Sen. Martin A. Sandoval

Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Prohibits an employer from: (i) screening job applicants based on their wage or salary history, (ii) requiring that an applicant's prior wages satisfy minimum or maximum criteria, and (iii) requesting or requiring as a condition of being interviewed or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment that an applicant disclose prior wages or salary. Prohibits an employer from seeking the salary, including benefits or other compensation or salary history, of a job applicant from any current or former employer. Limits defenses. Provides for penalties and injunctive relief.

Amends the Governor Transition Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the orderly transition of the office of Governor.

Amends the Unclaimed Life Insurance Benefits Act. Provides that "policy" includes a policy that has lapsed or been terminated. Requires insurers to, at no later than the date of policy delivery or the establishment of an account, and upon any change of insured or beneficiary, request information sufficient to ensure that all benefits or proceeds are distributed to the appropriate persons upon the death of the insured. Allows insurers to contact insureds in certain circumstances for the information. Provides that the Act applies to policies, annuity contracts, and retained asset accounts in force at any time on or after January 1, 1996 (rather than on or after the effective date of the Act). Provides that the Act does not apply to a lapsed or terminated policy with no benefits payable that was compared against the Death Master File within the 18 months following the date of the lapse or termination of the applicable policy. Amends the Vital Records Act. Provides that any information contained in the vital records shall be made available at no cost to the State Treasurer for purposes related to the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act. Amends the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act. Removes provisions concerning certain fees and charges for unclaimed property. Provides that no person or company shall be entitled to a fee for discovering presumptively unclaimed property during the period beginning on the date the property was presumed abandoned and ending 24 months after the payment or delivery of the property to the State Treasurer (rather than until it has been in the custody of the State Treasurer for at least 24 months). Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that a county board of any county, any township, or any municipality may use motor fuel tax funds allotted to it for the operation costs of any public transportation service, for capital improvements designed to improve or enhance pedestrian, bicycle, or transit mobility, or for infrastructure used to support publicly or privately owned electric vehicles.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to identify and flag all college students who are potentially eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Provides that the factors to be used to determine potential SNAP eligibility shall be prescribed by the Department of Human Services by rule, but at a minimum the Department shall consider income information reported on a college student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Requires ISAC to develop a notice available electronically to institutions of higher education that includes, at a minimum, college student SNAP eligibility criteria, the Application for Benefits Eligibility's website address, and the Illinois Hunger Coalition's Hunger Hotline. Requires Illinois institutions of higher education that participate in the Monetary Award Program to provide the notice in writing to all students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment and are identified by ISAC as potentially SNAP eligible and, if possible, to designate a public benefits liaison or single point person to assist students in taking the necessary steps to obtain public benefits if eligible. Contains provisions concerning: SNAP Employment and Training program requirements; protocols to identify and verify all potential exemptions to an eligibility rule described in a specified federal regulation and to identify and verify a student's participation in educational programs; and other matters. Requires the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement specified provisions on or before October 1, 2017. Effective immediately.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Extends the repeal date of the Acupuncture Practice Act from January 1, 2018 to January 1, 2028. Amends the Acupuncture Practice Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine Practice Act. Allows for the practice of East Asian medicine. Makes changes to the definition of "acupuncture" and "acupuncturist". Defines "East Asian medicine". Removes the definition of "referral by written orders". Removes language allowing a physician or a dentist to refer by written order a patient to an acupuncturist and maintain management of the patient. Adds provisions concerning guest practitioners of acupuncture and East Asian medicine. Changes the name of the Board of Acupuncture to the Board of Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine and allows licensed practitioners of East Asian medicine to be members of the Board. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall issue a license to an applicant that submits proof of a demonstration of status as a Diplomate of Acupuncture or Diplomate of Oriental Medicine with the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine or an equivalent credential approved by the Department (rather than passing the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine examination or an equivalent examination). Makes changes in provisions concerning titles and designations that can be used by those licensed under the Act. Makes conforming changes in the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act, the Tattoo and Body Piercing Establishment Registration Act, and the Professional Service Corporation Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Railroad Supplier Diversity Act. Defines terms. Provides that each Class I railroad company shall, no later than April 15 of each year, submit to the Illinois Commerce Commission an annual report containing certain information concerning procurement goals and spending for female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and small business enterprises. Provides that the reports shall be submitted in the form and manner required by the Commission. Provides that the Commission and each railroad company subject to the Act shall hold an annual workshop open to the public on the state of supplier diversity.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides an exception for a law enforcement officer or an operator of an authorized emergency vehicle performing his or her official duties to a provision prohibiting a person from leaving a vehicle unattended without first stopping the engine and removing the key from the ignition. Provides that an unattended vehicle shall not include an unattended locked motor vehicle with the engine running after being started by a remote starter system. Defines "remote starter system". Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that each rail carrier that contracts with a contract carrier for the transportation of its employees in the course of their employment shall verify that the contract carrier has hit and run, uninsured, and underinsured motor vehicle coverage in an amount not less than $500,000 per passenger.

Amends the Motor Vehicle Franchise Act. Provides additional findings that the regulation of motor vehicle manufacturers creates a system for servicing vehicles and complying with warranties. Provides that paying manufacturer's and distributor's fees under the Illinois Vehicle Code constitutes agreement with the terms of the Motor Vehicle Franchise Act. Limits the ability of a manufacturer to penalize a dealer if a customer resells or exports a vehicle. Limits a manufacturer from requiring dealer improvements or requiring that dealers use specific vendors for improvements. Effective immediately.