Rep. Dan Swanson

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that a day care home or group day care home is not required to be licensed under the Act if the day care home or group day care home: (1) serves only dependent children of military personnel; (2) is located on a military base or federal property; and (3) is certified as a child development program by a branch of the U.S. Department of Defense or the U.S. Coast Guard. Provides that the U.S. Department of Defense or the U.S. Coast Guard, or their agents, including an installation commander of a military base on which a day care home or group day care home is located, may assume responsibility for approving or determining which children may be served by the day care homes or group day care homes that are exempt from licensure.

Amends the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that the governing board of each public institution of higher education shall adopt a policy to allow a student who is a member of the National Guard of any state, the District of Columbia, a commonwealth, or a territory of the United States or any reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States to submit classwork and complete any other class assignments missed due to the student participating in a drill required as a member of the National Guard or the reserve component.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, beginning no later than January 1, 2027, the Secretary of State shall offer to qualified applicants the option to be issued an 8-year driver's license at a cost of $60. Provides that the Secretary shall submit proposed rules to implement the new provisions to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules no later than December 31, 2024. Makes corresponding changes.

Amends the Grocery Initiative Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may, subject to appropriation, provide grants for equipment upgrades for farmer-owned grocery stores or markets.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires the Secretary of State to include, in the Illinois Rules of the Road publication, information pertaining to the transportation of hazardous materials. Provides that the information shall include an image and description that details the various hazardous material placards used on vehicles that transport hazardous materials.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Deletes provisions that require a meat processor to be a member of the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program in order for the meat processor to donate deer meat that the meat processor has processed. Provides that if a properly tagged deer is processed at a licensed meat processing facility and if the owner of the deer (i) fails to claim the processed deer within a reasonable time or (ii) notifies the licensed meat processing facility that the owner no longer wants the processed deer or wishes to donate the deer, then the deer meat may be given away by the licensed meat processor to another person or donated to a charitable organization or community food bank that receives wild game meat. Requires meat processors who donate deer meat to a charitable organization or community food bank that receives wild game meat to keep written records of all deer received.

Amends the Truth in Taxation Law in the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning Truth in Taxation notices, provides that the notice shall be conspicuously posted (currently, posted) on the taxing district's homepage or on a page accessible through a direct link from the homepage for not less than 30 consecutive days. Effective immediately.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Provides that the governing board of each public university shall report to the Board of Higher Education by the 11th day after the start of the academic year specified student enrollment data. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall post the student enrollment data on its Internet website. Provides that the governing board of each community college district shall report to the Illinois Community College Board by the 11th day after the start of the academic year specified student enrollment data. Provides that the Illinois Community College Board shall post the student enrollment data on its Internet website.

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to develop, post, and maintain on its official website a comprehensive informational guide that explains the Medicaid 5-year look-back period as it applies to eligibility for long-term care coverage under the medical assistance program. Provides that the informational guide must be posted within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that the contents of the informational guide must include a detailed explanation of the 5-year look-back period, including its purpose and relevance to eligibility for medical assistance; clear information on how the 5-year look-back period affects eligibility criteria, including income and asset requirements; step-by-step guidance on how the 5-year look-back period is calculated, including the start date and end date considerations; explanation of the consequences and implications of transfers or gifts made during the 5-year look-back period; information on exceptions and exemptions to the 5-year look-back period, clarifying circumstances where certain transfers or assets may not be subject to scrutiny; guidance on the documentation individuals may need to provide or maintain to demonstrate compliance with the 5-year look-back period; tips and considerations for individuals and families on how to plan for eligibility for medical assistance, taking into account the 5-year look-back period; information on the process for appeals and dispute resolution related to decisions made based on the 5-year look-back period; and other matters. Provides that to ensure user-friendly navigation and visibility, the Department shall post on the main page of its official website detailed information on how users can easily access the comprehensive guide on the website and a hyperlink that directs users to the comprehensive guide. Requires the Department to develop and implement strategies and initiatives to promote awareness and utilization of the guide, including outreach efforts through community organizations, healthcare providers, and other relevant channels.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. In provisions concerning deceptive practices targeting veterans and military members, changes the definition of "veteran or military benefits services" to any services offered or provided to a veteran, military member, or family member who is entitled to receive benefits under federal, State, or local law, policy, or practice as a result of, at least in part, qualifying military service. Adds a veterans services disclosure to be made by any person providing veteran or military benefits services. Makes it an unlawful practice for any person providing veteran or military benefits services to fail at the outset of the business relationship to clearly provide, both orally and in writing, veterans services disclosures when veteran or military benefits services are provided in exchange for any financial compensation, benefit, or thing of value. Makes other changes.