Rep. Maurice West

Amends the Illinois Act on Aging. Provides that subject to appropriations, any person who is not otherwise eligible for services provided under the Community Care Program may qualify for emergency home response services if the person: (1) is 80 years of age or older; (2) lives independently; (3) is a U.S. citizen or legal alien; (4) is a resident of this State; and (4) does not own interest in non-exempt assets having a combined value in excess of $17,500. Provides that a person's home, vehicle, and personal belongings shall not be considered when determining the amount of his or her assets. Provides that the Department on Aging, or an organization designated by the Department, shall make eligibility determinations. Provides that a determination of need assessment is required for any person who is otherwise eligible for emergency home response services through the Community Care Program. Provides that any person who qualifies for emergency home response services under the amendatory Act shall have an emergency home response system installed in his or her home at no cost. Defines "emergency home response system" to mean a two-way voice communication system consisting of a base unit and an activation device worn by the older adult that will automatically link the older adult to a professionally staffed support center.

Urges Illinois schools to provide education for all students in grades six to 12 on how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of addictions and mental illnesses, as well as provide instruction for how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Commends the National Council for Behavioral Health and the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health for their work in developing and directing teen Mental Health First Aid training programs for schools. Commends Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, the Paris Union School District, and Clinton High School for participating in the first nationwide pilot programs of teen Mental Health First Aid training for schools. Commends Operation Snowball, the Human Resources Center of Edgar and Clark Counties, and the Heritage Behavioral Health Center for participating in the first nationwide teen Mental Health First Aid instructor trainings.

Urges the Community Foundations of Illinois to enter into a joint effort with the State of Illinois to administer post-graduation scholarship programs.

Urges the U.S. Congress to expand the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program so that it includes farming as an applicable career for loan forgiveness.

Acknowledges that toxic stress and adverse childhood experiences can have significantly negative short-term, long-term, and generational impacts and that early interventions through trauma-informed care is the most efficient and cost effective way to combat these impacts. Urges the Illinois State Legislature to seek out opportunities to enhance legislation through the science of resiliency and a trauma informed lens and funding around early intervention services for children and families that centers the principles of brain development, the intimate connection between mental and physical health, and the concepts of toxic stress and adverse childhood experiences.

Declares April 2020 as Ambucs Appreciation Month in the State of Illinois.

Creates the State Agency and Grantee Bonus Prohibition Act. Provides that no State agency or hospital shall pay from State funds, in whole or in part, and no employee of a State agency or hospital may receive a bonus as all or part of his or her compensation, including such bonuses as may be received for work on capital projects. Provides that no grantee shall pay and no employee or contract worker of a grantee may receive a bonus paid from grant funds awarded for operational expenses as all or part of his or her compensation, including such bonuses as may be received for work on capital projects. Effective immediately.

Creates the Legislative Accessibility Act. Provides that the General Assembly shall make all efforts to increase public accessibility to the General Assembly, and specifies the efforts to be included. Provides that the Secretary of State shall make all efforts to increase public accessibility to all State buildings. Provides specified accessibility requirements for the State Capitol Building and the James R. Thompson Center.

Amends the Real Estate Transactions Article of the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that it is a civil rights violation to refuse to sell, rent, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, or to alter the terms, conditions, or privileges of the sale or rental, of a housing accommodation or dwelling to any buyer or renter due to the fact of an arrest, juvenile record, or criminal history record information ordered expunged, sealed, or impounded under the Criminal Identification Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Requires the State Board of Elections to provide a single, consolidated report to the Governor and General Assembly that includes a detailed analysis and accounting from all divisions of the Board of all activities from the preceding 12 months, the current state of each division, and a detailed statement of goals and expectations for the coming year. Provides that the Board's report shall contain the methodology used in gathering and analyzing the data. Provides that the Executive Director of the State Board of Elections shall certify that the data included in the Board's report is accurate and reliable. Provides that the Board shall publish its report on its website. Requires the General Assembly to request the Executive Director and all division heads to provide an in-person briefing to a committee of each chamber of the General Assembly concerning the information provided in the report. Effective immediately.