Amends the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the General Assembly finds it necessary to take measures to increase the amount of cash assistance provided to qualifying Illinoisans under the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD) program to reach a standard compatible with health and well-being. Provides that the amount of AABD aid granted to a person shall be determined by the Department of Human Services in such a manner as to produce assistance payments that bring the person's total monthly income from countable sources, as determined by the Department, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, if applicable, and AABD aid to an amount that is: (i) no less than 85% of the federal poverty level in effect for the month aid is paid, beginning July 1, 2024; (ii) no less than 90% of the federal poverty level in effect for the month aid is paid, beginning July 1, 2025; (iii) no less than 95% of the federal poverty level for the month aid is paid, beginning July 1, 2026; and (iv) no less than 100% of the federal poverty level in effect for the month aid is paid, beginning on and after July 1, 2027. Provides that the amendatory Act shall not result in any reduction in the amount of aid payable to a person determined eligible for aid prior to July 1, 2024. Effective immediately.
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Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to (i) establish a new intervention license category entitled "OPS Harm Reduction Services", (ii) establish standards for entities to become licensed under the OPS Harm Reduction Services category, and (iii) create a licensing application process. Provides that, notwithstanding any other law, ordinance, or regulation, any entity licensed as an OPS Harm Reduction Services provider may operate an overdose prevention site as authorized by the Department. Requires the Department to make a determination as to whether to approve an entity's application for an OPS Harm Reduction Services license within 4 weeks after the date upon which the entity submitted its application to the Department. Requires the Department to help educate local communities and public and private entities about overdose prevention sites and the evidence regarding the benefits of overdose prevention sites. Requires entities approved to operate an overdose prevention site to, at a minimum, provide a hygienic space where participants may consume pre-obtained substances, maintain a supply of naloxone and oxygen on-site, employ staff trained to administer first aid to participants who are experiencing an overdose, provide secure hypodermic needle and syringe disposal services, encourage drug checking or the use of fentanyl test strips, and other services. Requires licensed entities to submit a report to the Department on the number of participants who have received or are receiving services at the overdose prevention site and other matters. Grants immunity from civil or criminal liability to specified persons. Preempts home rule powers.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the credit for ex-felons is renamed the credit for returning citizens. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, if the qualified returning citizen is employed by the taxpayer primarily at a job site in an underserved area, the amount of the credit for the returning citizen is equal to 25% (currently, 5%) of the qualified wages paid by the taxpayer. Provides that the total credit allowed with respect to each qualified returning citizen may not exceed $5,000 (currently, $1,500), except that, if the qualified returning citizen is employed by the taxpayer primarily at a job site in an underserved area, the credit may not exceed $10,000. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Appropriates $20,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security for deposit into the IEMA State Projects Fund for grants and operational expenses associated with the administration of Illinois’ Not-For-Profit Security Grant Program. Effective July 1, 2024.
Creates the Illinois Caregiver Assistance and Resource Portal Act. Requires the Department on Aging, in consultation with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Veterans' Affairs, to be responsible for the creation and maintenance of the Illinois Caregiver Assistance and Resource Portal (Portal). Provides that the Portal shall serve as a centralized and trusted online platform offering a wide range of resources related to caregiving, including, but not limited to: (1) information on State and federal programs, benefits, and resources on caregiving, long-term care, and at-home care for Illinois residents who are 50 years of age or older; (2) educational materials, articles, and videos on caregiving best practices; and (3) accommodations for users with different language preferences, ensuring the information is accessible to diverse audiences. Sets forth additional resources and information that the Portal may feature, such as information on caregiving resources, home and community-based services that support family caregivers, nursing home care, services and programs offered by Area Agencies on Aging, relevant health care and financial assistance programs, and local support group opportunities for caregivers. Requires the Portal to be designed to be user-friendly and accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities and to include features such as search functionality, language accessibility, and compatibility with assistive technologies to ensure that a diverse range of caregivers can use it. Contains provisions concerning required outreach and promotional campaign efforts to raise awareness of the Portal, reporting requirements, and State and federal funding for the Portal. Requires the Portal to be implemented one year after the effective date of the Act. Effective immediately.
Creates the Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit Act. Provides that owners of qualified low-income housing developments are eligible for credits against the taxes imposed by the Illinois Income Tax Act or taxes, penalties, fees, charges, and payments imposed by the Illinois Insurance Code. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Illinois Insurance Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.
Appropriates $578,000 to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority for costs associated with the Creating Healing of Inside Community Educators program at Pinckneyville and Menard Correctional Centers. Effective July 1, 2023.
Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. In provisions concerning the directory of new hires, provides that the definition of "newly hired employee" includes an individual under an independent contractor arrangement. Effective January 1, 2024.
Creates the Ensuring Essential Services Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to ensure the State meets its obligation to provide certain essential services for individuals with developmental disabilities at consistent quality levels in accordance with its waiver agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, all while allocating scarce taxpayer resources. Provides that any contract entered into between the Department of Human Services and an agency shall include a provision assuring the State of the uninterrupted delivery of the contracted-for services. Provides that such assurance shall provide that the agency has entered into a binding labor peace agreement with any labor organization that is the exclusive representative of the agency's frontline and direct support staff or, where no exclusive representation has been established, that the agency has or will enter into an agreement with any labor organization that seeks to become the agency's frontline and direct support staff's exclusive representative. Provides that the assurance shall become a condition of any contract entered into, renewed, or amended on or after the effective date of the Act. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to, no later than 90 days after the effective date of the Act, apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a waiver or State Plan amendment to allow implementation of the contracting requirements. Requires the Department of Human Services, no later than 60 days after the effective date of the Act, to adopt rules implementing the requirements of the Act. Contains provisions on contract requirements for Department of Human Services' contracts; enforcement of contractual assurances; remedial actions for noncompliance; and other matters. Effective June 1, 2023.
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to by rule implement a methodology to reimburse hospitals for inpatient stays extended beyond medical necessity due to the inability of the Department, the managed care organization (MCO) in which a medical assistance recipient is enrolled in, or the hospital discharge planner to find an appropriate placement after discharge from the hospital to the next level of care. Requires the Department to by rule implement a methodology effective for dates of service January 1, 2025 and later to reimburse hospitals for emergency department stays extended beyond medical necessity due to the inability of the Department, the MCO, or the hospital discharge planner to find an appropriate placement after discharge from the hospital setting to the next appropriate level of care. Provides that both methodologies shall provide reasonable compensation for the services provided attributable to the hours of the extended stay for which the prevailing rate methodology provides no reimbursement. Contains provisions concerning the rate for inpatient days of care; hourly rates of reimbursement for emergency department stays; a prohibition on MCOs restricting coverage due to delays caused by the Department or the MCOs in completing the pre-admission screening and resident review process; a prohibition on MCOs imposing authorization or documentation requirements and other conditions of reimbursement that are more restrictive than standards under the fee-for-service medical assistance program; sanctions on MCOs for noncompliance; and administrative rules. Effective immediately.