Amends the Broadband Access on Passenger Rail Law. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Illinois Prison Inspection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that in addition to other purposes, moneys in the Illinois Fire Fighters' Memorial Fund shall be used to provide scholarships for graduate study, undergraduate study, or any other post-secondary education approved by the Illinois Firefighter Memorial Foundation (rather than only graduate study or undergraduate study) to children and spouses of fire fighters killed in the line of duty. Effective immediately.
Amends the Elections Code. Allows counties to create a board of election commissioners within the office of the county clerk. Sets forth procedures for adoption, compensation, effect, transfer of records, procurement of supplies, references, personnel, and legal representation. Creates a county director of elections. Requires certain meetings of the board. Requires retention of records and audits. Effective immediately.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities shall be prorated if the property is first used as a qualified residence by a veteran with a disability after January 1 of a taxable year. Effective immediately.
Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Requires the Department of Labor to publish, by July 15 of each year on its official website, a prevailing wage schedule for each county in the State based upon the prevailing rate of wages investigated and ascertained by the Department during the month of June. Effective immediately.
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act and the Illinois Public Aid Code. 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, 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 the Department shall increase rates and reimbursements so that by July 1, 2018 direct support persons earn a base wage of not less than $13.50 per hour and so that other front-line personnel earn a commensurate wage, and by July 1, 2020, direct support persons earn a base wage of not less than $15 per hour and so that other front-line personnel earn a commensurate wage. Defines "front-line personnel". Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. In a provision concerning the Community Care Program, establishes the following rate increases in the wages paid by vendors to their employees who provide homemaker services: on July 1, 2018, rates shall be increased to $19.89 for the purpose of increasing wages by at least $1 per hour; on July 1, 2019, rates shall be increased to $21.49 for the purpose of increasing wages by at least $1 per hour; on July 1, 2020, rates shall be increased to $23.09 for the purpose of increasing wages by at least $1 per hour; and on July 1, 2021, rates shall be increased to $24.69 for the purpose of increasing wages by at least $1 per hour. Provides that fringe benefits, including, but not limited to, any paid time off or payments for training, health insurance, travel, or transportation shall not be reduced in relation to the rate increases established in this provision. Effective July 1, 2018.
Amends the Safe Pharmaceutical Disposal Act. Provides that used, expired, or unwanted pharmaceuticals collected by a municipality under the Act may be destroyed in a drug destruction device by a law enforcement agency. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Expands the definition of "drug evidence" in the provision for drug destruction by a law enforcement agency to include any used, expired, or unwanted pharmaceuticals collected under the Safe Pharmaceutical Disposal Act.
Creates the Illinois Workers' Rights and Worker Safety Act. Provides that except as authorized by State law enacted after January 1, 2017, a State agency may not amend or revise its rules relating to protection of workers' rights or worker safety in a manner less stringent than specified federal laws. Provides that a State agency may establish workers' rights and worker safety standards that are more stringent than those provided in federal law in existence as of January 1, 2017. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that in certain circumstances an action may be brought in a circuit court by a person in the public interest to enforce standards or requirements concerning air, water, drinking water, and endangered and threatened species adopted under specified provisions of the Act and the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act. Provides that the provisions concerning public interest enforcement shall only become operative if specified events occur. Provides that the enforcement provisions of the Act are severable. Adds provisions concerning protection of the environment, natural resources, and public health. Requires various State agencies to adopt, maintain, and enforce rules concerning air, water, drinking water, and endangered and threatened species that are at least as stringent as various regulatory baselines under federal law, in addition to State law requirements. Provides that every State agency shall undertake all feasible efforts to implement and enforce these provisions. Contains reporting requirements. Deletes provisions providing that an air pollution construction or operating permit shall not be required due to emissions of greenhouse gases if certain events occur. Deletes certain language concerning exemptions from provisions concerning the Clean Air Act Permit Program.
