Rep. Norine Hammond

Creates the Freedom from Government and Private Collusion Against Free Speech Act. Provides that if a State agency or employee of the State coordinates with a private company to deny the freedom of speech of a citizen of this State, the citizen shall have a cause of action against that agency or employee and private company. Sets forth limitations. Provides that if a citizen of this State prevails in an action under the Act, the State agency or employee and the private company shall reimburse the Office of the Attorney General in the amount of 3 times the legal fees incurred in the action, plus the amount of damages awarded as the court shall determine. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision of the IMRF Article concerning service credit for accumulated unused sick leave, provides that if the employee was in the service of more than one employer or regional office of education (instead of more than one employer), then sick leave days from all such employers shall be credited. Amends the School Code. Provides that beginning July 1, 2022, all regional superintendents of schools shall receive the same salary regardless of the population of the region they serve. Provides that the salary for all regional superintendents shall be equal to the highest annual salary tier. Makes a change concerning the posting of information on the institute fund. Repeals a provision of the Code that prohibits regional superintendents from practicing or from holding themselves out as practicing any other profession. Amends the School Construction Law. Authorizes the State Board of Education to make school maintenance project grants to regional offices of education and intermediate service centers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 230/5-100 In provisions amending the School Code, provides that the salary for all regional superintendents shall be equal to the middle (instead of highest) annual salary tier. Removes language amending the School Construction Law.

Encourages and supports action by the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to repeal the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision from the Social Security Act or to reduce the effects thereof.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that the participation of a dependent in the program of health benefits shall not be suspended or terminated upon the death of the member from whom the dependent derived health benefits coverage until the dependent begins to receive an annuity as a survivor of an employee or annuitant and receives survivor health benefits. Effective immediately.

Amends the Litter Control Act. Provides that a hauler who overfills his or her hauling vehicle such that waste or construction material falls off the top of the hauling vehicle while in transit is subject to a civil penalty of $250. Requires moneys from civil penalties received under the provisions to be paid to the Department of Agriculture, which shall deposit the moneys into the Agriculture in the Classroom Fund.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that buildings, structures, and improvements that are not permanently attached to the land are not considered property for the purposes of the Code.

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Provides that the Illinois Power Agency may qualify renewable energy credits associated with the electricity generated by a utility-scale wind energy facility or utility-scale photovoltaic facility and transmitted by a high voltage direct current transmission line (instead of a qualifying direct current project) to a delivery point on the electric transmission grid located in the State or a state adjacent to Illinois, if certain conditions are met. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Removes language that allows a qualifying direct current applicant that does not own, control, operate, or manage, within the State, any plant, equipment, or property used or to be used for the transmission of electricity at the time of its application or of the Illinois Commerce Commission's order to file an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity on or before December 31, 2023. Removes language that allows the Commission to grant a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct, operate, and maintain a qualifying direct current project. Effective immediately.

Designates Illinois Route 150 from Galesburg Main Street to the intersection of U.S. Route 150 and Illinois Route 17 in Alpha as the "Deputy Sheriff Nick Weist Memorial Highway".

Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority shall not charge a toll for a vehicle of the first division pulling a trailer with no more than 2 axles at a rate higher than an amount calculated by multiplying the toll charged to passenger vehicles using an I-PASS device by the total number of axles on the trailer. Provides that the toll rate applies to drivers who use an I-PASS device or use cash to pay a toll. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 shall cover a medically necessary hypofractionated proton therapy protocol to deliver a biological effective dose by paying the same aggregate amount as would be paid for the delivery of the same biological effective dose with a standard radiation therapy protocol delivered with intensity modulated radiation therapy for the same indication if specified conditions are satisfied. Provides standards concerning the aggregate amount chargeable to or payable by an eligible patient for a covered course of hypofractionated proton therapy. Provides that proton therapy coverage may not impose an annual deductible, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing limitation that is greater than that required for radiation therapy and other similar benefits within the insurance policy or contract. Defines terms. Effective January 1, 2023.