Rep. Anna Moeller

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that upon receiving custody or guardianship of a youth in care, and at least annually thereafter, the Department of Children and Family Services shall determine whether the youth may be eligible for Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or Veterans benefits. Provides that if it is determined that the youth may be eligible for benefits, the Department shall ensure that an application is filed on behalf of the youth. Requires the Department to ensure that any youth in care eligible for benefits beyond the age of 18 has a timely application filed. Requires the Department to immediately notify a youth over the age of 16, the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem, and the youth's parent or legal guardian or another responsible adult of: (1) any application for or any application to become representative payee for benefits on behalf of a youth in care; (2) any decisions or communications from the Social Security Administration or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regarding an application for benefits or for representative payee status; and (3) any appeal or other action requested by the Department regarding an application for benefits. Requires the Department to ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee or fiduciary, a minimum percentage of the youth's benefits are conserved in a way that avoids violating any federal asset or resource limits that would affect the youth's eligibility to receive the benefits, including, but not limited to, establishing for the youth a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) Account; an ABLE account, a Social Security Plan to Achieve Self-Support account, or other specified savings accounts. Contains provisions concerning annual accounting reports to a youth's attorney and guardian ad litem of how a youth's benefits have been used and conserved; financial literacy training and support for youth in care; the adoption of rules; reporting requirements for the Department; and other matters. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that upon receiving temporary custody or guardianship of a youth in care, the Department of Children and Family Services shall assess the youth to determine whether the youth may be eligible for Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans benefits, or Railroad Retirement benefits. Provides that if, after the assessment, the Department determines that the youth may be eligible for such benefits, the Department shall ensure that an application is filed on behalf of the youth. Requires the Department to prescribe by rule how it will review cases of youth in care at regular intervals to determine whether the youth may have become eligible for benefits after the initial assessment. Provides that the Department shall make reasonable efforts to encourage youth in care over the age of 18 who are likely eligible for benefits to cooperate with the application process and to assist youth with the application process. Provides that when applying for benefits, the Department shall identify a representative payee in accordance with specified federal requirements. Requires the Department to immediately notify a youth over the age of 16, the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem, and the youth's parent or legal guardian or another responsible adult of: (1) any application for or any application to become representative payee for benefits on behalf of a youth in care; (2) any communications from the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Railroad Retirement Board pertaining to the acceptance or denial of benefits or the selection of a representative payee; and (3) any appeal or other action requested by the Department regarding an application for benefits. Provides that when the Department serves as the representative payee for a youth receiving benefits, the Department shall: (i) beginning January 1, 2023, ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee, a minimum percentage of the youth's Supplemental Security Income benefits are conserved as specified under the amendatory Act; (2) beginning January 1, 2024, ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee a minimum percentage of the youth's Social Security benefits, Veterans benefits, or Railroad Retirement benefits are conserved as specified under the amendatory Act; (3) appropriately monitor any federal asset or resource limits for the benefits and ensure that the youth's best interest is served by using or conserving the benefits in a way that avoids violating any federal asset or resource limits that would affect the youth's eligibility to receive the benefits; and other matters. Contains provisions concerning annual accounting reports to a youth's attorney and guardian ad litem on how a youth's benefits have been used and conserved; financial literacy training and support for youth in care; the adoption of rules; reporting requirements for the Department; and other matters. Effective immediately.

Amends the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 320 ILCS 30/1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 105/4.04b new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that the purpose of the Senior Housing Residents' Advisory Council established under the amendatory Act is to create a space and opportunity for senior Illinoisans to connect with each other and meet with representatives from the Department on Aging and the Department of Public Health in order to share their ideas on how the State can improve the quality of life for its senior residents. Provides that the Council will also give senior Illinoisans the opportunity to share their findings and recommendations on targeted services and supports for seniors with the Governor and the General Assembly. Provides that the Council is created in the Department on Aging and shall consist of 20 members, including seniors who reside in affordable housing developments and assisted living facilities and seniors who come from each region of the State. Provides that the Council shall meet quarterly beginning no later than January 1, 2023 and shall thereafter meet on the date of each quarterly meeting with personnel from the Department of Public Health and the Department on Aging. Requires all meetings to be open to the public in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. Permits the Council to form subcommittees that can meet more frequently than once per quarter. Provides that members of the Council shall receive no compensation for their service but shall be reimbursed for any necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties from appropriations made by the General Assembly for that purpose. Provides that the Council has the following duties: (i) identify barriers to seniors feeling supported by and connected to their communities; (ii) evaluate available resources and services for seniors; (iii) evaluate State outreach to seniors; and (iv) evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on congregate living arrangements for seniors. Requires the Council to submit its first written report to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than December 31 in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Provides that the reports shall contain the results of the Council's findings and evaluations and shall include advice and recommendations on (1) how best to disseminate information to seniors on available supports and services through the use of State agency websites, informational materials, and outreach; (2) how to ensure of the availability of targeted services for seniors and to eliminate any gaps in services for seniors; and (3) how to improve State policy concerning seniors and congregate living arrangements for seniors in response to COVID-19. Provides that the Council shall terminate and dissolve after it submits its third report on December 31, 2025. Repeals the new provisions on January 1, 2027. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Expands membership on the Senior Housing Residents' Advisory Council to include one senior, appointed by the Department on Aging, who lives in one of the following counties: DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will.

Amends the School Code. Requires a school district to offer a program to prepare students enrolled in grades 6 through 12 for a career and technical education pathway by introducing students to career exploration opportunities that allow students to explore a wide variety of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand career fields. Sets forth what a school district shall provide in its career and technical education pathway program. Provides for rulemaking. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.73 new 105 ILCS 5/34-18.67 new Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.83 new 105 ILCS 5/34-18.78 new 110 ILCS 148/15 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Requires a school district that enrolls students in any of grades 6 through 12 to adopt and implement a postsecondary and career expectations framework; sets forth requirements concerning the framework. Provides that a school district that enrolls students in any of grades 9 through 12 shall become an eligible school district and award College and Career Pathway Endorsements pursuant to the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act and pursuant to a specified schedule. Allows a school board of a school district to opt out of implementation of all or any part of these provisions through a finding that the board has in place alternative systems for college and career readiness and that such systems are more likely to successfully prepare students for college and career expectations. Authorizes the State Board of Education to adopt rules. Amends the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Requires the State Board of Education, Illinois Community College Board, Board of Higher Education, and Illinois Student Assistance Commission to, by July 1, 2023 and in consultation with appropriate stakeholders, jointly adopt and publicize an update to the model postsecondary and career expectations that extends the expectations to grade 6 and includes such other revisions and updates as the agencies deem appropriate. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the bill as amended by House Amendment No. 2 with the following changes. Provides that by July 1, 2024 (rather than July 1, 2025) a school district that enrolls students in any of grades 6 through 12 shall adopt and commence implementation of career exploration and career development activities in accordance with (rather than shall adopt and implement) a postsecondary and career expectations framework for each of grades 6 through 12 served by the district that substantially aligns to the model framework adopted by State agencies. Makes conforming changes. Provides that the career exploration and career development activities offered in alignment with the postsecondary and career expectations framework shall prepare students enrolled in grades 6 through 12 to make informed plans and decisions about their future education and career goals, including possible participation in a career and technical education pathway, by providing students with opportunities to explore a wide variety of high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand career fields. Allows a school board of a school district to opt out of implementation if the board adopts a specified set of findings (rather than through a finding that the board has in place alternative systems for college and career readiness and that such systems are more likely to successfully prepare students for college and career expectation). Removes the immediate effective date. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Specifies that by July 1, 2025, a school district that enrolls students in any of grades 9 through 12 shall either elect to implement College and Career Pathway Endorsements or opt out of implementation. Provides that a school district may elect to implement College and Career Pathway Endorsements either by submitting the necessary application materials to the State Board of Education or by the school board of the district adopting a timeline for implementation. Adds to the enumerated findings that a school board of a school district must adopt in order to opt out of implementation the willingness of institutions of higher education to partner with the school district for successful implementation of the pathway and whether the district has sought and established a partnership agreement with a community college district incorporating the provisions of the Model Partnership Agreement under the Dual Credit Quality Act. Provides that a school district electing to opt out of implementation may reverse its decision in whole or in part at any time. Requires the State Board of Education to publish and maintain on its website an inventory of resources available to support school districts in implementing College and Career Pathway Endorsements. Makes other changes.

Amends the School Code. Provides that all school boards shall waive fees assessed by the district for each student with a parent who is a veteran with an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that all school boards shall waive fees assessed by the district for each student with a parent who is a veteran or active duty military personnel (only veteran in the introduced bill) with an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning bond. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 1305/1-75 new 30 ILCS 105/5.970 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the First Responders Child Care Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall establish and administer an Off-Hours Child Care Grant Program to provide grants to licensed child care facilities to expand their program of services to include off hours, night, or sleep time child care for first responders and third shift workers who, on account of their work schedule, need child care outside of the hours when licensed child care facilities typically operate. Provides that services funded under the grant program must address the child care needs of first responders. Provides that grants provided under the program may also be used to cover any capital and operating expenses related to the provision of off-hours, night, or sleep time child care for first responders. Requires child care facilities seeking funding under the grant program to apply to the Department in a form and manner prescribed by the Department. Requires the Department to implement the grant program by the date the Child Care Advisory Council submits its final report to the General Assembly as provided under Senate Resolution 862 of the 102nd General Assembly or by December 31, 2022, whichever is earlier. Permits the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement the program. Defines "first responders" to mean emergency medical services personnel as defined in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and, as determined by the Department, any other workers who, on account of their work schedule, need child care outside of the hours when licensed child care facilities typically operate. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Off-Hours Child Care Grant Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 1305/1-75 new 30 ILCS 105/5.970 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the First Responders Child Care Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall establish and administer an Off-Hours Child Care Program to help first responders and other workers identify and access off-hours, night, or sleep time child care. Provides that services funded under the program must address the child care needs of first responders. Provides that funding provided under the program may also be used to cover any capital and operating expenses related to the provision of off-hours, night, or sleep time child care for first responders. Requires the Department to implement the program by July 1, 2023. Permits the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement the program. Defines "first responders" to mean emergency medical services personnel as defined in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and, as determined by the Department, any other workers who, on account of their work schedule, need child care outside of the hours when licensed child care facilities typically operate. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Off-Hours Child Care Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Provides that that amendatory Act shall be referred to as the Off-Hours Child Care Act (rather than the First Responders Child Care Act). In a provision concerning legislative intent, provides that only 435 of the State's group day care homes (rather than group home care programs) provide night care.

Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that notwithstanding a positive test for the presence of cannabis within the petitioner's body from a drug test taken within 30 days before the filing of the petition for expungement or sealing or the failure of the petitioner to take such test, the petitioner may petition for the sealing or expungement of his or her felony records for a violation of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, or the Cannabis Control Act or felony records of a qualified probation for a felony drug offense. Defines "cannabis" and "felony drug offense". House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court shall not deny a petition for expungement or sealing because the petitioner has submitted a drug test taken within 30 days before the filing of the petition for expungement or sealing that indicates a positive test for the presence of cannabis within the petitioner's body. Defines "cannabis".

Creates the Legislative Accessibility Act. Provides that the General Assembly shall make all efforts to increase the accessibility of the General Assembly for people with disabilities. Provides that the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate shall each appoint an accessibility coordinator who, in consultation with the Architect of the Capitol, shall be responsible for addressing accessibility needs for his or her corresponding house. Provides that the Illinois General Assembly website shall include either an email address, webform, or other similar mechanism to request reasonable accommodations to meet the accessibility needs of people with disabilities attending legislative events. Establishes the General Assembly Accessibility Task Force. Provides for the membership and meetings of the Task Force. Provides that members and ex officio members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides administrative support for the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall examine issues concerning accessibility of persons with a disability. Requires the Task Force to make recommendations to the General Assembly concerning General Assembly accessibility no later than December 31, 2021. Repeals specified provisions January 1, 2023. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Removes provision requiring the General Assembly Accessibility Task Force to be convened by the Department of Central Management Services in coordination with the Secretary of State. Modifies the appointment of members to the Task Force. Provides that the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minority Leader of the Senate, and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall each appoint 2 members to the Task Force (rather than the Governor appointing 15 members). Provides for the appointment of the Task Force chair. Provides that appointees shall include persons who self-identify as having a disability or advocates for such persons. Provides for specified State officials to serve on the Task Force as ex officio members. Provides that the Architect of the Capitol (rather than the Department of Central Management Services) shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to issue its recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2023 (rather than December 31, 2021). Repeals the Task Force on January 1, 2025 (rather than January 1, 2023). Makes other changes. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Further amends the Legislative Accessibility Act. Provides that the Illinois General Assembly website shall include an email address, web form, or other similar mechanism to meet the accessibility needs of persons attending legislative meetings, hearings, floor proceedings, and press conferences at the Capitol Complex (rather than persons attending legislative events, including, but not limited to, all hearings and floor proceedings). Makes a technical change.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions concerning an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity, provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall notify each owner of record of land included in a right-of-way over which the utility seeks in its application to construct a high-voltage electric line of the time and place scheduled for the initial hearing on the public utility's application by certified mail (rather than registered mail). Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 220 ILCS 5/8-406 220 ILCS 5/8-406.1 Adds reference to: 720 ILCS 5/24-5.1 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly sell, offer to sell, or transfer an unserialized unfinished frame or receiver or unserialized firearm, including those produced using a three-dimensional printer, unless the party purchasing or receiving the unfinished frame or receiver or unserialized firearm is a federal firearms importer, federal firearms manufacturer, or federal firearms dealer. Provides that 180 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, it shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly possess, transport, or receive an unfinished frame or receiver, unless: (A) the party possessing or receiving the unfinished frame or receiver is a federal firearms importer or federal firearms manufacturer; (B) the unfinished frame or receiver is possessed or transported by a person for transfer to a federal firearms importer or federal firearms manufacturer; or (C) the unfinished frame or receiver has been imprinted with a serial number issued by a federal firearms importer or federal firearms manufacturer as specified. Provides that 180 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, unless the party receiving the firearm is a federal firearms importer or federal firearms manufacturer, it shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly possess, purchase, transport, or receive a firearm that is not imprinted with a serial number by (1) a federal firearms importer or federal firearms manufacturer in compliance with all federal laws and regulations regulating the manufacture and import of firearms or (2) a federal firearms manufacturer, federal firearms dealer, or other federal licensee authorized to provide marking services in compliance with the unserialized firearm serialization process. Specifies requirements for the firearm serialization process. Requires the Director of the Illinois State Police to issue a public notice regarding the provisions concerning serialization of unfinished frames or receivers, prohibition on unserialized firearms, exceptions, and penalties within 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides exemptions and establishes penalties for violations. Effective immediately.

Amends the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health or its delegate agency shall (rather than may) conduct a follow-up inspection of any dwelling unit for which a mitigation notice was issued.

Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Allows a member to establish credit for up to 2 years of service as a teacher or administrator employed by a private school registered with or recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education, provided that the teacher (i) was certified under the law governing the certification of teachers at the time the service was rendered, (ii) applies in writing no later than 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act, (iii) supplies satisfactory evidence of the employment, (iv) completes at least 10 years of contributing service as a teacher, (v) pays the required contribution required, and (vi) does not receive credit for that service under any other provision of the Code. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that for each year of service credit established, a member is required to contribute to the System (i) the employee and employer contribution that would have been required had such service been rendered as a member based on the annual salary rate (instead of 16.5% of the annual salary rate) during the first year of full-time employment as a teacher under the Article following the private school service, plus (ii) interest thereon at the actuarially assumed rate (instead of interest thereon) from the date of first full-time employment as a teacher under the Article following the private school service to the date of payment, compounded annually, at a rate determined by the Board (instead of 8% per year).