Rep. Camille Lilly

Creates the Chicago Downtown Revitalization Task Force Act. Includes legislative findings. Creates the Chicago Downtown Revitalization Task Force. Includes provisions on Task Force membership, meetings, compensation, and administrative support. Requires the Task Force to (1) conduct an analysis of all taxes and economic incentives, monetary or otherwise, that impact downtown Chicago, including analyzing all taxes and incentives levied or administered directly by the State of Illinois as well as those authorized by State law but are implemented by units of local government, including the City of Chicago; (2) research and review trends impacting downtown Chicago, including, but not limited to, population growth, office occupancy rates, commercial office vacancy and valuation figures, retail sales, restaurant sales, hotel occupancy rates, and cultural event attendance; (3) examine national best practices in the area of post-pandemic revitalization of large urban centers and consider the applicability of such policies to downtown Chicago; (4) assess existing and potential industry clusters based on current and anticipated trends to consider policy solutions that may optimize the marketability and overall appeal of downtown Chicago to potential growth sectors; and (5) make recommendations regarding changes to existing policy or the implementation of new policies to enhance economic activity in and increase the overall vitality of downtown Chicago. Requires the Task Force to submit a report no later than 12 months after the effective date of the Act and periodically thereafter. Dissolves the Task Force 5 years after the effective date of the Act. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2032.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Removes a provision specifically excluding academic programs for incarcerated students from the definition of "institution of higher learning", "qualified institution", and "institution". In provisions concerning the AIM HIGH Grant Program, removes the grant eligibility requirement that an applicant not be incarcerated.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that, upon the release of a committed person on parole, mandatory supervised release, final discharge, or pardon, the Department of Corrections shall provide the person with resources to acclimate the person to life outside the correctional institution or facility, including access to social workers, clinical psychologists, and other counselors. Provides that the counselors shall assist the person in obtaining housing, employment, education, healthcare, State identification, and other resources that the counselors deem necessary to assist in the person's adjustment to society and the prevention of recidivism. Provides that the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Corrections, shall provide assistance to the person to achieve the goals of this provision without interference from the person's assigned parole officer.

Amends the College Campus Press Act. Defines "public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning". Provides that all public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is a public forum for expression by the employees producing media at the particular institution of higher learning. Provides that public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning shall not be subject to prior review by public officials of a State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Allows an employee working for or an agent of an entity creating public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning to commence a civil action to obtain appropriate injunctive and declaratory relief as determined by a court for violation of the Act by such State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Provides that expression made by an employee or agent of an entity producing public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is neither expression of campus policy nor speech attributable to a State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Provides that a State-sponsored institution of higher learning shall be immune from any lawsuit arising from expression actually made by the public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning

Honors the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman, whose contributions to medical science have had a lasting impact though her name is not widely known. Recognizes Alfred "Lacks" Carter Jr. for his work to preserve Henrietta Lacks' legacy and for his contributions in the fight against cervical cancer. Urges support for community-based research and education programs, which are vital to educating and empowering community members so they can make informed decisions about being involved in clinical research and the research process. Urges support for clinical research to reduce health disparities, to save lives, to gain insights about the safety and effectiveness of drugs and other medical treatments, and to discover treatments for various diseases.

Maddy summaryHB 771 makes a technical change to a section within the Public Utilities Act. This amendment specifically concerns the short title of a section, not its substantive provisions.

Declares February 7, 2025 as Wear Red Day in the State of Illinois. Urges all residents of Illinois to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in women, and to show their support for women and the fight against heart disease by wearing the color red to commemorate this day.

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that any program of study at a public institution of higher education that improves employability shall be considered equivalent to an acceptable SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program component, unless prohibited by federal law. Defines "public institution of higher education". Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt any rules necessary to implement the amendatory Act. Provides that rulemaking shall not delay full implementation of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Declares March 25, 2025 as Equal Pay Day in the State of Illinois. Encourages the citizens of this State to learn about the pay gap that women experience in society and to learn about these various dates that bring attention to the pay gap that specific groups experience.

Congratulates Alan Mills on his retirement as executive director of the Uptown People's Law Center (UPLC). Wishes him the best in his future endeavors.