Rep. Fred Crespo

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Includes persons who are foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes in the categories of non-citizens who are eligible for cash or medical assistance under the Code. Defines "foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes". Provides that beginning January 1, 2017, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide medical assistance coverage to foreign-born victims of human trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes and to their derivative family members who: reside in Illinois; are not otherwise eligible under the Code; meet certain income guidelines; and have filed or are preparing to file a formal application for status pursuant to specified provisions of the United States Code. Provides that such a person is ineligible for continued medical assistance coverage if he or she has not filed a formal application for status within one year after the date of his or her application for cash assistance or SNAP benefits; and that if there is a final denial of the person's visa or asylum application, any medical assistance coverage provided to that person and his or her derivative family members shall be terminated. Adds the Survivor Support and Trafficking Prevention Article to the Code with provisions concerning: cash assistance and SNAP benefits for persons who are foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes and their derivative family members; eligibility determinations; work requirements and exemptions; and termination of benefits. Grants the Department rulemaking authority to implement these provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. With respect to a school district other than the Chicago school district, provides that through June 30, 2019 (instead of June 30, 2016), surplus life safety taxes and interest earnings thereon may be transferred to the Operations and Maintenance Fund for building repair work. Extends the time period during which a school district other than the Chicago school district may transfer moneys from specified funds for any purpose from June 30, 2016 to June 30, 2019. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. With respect to the High School Equivalency Testing Program, requires a regional superintendent of schools to waive required fees for an applicant who (i) qualifies as a homeless person, child, or youth as defined in the Education for Homeless Children Act, (ii) has not attained 25 years of age as of the date of the scheduled test, and (iii) can verify his or her status as a homeless person, child, or youth. Provides that a homeless services provider that is qualified to verify an individual's housing status, as determined by the Illinois Community College Board, and that has knowledge of the applicant's housing status may verify the applicant's status.

Creates the Child Bereavement Leave Act and amends the State Finance Act. Provides that an employee may use specified amounts of bereavement leave to grieve the death of the employee's child, attend services in relation to the death of the employee's child, or make arrangements necessitated by the death of the employee's child. Provides for enforcement by the Department of Labor. Provides for civil penalties. Authorizes the Attorney General to collect penalties. Creates the Child Bereavement Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately.

Amends the College and Career Success for All Students Act. Provides that scores of 4 or higher on International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme examinations shall be accepted for credit to satisfy degree requirements by all public institutions of higher education. Provides that each institution shall determine for each International Baccalaureate test whether credit will be granted for electives, general education requirements, or major requirements and the International Baccalaureate scores required to grant credit for those purposes. Effective immediately.

Congratulates Ken Zaccard on the occasion of his retirement as Assistant Fire Chief of the Hanover Park Fire Department.

Congratulates Alexander John Daniel on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts.

Congratulates Eira Corral Sepulveda of Hanover Park on being named Citizen of the Year.

Recognizes the WINGS organization.

Congratulates Steven Joseph Camiliere on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.