Rep. Sue Scherer

Amends the School Code to create the Rural Education Advisory Council. Provides that the purpose of the council is to exchange thoughtful dialogue concerning the needs, challenges, and opportunities of rural districts and to provide policy recommendations to the State. Sets forth the functions and membership of the council. Contains provisions concerning expenses, meetings, and administrative support.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code and the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Provides that all individual and small group accident and health policies written in compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act must file rates with the Department of Insurance for approval. Provides that rate increases found to be unreasonable rate increases in relation to benefits under the policy provided shall be disapproved. Requires the Department to provide a report to the General Assembly after January 1, 2023 regarding both on and off exchange individual and small group rates in the Illinois market. Requires that the Department approve or deny rate increases within 60 calendar days after the rate increase is filed with the Department. Provides that a rate increase that is not approved or denied by the Department on the 61st calendar day shall be automatically approved on that day. Provides that no less than 30 days after the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has certified the plans described in this Section for the upcoming plan year, the Department shall publish on its website a report explaining the rates for the subsequent calendar year's certified policies. Defines "unreasonable rate increase".

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for levy years 2021 and later, the taxing district's aggregate extension base is the greater of (A) the district's last preceding aggregate extension limit or (B) the district's last preceding aggregate extension, subject to certain adjustments. Provides that the term "aggregate extension limit" means the district's last preceding aggregate extension if the taxing district had utilized the maximum limiting rate permitted without referendum for each of the 5 immediately preceding levy years. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 35 ILCS 200/18-190.7 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with formatting changes. Makes the following substantive changes. Provides that the provisions apply only to: (1) certain school districts; (2) park districts; (3) library districts; and (4) community college districts. Provides that the taxing district must certify to the county clerk that the taxing district did not extend the maximum amount permitted under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for a particular levy year. Provides that the aggregate extension for a taxing district that utilizes the recapture provisions of the introduced bill may not exceed the taxing district's last preceding aggregate extension by more than 5% unless the increase is approved by the voters. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the taxing district's certification to the county clerk that it did not extend the maximum amount permitted under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law must be submitted not more than 60 days after the taxing district files its levy ordinance or resolution with the county clerk (rather than not more than 30 days after the taxing district's budget and levy ordinance is adopted for the levy year).

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning conspiracy. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 720 ILCS 5/8-2 from Ch. 38, par. 7-1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 3930/7.10 new 20 ILCS 4005/1 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1301 20 ILCS 4005/2 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1302 20 ILCS 4005/3 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1303 20 ILCS 4005/4 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1304 20 ILCS 4005/7 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1307 20 ILCS 4005/8 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1308 20 ILCS 4005/8.5 20 ILCS 4005/12 rep. 30 ILCS 105/5 from Ch. 127, par. 141 30 ILCS 105/5.295 from Ch. 127, par. 141.295 30 ILCS 105/6z-125 30 ILCS 105/6z-126 625 ILCS 5/4-109 720 ILCS 5/12C-36 new 740 ILCS 45/2 from Ch. 70, par. 72 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall establish a program by which grants are administered for the purpose of preventing predatory vehicular hijacking. Provides that the Authority shall determine eligible recipients for the grants. Provides that grants shall be made of money appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to eligible recipients to provide street-level intervention services for at-risk youth in danger of being recruited for the purpose of predatory vehicular hijacking. Provides that the Authority shall adopt rules to determine eligibility standards for grants. Amends the Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Act. Specifies that it is the purpose of the Act to, among other things, reduce vehicle hijacking, to improve and support vehicle hijacking law enforcement, and to support the prosecution and administration of vehicle hijacking laws. Changes the name of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council to the Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council. Provides that the Council is responsible for providing grants and financial support to assist in the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of hijackers, and the recovery of hijacked and stolen motor vehicles. Authorizes the Council to assess the scope of the vehicle hijacking problem. Provides that the Council is responsible for developing and sponsoring the implementation of plans and strategies for combating vehicle hijacking, and to improve the administration of vehicle hijacking laws. Changes the name of the Motor Vehicle Theft prevention and Insurance Verification Trust Fund to the Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Trust Fund. Provides that money in the Trust Fund may be used to provide financial support for law enforcement, prosecutors, and the judiciary for programs designed to reduce vehicle hijacking. Renames the State Police Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Trust Fund to the Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Trust Fund. Repeals a provision that repeals specific Sections of the Act on January 1, 2025. Makes corresponding changes in various Acts. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of predatory vehicular hijacking, a Class 1 felony. Repeals the offense on January 1, 2026. Amends the Crime Victims Compensation Act. Provides that "pecuniary loss" includes expenses incurred for the towing a victim's vehicle in connection with a crime of violence. House Floor Amendment No. 4 Adds reference to: 740 ILCS 45/7.1 from Ch. 70, par. 77.1 740 ILCS 45/10.1 from Ch. 70, par. 80.1 Further amends the Crime Victims Compensation Act. Limits the amount of towing fees that may be reimbursed to a maximum of $1,000. Provides that an application for compensation shall set out the amount of benefits, payments, or awards, if any, payable under vehicle or towing insurance. Provides that, in order to be reimbursed, the applicant must show that he or she has exhausted the benefits reasonably available under full vehicle coverage insurance (including towing insurance, if available).

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning arbitration of medical malpractice disputes. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 215 ILCS 5/155.20 Adds reference to: New Act 215 ILCS 5/355 from Ch. 73, par. 967 215 ILCS 125/4-12 from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1409.5 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Health Insurance Coverage Premium Misalignment Study Act. Sets forth provisions concerning the purpose of the Act and findings. Provides that the Department of Insurance shall oversee a study to explore rate setting approaches that may yield a misalignment of premiums across different tiers of coverage in Illinois' individual health insurance market. Provides that the study shall produce cost estimates for Illinois residents addressing metal-level premium misalignment policy along with the impact of the policy on health insurance affordability and access and the uninsured rates for low-income and middle-income residents, with break-out data by geography, race, ethnicity, and income level. Provides that the study shall evaluate how premium realignment if implemented would affect costs and outcomes for Illinoisans. Provides that the Department shall develop and submit, no later than January 1, 2024, a report to the General Assembly and the Governor concerning the design, costs, benefits, and implementation of premium realignment to increase affordability and access to health care coverage that leverages existing State infrastructure. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code and the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Provides that all individual and small group accident and health policies written in compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act must file rates with the Department for approval. Provides that rate increases found to be unreasonable rate increases in relation to benefits under the policy provided shall be disapproved. Requires the Department to provide a report to the General Assembly after January 1, 2023 regarding both on and off exchange individual and small group rates in the Illinois market. Requires that the Department approve or deny rate increases within 60 calendar days after the rate increase is filed with the Department and that a rate increase that is not approved or denied by the Department on the 61st calendar day shall be automatically approved. Provides that no less than 30 days after the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has certified the plans described for the upcoming plan year, the Department shall publish on its website a report explaining the rates for the subsequent calendar year's certified policies.

Amends the Police Officers' Pension Investment Fund Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision concerning the transition board and permanent board of trustees, removes language specifying that provisions of the Lobbyist Registration Act that prohibit persons required to register under the Act from serving on boards or commissions do not apply to members who are representatives of the Illinois Municipal League. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following change. Changes the effective date from immediate to January 1, 2022.

Amends the Telehealth Act. Provides that the Act applies to all health insurance coverage offered by health insurance issuers regulated by the Department of Insurance or the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the medical assistance program authorized under the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that any policy, contract, or certificate of health insurance coverage that does not distinguish between in-network and out-of-network providers shall be subject to the Act as though all providers were in-network. Provides that health insurance issuers shall cover all telehealth services rendered by a health care professional to deliver any clinically appropriate, medically necessary covered services. Restricts health insurance issuers from engaging in specified activities. Provides that health care professionals and facilities shall determine the appropriateness of specific sites, technology platforms, and technology vendors for a telehealth service, as long as delivered services adhere to privacy laws. Changes the term "telehealth" to "telehealth services". Makes corresponding changes. Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning coverage for telehealth services, makes changes to definitions. Provides that coverage and reimbursement for telehealth services delivered by health care professionals and facilities shall comply with the Telehealth Act. Makes other changes. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department and managed care organizations shall comply with the Telehealth Act and removes provisions concerning behavioral health and medical services via telehealth. Makes other changes. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to provide for emergency rulemaking. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 100/5-45.10 new 225 ILCS 150/20 new 225 ILCS 150/25 new 225 ILCS 150/30 new 225 ILCS 150/35 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident or health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall cover all telehealth services rendered by a health care professional to deliver any clinically appropriate, medically necessary covered services, and shall not engage in specified activities. Provides that any policy, contract, or certificate of health insurance coverage that does not distinguish between in-network and out-of-network providers shall be subject to the Act as though all providers were in-network. Provides that health care professionals and facilities shall determine the appropriateness of specific sites, technology platforms, and technology vendors for a telehealth service, as long as delivered services adhere to privacy laws. Provides that there shall be no restrictions on originating site requirements for telehealth coverage or reimbursement to the distant site. Defines terms. Amends the Telehealth Act. Changes the term "telehealth" to "telehealth services". Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and managed care organizations shall comply with specified provisions of the Illinois Insurance Code and removes provisions concerning behavioral health and medical services via telehealth. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to provide for emergency rulemaking. In provisions concerning coverage for telehealth services, removes language that provides that coverage and reimbursement for telehealth services delivered by health care professionals and facilities shall comply with the Telehealth Act. Removes changes to the Telehealth Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 In provisions in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act concerning emergency rulemaking, provides that provisions allowing the Department of Insurance and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to adopt emergency rules are repealed on January 1, 2022 (rather than January 1, 2026). In provisions concerning coverage for telehealth services, provides that an individual or group policy of accident or health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall not require that in-person contact occur between a health care professional and a patient (rather than in-person contact shall not occur between a health care professional and a patient, except before an initial e-visit or virtual check-in in order to establish a patient relationship).

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the earned income tax credit shall be: (i) 20% of the federal tax credit for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2023 and prior to January 1, 2024; (ii) 22% of the federal tax credit for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2024 and prior to January 1, 2025; and (iii) 25% of the federal tax credit for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1 2025. Provides that the earned income tax credit is available to persons who have attained the age of 18 but have not yet attained the age of 25 and to persons who are 65 years of age or older, without regard to any age requirements that would otherwise apply to individuals without a qualifying child under federal Internal Revenue Code. Extends the earned income tax credit to individuals filing a return using an individual taxpayer identification number. Creates a child dependent tax credit that shall be not less than $600 when combined with the taxpayer's earned income tax credit. Effective immediately.

Creates the Statewide 9-8-8 Trust Fund Act. Establishes the Statewide 9-8-8 Trust Fund in the State treasury. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used by the Department of Human Services for the purposes of creating and maintaining a statewide 9-8-8 suicide prevention and mental health crisis system pursuant to the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, the Federal Communication Commission's rules adopted on July 16, 2020, and national guidelines for crisis care. Provides that the Fund shall consist of: (1) appropriations by the General Assembly; (2) grants and gifts intended for deposit in the Fund; (3) interest, premiums, gains, or other earnings on the Fund; and (4) moneys from any other source that are deposited in or transferred to the Fund. Provides that moneys in the fund (1) do not revert at the end of any State fiscal year but remains available for the purposes of the Fund in subsequent State fiscal years; and (2) are not subject to transfer to any other fund or to transfer, assignment, or reassignment for any other use or purpose outside of those specified in the Act. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the Statewide 9-8-8 Trust Fund is a special fund in the State treasury.

Amends the Self-Service Storage Facility Act. Provides that an owner's lien may be satisfied by sale or other disposition after an advertisement of the sale or other disposition is published once (rather than once a week for 2 consecutive weeks) in a newspaper of general circulation where the self-service storage facility is located or in any other commercially reasonable manner. Provides that the manner of advertisement shall be deemed commercially reasonable if at least 3 bidders who are unrelated to the owner attend or view the sale at the time and place advertised. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 770 ILCS 95/4 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Directs the Director of the Department of Natural Resources to deliver a quitclaim deed for a portion of real property in Franklin County to the Rend Lake conservancy District for $531,667, subject to specified conditions. Authorizes the Director of Central Management Services to convey certain described property to the City of Springfield in exchange for certain described property owned by the City of City of Springfield, subject to specified conditions. Provides that, upon completion of the exchange, the Department of Central Management Services shall convey to the Secretary of State for public use the property that it received from the City of Springfield. Amends Public Act 102-1015. Provides that certain real property conveyed to the Lockport Township Fire Protection District shall be used by the Lockport Township Fire Protection District, subject to reversion to the State, for public purposes related to the Fire Protection District (instead of a training center). Effective immediately.