Sen. Emil Jones

Amends the Telehealth Act. Adds acupuncturist to providers included in the meaning of "health care professional". Amends the Acupuncture Practice Act. Provides that the standard of care for a patient under the Act shall be the same whether a patient is seen in person, through telemedicine, or through another method of electronically-enabled health care. Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, by rule, to determine the appropriate acupuncture services allowed via telemedicine in consultation with the Board of Acupuncture. Provides that a person who engages in the practice of telemedicine without a license issued under the Act shall be subject to the penalties provided in the Act. Provides that, if the Department has reason to believe that a person has violated the provisions regarding telemedicine, the Department may issue a rule to show cause stating the reasons why an order to cease and desist should not be entered against the person. Provides that the rule shall clearly set forth the grounds relied upon by the Department and shall provide the person with a period of 7 days after the date of the rule to file an answer to the satisfaction of the Department. Provides that failure to answer to the satisfaction of the Department shall cause an order to cease and desist to be issued immediately. Provides that a person residing out-of-state that provides services through telemedicine to a patient residing in the State submits himself or herself to the jurisdiction of the Department and the courts of the State.

Amends the Transportation Network Providers Act. Provides that if a transportation network company (TNC) rejects an individual applying to be a TNC driver, the TNC shall describe to the applicant, in writing, the reasons for their rejection along with documentation confirming that the applicant maintains one of the disqualifying conditions. Provides that every TNC driver has a right to inspect, copy, and receive copies of the specified documents, with exceptions. Provides that within 24 hours of each trip completion, the TNC must transmit a detailed electronic receipt to the TNC driver. Provides that each week, a TNC must transmit a weekly summary to a driver in writing or electronically containing certain information for the preceding calendar week. Requires a TNC to maintain a written plain-language deactivation policy that provides the policies and procedures for deactivation. Prohibits a TNC from deactivating a TNC driver for: (1) a violation not reasonably understood as part of a TNC's written deactivation policy; (2) a driver's ability to work a minimum number of hours; (3) a driver's acceptance or rejection of a ride, as long as the acceptance or rejection is not for a discriminatory purpose; (4) a driver's good faith statement regarding compensation or working conditions made publicly or privately; or (5) a driver asserting the driver's legal rights under any local, State, or federal law. Requires the TNC to provide notice at the time of deactivation or, for deactivations based on serious misconduct, within 3 days of the deactivation. Requires a TNC to adopt policies ensuring complete reimbursement to TNC drivers for any violations of a parking ordinance of a unit of local government. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for a TNC to retaliate through deactivation or in any other manner against a TNC driver for exercising any rights granted under the Act. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1654 corrects a technical error in the short title citation of Illinois' Energy Conservation Act, fixing an extra "and" in the official name. It does not change any policy, regulations, or programs, nor does it directly affect any individuals, businesses, or government operations. This procedural bill only updates how the law is referenced in legal documents. It is currently in early stages, having been filed and referred to committee on February 5, 2025.

Maddy summarySR 76 is a ceremonial Senate resolution mourning the death of Tangie Lutisha Lanagan-Robinson. It honors her life, highlighting her roles as a mother, community supporter, educator, and advocate for those facing health challenges, while extending condolences to her family. The resolution has no policy impact - it serves solely as a formal expression of sympathy from the Illinois Senate. It was adopted by the Senate on February 5, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial memorial resolution (SR 36) passed by the Illinois Senate to honor Carole Jean Kirwan of Ivesdale, who died on January 7, 2025. The resolution expresses the Senate's condolences to her family and community, recognizing her life as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and active member of her church, Women's Club, and local election services. It has no policy impact or effect on laws, as it is purely a formal expression of sympathy. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Senate on January 29, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a memorial resolution (SR 27) honoring Dr. Sheila Trikha Khanna, a rehabilitation physician who passed away on December 12, 2024. The Illinois Senate formally expressed condolences to her family and friends, recognizing her contributions to medicine, her advocacy for patients, and her personal impact on her community. The resolution, adopted on January 29, 2025, serves as a symbolic gesture of respect and mourning, with no policy changes or direct effects on constituents or legislation.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 37) is a ceremonial memorial honoring Leondo Lee Sudduth, a Minnesota resident who died on January 4, 2025. It formally mourns his passing and extends condolences to his family, including his wife Robbin, daughter Taylor, and extended relatives. The resolution has no policy impact - it serves solely to recognize his life and legacy as a community leader, educator, and mentor in Minneapolis. It was adopted by the Illinois Senate on January 29, 2025.

Amends the Clerks of the Court Act. Provides that filing fees for a petition for change name may not exceed $25, and the court may waive this fee for good cause shown. Amends the Name Change Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Deletes the requirement that a petitioner must reside in the State for 6 months before the petitioner may file a petition under the Article. Allows a petitioner to request that the court file be impounded if public disclosure may be a hardship and have a negative impact on the petitioner's health or safety. Allows the petitioner to attach to the statement any supporting documents including relevant court orders. Allows the petitioner to request that his or her address be omitted from court documents if it would put the petitioner or petitioner's family at risk. Repeals the requirements to publish a notice of a petition to change a name.

Creates the Medicaid Expansion of Network Providers for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Task Force Act. Establishes the Medicaid Expansion of Network Providers for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Task Force to develop and propose policies to increase the State's Medicaid provider networks to give Medicaid clients more provider choice for their health care needs. Provides that the Task Force shall work toward creating solutions to streamline the State's Medicaid system, making it more efficient, and making it easier to use while improving the overall quality of care. Contains provisions concerning the Task Force's composition and meetings. Requires the Department of Human Services to provide administrative support to the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to report its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the General Assembly by December 31, 2025. Repeals the Act on July 1, 2026.

Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Kinship in Demand (KIND) Act. Provides that the KIND Act creates the statutory vision and authority for the Department of Children and Family Services to execute a kin-first approach to service delivery and directs the juvenile courts to provide necessary oversight of the Department's obligations to maintain family connections and promote equitable opportunities for youth and families to thrive with relational permanence. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Contains provisions concerning Department rules on relative, kinship, and licensed foster care; grants to subsidized guardians of hard-to-place children; a requirement on the Department to make reasonable efforts to place a child with a relative; documentation of the Department's reasons for failing to secure a relative placement; foster care maintenance payments for relatives who qualify for certification as a kinship caregiver home; subsidized guardianship support services for children and their guardians; certification and background checks on relative caregivers; annual reports regarding relative and kinship care placements; performance audits; and other matters. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Requires the Department to adopt standards for certifying kinship caregiver family homes that are different from licensing standards used for non-relative foster family homes. Contains provisions concerning background screenings of prospective kinship caregivers; a requirement that the Department assist relatives and prospective kinship caregivers with completing the steps required for approval as a kinship caregiver home; orientation activities for prospective kinship caregivers; Guardianship Assistance Program payments and services for relative caregivers; and other matters. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Makes changes to provisions concerning "best interest" determinations; emergency placement of a minor with a willing relative pending a temporary custody hearing; court assessments on the Department's effort to place a minor with a relative; court ordered family-finding efforts; required notification to a minor's located relatives that the minor has been removed from the custody of the minor's parents; and other matters. Effective immediately.