Rep. Sonya Harper

Amends the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Provides that a local government may submit a request to the Grant Accountability and Transparency Unit to be exempt from certain audit requirements if the local government is unable to meet the audit requirements due to circumstances beyond the local government's control, including, but not limited to, a natural disaster in which financial records of the local government are destroyed or alleged employee misconduct involving the destruction or withholding of financial records. Effective immediately.

Declares February 28, 2023 as Black Women's History Day in the State of Illinois to honor the accomplishments, power, beauty, courage, intelligence, ingenuity, stewardship, and leadership of Black women. Encourages all Illinoisans and their families to acknowledge, in word and in deed, the accomplishments of Black women in places where they live, work, and play, because doing so recognizes Black women's history as American history.

Reaffirms commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister-state ties between the State of Illinois and Taiwan, R.O.C. Reaffirms support for the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and supports Illinois businesses to refer to Taiwan, R.O.C. as Taiwan. Endorses Taiwan's efforts to secure the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA), and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) with the United States and reiterates support for a closer economic and trade partnership between the State of Illinois and Taiwan. Expresses continued support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations that impact the health, safety, and well-being of the people of Taiwan and supports Taiwan's aspiration to make more contributions in international societies.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that, on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, when a person commits an offense and the person is under 21 years of age at the time of the commission of the offense, the court, at the sentencing hearing, shall consider certain additional factors in mitigation in determining the appropriate sentence. Provides, that notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the defendant is under 18 at the time of the commission of the offense and convicted of first degree murder and would otherwise be subject to sentencing under certain provisions, the court shall impose a sentence of not less than 40 years of imprisonment. Provides that, in addition, the court may, in its discretion, decline to impose the sentencing enhancements based upon the possession or use of a firearm during the commission of the offense.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Deletes provisions that a person convicted or found guilty under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 for, or who received a disposition of court supervision for, a qualifying offense or attempt of a qualifying offense or convicted or found guilty of, under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, any offense requiring registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act is required to submit specimens of blood, saliva, or tissue to the Illinois State Police for analysis and categorizing into genetic marker groupings.

Amends the General Assembly Compensation Act. In provisions regarding salary, provides that members may receive a salary (instead of shall receive a salary). Provides that compensation to be paid may be paid either monthly or bi-monthly, depending on the members preference (instead of bi-monthly). Effective immediately.

Amends the Day and Temporary Labor Services Act. Provides that a day and temporary labor service agency must provide an application receipt to applicants who seek a work assignment. Provides that a day or temporary laborer has the right to refuse an assignment to a place where a strike, a lockout, or other labor trouble exists. Provides that a day or temporary laborer who is assigned to work at a third party client for more than one week shall be paid not less than the average rate of pay and equivalent benefits as directly hired employees of the third party client performing the same or substantially similar work. Provides for a right of action by interested parties for civil penalties against a day and temporary labor service agency. Provides for protections against abusive contracts. Makes changes in provisions concerning recordkeeping; wage payment and notices; work restrictions; registration; violations; enforcement; penalties; third party clients; retaliation; and private rights of action. Defines terms. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the utilities shall implement energy efficiency measures targeted at low-income households and the amount of expenditures in the utilities' annual energy efficiency program budget to implement these targeted measures shall be, at a minimum, proportional to the percentage of low-income customers within the utilities' service territory. Provides specified requirements for who qualifies as a low-income customer. Provides that a utility shall not disconnect service of: (1) low-income customers 65 years of age or older due to inability to afford the monthly bill; (2) low-income customers with children in the household under the age of 6 due to inability to afford the monthly bill; and (3) customers who have provided a medical certification exemption. Provides that if gas or electricity is used as the only source of space cooling, then a utility with over 100,000 residential customers may not terminate gas or electric utility service to the residential user, including all tenants of mastermetered apartment buildings: (1) on any day when the National Weather Service forecast for the following 24 hours covering the area of the utility in which the residence is located includes a forecast that the temperature or heat index will be 85 (rather than 95) degrees Fahrenheit or above; or (2) on any day preceding or during a holiday or weekend when a forecast indicates that the temperature or heat index will be 85 (rather than 95) degrees Fahrenheit or above during the holiday or weekend. Makes changes to provisions concerning: the Commission's annual report; notice of termination of service; utility credit reporting; consideration of attorney and expert compensation as an expense and intervenor compensation fund; prohibition against preference or prejudice to any corporation; proceedings, investigations, or hearings conducted by the Commission; complaints and notice; and automatic adjustment clause tariffs. Makes other and corresponding changes.

Mourns the death of Oscar Lawton Wilkerson Jr. of Markham.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, the Election Code, the Children and Family Services Act, the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act, the Township Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the Public Library District Act of 1991, the School Code, the Home Medical Equipment and Services Provider License Act, the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975, the Illinois Gambling Act, the Liquor Control Act of 1934, and the Criminal Code of 2012. Makes changes in these Acts to provisions concerning whether a conviction for certain criminal offenses disqualifies an individual from serving in one of the specified public offices or on one of the specified boards and commissions. Makes conforming changes.