Sen. Celina Villanueva

Amends the Downstate Teachers and State Universities Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires an employer to make an additional employer contribution for a participant whose earnings for any academic year used to determine the final rate of earnings exceed the amount of his or her earnings with the same employer for the previous academic year by more than 6% (instead of 3%). Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Proposes to amend the Revenue Article of the Illinois Constitution. Removes a provision that provides that a tax on income shall be measured at a non-graduated rate. Provides that there may be one tax on the income of individuals and corporations (currently, there may be no more than one income tax imposed on individuals and one income tax imposed on corporations, and the rate of tax imposed upon corporations shall not exceed the rate imposed on individuals by more than a ratio of 8 to 5). Provides that the income tax may be a fair tax where lower rates apply to lower income levels and higher rates apply to higher income levels. Provides that no government other than the State may impose a tax on or measured by income. Effective upon being declared adopted. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the resolved clause. Proposes to amend the Revenue Article of the Illinois Constitution. Removes a provision that provides that a tax on income shall be measured at a non-graduated rate. Provides that the General Assembly shall provide by law for the rate or rates of any tax on or measured by income imposed by the State. Provides that the highest rate imposed on corporations may not exceed the highest rate imposed on individuals by more than a ratio of 8 to 5. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Urges the Illinois Senate and the Illinois House of Representatives to create a joint legislative cancer caucus, to be known as the Illinois Legislative Cancer Caucus, to provide a forum for discussing and evaluating public policies affecting cancer research, treatment, education, and prevention efforts.

Declares March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 as "Cesar Chavez Day in Illinois".

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides for a credit against withholding taxes in an amount equal to 25% of the wages or salary paid by a private employer to an Illinois employee while the employee is on organ donation leave if the employer grants all of its employees the option of taking a paid leave of absence of at least 30 days for the purpose of serving as an organ donor or bone marrow donor. Provides that the credit may not exceed $20,833.33 for each employee who takes organ donation leave. Provides that such a leave of absence must be taken without loss of pay, vacation time, compensatory time, personal days, or sick time for at least the first 30 days of the leave of absence. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Makes changes to the introduced bill to require the employer to provide medical documentation and documentation of the employer's organ donation leave policy to the Department of Revenue and to require the employee to allow medical records to be disclosed to the Department of Revenue. Provides that, if the leave taken spans into a second tax year, the employer qualifies for the credit in the later of the 2 years. Provides that the credit may be carried forward. Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Makes changes to update the statutory base. Reinserts the provisions of the bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 2, but provides that the credit may not exceed $1,000 in withholdings for each employee (in Senate Amendment No. 2, $20,833.33). Provides that the credit applies for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2020. Effective immediately.

Creates the Employee Background Fairness Act. Provides that an employer may not refuse to hire an individual and may not discharge an individual because of the individual's criminal history unless the individual has one or more convictions and there is a direct relationship between one of more of an individual's convictions and the specific employment sought. Prohibits retaliation for exercising rights under the Act. Provides that an individual denied or discharged from employment because of his or her criminal history in violation of the Act may recover from the employer in a civil action: (1) damages in the amount of $2,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater; (2) costs and reasonable attorney's fees as allowed by the court; and (3) any other appropriate relief, including punitive damages. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Calls on the 116th United States Congress to pass the Dream Act.

Amends the Illinois Freedom to Work Act. Expands the scope of the Act to apply to all employees (rather than only low-wage employees). Prohibits all covenants not to compete. Effective immediately. Fiscal Note (Dept of Labor) This legislation has no fiscal impact on the Department. State Mandates Fiscal Note (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not create a State mandate.

Amends the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Minors and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Persons under 21 Years of Age and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products Act. Prohibits the sale or furnishing of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or alternative nicotine products to a person under 21 years of age. Prohibits the purchase of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or alternative nicotine products by a person under 21 years of age. Makes changes regarding definitions, age verification, penalties, possession, and other matters. Repeals the Smokeless Tobacco Limitation Act. Amends other Acts to make conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2019. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Makes technical changes.

Declares April 2, 2019 as Pay Equity Day.