Rep. Camille Lilly

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, when homestead property is sold or transferred, the new owner of the property shall notify the chief county assessment officer of the sale or transfer and, if qualified, shall reapply for the general homestead exemption. Provides that, upon notification or application, the chief county assessment officer shall remove any previously granted homestead exemptions for which the property is no longer eligible. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval if required, a household that includes an elderly, blind, or disabled person shall be considered categorically eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the gross income of such household is at or below 200% of the nonfarm income poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2); and a household that does not include an elderly, blind, or disabled person shall be considered categorically eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the gross income of such household is at or below 165% of those nonfarm income poverty guidelines. Effective January 1, 2016.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Prohibits a State agency from entering into a contract subject to the Code with a business that boycotts Israel. Amends the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires each of the 5 State-funded retirement systems (or the Illinois State Board of Investment where applicable) to make its best efforts to identify all companies that boycott Israel in which it has direct or indirect holdings and, under certain circumstances, to divest itself of holdings in those companies.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is an affirmative defense to a charge of prostitution that the accused engaged in or performed prostitution as a result of being a victim of involuntary servitude or trafficking in persons as defined in the Code, or was a victim of trafficking as defined in the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in prosecutions for prostitution, when the accused intends to raise at trial the affirmative defense of being a victim of involuntary servitude or trafficking in persons as defined in the Code, or was a victim of trafficking as defined in the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and has reason to believe that the evidence presented in asserting that defense may jeopardize the safety of the accused, courtroom personnel, or others impacted by human trafficking, the accused may file under seal a motion for an in camera hearing to review the accused's safety concerns. Upon receipt of the motion and notice to the parties, the court shall conduct an in camera hearing, with counsel present, limited to review of potential safety concerns. Provides that the court shall not consider the merits of the affirmative defense during the in camera review. Provides that if the court finds that the assertion of an affirmative defense by the accused in open court could jeopardize the safety of the accused, court personnel, or other persons, the court may clear the courtroom with the agreement of the accused, order additional in camera hearings, seal the records, prohibit court personnel from disclosing the proceedings without prior court approval, or take any other appropriate measure that in the court's discretion will enhance the safety of the proceedings and ensure the accused a full and fair opportunity to assert his or her affirmative defense. Provides that statements made by the accused during the in camera hearing to review safety concerns shall not be admissible against the accused for the crimes charged. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in a prosecution of criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse, or aggravated criminal sexual abuse, the court may set any conditions it finds just and appropriate on the taking of testimony of a victim who is a child under the age of 18 years or a moderately, severely, or profoundly intellectually disabled person or a person affected by a developmental disability, including the use of a service or therapy animal that has been evaluated and registered according to national standards, in any proceeding involving that offense. Provides that when deciding whether to permit the child or person to testify with the assistance of a registered service or therapy animal, the court shall take into consideration the age of the child or the person, the interests of the child or the person, the rights of the parties to the litigation, and any other relevant factor that would facilitate the testimony by the child or the person.

Designates Westchester Boulevard from Roosevelt Road to Cermak Road as the "Isiah Thomas Boulevard".

Designates Canterbury Street from Mandel Avenue to Westchester Boulevard as the "Evan Turner Street".

Designates Cermak Road from South Wolf Road to Westchester Boulevard as Gene Pingatore Road.

Acknowledges the importance of having a high quality education system and all of the societal benefits that go along with it. Encourages the General Assembly to make education a priority in the Fiscal Year 2016 budget, fully fund elementary and secondary education, and continue to strive to create an adequately funded and high quality education system for the benefit of all citizens. Encourages the business community to advocate for a high quality education system in Illinois.

Acknowledges the seriousness of mental health issues in Illinois and strives to improve awareness and treatment of these issues. Urges the members of the General Assembly to have discussions and forums with their communities to promote awareness of mental health issues and access to mental health resources. Encourages the members of the General Assembly and all school districts in Illinois to post information on mental health issues and local treatment resources on their public websites. Encourages all school districts in Illinois to implement mental health screenings to properly identify students with mental health problems. Encourages the federal government to improve mental health awareness, treatment, and funding to improve the lives of citizens struggling with mental health issues.