Rep. Norine Hammond

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Re-enacts a provision concerning the applicability of the Code to public institutions of higher education. Extends the repeal of the provision from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2021. Provides that the Code does not apply to procurements made by or on behalf of public institutions of higher education for goods or services procured through a contract with a vendor approved by the Midwest Higher Education Compact. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning an application blank in a life or accident and health policy form, removes language allowing the Director of Insurance to extend the period to approve or disapprove a form by not more than 30 days. Provides that an insurer may request by electronic notification that the extension end on a specified date, but no sooner than 30 days after the request. Makes other changes.

Amends the State Treasurer Act and Illinois Prepaid Tuition Act. Provides that, beginning on July 1, 2018, for a designated beneficiary or qualified beneficiary who is a State resident, no contributions toward the College Savings Pool or the purchase of an Illinois prepaid tuition contract may be considered in evaluating the financial situation of the beneficiary or be deemed a financial resource or form of financial aid or assistance to the beneficiary for purposes of determining the eligibility of the beneficiary for any scholarship, grant, or monetary assistance awarded by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Provides that contributions toward the College Savings Pool or the purchase of an Illinois prepaid tuition contract may not reduce the amount of any scholarship, grant, or monetary assistance that the beneficiary is eligible to be awarded by the Commission. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that repair and replacement parts transferred as part of a goodwill repair of exempt farm machinery and equipment are also exempt from the taxes imposed under the Acts.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In order to protect the right of Medicaid beneficiaries to receive Medicaid long-term care services and supports (LTSS) promptly without any delay caused by administrative procedures, requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and other specified Departments to take the following actions: (i) for a Medicaid beneficiary aged 65 years or older who has received a Determination of Need indicating the need for LTSS services, the Departments must begin paying for such services no later than the 46th day after the date upon which the beneficiary applied for the services; (ii) for a Medicaid beneficiary aged 64 years or younger whose Medicaid eligibility is based upon a disability and who has received a Determination of Need indicating the need for LTSS services, the Departments must begin paying for such services no later than the 91st day after the date upon which the beneficiary applied for the services; (iii) for a Medicaid applicant who has received a Determination of Need indicating the need for LTSS services, the Departments must begin paying for such services immediately once the applicant is determined eligible for Medicaid; (iv) by July 1, 2018, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in conjunction with the State Comptroller, must develop a process to expedite payment claims for Medicaid services provided during the time any application for Medicaid eligibility or LTSS services is pending beyond federally required timeliness standards; and (v) by July 1, 2018, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department of Human Services must waive all deadline requirements for applications for Medicaid eligibility or LTSS services if pending beyond federally required timeliness standards. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Predatory Lending Database Article of the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act. Changes the definition of "counseling" and "originator". Provides that each certificate of compliance with the Article or certificate of exemption must contain, at a minimum, one of the borrower's names on the mortgage loan and the property index number for the subject property. Makes changes concerning the information which must be collected and submitted by the broker or originator and by the title insurance company or closing agent. Effective immediately.

Designate the section of Illinois Route 78 in Mason County from the Illinois River in the City of Havana to the Sangamon River in the township of Lynchburg as the "Sgt. Don H. Lascelles Memorial Highway".

Amends the Consumer Electronics Recycling Act. Provides that nothing in the Act shall prevent a manufacturer from accepting, through a manufacturer e-waste program, residential CEDs collected through a drop-off collection program that is operated pursuant to an agreement between a third party and a unit of local government located within a county or municipal joint action agency that has elected to participate in a manufacturer e-waste program.

Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to make certain real estate conveyances in Bureau County, Menard County, and Pulaski County, subject to specified conditions. Authorizes the Department of Transportation to make certain real estate conveyances in Grundy County, DuPage County, DeKalb County, Montgomery County, Tazewell County, and Mason County, subject to specified conditions. Effective immediately.