Rep. Sonya Harper

Amends the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that on or before December 31, 2020, the Director of Agriculture, or his or her designee, shall prepare a report to be delivered the Chairperson of the Agriculture Committee of the Senate, and the Chairperson of the Agriculture & Conservation Committee of the House of Representatives regarding the Department's accomplishments and future goals in the following areas: facilitating the start-up, modernization, or expansion of livestock operations including beginning and transitioning livestock operations; developing new markets for this State's farmers by providing more fruits, vegetables, meat, grain, and dairy for school children of this State; assisting agricultural businesses to begin or expand, access new markets, or diversify products; developing urban agriculture; facilitating the start-up, modernization, or expansion of other beginning and transitioning farms; sustainable agriculture on farm research and demonstration; and the development or expansion of food hubs and other alternative community-based food distribution systems. Repealed on January 1, 2021.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to require managed care organizations (MCOs) to ensure: (1) that any provider under contract with an MCO on the date of service shall be paid for any medically necessary service rendered to any of the MCO's enrollees, regardless of inclusion on the MCO's published and publicly available roster of available providers; (2) that all contracted providers are listed on an updated roster within 7 days of entering into a contract with the MCO; and (3) that the roster under item (2) is readily accessible by all medical assistance enrollees for purposes of selecting an approved healthcare provider. Requires the Department to require MCOs to expedite payments to providers based on specified criteria (rather than providing that the Department may establish a process for MCOs to expedite payments to providers based on criteria established by the Department). Contains provisions concerning discharge notifications and facility placements and other matters. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Youthbuild Act. In language providing that the Secretary of Human Services shall make grants to applicants for the purpose of carrying out approved Youthbuild programs, deletes language providing that the grantmaking is subject to appropriation. Effective July 1, 2019.

Amends the State Finance Act to create the Trauma Response Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Amends the School Code. Requires school boards to develop a trauma response protocol that shall be implemented in response to a traumatic event at a school, including, but not limited to, a shooting at the school. Sets forth various requirements for the protocol, including response by hospitals, trauma intervention services, and community engagement. Provides that all moneys in the Trauma Response Fund shall be paid as grants to school districts to implement the trauma response protocol. Amends the University of Illinois Hospital Act and Hospital Licensing Act to make conforming changes. Amends the Use Tax Act, Service Use Tax Act, Service Occupation Tax Act, and Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Imposes a 1% surcharge on firearm ammunition, which shall be deposited into the Trauma Response Fund. Effective immediately.

Creates the Healthy Food Program Development Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture may coordinate with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish a Healthy Food Development Program to expand access to healthy foods in eligible areas in the State by providing assistance to grocery stores, corner stores, farmers' markets, and other small food retailers. Provides that the benefits provided shall be awarded to grocery stores, corner stores, farmers' markets, and other small food retailers in eligible areas on a competitive basis, with priority given to projects with the greatest potential impact on expanding access to healthy foods ineligible areas that are underserved by retail sales of healthy food in the State. Provides requirements for participation in the program. Provides that the Department shall designate a grocery ambassador to assist retailers of healthy foods in this State by: (1) providing research and data on eligible areas with insufficient grocery access; (2) coordinating with the Department and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and other relevant State agencies; (3) providing assistance to small grocery retailers in this State, including obtaining and expediting regulatory procedures; and (4) providing other assistance as needed. Provides that the Department, in coordination with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, shall convene a working group to develop a plan for establishing a commercial distribution system, for fresh produce and healthy foods to corner stores and other small food retailers.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates a school tax reduction homestead exemption. Provides that, for the purpose of calculating taxes levied by a school district, there shall be a reduction from the equalized assessed value of qualified homestead property equal to the exempt amount. Sets forth the calculation of the exempt amount. Provides that "qualified homestead property" means homestead property owned by persons with a household income of less than $500,000 per year.

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning background investigations.

Creates the Right to Know Act. Provides that an operator of a commercial website or online service that collects personally identifiable information through the internet about individual customers residing in Illinois who use or visit its commercial website or online service shall notify those customers of certain specified information pertaining to its personal information sharing practices. Requires an operator to make available certain specified information upon disclosing a customer's personal information to a third party, and to provide an e-mail address or toll-free telephone number whereby customers may request or obtain that information. Provides for a right of action to customers whose rights are violated under the Act. Provides that any waiver of the provisions of the Act or any agreement that does not comply with the applicable provisions of the Act shall be void and unenforceable. Provides that no provision of the Act shall be construed to conflict with or apply to certain specified provisions of federal law or certain interactions with State or local government. Provides findings and purpose. Defines terms.

Amends the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that female and male condoms, incontinence products, diapers, and baby wipes shall be taxed by the State at a rate of 1% (currently, 6.25%). Provides that the net revenue from the 1% tax collected from the sale of those products shall be deposited into the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund. Amends the Use Tax, Service Occupation Tax, and Service Occupation Use Tax Acts to make conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that grant amounts under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program may not vary on the basis of a TANF recipient's county of residence. Increases TANF grant amounts to: 30% of federal poverty guidelines beginning October 1, 2018; 40% of federal poverty guidelines beginning October 1, 2019; and 50% of federal poverty guidelines beginning October 1, 2020. Provides that beginning October 1, 2021, and each October 1 thereafter, TANF grant amounts shall be annually adjusted to remain equal to 50% of the most recent federal poverty guidelines for each family size. Provides that TANF grants for child-only assistance units shall be at least 75% of TANF grants for assistance units of the same size that consist of a caretaker relative with children. Effective immediately.