Rep. Harry Benton

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that the Department of Central Management Services, in consultation with the Chief Procurement Officer, shall implement and develop a program to establish a State prescription generic drug label for the purpose of increasing competition in the generic drug market and lowering generic drug prices for all purchasers. Provides the label shall include a list of the 100 most commonly prescribed drugs. Provides that the Department shall contract with one or more generic drug manufacturers to manufacture certain generic drugs on behalf of the State and participating entities. Provides for the adoption of rules.

Honors and thanks State Representative Frances Ann Hurley for her years of dedicated service. Wishes her the best on her future success.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish the Small Business Emergency Loan Program. Provides that, from funds made available to the Department from the State Small Business Credit Initiative Fund, the Department shall offer low-interest loans of up to $50,000 to eligible small businesses for working capital, with at least 50% of loan proceeds to be applied for specified purposes. Provides that borrower eligibility and loan terms under the Program shall be as prescribed by the Department. Provides for the adoption of rules. Amends the Build Illinois Act to make conforming changes.

Congratulates Iron Workers Local 380 of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers Union on its 100th anniversary. Thanks the union and its members for their invaluable work to make Illinois a leading state for world-class infrastructure and recognizes that the members are the working people who conduct the manual labor stemming from 30% of planned Rebuild Illinois state program distribution spending.

Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Provides that an applicant for licensure by examination who has not yet passed the licensure examination for professional nursing approved by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may obtain employment as an exam-pending (and license-pending) registered nurse and may practice under the direction of a registered professional nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse until passage of the examination.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, provides that, for taxable years 2024 and thereafter, the maximum income limitation is $85,000 (currently, $65,000). Effective immediately.