Rep. Rita Mayfield

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Beginning January 1, 2014, extends benefits under the State's medical assistance program to persons aged 19 or older, but younger than 65, who are not otherwise eligible for medical assistance under the Code, who qualify for medical assistance under specified provisions of the Social Security Act, and who have income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level plus 5% for the applicable family size. Provides that the 4-year moratorium on the expansion of medical assistance eligibility through increasing financial eligibility standards shall not apply to this new class of persons. Provides that such persons shall receive coverage for the Health Benefits Service Package. Defines "Health Benefits Service Package". Provides that if Illinois' federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) is reduced below 90% for persons eligible for medical assistance under the specified provisions, medical assistance eligibility for this new class of persons shall cease no later than the end of the third month following the month in which the reduction in FMAP takes effect. Effective immediately.

Creates the General Assembly's Advisory Committee on Education Funding to conduct a thorough review of the existing distribution methods and expenditures of education funding and make recommendations to implement an education funding system.

Creates the Employee Background Check Act. Provides that employers may not conduct criminal history inquiries with respect to a candidate for employment until after the employer has received an application from and interviewed the candidate. Provides an exemption to permit background checks when a candidate's criminal history is an essential factor in the hiring decision. Permits questions concerning convictions during interviews. Authorizes a private right of action to remedy violations.

Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that 3 years after a redevelopment project area is established, the portion of taxes levied by a school district located in the redevelopment project area shall be allocated and paid to the school district in the manner required by law in the absence of the adoption of tax increment allocation financing.

Amends the Local Government Professional Services Selection Act. Provides that when a contract for services is to be awarded, a political subdivision shall give preference to a resident firm against a non-resident firm, when the non-resident firm is from a state that gives or requires a preference to firms from that state. Sets forth requirements concerning the weight of the preference. Defines "resident firm". Provides that the preference for resident firms does not apply to any contract for any project where federal funds are available when its provisions may be in conflict with federal law or regulation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and the State Finance Act. Grants the Illinois Department of Transportation the power to enter into agreements to make direct grants and low-interest loans to minority-owned businesses, female-owned businesses, and disadvantaged business enterprises certified by the Department for participation on Department-procured construction and construction-related contracts. Provides that grant and loan funds shall be expended, subject to appropriation, from the Working Capital Loan Repayment Fund. Specifies permissible uses of funds and provides that funds may be loaned with or without interest. Provides that the Department shall establish the requirements for eligibility and criteria for grant and loan applications, approved use of funds, amount of loans or grants, interest rates, collateral, and terms. Creates the Working Capital Loan Repayment Fund and provides that the State Comptroller shall order and the State Treasurer shall transfer $10,000,000 from the Road Fund to the Working Capital Loan Repayment Fund.

Amends the Illinois Lottery Law and the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to extend the Quality of Life scratch-off game and the Quality of Life Board for an additional 5 years. Effective immediately.

Amends the Smoke Free Illinois Act. Removes private clubs from the list of locations included in the definition of "public place". Exempts private clubs from the Act.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for the owner or the agent of any housing accommodation to inquire whether a prospective tenant has an arrest record or to refuse to rent a unit because the prospective tenant has an arrest record.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the appointment and removal of facility directors and other employees.