Rep. Amy Grant

Amends the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that no person shall knowingly use or accept cash assistance benefits provided under the Article for the purchase or sale of any firearm or firearms ammunition. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt any rules necessary to implement the amendatory Act, including rules and practices to prevent recipients of cash assistance from accessing their cash assistance benefits at automated teller machines or point of sale terminals that are located in a store or other establishment in which the principal place of business is the sale of firearms or ammunitions.

Proposes to amend the Revenue Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that the General Assembly shall prohibit increases in the assessed value, for school district levy purposes, of homestead property owned and occupied by a person who: (i) has attained age 65; and (ii) has held legal or equitable title to the property and maintained permanent residence thereon for at least 25 years. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Creates the Industrial New Jobs Training Act. Provides that community college may enter into an agreement with an employer in which the employer provides certain education and job-training services. Provides that the program shall be funded by: (1) a new jobs credit from withholding to be received or derived from new employment resulting from the project; (2) tuition, student fees, or special charges fixed by the Board to defray program costs in whole or in part; or(3) a guarantee of payments to be received under paragraph (1) or (2). Provides that the community college may issue certificates for funding of the program. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the Election Code. Requires Voters Identification Cards for those who do not have an acceptable photo ID. Sets forth requirements and exemptions. Provides that any person desiring to vote shall present to the judges of election for verification of the person's identity a government-issued photo identification card or his or her Voter Identification Card.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable years 2020 and thereafter, the maximum reduction under the senior citizens homestead exemption is $9,000 in all counties (currently, $8,000 in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and $5,000 in all other counties). Provides that the maximum income limitation for the senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption is $75,000 (currently, $65,000). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Requires the Department on Aging, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to identify all programs operating in the State, both public and private, that provide services to meet the unique needs and circumstances of senior citizens. Requires the Department on Aging to compile and maintain a list of the identified programs that includes for each program listed: (i) a brief description of program services; (ii) eligibility requirements; and (ii) instructions on how to apply to the program. Requires the Department on Aging and the Departments of Human Services and Healthcare and Family Services to post the list of identified programs on their websites in a relevant and conspicuous place. Requires the Department on Aging to ensure that printed copies of the list of identified programs are available for distribution to senior citizens at each local agency that contracts with a designated area agency on aging. Requires the Secretary of State to ensure that printed copies of the list of identified programs are available for distribution to senior citizens at each driver services facility operated by the Secretary of State.

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. In a provision requiring all mandated reporters to complete mandated reporter training, provides that the required in-person or web-based training shall include information on the process for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect utilizing the Department of Children and Family Services' Online Reporting System for Mandated Reporters.

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that the Illinois Finance Authority shall study the feasibility of the implementation of a program that would provide loans to small business owners for first time real property purchases. Provides for the issues to be examined in the study. Provides that the Authority shall produce a report of findings based upon the issues examined, and shall submit that report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before January 1, 2022. Provides that the report shall also include recommendations as to the feasibility of the loan program. Repeals provisions on January 1, 2023.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a taxpayer is entitled to an income tax credit for each person who is (i) 55 years of age or older during the taxable year and (ii) employed by the taxpayer at a location in this State for not less than 185 days during the taxable year. Provides that the credit may be carried forward. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Provides that a parent or legal guardian employing an individual to care for his or her minor child may request from the individual the results of a check on the individual through the Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System by submitting the same form and paying the same fee that would be submitted by an entity required by law to request such a background check on an employee or volunteer for the purpose of determining whether there has been an indicated finding of child abuse or neglect for the individual. Requires the form to contain the signature of the individual consenting to the background check. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to notify the individual on whom the background check was completed of the results. Provides that the Department shall make the form for requesting a check of the Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System available on its website along with information on how to locate a child-care provider certified or licensed by the Department and how to request a criminal background check for a child-care provider. Requires the Department to adopt rules to implement the provisions of the amendatory Act.