Rep. Stephanie Kifowit

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Defines "servicemember" and "veteran". Provides that a person commits aggravated assault or aggravated battery when he or she commits an assault or a battery against a servicemember or veteran. Provides that an aggravated assault committed against a servicemember or veteran is a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that an aggravated battery committed against a servicemember or veteran is a Class 3 felony. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Reorganizes and makes technical changes to provisions concerning aggravated assault or aggravated battery against a servicemember or veteran.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that a neglected minor includes any minor under the age of 12 (rather than 14) years whose parent or other person responsible for the minor's welfare leaves the minor without supervision for an unreasonable period of time without regard for the mental or physical health, safety, or welfare of that minor. Provides that neglect does not include permitting a child, whose basic needs are met and who is of sufficient age and maturity to avoid harm or unreasonable risk of harm, to engage in independent activities, including: (1) traveling to and from school, including by walking, running, or bicycling; (2) traveling to and from nearby commercial or recreational activities; (3) engaging in outdoor play; (4) remaining in a vehicle unattended, except as otherwise provided by law; (5) remaining at home unattended; or (6) engaging in a similar independent activity. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits child abandonment when he or she, as a parent, guardian, or other person having physical custody or control of a child, without regard for the mental or physical health, safety, or welfare of that child, knowingly leaves that child who is under the age of 12 (rather than 13) without supervision by a responsible person over the age of 14 for a period of 24 hours or more.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in a county under township organization with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants and an appointed board of review, the county board may, by resolution, require that members of the board of review have certain professional assessment designations. Provides that, if the county board requires those designations, then provisions of the Code concerning the political makeup of the board of review do not apply to that county. Effective immediately.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Provides that, beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year, each university must accept any academic credits from a student who transfers to the university from a senior military college or a military junior college.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 405 ILCS 5/1-100 Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 100/5-45 from Ch. 127, par. 1005-45 410 ILCS 240/3.40 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Newborn Metabolic Screening Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall provide all newborns with a screening test for guanidinoacetate methyltransferase deficiency using a method that determines the presence or absence of the deficiency, beginning on the earlier of July 1, 2021 or within 6 months following the occurrence of specified milestones. Authorizes the Department to adopt emergency rules to implement the amendatory Act. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Makes a conforming change.

Amends the Public Defender and Appointed Counsel Division of the Counties Code. Creates the Public Defender Quality Defense Task Force. Provides that the Task Force is established to: (i) examine the current caseload and determine the optimal caseload for public defenders in the State; (ii) examine the quality of legal services being offered to defendants by public defenders of the State; and (iii) make recommendations to improve the caseload of public defenders and quality of legal services offered by public defenders. Provides that the Task Force shall hold a minimum of 2 public hearings and at other times of its choosing. Provides that the Task Force shall prepare a report that summarizes its work and makes recommendations resulting from its study to the General Assembly and Governor no later than December 31, 2020. Repeals the provisions on December 31, 2021. Effective immediately. Fiscal Note (Office of the State Appellate Defender) If the only responsibility to the Agency would be to provide space for meetings, the cost would be minimal because meetings could be held in our Chicago or Springfield office. If the Agency was responsible for administrative costs, travel reimbursement for board members, preparation of meeting materials or research and analysis, the cost could be significantly more. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Removes a requirement that the Governor appoint at least one Task Force member from the Legal Resources Division of the Office of the Cook County Public Defender. Provides that the Governor shall appoint 5 (rather than 3) public defenders or assistant public defenders to the Task Force from 5 (rather than 3) counties other than Cook County.

Congratulates the American Legion on its 100th anniversary.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall establish reimbursement rates that build toward livable wages for front-line personnel in residential and day programs and service coordination agencies serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities under the Act, including, but not limited to, intermediate care for the developmentally disabled facilities, medically complex for the developmentally disabled facilities, community-integrated living arrangements, community day services, employment, and other residential and day programs for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities supported by State funds or funding under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act. Provides that on or before July 1, 2019, the Department shall increase rates and reimbursements and on or before that date, direct support persons shall earn a base wage of not less than $5.25 per hour above the highest applicable federal, State, county, or municipal minimum wage, and on or before that date, other front-line personnel shall earn a commensurate wage. Provides that on or before July 1, 2021, the Department shall increase rates and reimbursements and on or before that date, direct support persons shall earn a base wage of not less than $6.75 per hour above the highest applicable federal, State, county, or municipal minimum Wage, and on or before July 1, 2021, other front-line personnel shall earn a commensurate wage. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 relating to the offense of disorderly conduct at a funeral or memorial service. Increases the time that a specified place can be considered a "funeral site" from 30 minutes before and after a funeral to one hour before and after. Increases the distance from which the conduct at the funeral or memorial service is prohibited from 300 feet to 1,000 feet of any ingress or egress of the funeral site. Effective immediately.

Congratulates Leah Hayes on being named "2018 SportsKid of the Year" by Sports Illustrated Kids.