Rep. Norma Hernandez

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that rates for homemaker services shall be increased to $29.64 beginning July 1, 2023 to sustain a minimum wage of $18 per hour for direct service workers. Requires rates in subsequent State fiscal years to be no lower than the rates in effect on July 1, 2023. Requires providers of in-home services to be required to certify to the Department on Aging that they remain in compliance with the mandated wage increase for direct service workers. Provides that fringe benefits, including, but not limited to, paid time off and payment for training, health insurance, travel, or transportation, shall not be reduced in relation to the rate increases described in the amendatory Act. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides for the election (rather than appointment) of the board of trustees of the City Colleges of Chicago beginning with the 2025 consolidated election. Provides that the City of Chicago shall be subdivided into 20 trustee districts by the General Assembly for seats on the board of trustees, in addition to one at-large trustee. Makes related changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Government Electronic Records Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the effect of Article, Part, and Section headings.

Amends the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Mental Health Equity Access and Prevention Act. Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Department of Public Health shall undertake a public educational campaign to bring broad public awareness to communities across the State on the importance of mental health and wellness. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 shall cover all medically necessary out-of-network mental health visits, treatment, and services provided by a mental health provider or facility. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 shall provide coverage for 2 annual mental health prevention and wellness visits for children and for adults. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 shall not require the diagnosis of a mental, emotional, or nervous disorder or condition to establish medical necessity for mental health care, services, or treatment. Provides that the Department of Insurance shall contract with an independent third party with expertise in analyzing commercial insurance premiums and costs to perform an independent analysis of the impact of the coverage of services pursuant to the provisions has had on insurance premiums. Provides that the Department shall adopt any rules necessary to implement the provisions by no later than October 31, 2024. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the notice of the transfer of property that is exempt for orphanage, school, or religious purposes shall be filed with the county clerk (currently, the county recorder).

Amends the State Universities Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that for the purposes of computing service for academic years for any participant, one month of service means a calendar month during which the participant qualifies as an employee for any fraction of the month (instead of at least 15 or more days). Provides that the change applies to all service periods of a member who is a participant on or after January 1, 2024, except for certain service periods subject to purchases of service credit, repayment of a refund or distribution, or transfers of service if payment for such purchase, repayment, or transfer commenced prior to January 1, 2024. Provides that a provision concerning calculating a retirement annuity for a participant who has been employed at 1/2 time or less for 3 or more years shall not apply to a member who is a participant on or after January 1, 2024. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the termination of contractual continued service by a teacher, provides that a resignation submitted after the completion of the school year must be submitted a minimum of 30 calendar days prior to the first student attendance day of the following school year. With respect to the referral of a teacher to the State Superintendent of Education for terminating service not in accordance with these provisions, provides that if a school district intends to submit a referral to the State Superintendent, the district shall submit the referral to the State Superintendent within 10 business days after the school board denies acceptance of the resignation. Provides that the district shall notify the teacher that it submitted the referral to the State Superintendent within 5 business days after submitting the referral to the State Superintendent. Provides that the teacher shall receive a summary of the State Superintendent's evidentiary hearing no later than 14 days after the hearing is completed. Effective immediately.

Amends the Smoke Free Illinois Act. Includes the use of alternative nicotine products and electronic cigarettes in the definition of "smoke" or "smoking". Defines "electronic cigarette", "nicotine", and "tobacco product". Effective January 1, 2024.