Rep. Sue Scherer

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the chief county assessment officer in a county of more than 3,000,000 residents, and in any other county where the county board has authorized such action by ordinance or resolution, may automatically renew the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities without application for any person who applied for the exemption and presented a Disability Identification Card stating that the claimant is under a Class 2 disability. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds provisions to the introduced bill providing that an applicant for the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities may be examined by an optometrist if the person qualifies because of a visual disability. Provides that provisions of the introduced bill concerning automatic renewal (i) apply for taxable years 2021 through 2026 and (ii) apply if the person presents proof of eligibility (in the introduced bill, a Disability Identification Card stating that the claimant is under a Class 2 disability). Provides that the chief county assessment officer shall not automatically renew the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities if the physician, advanced practice registered nurse, optometrist, or physician assistant who examined the claimant determined that the disability is not expected to continue for 12 months or more. House Committee Amendment No. 3 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 2505/2505-805 new 35 ILCS 200/9-275 35 ILCS 200/15-10 35 ILCS 200/15-169 35 ILCS 200/15-170 35 ILCS 200/15-172 35 ILCS 200/15-175 35 ILCS 200/18-185 35 ILCS 200/18-190.7 new 105 ILCS 5/17-1.3 new 105 ILCS 5/17-2A from Ch. 122, par. 17-2A 320 ILCS 30/3 from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 453 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for levy years 2022 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. Provides that the maximum reduction under the General Homestead Exemption is $10,000 in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and counties that are contiguous to a county of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and $6,000 in all other counties (currently, $10,000 in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and $6,000 in all other counties). Provides that the maximum reduction under the senior citizens homestead exemption is $8,000 in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and counties that are contiguous to a county of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and $5,000 in all other counties (currently, $8,000 in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and $5,000 in all other counties). In provisions concerning the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities, makes changes concerning the surviving spouse. Provides that the interest rate under the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act is reduced from 6% to 4%. Amends the School Code. Contains provisions concerning interfund transfers and disclosure of cash reserve balances. Amends the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to require the Department of Revenue to conduct a study concerning the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 5 Makes changes to the bill as amended by House Amendment No. 3 to provide that the maximum amount of the general homestead exemption is $10,000 in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, $8,000 in counties that are contiguous to a county of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, and $6,000 in all other counties (rather than $10,000 in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and counties that are contiguous to a county of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and $6,000 in all other counties).

Amends the Loan Repayment Assistance for Physicians Act. To address the shortage of obstetrical services in rural communities, provides that a physician who provides obstetrical care and works at a privately owned rural health clinic in this State may qualify for assistance under the Act if all other established criteria are met. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 110 ILCS 949/27 new Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 2310/2310-220 was 20 ILCS 2310/55.73 110 ILCS 935/1 from Ch. 144, par. 1451 110 ILCS 935/3.04 from Ch. 144, par. 1453.04 110 ILCS 935/3.09 110 ILCS 970/1-20 from Ch. 144, par. 2781-20 110 ILCS 980/3 from Ch. 144, par. 2703 305 ILCS 5/12-4.24a from Ch. 23, par. 12-4.24a Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Underserved Physician Workforce Act. Provides that the Act may be cited as the Underserved Health Care Provider Workforce Act (rather than the Underserved Physician Workforce Act). Adds a government-owned, privately owned, independent, or provider-based Rural Health Clinic or hospital that accepts Medicaid patients and assists patients who are uninsured to qualify for Medicaid or develop a discount payment plan to the definition of "designated shortage area". Makes changes to the definition of "eligible health care provider". Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Nurses in Advancement Law, the Private Medical Scholarship Agreement Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to make related changes. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1, with the following changes. With respect to the definition of "Designated Shortage Area" in the Underserved Physician Workforce Act, adds a government-owned, privately owned, independent, or provider-based Rural Health Clinic or hospital that accepts Medicaid, Medicare, the State's Children's Health Insurance Program, private insurance, and self-pay (rather than a government-owned, privately owned, independent, or provider-based Rural Health Clinic or hospital that accepts Medicaid patients and assists patients who are uninsured to qualify for Medicaid or develop a discount payment plan, or both, according to financial need). Changes the definition of "eligible health care provider" to mean a primary care physician, general surgeon, emergency medicine physician, obstetrician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant who accepts Medicaid, Medicare, the State's Children's Health Insurance Program, private insurance, and self-pay (rather than a primary care physician, general surgeon, emergency medicine physician, obstetrician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant who accepts Medicaid patients or develops a discount payment plan, or both, for patients according to financial need). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the registration fee paid by any vehicle owner who is eligible under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act or who is the spouse of such a person shall be $10 instead of $24.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Changes definition of qualified applicant. Provides that a qualifying condition requires that the person applying must have received an honorable discharge after leaving federal active duty service (instead of received an honorable discharge after leaving each period of federal active duty service). Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 110 ILCS 805/6-4 from Ch. 122, par. 106-4 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that if a person is on active duty (instead of active military duty) or is entitled to veterans' education assistance (instead of is receiving veterans' education benefits), then the board of trustees of a community college district shall deem that person an in-district (instead of Illinois) resident for tuition purposes for any academic quarter, semester, or term, as applicable. Effective immediately.

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Expands the list of mandated reporters under the Act to include physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and athletic trainers.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions requiring coverage for newborn infants, provides that coverage for congenital defects shall include treatment of cranial facial anomalies. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall cover charges incurred and services provided for outpatient and inpatient care in conjunction with services that are provided to a covered individual related to the diagnosis and treatment of a congenital anomaly or birth defect. Provides that the required coverage includes any services to functionally improve, repair, or restore a body part involving the cranial facial area that is medically necessary to achieve normal function or appearance. Provides that any coverage provided may be subject to coverage limits, such as pre-authorization or pre-certification, as required by the plan or issuer that are no more restrictive than the predominant treatment limitations applied to substantially all medical and surgical benefits covered by the plan. Provides that coverage for a congenital anomaly or birth defect shall include expenses for specified services and items up to the age of 19. Provides that coverage shall not be denied solely on the grounds that the treatment is for cosmetic purposes or is not for a functional defect or impairment. Provides that the coverage does not apply to a policy that covers only dental care. Defines "treatment". Makes conforming changes in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Effective January 1, 2024. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions requiring coverage for newborn infants, provides that coverage for congenital defects shall include the treatment of cleft lip and cleft palate. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall provide coverage for the medically necessary care and treatment of cleft lip and palate for children under the age of 19. Provides that coverage for cleft lip and palate care and treatment may impose the same deductible, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing limitation that is imposed on other related surgical benefits under the policy. Provides that the coverage does not apply to a policy that covers only dental care. Defines "medically necessary care and treatment". Makes conforming changes in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the School Code. Provides that any spouse, natural child, legally adopted child under the age of 18 at the time of adoption, minor child younger than 18 who is under a court-ordered guardianship for at least 2 continuous years prior to application, or step-child under the age of 18 at the time of marriage of an eligible veteran or serviceperson shall, upon application and proper proof, be awarded a MIA/POW Scholarship. Provides that the holder of a MIA/POW Scholarship shall not be required to pay any tuition or mandatory fees while attending a State-controlled university or public community college in this State for a period equivalent to 4 years of enrollment, including summer terms. Amends the Children of Deceased Veterans Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Veterans' Dependents Educational Opportunity Grant Act. Requires the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs to provide, subject to appropriation, for matriculation and tuition fees, board, room rent, books and supplies for the use and benefit of any natural child, adopted child, minor child who is under a court-ordered guardianship for at least 2 continuous years prior to application, or step-child of an eligible veteran or serviceperson, if the child is not under 10 and not over 18 years of age. Requires the child to provide proof of compliance with Illinois compulsory attendance requirements as provided under the School Code. Defines "eligible veteran or service person". Requires the Department to adopt rules on how to render payments to eligible minor children of deceased veterans or servicepersons. Effective immediately.

Amends the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act. Provides that the Act does not prohibit a person, who is not a resident of the State, from performing social work via telehealth in the State for a non-resident of the State for not more than 5 days in any one month or more than 15 days in any one calendar year, had a previous established therapeutic relationship with the non-resident, and the person is authorized to perform such services under the laws of the state or country in which the person resides. Provides that the Act does not prohibit a person, who is not a resident of the State, from performing social work via telehealth in the State for a non-resident of the State currently attending an university or college in the State, had a previous established therapeutic relationship with the non-resident, and the person is authorized to perform such services under the laws of the state or country in which the person resides.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall provide coverage for community-based pediatric palliative or hospice care. Provides that the care shall be delivered to any qualifying child by a trained interdisciplinary team in accordance with all the terms of the Pediatric Palliative Care Act, which allows a child to receive community-based pediatric palliative and hospice care while continuing to pursue curative treatment and disease-directed therapies for the qualifying illness. Makes conforming changes in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 (rather than after the effective date of the amendatory Act) shall provide coverage for community-based pediatric palliative care and hospice care and that the care shall be delivered to any qualifying child with a serious illness by a trained interdisciplinary team that allows a child to receive community-based pediatric palliative and hospice care while continuing to pursue curative treatment and disease-directed therapies for the qualifying illness. Defines "palliative care" and "serious illness".

Amends the Employee Sick Leave Act. Removes language exempting from coverage under the Act an employee of an employer subject to the provisions of Title II of the federal Railway Labor Act. House Committee Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Employee Sick Leave Act. Provides that the rights afforded under the Act serve as the minimum standard in a negotiated collective bargaining agreement.