Rep. Maurice West

Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Prohibits an employer from: (i) screening job applicants based on their wage or salary history, (ii) requiring that an applicant's prior wages satisfy minimum or maximum criteria, and (iii) requesting or requiring as a condition of being interviewed or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment that an applicant disclose prior wages or salary. Prohibits an employer from seeking the salary, including benefits or other compensation or salary history, of a job applicant from any current or former employer, with some exceptions. Provides for penalties and injunctive relief. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Oil and Gas Act and the Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act. Requires as part of the permit application for drilling or hydraulic fracturing operations the written consent of each owner of a mineral interest affected by the removal of minerals in the conduct of the proposed operations and each surface owner affected by the removal of minerals in the conduct of the proposed operations, unless he or she is the mineral interest owner and has provided consent as such. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of statutory or common law, a person shall not drill, conduct hydraulic fracturing operations, or remove minerals as a result of any means regulated by the Acts including, but not limited to, horizontal drilling, without the express, written consent of each owner of a mineral interest affected by the operations or removal of minerals in the conduct of the operations. Provides for enforcement by the Department of Natural Resources with penalties and cessation of operations for violations, and payment of treble the full market value of the mineral resource extracted in violation to the owner of the mineral interest.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that for the safety of mental health care patients and staff members, no fewer than a total of 4 registered nurses or mental health technicians shall be assigned to any unit at any time in the following State-operated hospitals: (1) the Alton Mental Health Center, at Alton; (2) the Chicago-Read Mental Health Center, at Chicago; (3) the Clyde L. Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center, at Anna; (4) the Elgin Mental Health Center, at Elgin; (5) the John J. Madden Mental Health Center, at Chicago; and (6) the Andrew McFarland Mental Health Center, at Springfield. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, the earned income tax credit shall be 36% (currently, 18%) of the federal tax credit.

Creates the 2020 Census Grant Program Act. Creates the 2020 Census Grant Program for the purpose of issuing matching grants to local governments and nonprofit organizations to support the accurate counting of the population of the State and its local jurisdictions, and the collection of basic demographic and housing information of the population of this State for the 2020 Census. Creates the 2020 Census Grant Program Panel and provides for its membership. Provides administrative support for the Grant Panel. Provides for the awarding of funds under the Grant Program. Requires notice to be given to units of local government and nonprofit organizations concerning the Grant Program. Provides that for fiscal year 2020, the Governor shall include in the annual State budget for the 2020 Census Grant Program an appropriation of $33,000,000. Provides legislative findings. Defines terms. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2022. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to require managed care organizations (MCOs) to ensure: (1) that any provider under contract with an MCO on the date of service shall be paid for any medically necessary service rendered to any of the MCO's enrollees, regardless of inclusion on the MCO's published and publicly available roster of available providers; (2) that all contracted providers are listed on an updated roster within 7 days of entering into a contract with the MCO; and (3) that the roster under item (2) is readily accessible by all medical assistance enrollees for purposes of selecting an approved healthcare provider. Requires the Department to require MCOs to expedite payments to providers based on specified criteria (rather than providing that the Department may establish a process for MCOs to expedite payments to providers based on criteria established by the Department). Contains provisions concerning discharge notifications and facility placements and other matters. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Youthbuild Act. In language providing that the Secretary of Human Services shall make grants to applicants for the purpose of carrying out approved Youthbuild programs, deletes language providing that the grantmaking is subject to appropriation. Effective July 1, 2019.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, in cases where the person accused of reckless driving unintentionally caused a death or type A injury to another person, the trier of fact may infer that the defendant acted with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons if the person is also found guilty of committing 3 or more violations of the Chapter concerning the Rules of the Road in causing the accident.

Commends Mary Patton for her volunteer work as a lobbyist for AARP.