Rep. Barbara Hernandez

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2021, a family eligible for child care services whose income is at or below 185% of the most recent United States Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines for the applicable family size shall pay a $1 monthly fee as a co-payment for child care services. Deletes a provision that: (i) requires the Department of Human Services to establish, by rule, a co-payment scale that provides for cost sharing by families that receive child care services, including parents whose only income is from assistance under this Code; and (ii) that require co-payments to be based on family income and family size and other factors as appropriate. Removes a provision that authorizes the Department to raise parent co-payments. 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 notwithstanding any other law or rule, the Department of Human Services shall permit all grantees under the Teen REACH Grant Program to utilize an alternate data collection system, other than the management information system provided by the Department, if the alternate data collection system can provide the Department with the data and reporting information it requires in a timely manner.

Amends the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Services Act. Repeals provisions regarding the Act's repealer. Effective immediately.

Amends the Real Estate Transactions Article of the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for an owner or any other person engaging in a real estate transaction to engage or participate in certain actions or behavior, including actions or behavior related to transactions, terms, offers, negotiations, representations, publications of intent, and listings, because of a person's criminal conviction history.

Amends the Autism Spectrum Disorders Reporting Act. Provides that, no later than December 31st of each year, the Department of Human Services shall submit a report to the General Assembly regarding access to applied behavior analysis therapy for people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department of Insurance to provide all necessary data upon request to the Department of Human Services to facilitate the timely and accurate completion of the report. Sets forth information that the report shall include.

Creates the Loan Repayment Assistance Act. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to establish and administer a Loan Repayment Assistance Program for the purpose of providing loan repayment assistance to eligible applicants living and working in this State who have graduated from a high school located in this State and an institution of higher education located in this State or another state. On an annual basis, requires the Commission to receive and consider applications for loan repayment assistance under the Program and provide assistance if the Commission finds that the applicant (i) has graduated from a high school located in this State and from an institution of higher education located in this State or in another state as an undergraduate student with a cumulative grade point average of a 4.0 on a 4.0 scale, (ii) has been a resident of this State for at least 4 years after graduating from the institution of higher education, (iii) has been employed in this State for at least 4 years after graduating from the institution of higher education, and (iv) has eligible debt in grace or repayment status. Provides for the maximum amount of loan repayment assistance that may be provided. Provides that funds shall be distributed subject to the availability of appropriations. Sets forth requirements for loan forgiveness. Sets forth provisions concerning administration of the Program, ineligibility and the termination of funds, and other Commission powers. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Loan Repayment Assistance Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Reduces the trailer flat weight tax for maximum loads of 3,000 pounds and less from $118 to $18. Effective immediately.

Creates the Firearm Violence Prevention and Reduction Study Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to conduct a study on methods to prevent and reduce firearm violence in Illinois. Provides that the Department of Public Health must file a yearly report of the study's findings with the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2022 and on or before December 31 of each year thereafter through December 31, 2031. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the study is to be provided sufficient funding in the amount of $150,000 per year. Allows the Department to adopt rules necessary for the implementation and administration of the Act. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2032. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $250,000 from the SBE Federal Department of Education Fund to the State Board of Education for a grant to or a contract with the Illinois Association of School Nurses to complete a study for school nursing capacity in this State. Effective July 1, 2022.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that any supplier of energy that generates more than 500 kilowatt hours of electricity annually within the State (rather than any supplier of energy within the State) and all companies that develop, build, install, or maintain a renewable energy project with total annual revenues over $15,000,000 shall submit an annual report on all procurement goals and actual spending for female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and small business enterprises in the previous calendar year. Deletes language that exempts specified wind energy and solar energy from having to submit an annual report. Provides that each participating company in its annual report shall include an explanation of the plan for the next year to increase participation, including a buying plan for the specific goods and services the company intends to buy in the next 6 to 18 months, including any procurement codes used by the company, to assist entrepreneurs and diverse companies to understand upcoming opportunities to work with the company submitting the buying plan.