Rep. Fred Crespo

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorders to the extent that the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders are not already covered by the policy or plan. Provides that this coverage shall be subject to a maximum benefit of $36,000 per year, but shall not be subject to any limits on the number of visits to an autism service provider. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning construction of the Code.

Amends the Election Code. With respect to direct recording electronic voting systems, removes the option that the permanent paper record of a voter's completed ballot may be self-contained within the voting device.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning instruction.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning school counselors.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for employers who pay costs in connection with a qualified wellness program. Provides that the amount of the credit is 50% of those costs per year up to $200 per employee for the first 200 employees and $100 per employee for the remaining employees. Sets forth the requirements for qualified wellness programs. Provides that the credit may not be carried forward or back and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law concerning the program for training grants for skills in critical demand. Provides that each grant application must be accompanied with a certification signed and dated by the chief executive officer of the applicant or that officer's authorized representative certifying that all participating employees are Illinois residents and, for each participating employee, stating the employee's name and either (i) stating the employee's social security number or (ii) certifying that the applicant has adequately verified that the employee is an Illinois resident. Provides that the Department may audit the accuracy of applications.

Amends the Automobile Renting Occupation and Use Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that the Board of Trustees of Community College District No. 512 may create a pilot baccalaureate program under which the district may establish and offer bachelor's degrees in 2 fields of study if certain conditions are met, including requiring (i) that the degree programs not compete with any nearby public university, (ii) that the district identify and document unmet workforce needs, (iii) that the degree programs not require any additional funding from local taxes or the State, (iv) that the Illinois Community College Board and the Board of Higher Education approve the offering of the degree programs, and (v) that the pilot program expire 4 years after the initial offering of the degree programs, unless otherwise extended by law. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. With respect to (i) each officer, member, and State employee who receives a gift excepted from the gift ban as an educational mission or as travel expenses for a meeting to discuss State business and (ii) each officer and employee of a governmental entity who receives a gift excepted form the provisions of an ordinance or resolution that are equivalent to the State exceptions, provides that within 30 days after returning from the travel, the person must submit to the Secretary of State, in the form and manner required by the Secretary, certain information concerning the travel. Further provides that the Secretary shall compile the information into a database and shall establish a searchable website for the public to access the data. Subject to appropriation for that purpose, authorizes the Secretary to contract with a private entity to establish and maintain the database and website.