Rep. Rita Mayfield

Amends the Real Estate License Act of 2000. Abolishes the Real Estate Education Advisory Council. Transfers functions of the Council to the Real Estate Administration and Disciplinary Board or the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Allows the Department to make continuing education requirements for licensed leasing agents without the advice of the Advisory Council and Board. Makes changes to the membership and terms of the Board. Allows the Secretary of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to establish temporary or permanent committees of the Board. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall establish reimbursement rates that build toward livable wages for front-line personnel in residential and day programs and service coordination agencies serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including, but not limited to, intermediate care for the developmentally disabled facilities, medically complex for the developmentally disabled facilities, community-integrated living arrangements, community day services, employment, and other residential and day programs for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities supported by State funds or funding under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act. Provides that the Department shall increase rates and reimbursements so that by July 1, 2018 direct support persons earn a base wage of not less than $13.50 per hour and so that other front-line personnel earn a commensurate wage, and by July 1, 2020, direct support persons earn a base wage of not less than $15 per hour and so that other front-line personnel earn a commensurate wage. Defines "front-line personnel". Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. In a provision concerning the Community Care Program, establishes the following rate increases in the wages paid by vendors to their employees who provide homemaker services: on July 1, 2018, rates shall be increased to $19.89 for the purpose of increasing wages by at least $1 per hour; on July 1, 2019, rates shall be increased to $21.49 for the purpose of increasing wages by at least $1 per hour; on July 1, 2020, rates shall be increased to $23.09 for the purpose of increasing wages by at least $1 per hour; and on July 1, 2021, rates shall be increased to $24.69 for the purpose of increasing wages by at least $1 per hour. Provides that fringe benefits, including, but not limited to, any paid time off or payments for training, health insurance, travel, or transportation shall not be reduced in relation to the rate increases established in this provision. Effective July 1, 2018.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that upon verified application by the Sheriff in whose custody the defendant has been remanded (in addition to current application by the State, the defendant, or the court on its own motion) the court before which the proceeding is pending may increase or reduce the amount of bail or may alter the conditions of the bail bond or grant bail where it has been previously revoked or denied. Provides that if monetary bail has been set and the defendant has been unable to post the required amount to secure release from custody, the defendant shall be required to present a verified application setting forth in detail any new facts not known or obtainable at the time of the setting of bail, or the previous revocation or denial of bail proceedings. Provides that if the court grants bail where it has previously been revoked or denied, or increases or reduces the amount of bail, the court shall state on the record of the proceedings the findings of facts and conclusion of law upon which such order is based.

Amends the Instructional Materials Article of the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning furnishing free textbooks to students.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for the 2016 taxable year and thereafter, the exemption for veterans with disabilities carries over to the surviving spouse of a veteran who was killed in the line of duty in the current taxable year or any preceding taxable year. Provides that, for the 2015 taxable year and thereafter, the exemption for veterans with disabilities carries over to the surviving spouse of a veteran who did not obtain the exemption before death, but who would have qualified for the exemption in the current taxable year if he or she had survived. Changes the definition of "qualified residence". Effective immediately.

Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the City of Waukegan may utilize revenues, other than State sales tax increment revenues, from one redevelopment project area for eligible costs in another redevelopment project area. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the aggregate tax rate extended against property located in a municipality in which at least 60% of the households qualify for the national school lunch program shall not exceed 3.5%. Provides that, if the county clerk is required to reduce the rate extended against property in accordance with those provisions, the county clerk shall proportionally reduce the extension for each taxing district in which the property is located. Effective immediately.

Encourages the Lake County High Schools Technology Campus to change its name to the Lake County College and Career Center with the goal to change the mentality of career and technical education and encourage attending students to pursue careers or college after graduation.