Rep. Norine Hammond

Condemns the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Calls upon campus administrators to condemn all forms of anti-Semitism on college campuses and to ensure Jewish students, faculty, and guests can exercise the same free speech rights as are guaranteed to all other students, faculty, and guests without intimidation. Urges enforcement of State and federal civil rights laws to protect Jewish students from anti-Semitism. Offers sympathy and compassion to families and individuals suffering from the current Israel-Hamas conflict.

Recognizes the week of November 13-19, 2023 as National Apprenticeship Week.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an energy price relief income tax credit. Sets forth the amount of the credit, which shall be a percentage of the total amount paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year for energy supplied to a property in the State. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may award no more than $50,000,000 in credits under these provisions in any fiscal year. Provides that the credit may be carried forward. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to provide for emergency rulemaking. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Deletes language that provides that no construction shall commence on any new nuclear power plant to be located within the State, and no certificate of public convenience and necessity or other authorization shall be issued therefor by the Illinois Commerce Commission, until the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency finds that the United States Government has identified and approved a demonstrable technology or means for the disposal of high level nuclear waste, or until such construction has been specifically approved by a statute enacted by the General Assembly. Provides that the Commission shall only issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity to a public utility operating or located within the State or to a company with a fossil fuel-based power generator. Provides that the Commission shall adopt rules concerning the granting of certificates of public convenience and necessity for the construction, purchase, or lease of small modular nuclear reactors. Provides requirements for the Commission to follow when adopting rules for the granting of certificates of public convenience and necessity for small modular nuclear reactors. Provides that the Commission may adopt emergency rules for the granting of certificates of public convenience and necessity for small modular nuclear reactors.

Amends the Park District Code. Provides that, if a district board's membership has been expanded or reduced by referendum or resolution, the additional members will be elected not earlier than 197 days (currently, 60 days) after the referendum or resolution and a reduction of board members will not affect the terms of any commissioners holding office at the time of the referendum or to be elected within 197 (currently, 60) days after the referendum. Provides that, if the terms of a district's board members have increased or decreased after referendum or resolution, the terms will commence with the first regular park district election at least 197 days (currently, 60 days) after the date on which the terms were increased or reduced by referendum or resolution. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Invest in Illinois Act. Provides that certain notices under the Act shall also be sent to the Minority Leader of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. Provides that the Minority Leader of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives may also object to agreements under the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, in accordance with federal guidance issued by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall exempt from electronic visit verification requirements all live-in caregivers who provide Medicaid-funded personal care services or home health care services under the Illinois Title XIX State Plan or a waiver of the plan, including personal care services and home health care services provided under various home and community-based services waiver programs authorized under the Social Security Act. Defines "live-in caregiver". Grants the Department rulemaking authority. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Requires proof that each party to the marriage has attained the age of 18 years in order to obtain a license to marry and a marriage certificate from the county clerk. Deletes language allowing proof that each party to the marriage will have attained the age of 18 years at the time the marriage license is effective or will have attained the age of 16 years and has either the consent to the marriage of both parents or his guardian or judicial approval. Makes corresponding changes. Repeals a provision regarding judicial approval of underage marriages. Effective immediately, except that specified provisions take effect 2 years after the amendatory Act becomes law.

Amends the Government Electronic Records Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Business Assistance and Regulatory Reform Act. Modifies requirements concerning the Office of Business Permits and Regulatory Assistance. Provides that the Office shall implement reforms to improve interagency coordination and encourage expeditious permit issuance. Provides that the Office shall use information technology tools to track project schedules and metrics in order to improve transparency and accountability of the permitting process, reduce uncertainty and delays, and reduce costs and risks to taxpayers. Defines terms. Makes other changes.