Creates the Blind Vendors Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services, Bureau of Blind Services, shall operate and promote the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Sets forth that the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act and the regulations adopted pursuant to that Act shall serve as the minimum standards for the operation of the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Provides that under the Program: (1) blind vendors have priority in the operation of all vending facilities on State property; (2) vending machine income from all vending machines on State property shall be assigned to the blind vendor on the property or to the Blind Vendors Trust Fund; (3) no State agency may impose any commission, service charge, rent, or utility charge on a blind vendor operating on State property; (4) sales made at a blind vendor's vending facility are exempt from all occupation and use taxes; and (5) State agencies may not allow competition with a blind vendor. Sets forth that the Bureau Director for the Bureau of the Blind and the Committee of Blind Vendors shall jointly develop regulations to ensure that priority is given to blind vendors in the operation of vending facilities on State property. Provides that the Department may provide for set-asides of the net proceeds of vending operations under certain conditions. Requires set-aside funds to be deposited in the Blind Vendors Trust Fund, a separate account managed by the Department for the State's blind vendors. Sets forth provisions for the distribution of vending machine income from vending machines on State property. Provides certain conditions for the licensing of blind vendors. Creates the Committee of Blind Vendors to jointly participate in the development and implementation of all policies, plans, and major decisions affecting the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Sets forth provisions for the composition of the Committee. Provides certain procedures for the resolution of disputes arising within the Program. Provides for the promulgation of regulations relating to the operation of this Act. Requires the Department to make regular surveys and reports on State property and vending facilities. Sets forth conditions and information to be contained in the surveys and reports. Preempts home rule powers. Repeals the Blind Persons Operating Vending Facilities Act. Amends the Use Tax Act, Service Use Tax Act, Service Occupation Tax Act, and Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to provide that personal property purchased from a blind vendor's vending facility licensed by the Department of Human Services under the Blind Vendors Act is exempt from the taxes imposed by those Acts and that these exemptions are not subject to the sunset provisions of those Acts.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Employee Benefit Contribution Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the failure to make payments to an employee health insurance plan.
Congratulates Michael R. Tongue on the occasion of his retirement.
Congratulates William "Bill" Penn on the occasion of his retirement from the UAW International Union.
Congratulates L.T. Graham on winning two gold medals and a silver medal at the Illinois Senior Olympics.
Amends the Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning prohibited inquiries.
Amends the IMRF Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Prohibits a person convicted of a felony relating to or arising out of or in connection with his or her service as an employee who is an employee of more than one employer that participates in the Fund from receiving benefits based on any of his or her service as an employee for all employers that participate in the Fund. Provides that, if, as a result of the felony, the employee is ordered by the court to pay restitution to the employer, then (i) the employer may apply for a refund of employee contributions on the employee's behalf and (ii) pursuant to appropriate documentation from the employer and the court, the Fund shall pay to the employer all or a portion of the refund in a sum sufficient to satisfy the court-ordered restitution. Effective immediately.
Amends provisions of the Minimum Wage Law establishing an employer's liability for punitive damages in the case of underpayment of wages by stating that "the employee may recover such punitive damages in any proceeding or action allowed by any provision of this subsection, including, but not limited to, a civil action filed directly by the employee, and, subject to the limitations period set forth herein, the employee's remedy of recovering punitive damages in any proceeding or action allowed by any provision of this subsection shall be available in and applicable to all claims and causes of action under this subsection, whenever arising, including, without limitation, presently existing claims and actions for which a final and no-longer appealable order has not yet been entered". Effective immediately.
Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that the certified payroll submitted monthly by a contractor or subcontractor may exclude the starting and ending times of work each day. Provides that the contractor and each subcontractor shall make the certified payroll records available to the public body in charge of the project, its officers and agents and to the Director of Labor and his or her deputies and agents upon 7 (rather than 2) days' notice. Effective immediately.
Amends the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title and policy of the Act.