caregiving, long-term care, and at-home care for Illinois residents who are 50 years of age or older; (2) educational materials, articles, and videos on caregiving best practices; and (3) accommodations for users with different language preferences, ensuring the information is accessible to diverse audiences. Sets forth additional resources and information that the Portal may feature, such as information on caregiving resources, home and community-based services that support family caregivers, nursing home care, services and programs offered by Area Agencies on Aging, relevant health care and financial assistance programs, and local support group opportunities for caregivers. Requires the Portal to be designed to be user-friendly and accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities and to include features such as search functionality, language accessibility, and compatibility with assistive technologies to ensure that a diverse range of caregivers can use it. Contains provisions concerning required outreach and promotional campaign efforts to raise awareness of the Portal, reporting requirements, and State and federal funding for the Portal. Requires the Portal to be implemented one year after the effective date of the Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Powering Up Illinois Act. Provides that an electrical corporation which operates in the State shall upgrade the State's electrical distribution systems in order to achieve the State's decarbonization standards. Provides that an electrical corporation shall be adequately staffed and recruit, train, and retain further staff as needed. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall establish reasonable average and maximum target energization time periods. Provides that the Commission shall establish requirements for an electrical corporation to report to the Commission, at least annually, to track and improve electrical corporation performance. Provides that the Commission shall require an electrical corporation to establish a dedicated electrification team. Sets forth requirements for an electrical corporation to consider when engaging in the annual distribution planning process. Provides that, in its site evaluation and design process, the Commission shall require an electrical corporation to consider flexible interconnection to defer or mitigate energization-related grid upgrades, but, if the solutions cannot defer or mitigate an upgrade, the corporation may evaluate traditional system upgrades. Provides that an electrical corporation may recover costs. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no group policy of accident and health insurance providing coverage for more than 25 employees that provides pregnancy related benefits may be issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 2025 unless the policy contains coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Requires such coverage to include procedures necessary to screen or diagnose a fertilized egg before implantation. Provides that coverage for in vitro fertilization, gamete intrafallopian tube transfer, or zygote intrafallopian tube transfer shall be required only if the procedures: (1) are considered medically appropriate based on clinical guidelines or standards developed by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology; and (2) are performed at medical facilities or clinics that conform to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines for in vitro fertilization or the American Society for Reproductive Medicine minimum standards for practices offering assisted reproductive technologies. Makes changes in the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to provide that infertility insurance must be included in health insurance coverage for employees. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision concerning payments to nursing facilities, sets forth how to calculate each facility's variable per diem staffing add-on amount beginning October 1, 2024. Increases the per diem maximum amounts paid to facilities based on the STRIVE study. Effective October 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Route 31 in Aurora as the "PFC Wayne W. Hill Jr. Memorial Highway" to honor a local soldier who died as a prisoner of war during the Korean War. The legislation requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to install signs and plaques along the road to mark the new name. Copies of the resolution will be given to the soldier's family, the city mayor, and the state transportation secretary. The measure is a commemorative action that does not alter traffic laws or funding but serves to recognize the service of PFC Hill.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Route 59 in West Chicago, Illinois, as the "SFC Theodore A. Katsoolias Memorial Highway" to honor a U.S. Army soldier who went missing during the Korean War. The legislation requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to install signs identifying the road with this new name and to present copies of the resolution to the soldier's family and local officials. By naming the highway after Sergeant First Class Katsoolias, the bill formally recognizes his service and sacrifice while creating a permanent public tribute in his hometown.

Creates the Carbon Dioxide Transport and Storage Protections Act. Defines terms. Provides that (i) title to pore space belongs to and is vested in the surface owner of the overlying surface estate, (ii) a conveyance of title to a surface estate conveys title to the pore space in all strata underlying the surface estate, and (iii) title to pore space may not be severed from title to the surface estate. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, prohibits the amalgamation of pore space under the Eminent Domain Act. Contains requirements for valid amalgamation. Requires the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security to determine a fee for carbon sequestration by rule. Creates the Carbon Transportation and Sequestration Readiness Fund and makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act. Requires the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security and the Department of Public Health to conduct training with specified requirements. Contains other provisions. Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Makes changes to the definition of "sequester". Removes language requiring specified facilities to be clean coal facilities. Makes other changes. Amends the Carbon Dioxide Transportation and Sequestration Act. Contains requirements for receiving a certificate of authority. Makes other changes. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires any person seeking to sequester carbon dioxide in Illinois to first obtain a carbon sequestration permit from the Agency. Contains other provisions and makes other changes. Contains a severability provision. Effective immediately.