Rep. Dee Avelar

Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Provides that the Secretary of State may (1) revoke or suspend for a maximum period of one year, or bar from registration for a maximum period of one year, the registration of an individual under the Act for the failure to file specified reports or to pay a specified penalty; (2) investigate the activities of any person who is or who has allegedly been engaged in lobbying and who may be in violation of the Act; and (3) require any registrant or entity registered under the Act to produce documentary evidence that is relevant or material or to give testimony that is relevant or material to an investigation. Provides that each person required to register or file a report under the Act shall maintain the records relating to the report for a period of at least 3 years. Provides that the Secretary of State may request to examine or cause to be examined the books and records of a registrant or an individual renewing his or her registration under the Act to the extent that those books and records relate to lobbying. Provides that documents and evidence produced or collected by the Secretary of State during the course of an investigation shall be exempted from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that the Secretary of State may revoke or suspend the registration of a registrant or an individual renewing his or her registration under the Act if that individual fails to comply with a request from the Secretary of State to furnish the specified information. Makes changes in provisions concerning definitions; persons required to register; lobbyist registration and disclosure; and reports. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to make a conforming change.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to file administrative rules updating the Handicapping Labio-Lingual Deviation orthodontic scoring tool by July 1, 2024, or as soon as practicable. Effective immediately.

Creates the Diversity Data in Illinois Bar Admissions Act. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts to report annually to the General Assembly on each year's Illinois bar admissions passage and failure rates of applicants to include, but not be limited to, data by ethnicity, race, and socioeconomic status.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, if a unit of local government receives a request to make the unit's public buildings within the election authority's jurisdiction available as permanent or temporary early voting polling place, the unit may demonstrate to the election authority that the use would interfere with scheduled programming, and, if so, the election authority and the unit shall work cooperatively to find an alternative location to serve as the permanent or temporary early voting polling place. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that a person shall not distribute, or enter into an agreement with another person to distribute, materially deceptive media if: (1) the person knows the media falsely represents a depicted individual; (2) the distribution occurs within 90 days before an election; (3) the person intends the distribution to harm the reputation or electoral prospects of a candidate in an election and the distribution is reasonably likely to cause that result; and (4) the person intends the distribution to change the voting behavior of electors in an election by deceiving the electors into incorrectly believing that the depicted individual in fact engaged in the speech or conduct depicted, and the distribution is reasonably likely to cause that result. Sets forth exceptions to the provision and penalties for violations of the provision. Effective immediately.

Creates the Work Without Fear Act. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to engage in, or to direct another person to engage in, immigration-related retaliation against any person or his or her family member or household member for the purpose of, or with the effect of, retaliating against any person for exercising any right protected under State employment laws or by any local employment ordinance. Sets forth the duties and powers of the Department of Labor under the Act. Allows the Attorney General to initiate or intervene in a civil action to obtain appropriate relief if the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person has violated the Act. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to prevent any person from making complaint or prosecuting his or her own claim for damages caused by retaliation. Allows a person who is the subject of retaliation prohibited by the Act to bring a civil action for: (1) back pay, with interest, and front pay, or, in lieu of actual damages, liquidated damages of $30,000; (2) a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000; (3) reasonable attorney's fees and court costs; and (4) equitable relief as the court may deem appropriate and just. Provides that a person that violates any provision of the Act shall be subject to an additional civil penalty in an amount of $25,000 for each violation, or $50,000 for each repeat violation within a 5-year period. Sets forth license suspension penalties for violations of the Act. Effective January 1, 2025.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 shall provide coverage for continuous glucose monitors, related supplies, and training in the use of continuous glucose monitors for any individual who is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and meets other requirements, including that the prescriber had an in-person or covered telehealth visit with the individual to evaluate the individual's diabetes control and has determined that the eligibility criteria is met. Provides that to qualify for a continuous glucose monitor, a patient is not required to have a diagnosis of uncontrolled diabetes; have a history of emergency room visits or hospitalizations; or show improved glycemic control. Provides that an individual who is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and meets the requirements shall not be required to obtain prior authorization for coverage for a continuous glucose monitor, and coverage shall be continuous once the continuous glucose monitor is prescribed. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall adopt rules to implement the changes made by the amendatory Act. Specifies that the rules shall, at a minimum contain certain provisions concerning the ordering provider, continuous glucose monitors not being required to have certain functionalities, eligibility requirements for a beneficiary, and not requiring prior authorization. Effective July 1, 2024.

Creates the Homeowners' Association Bill of Rights Act. Requires the Office of the Attorney General to establish a separate HOA Department within the Consumer Protection Division. Provides that the HOA Department shall enforce and provide guidance for the provisions in this Act. Requires that each member of the association shall be assessed $3 per year to support the HOA Department that shall be remitted to the HOA Fund to be used exclusively by the Attorney General's Office for handling HOA enforcement and compliance. Provides that associations that do not have any special amenities such as a pool, gym, or community space may not increase their annual assessments for these amenities by more than 2% per year. Limits special assessments above $100,000 unless approved by a vote of the majority of the members. Provides that an association may be dissolved with a vote of at least 65% of its members. Creates a process for a homeowner to file a complaint against a board member. Stays any fines, late fees, and interest once a dispute is filed by a homeowner, and limits attorney's fees to less than 10% of the original amount owed. Provides that a person who violates the Homeowners' Association Bill of Rights Act commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Amends the State Finance Act to list the HOA Fund as a special fund.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that "State-regulated health plan" means any health insurance plan issued by an insurer regulated by the State or health insurance plan operated and administered by the State, including, but not limited to, the medical assistance program under the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code, fee-for-service plans, and managed care organizations. Provides that for every State-regulated health plan, an information packet on all insurance products offered to enrollees must be made available to the public, which must be viewable before choosing a health plan, that includes specified information concerning the plan's drug formulary and the costs for drugs. Provides that the information packet must be made available both online in any patient portal and in a printed format. Provides that the information packet must be updated within 7 days after any change to the drug formulary, and notice of the change to the drug formulary and change to drug costs must be sent to beneficiaries by mail or electronically.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in a prosecution of a case involving the injury, health, or safety of a cat or dog, the court may, on its own motion or motion of any party, appoint a licensed attorney-at-law of the State or a law student authorized to provide services under Supreme Court Rule 711 as a special advocate to assist the court, as deemed appropriate by the court, and represent the interests of justice regarding the health or safety of the cat or dog. Provides that the advocate may: (1) monitor the case; (2) consult any person with information that could aid the court and review records relating to the condition of the cat or dog and the defendant's actions, including, but not limited to, records from animal control officers, veterinarians, and police officers; (3) attend hearings; and (4) present information or recommendations to the court pertinent to determinations that relate to the interests of justice, provided that information shall be based solely on the duties undertaken under this provision.