Rep. Sue Scherer

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that for taxable year 2020, the maximum income limitation under the senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption is $75,000 for counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants (currently, $65,000). Provides that, for taxable year 2021 and thereafter, the maximum income limitation under the senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption is $75,000 for all counties (currently, $65,000). Amends the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. Provides that the income limitation is $75,000 for tax year 2019 and thereafter. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Removes the effective date from the bill. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 35 ILCS 200/15-172 Adds reference to: 320 ILCS 30/3 from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 453 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. Provides that the income limitation under the Act is $65,000 for tax years 2022 through 2025 and $55,000 for tax year 2026 and thereafter (currently, $55,000). Provides that, for tax years 2022 through 2025, the total amount of any such deferral shall not exceed $7,500 per taxpayer in each tax year (currently, $5,000). Provides that, beginning again in tax year 2026, the total amount of any such deferral shall not exceed $5,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Permits student instruction to be received electronically under a school district's program for e-learning days while students are not physically present because a school was selected to be a polling place under the Election Code. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill, but adds that a school district shall pay to its contractors who provide educational support services to the district their daily, regular rate of pay or billings rendered for any e-learning day that is used because a school was selected to be a polling place. Provides that this requirement does not apply to contractors who are paid under contracts that are entered into, amended, or renewed on or after March 15, 2022 or to contracts that otherwise address compensation for such e-learning days.

Creates the Protecting Household Privacy Act. Provides that a law enforcement agency shall not obtain household electronic data or direct the acquisition of household electronic data from a private third party, unless (i) the law enforcement agency obtains a court order based upon probable cause, or (ii) the owner of the household electronic device consents to voluntarily provide the desired household electronic data. Provides that if a law enforcement agency obtains household electronic data, the agency within 30 days shall destroy all information obtained, except that a supervisor at that agency may retain particular information if (1) there is reasonable suspicion that the information contains evidence of criminal activity, or (2) the information is relevant to an ongoing investigation or pending criminal trial. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates Protecting Household Privacy Act. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with these exceptions. Changes the exceptions in which law enforcement agency may obtain household electronic data. Provides that a law enforcement agency may obtain the data (1) if a law enforcement agency first obtains a warrant under the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963; (2) a specified emergency situation exists; or (3) with the lawful consent of the owner of the household electronic device or person in actual or constructive possession of the household electronic device, excluding law enforcement personnel. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to apply to the interception, recording, wiretap, or other acquisition of electronic communications as they are transmitted in real time. Provides that in the event of any conflict between the Act and any applicable federal or State law, the requirement that establishes the higher standard for law enforcement to obtain information shall govern. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Defines "digital gateway device". Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits the use of a lawful grand jury subpoena to obtain information which was obtainable by grand jury subpoena prior to the effective date of the Act. Provides that nothing in the Act expands existing civil or criminal liability of an individual or entity arising under any applicable federal or State law.

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Provides that the showing of interest in support of a petition filed for the purpose of selecting a labor organization as the representative of the employees in a bargaining unit may be evidenced by electronic communications, and such writing or communication may be evidenced by the electronic signature of the employees. Provides that the showing of interest shall be valid only if signed within 12 months prior to the filing of the petition. Provides that a secret ballot election held for the purpose of selecting a labor organization as the representative of the employees in a bargaining unit may be conducted electronically, using an electronic voting system, in addition to paper ballot voting systems. Provides that it shall be an unfair labor practice for an employer to promise, threaten, or take any action because of an employee's specified participation in a strike. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 115 ILCS 5/7 from Ch. 48, par. 1707 115 ILCS 5/8 from Ch. 48, par. 1708 115 ILCS 5/14 from Ch. 48, par. 1714 Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. With respect to the recognition of exclusive bargaining representatives, provides that the showing of interest in support of certain petitions may be evidenced by electronic communications and such writing or communication may be evidenced by the electronic signature of an employee as provided under the Electronic Commerce Security Act. Provides that the showing of interest shall be valid only if signed within 12 months prior to the filing of the petition. In provisions regarding elections, provides that a secret ballot election may be conducted electronically, using an electronic voting system, in addition to paper ballot voting systems. Adds as an unfair labor practice promising, threatening, or taking any action (i) to permanently replace an employee who participates in a strike, (ii) to discriminate against an employee who is working or has unconditionally offered to return to work for the employer because the employee supported or participated in such as a strike, or (iii) to lockout, suspend, or otherwise withhold from employment employees in order to influence the position of such employees or the representative of such employees in collective bargaining prior to a strike. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Specifies that it shall be an unfair labor practice for public employers and educational employers to promise, threaten, or take specified actions against their employees concerning a lawful strike. Effective immediately.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall require each long-term care facility in the State, as a condition of facility licensure, to adopt and implement written policies, provide for the availability of technology to facility residents, and ensure that appropriate staff and other capabilities are in place to prevent the social isolation of facility residents. Contains specified requirements for the social isolation prevention policies. Provides that the Department shall distribute civil monetary penalty funds, as approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and any other available federal and State funds, upon request, to facilities for communicative technologies and accessories needed for the purposes of the provisions. Provides that whenever the Department conducts an inspection of a long-term care facility, the Department's inspector shall determine whether the long-term facility is in compliance with the provisions and the policies, protocols, and procedures adopted pursuant to the provisions. Requires the Department to adopt rules necessary to implement the provisions within 60 days after the amendatory Act's effective date (and makes conforming changes in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act). Contains other provisions. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Removes language providing that the Department of Public Health shall require each long-term care facility in the State to perform specified actions as a condition of facility licensure. Provides that the social isolation prevention policies shall not be interpreted as a substitute for in person visitation, but shall be wholly in addition to the existing in person visitation policies. Provides that a resident's individualized visitation plan shall give priority to the resident's preferences over the preferences of the resident's representative. Provides that a long-term care facility may apply for (rather than the Department shall distribute) civil monetary penalty fund grants, and may request other available federal and State funds to obtain assistive and supportive technologies and related accessories that would facilitate communication between residents and other family members, friends, and external support systems. Provides that the Department (rather than the Department's inspector) shall determine whether a long-term care facility is in compliance with the provisions whenever the Department conducts an annual licensure and certification survey, when a complaint is received, or as frequently as may be necessary (rather than whenever the Department conducts an inspection of a long-term care facility). Provides that a noncompliant long-term care facility shall be liable to pay an administrative penalty as a Type "C" violation. Provides that implementation of an administrative penalty as a Type "C" violation under the provisions shall not be imposed prior to January 1, 2023. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 In provisions amending the Nursing Home Care Act, provides that the social isolation prevention policies adopted by each long-term care facility shall be consistent with the rights and privileges guaranteed to residents and constraints provided under specified provisions of the Nursing Home Care Act. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Adds provisions regarding legislative findings. Replaces references to specified types of equipment with references to assistive and supportive technology and devices. Requires appropriate staff to develop and update an individualized virtual visitation schedule while taking into account the individual's requests and preferences (rather than to assess and regularly reassess the individual needs and preferences of facility residents). Requires appropriate staff to develop an individualized virtual visitation schedule (rather than an individualized visitation plan) with specified requirements. Provides that specific protocols and procedures shall be developed to ensure that the quantity of assistive and supportive technology and devices maintained on-site at a facility remains sufficient, at all times, to meet the assessed social and activity needs and preferences of each facility resident. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act. Requires private educational lenders to obtain from the relevant institution of higher education at which the borrower will use the loan proceeds certifications regarding cost, enrollment status of the borrower, and financial assistance available to the borrower. Provides that private educational lenders must file reports with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Student Loan Ombudsman. Provides that loan statements must be provided not less frequently than quarterly. Requires institutions of higher education to certify compliance with provisions of the Act to the Board of Higher Education or Illinois Community College Board as a condition to operate. Defines terms. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Revises a cross-reference to certain certifications required under the Act to be made by an institution of higher education. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Defines the term "annual percentage rate" and requires disclosure of that rate. Provides an exemption from reporting for private educational lenders that fund 10 or fewer educational loans in a calendar year. Adds disclosure requirements for income share agreements.

Creates the Community Emergency Services and Supports Act. Provides that the Act applies to every unit of local government that provides or coordinates ambulance or similar emergency medical response or transportation services for individuals with emergency medical needs. A home rule unit may not respond to or provide services for a mental or behavioral health emergency, or create a transportation plan or other regulation, relating to the provision of mental or behavioral health services in a manner inconsistent with this Act. Provides that one plan shall describe how the EMS Region will provide mobile emergency mental and behavioral health services to individuals who do not present as a threat to the responders, and are not involved in criminal activity at the time of the response. Provides that the plan shall conform to the requirements of the Act and, recognizing the variety of systems, services, and needs across the State, provide the specific requirements and guidance appropriate for that region. Provides that the plan shall be identified as the region's community emergency services and supports plan. Provides that the second plan shall describe the manner and extent to which responders operating under the region's Community Emergency Services and Supports Plan coordinate with law enforcement when responding to individuals who appear to be in a mental or behavioral health emergency while engaged in conduct alleged to constitute a non-violent misdemeanor. Provides that the plan shall be identified as the region's Non-Violent Misdemeanor Coordination Plan. Amends the Emergency Telephone System Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately. Fiscal Note (Dept. of Human Services) The fiscal impact to IDHS to provide for the establishment and oversight on the committees would be minimal. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Community Emergency Services and Support Act. Provides that each 9-1-1 call center and provider of emergency services dispatched through a 9-1-1 system must coordinate with the mobile mental and behavioral health services established by the Division of Mental Health of the Department of Human Services so that the following State goals and State prohibitions are met whenever a person interacts with one of these entities for the purpose seeking emergency mental and behavioral health care or when one of these entities recognizes the appropriateness of providing mobile mental or behavioral health care to an individual with whom they have engaged. Provides that the Division of Mental Health is also directed to provide guidance regarding whether and how these entities should coordinate with mobile mental and behavioral health services when responding to individuals who appear to be in a mental or behavioral health emergency while engaged in conduct alleged to constitute a non-violent misdemeanor. Provides that 9-1-1 call centers, emergency services dispatched through 9-1-1 call centers, and the mobile mental and behavioral health service established by the Division of Mental Health must coordinate their services so that certain specified State prohibitions are avoided. Provides that the Division of Mental Health shall establish regional advisory committees in each EMS Region to advise on emergency response systems for mental and behavioral health. Provides that the Act applies to persons of all ages, both children and adults. Provides that the Act does not limit an individual's right to control his or her own medical care. No provision of this Act shall be interpreted in such a way as to limit an individual's right to choose his or her preferred course of care or to reject care. Provides that no provision of this Act shall be interpreted to promote or provide justification for the use of restraints when providing mental or behavioral health care. Amends the Emergency Telephone System Act to make conforming changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 50 ILCS 750/4 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Community Emergency Services and Support Act. Provides that each 9-1-1 call center and provider of emergency services dispatched through a 9-1-1 system must coordinate with the mobile mental and behavioral health services established by the Division of Mental Health of the Department of Human Services so that the following State goals and State prohibitions are met whenever a person interacts with one of these entities for the purpose seeking emergency mental and behavioral health care or when one of these entities recognizes the appropriateness of providing mobile mental or behavioral health care to an individual with whom they have engaged. The Division of Mental Health is also directed to provide guidance regarding whether and how these entities should coordinate with mobile mental and behavioral health services when responding to individuals who appear to be in a mental or behavioral health emergency while engaged in conduct alleged to constitute a non-violent misdemeanor. Provides that 9-1-1 PSAPs, emergency services dispatched through 9-1-1 PSAPs, and the mobile mental and behavioral health service established by the Division of Mental Health must coordinate their services so that the State goals listed in this Section are achieved. Appropriate mobile response service for mental and behavioral health emergencies shall be available regardless of whether the initial contact was with 9-8-8, 9-1-1 or directly with an emergency service dispatched through 9-1-1. Provides that the Division of Mental Health shall establish a Statewide Advisory Committee to review and make recommendations for aspects of coordinating 9-1-1 and the 9-8-8 mobile mental health response system most appropriately addressed on a State level. Provides that the Division of Mental Health shall establish Regional Advisory Committees in each EMS Region to advise on regional issues related to emergency response systems for mental and behavioral health. Provides that the exemptions from civil liability in the Emergency Telephone Systems Act apply to any act or omission in the development, design, installation, operation, maintenance, performance, or provision of service directed by the Act. Provides that the Act applies to persons of all ages, both children and adults. This Act does not limit an individual's right to control his or her own medical care. No provision of this Act shall be interpreted in such a way as to limit an individual's right to choose his or her preferred course of care or to reject care. No provision of this Act shall be interpreted to promote or provide justification for the use of restraints when providing mental or behavioral health care. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Make technical and stylistic changes in the bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1. Adds additional responsibilities for 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point telecommunicators and emergency service providers. Places the applicability and home rule preemption provisions in a separate Section of the bill.

Creates the Illinois Amateur Sports Commission Act. Provides that the purpose of the Commission is to research, study, and to make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly about the promotion, development, expansion, and fostering of amateur sports, amateur sports programs, and amateur sporting events throughout the State. Sets forth the areas of study that the Commission must examine. Sets forth the membership of the Commission. Contains provisions concerning meetings and reporting. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Changes the name of the Illinois Amateur Sports Commission to the Illinois Commission on Amateur Sports. Provides that the purpose of the Commission includes making recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity about the promotion, development, expansion, hosting, and fostering of amateur sports, amateur sports programs, and amateur sporting events and tournaments throughout the State. Provides that the recommendations reported by the Commission shall include, among other objectives, to support and encourage the development of sports tourism. Expands the membership of the Commission to include a representative of the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitor Bureaus or any other similar State-certified entity. Makes conforming changes. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the bill as amended by House Amendment No. 1 with changes. Provides that the Commission shall meet initially within 90 days (rather than 30 days) after the effective date of the Act. Provides that the Commission is dissolved and the Act is repealed on January 1, 2026.

Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning employee rights. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 115 ILCS 5/3 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/21A-5 105 ILCS 5/21A-10 105 ILCS 5/21A-15 105 ILCS 5/21A-20 105 ILCS 5/21A-20.5 new 105 ILCS 5/21A-25 105 ILCS 5/21A-25.5 new 105 ILCS 5/21A-30 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the New Teacher Induction and Mentoring Article of the School Code. Makes changes concerning the development, establishment, implementation, and evaluation of new teacher induction and mentoring programs; program requirements and standards; funding; and the creation of a Teaching Induction and Mentoring Advisory Group. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/2-3.53a 105 ILCS 5/21A-5 105 ILCS 5/21A-10 105 ILCS 5/21A-15 105 ILCS 5/21A-20 105 ILCS 5/21A-20.5 new 105 ILCS 5/21A-25 105 ILCS 5/21A-25.5 new 105 ILCS 5/21A-30 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code to make changes concerning the new principal mentoring program, including changes relating to the establishment of a competitive grant program and approval of eligible entities to provide services to new principals, professional growth, appropriations, required mentoring hours, compensation, contact hours, and a comprehensive evaluation of the program. In provisions relating to the new teacher induction and mentoring program, makes changes concerning the development, establishment, implementation, and evaluation of new teacher induction and mentoring programs; program requirements and standards; funding; and the creation of a Teaching Induction and Mentoring Advisory Group. Effective immediately.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a local health department may investigate a complaint against a facility within the local health department's jurisdiction. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 210 ILCS 45/2-204 from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 4152-204 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. In provisions concerning the Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Board, adds one member representing local health departments who is a nonvoting member. In provisions concerning complaints for violations of the Act or a rule, provides that the Department of Public Health's annual review and report concerning the complaint process must include substantiated complaints that were completed in a specified time frame. Requires the report to be provided to the General Assembly (in addition to the Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Board and the Illinois Long-Term Care Council). Effective immediately.