Rep. Barbara Hernandez

Creates the Faith Behind Bars Act. Provides that a person committed to a correctional institution or facility has a constitutional right to practice his or her faith in the correctional institution or facility absent harm and without undue burden to the State's correctional system. Provides that a committed person belonging to a faith group in a correctional institution or facility shall have access to pastoral and spiritual care absent harm and without undue burden to the State's correctional system. Provides that a correctional institution or facility shall provide reading materials for diverse faith groups, including, but not limited to, spiritual, religious texts, prayer manuals, prayer mats, and other requested material from committed persons. Provides that all correctional institutions and facilities in the State shall provide committed persons the ability to pray by facilitating time and clean location, fast by allowing a committed person to abstain from food when appropriate, and respect for dietary restrictions absent harm and without undue burden to the State's correctional system. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections by making a conforming change.

Creates the Illinois Strategic Action Plan for Aging Equity Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to appoint a planning commission to research and develop a comprehensive, cross-sector, long-term strategic action plan for aging equity that will lead to actionable goals and measurable outcomes for the years 2023 through 2035. Establishes the Strategic Action Planning Commission for Aging Equity. Provides that the planning commission shall be made up of State agency directors and appointed elected officials or their designees as ex officio members, and a group of voting individuals from the general public. Provides that the planning commission shall examine the effects, challenges, opportunities, and needs for planning related to the shifting age demographics toward an increasing portion of the State's and localities' populations being made up of older adults. Requires the planning commission to adopt guiding principles that include, but are not limited to: (i) advancing aging equity across the life course; (ii) developing cultural humility and being culturally responsive with inclusive policies, programs, and services; and (iii) harnessing the power of experience and knowledge of older persons in communities. Requires the Governor to appoint members to the planning commission within 3 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act; and to consult with the President and Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and the Director of Aging about member appointments to ensure that (1) the planning commission reflects the geographic diversity of the State; (2) the planning commission is inclusive and consists of members who reflect a diversity of age, gender, ability, race, cultural, socioeconomic, and national background; (3) the planning commission includes Illinois residents age 60 or older; and other matters. Contains provisions on the composition of the planning commission; commission meetings; the commission's authority to establish a subcommittee; the establishment of an advisory committee; duties of the planning commission; data analysis; planning commission recommendations and reporting requirements; and other matters. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. In provisions concerning the Teen Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring, and Hope (Teen REACH) Grant Program, provides that any technical assistance provided to a statewide provider of services under the Teen REACH Grant Program shall be delivered directly by the Department of Human Services and shall not be delegated or outsourced to a third-party organization.

Proposes to amend the Bill of Rights Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that the right to reproductive healthcare is a fundamental right held by all citizens. Further specifies rights concerning reproductive healthcare. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the School Code. Beginning July 1, 2021, provides that an individual who holds a Professional Educator License or an Educator License with Stipulations (including an individual who has not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education) may apply for a refund of the required application fee after 12 months of issuance and shall be issued a refund by the State Board of Education if the individual provides evidence that the individual has taught at a school district for at least 12 months. Effective immediately.

Amends the Lactation Accommodation in Airports Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Lactation Accommodation Act. Adds provisions requiring that the organizer of an outdoor public event that is attended by 1,000 or more attendees per day must have a designated enclosed area for members of the public to express breast milk in private that includes, at a minimum, a chair and an electrical outlet and is located outside of the confines of a public restroom.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a taxpayer who makes a donation to a qualified charitable entity of: (i) disposable diapers; (ii) other hygiene products for infants or children; (iii) menstrual hygiene products; or (iv) cash that is specifically designated for the purchase of the those products is entitled to an income tax credit in an amount equal to the cost of the donation, but not to exceed $1,000 per taxpayer in any taxable year. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act. Provides that the General Assembly shall appropriate $19,000,000 in Fiscal Year 2023 for the purposes of this Act. Provides that the funds shall be distributed to the public colleges and universities according to the recommendations of a specified report of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. Provides that the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, in conjunction with the Illinois Community College Board and the Board of Higher Education, must make recommendations to the General Assembly on the amounts necessary to implement this Act for Fiscal Years 2024 through 2027, and may make such recommendations for Fiscal Years thereafter. Deletes provisions making the Act subject to appropriation. Effective July 1, 2022.

Amends the Financially Distressed City Law of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that if a financially distressed city or the city's Financial Advisory Authority is awarded a State grant, any moneys the financially distressed city or Authority would be required to match under the grant are waived unless the moneys under the grant come from federal moneys that require the match. Provides that the entity awarding a State grant shall not consider a municipality's status as a financially distressed city in awarding a State grant. Effective immediately.

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Requires students in grades 9 through 12 to study and successfully complete (rather than just study) courses that include instruction in the area of consumer education. Requires the instruction in consumer education to include planning and paying for postsecondary education and studying economics. Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, provides that the State Board of Education shall require at least one full school year of instruction in consumer education. Effective immediately.