Rep. Harry Benton

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for individual taxpayers who participate in an apprenticeship program during the taxable year. Provides that the credit is equal to the unreimbursed expenses incurred by the taxpayer to purchase equipment that is necessary for participation in the apprenticeship program, not to exceed $1,000 per taxpayer. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the registration fee paid by any vehicle owner 65 years of age or older, or a spouse of such person, shall be $10 instead of the fee otherwise provided in the Code for specified vehicles.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that a person shall not distribute, or enter into an agreement with another person to distribute, materially deceptive media if: (1) the person knows the media falsely represents a depicted individual; (2) the distribution occurs within 90 days before an election; (3) the person intends the distribution to harm the reputation or electoral prospects of a candidate in an election and the distribution is reasonably likely to cause that result; and (4) the person intends the distribution to change the voting behavior of electors in an election by deceiving the electors into incorrectly believing that the depicted individual in fact engaged in the speech or conduct depicted, and the distribution is reasonably likely to cause that result. Sets forth exceptions to the provision and penalties for violations of the provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 shall provide coverage for continuous glucose monitors, related supplies, and training in the use of continuous glucose monitors for any individual who is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and meets other requirements, including that the prescriber had an in-person or covered telehealth visit with the individual to evaluate the individual's diabetes control and has determined that the eligibility criteria is met. Provides that to qualify for a continuous glucose monitor, a patient is not required to have a diagnosis of uncontrolled diabetes; have a history of emergency room visits or hospitalizations; or show improved glycemic control. Provides that an individual who is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and meets the requirements shall not be required to obtain prior authorization for coverage for a continuous glucose monitor, and coverage shall be continuous once the continuous glucose monitor is prescribed. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall adopt rules to implement the changes made by the amendatory Act. Specifies that the rules shall, at a minimum contain certain provisions concerning the ordering provider, continuous glucose monitors not being required to have certain functionalities, eligibility requirements for a beneficiary, and not requiring prior authorization. Effective July 1, 2024.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that "State-regulated health plan" means any health insurance plan issued by an insurer regulated by the State or health insurance plan operated and administered by the State, including, but not limited to, the medical assistance program under the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code, fee-for-service plans, and managed care organizations. Provides that for every State-regulated health plan, an information packet on all insurance products offered to enrollees must be made available to the public, which must be viewable before choosing a health plan, that includes specified information concerning the plan's drug formulary and the costs for drugs. Provides that the information packet must be made available both online in any patient portal and in a printed format. Provides that the information packet must be updated within 7 days after any change to the drug formulary, and notice of the change to the drug formulary and change to drug costs must be sent to beneficiaries by mail or electronically.

Appropriates $2,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Transportation for the Statewide Railway Program for salaries and other expenses related to adding the professional staff in the rail division of the Office of Intermodal Project Implementation. Effective July 1, 2024.

Appropriates $52,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for financial assistance and administrative costs associated with the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Act. Appropriates $4,000,00 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Board of Higher Education for financial assistance and for administrative costs associated with implementation of the Act. Appropriates $4,000,00 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Community College Board for financial assistance and for administrative costs associated with implementation of the Act. Effective July 1, 2024.

Declares April 2024 as Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month in the State of Illinois to help increase public awareness of the need to support individuals with autism and the family members, medical professionals, and human services professionals who help care for individuals with autism.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, for taxable years ending before December 31, 2028 (currently, December 31, 2023), when calculating the standard exemption, the basic amount shall be $2,050 plus a specified cost-of-living adjustment. Effective immediately.

Congratulates Joseph L. "Joe" Belman on his 100th birthday. Thanks him for his military service to the United States of America. Recognizes his century-long journey and his enduring impact on workers' rights advocacy and mentorship in youth development.