Rep. Camille Lilly

Creates the Open Access to Research Articles Act. Provides that no later than 12 months after the effective date of the Act, each public institution of higher education shall develop an open access to research articles policy. Provides that all public institutions of higher education shall develop policies that provide for the submission, by all faculty employed by the public institution of higher education, to the employing institution of an electronic version of the author's final manuscript of original research papers upon acceptance by a scholarly research journal; the incorporation of certain changes and replacements regarding the manuscript; free online public access to the final peer-reviewed manuscripts or published versions upon publication; an irrevocable, worldwide copyright license granted by the author to the public; production of an online bibliography of all research papers that are publicly accessible; and long-term preservation of, and free public access to, published research articles. Sets forth provisions concerning applicability, other policy requirements, and reporting requirements.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the members of the State Board of Education.

Amends the Pertussis Vaccine Act. Provides that parents or guardians and immediate family members of a newborn child in a neonatal intensive care unit shall be offered an opportunity to receive the pertussis vaccine to minimize the chances that the disease will be communicated to the newborn child. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a public school district maintaining grades kindergarten through 8 may (instead of the school board of any school district may, in its discretion) provide medical or hospital service or both through accident and health insurance or through non-profit hospital service corporations or medical service plan corporations or both for pupils of the district in grades kindergarten through 8 (instead of for all pupils of the district) injured while participating in an athletic activity. Provides that a public school district maintaining grades 9 through 12 shall provide catastrophic accident insurance coverage, with specified benefit limits, for eligible students in grades 9 through 12 who sustain an accidental injury while participating in school-sponsored or school-supervised interscholastic athletic events sanctioned by the Illinois High School Association ("IHSA") that results in medical expenses in excess of $50,000. Sets forth similar provisions for non-public schools for school-sponsored or school-supervised interscholastic athletic tournaments sanctioned by the IHSA. Provides that the IHSA has the exclusive authority to promulgate a plan of coverage necessary to ensure compliance with these provisions. Requires the IHSA to provide a group policy. Allows public school districts and non-public schools to purchase the coverage necessary by participating in the group policy, obtain the coverage necessary from other coverage providers, or, in the case of the Chicago school district, provide the catastrophic accident insurance coverage through a program of self-insurance. Sets forth provisions concerning the charges for procedures, treatments, services, or prescription pharmaceuticals covered. Effective July 1, 2013.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. In a Section concerning a credit for wages paid to ex-felons, removes a provision providing that the credit may not exceed $600 for each qualified ex-offender. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset. Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that each Agreement entered into on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall contain a provision stating that the Applicant shall establish a goal of hiring qualified ex-offenders so that no less than 10% of the jobs created or retained under the Agreement are filled by qualified ex-offenders. Effective immediately.

Amends the Probate Act of 1975. To the list of felons barred from being appointed guardian of a disabled person, adds a person convicted of a felony involving harm or threat to a minor, including a felony sexual offense.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, if requested, a school board is authorized to excuse a pupil from engaging in a physical education course if the pupil has an intellectual or physical disability, is participating in an athletic program outside of the school setting, and documents such participation as determined by the school board. Effective July 1, 2013.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Beginning January 1, 2014, extends benefits under the State's medical assistance program to persons aged 19 or older, but younger than 65, who are not otherwise eligible for medical assistance under the Code, who qualify for medical assistance under specified provisions of the Social Security Act, and who have income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level plus 5% for the applicable family size. Provides that the 4-year moratorium on the expansion of medical assistance eligibility through increasing financial eligibility standards shall not apply to this new class of persons. Provides that such persons shall receive coverage for the Health Benefits Service Package. Defines "Health Benefits Service Package". Provides that if Illinois' federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) is reduced below 90% for persons eligible for medical assistance under the specified provisions, medical assistance eligibility for this new class of persons shall cease no later than the end of the third month following the month in which the reduction in FMAP takes effect. Effective immediately.

Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Provides that a business owned and controlled by females shall be certified as a "Female owned business". Further provides that a business owned and controlled by females who are also minorities shall be certified as both a "Female owned business" and a "Minority owned business". Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Refrigerated Warehouses Act. Provides that the licensing cycle shall be the same as the State fiscal year. Effective immediately.