Sen. Celina Villanueva

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that, if a quorum of the members of the public body is physically present, a majority of the public body may allow a member of that body to attend the meeting by other means if the member is prevented from physically attending because of performance of active military duty as a service member. Defines "active military duty" and "service member". Effective immediately.

Congratulates the Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services (LARES) program of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) on achieving its 50th anniversary. Thanks the program's staff for increasing the number of Latino college graduates in the State of Illinois through its intentional recruitment, retention initiatives, and programming.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Provides that the State Treasurer may establish and administer a non-profit investment pool and an electronic payment processing program to supplement and enhance investment opportunities and secure electronic payment options otherwise available to not-for-profit corporations in the State. Provides that the Treasurer may receive funds paid into the pool for the purpose of holding and investing those funds. Provides for surety bonds payable to not-for-profit corporations who participate in the pool. Provides that the Treasurer shall adopt rules for the efficient administration of the pool.

Amends the Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to implement the federal Family Violence Option created by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, P.L. 104-193, and other specified federal provisions that permit state agencies to waive TANF work and self-sufficiency requirements for individuals who are the victims of domestic or sexual violence. Contains provisions on how individuals may apply for a "good cause" waiver of TANF requirements due to domestic or sexual violence, including, provisions concerning required documentation or third-party verification to support a good cause waiver claim; and the option to self-attest to a claim of domestic or sexual violence in support of a good cause waiver claim. Contains provisions on notification requirements imposed on the Department; crisis assistance funding; rulemaking; and data reporting requirements.

Creates the Court Access, Safety, and Participation Act. Makes legislative findings concerning access to the courts. Creates a privilege from civil arrest for a person who in good faith is attending a State court proceeding or who is going to, remaining at, or returning from the place of the court proceeding. Provides that a person who violates provisions of the Act is liable for civil damages for false imprisonment, including actual damages and statutory damages of $10,000, if that person knew or reasonably should have known that the person arrested is a person duly and in good faith attending a State court proceeding in which the person is a party, a witness, a potential witness, or a court companion of a party, witness, or potential witness while going to, remaining at, and returning from the court proceeding. Authorizes a court to grant any equitable or declaratory relief it deems appropriate and just. Prohibits an action from being commenced under the Act against the Illinois court system or any Illinois court system personnel acting lawfully under duty to maintain safety and order in the courts. Provides that nothing in the Act affects any right or defense of any person, police officer, peace officer or public officer, or any Illinois court system personnel acting lawfully under their duty to maintain safety and order in the courts. Makes other changes. Specifies that the provisions of the Act are severable. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the date corresponding with the second new moon following the winter solstice, or the third new moon following the winter solstice should an intercalary month intervene, is a holiday to be observed throughout the State and to be known as the Lunar New Year. Provides that, when the Lunar New Year falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday shall be held and considered the holiday. Amends the Election Code, the Illinois Procurement Code, the School Code, and the Promissory Note and Bank Holiday Act to include the Lunar New Year as a holiday.

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Keeping Sex Workers Safe Act. Creates the Sex Workers' Bill of Rights Act. Provides that sex workers shall not be subject to criminal prosecution for engaging in consensual sex work. Provides that law enforcement agencies are prohibited from arresting, charging, or prosecuting individuals solely for performing or engaging in sex work. Provides that sex workers, whether employed, contracted, or self-employed, shall be afforded the same rights and protections as other workers under Illinois law, including, but not limited to: (1) minimum wage and hour protections; (2) protection against discrimination, harassment, and unsafe working conditions; (3) access to workers' compensation and health benefits if applicable; and (4) protection of privacy and freedom from surveillance. Provides that employers, clients, or those benefiting from the services of sex workers must ensure safe working conditions, including protection from violence, exploitation, and human trafficking. Provides that sex workers operating as independent contractors shall be treated as legitimate sole proprietors or businesses under Illinois law. Provides that sex workers have the right to control their work, negotiate fair contracts, and receive payment for their services without interference or exploitation. Provides that sex workers shall not be discriminated against in access to housing, public services, financial services, or healthcare based on their occupation. Provides that all laws protecting workers from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics shall apply equally to sex workers. Defines "sex work" and "sex worker". Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Repeals the offenses of prostitution and patronizing a prostitute. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 360 is a commemorative resolution that officially mourns the death of May Young Chin. It serves to acknowledge her passing.

Amends the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each public institution of higher education with student health services shall provide enrolled students with access to health care professionals authorized under State law to prescribe contraception. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, if the public institution of higher education's student health services includes a pharmacy, the pharmacy on campus shall dispense contraception to enrolled students who wish to fill their prescriptions at the university pharmacy. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each public institution of higher education with student health services shall provide enrolled students with access to health care professionals authorized under State law to prescribe medication abortion. Provides that a public institution of higher education that dispenses medication abortion from the university pharmacy shall enter into a referral agreement with a tertiary care facility with obstetrics and gynecological services in the event of complication from medication abortion or suspected complicated pregnancy prior to dispensing medication abortion. Requires each public institution of higher education to report annually to the Board of Higher Education that policies under the provisions have been adopted. Requires the Board to post to its website annually each public institution of higher education's compliance with the policies under the provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that a distressed location project that is located within a distressed community shall be eligible for assistance of up to 100% for the acquisition of open space lands and for capital development and improvement proposals that are in conformity with the purposes of the Act. Specifies that a project that is located within a distressed community, regardless of whether the project is located within a distressed location, is eligible for assistance up to 90% for the acquisition of open space lands and for capital development and improvement proposals that are in conformity with the purposes of the Act. Provides that a distressed location project that is not located in a distressed community shall be eligible for assistance of up to 75% for the acquisition of open space lands and for capital development and improvement proposals that are in conformity with the purposes of the Act. Directs the Department of Natural Resources to prioritize the making of grants under the Act for projects that are located in distressed locations and distressed communities. Sets limits on the appropriated amounts that may be used for grants to distressed communities and distressed locations. Repeals a provision that required the Department of Natural Resources to prepare a Distressed Local Government Report. Repeals provisions that define terms. Adds other definitions. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Grants emergency rulemaking powers to the Department of Natural Resources.