Amends the Governor Transition Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the orderly transition of the office of Governor.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to conduct and regularly update a study on the early childhood workforce at least once every 3 years. Provides that the study shall: (i) describe the professional development system for the early childhood workforce and characteristics of the workforce; (ii) determine compensation levels that are sufficient to attract, support, and retain a workforce of high-quality child care providers; (iii) make recommendations to help create an accessible and well-supported career advancement pathway and estimate the providers' costs of implementing training and professional development, including the compensation levels identified in item (ii); and (iv) describe how the Department can set provider payment rates sufficient to allow providers to achieve the compensation levels. Provides that the Department shall conduct the study required by carrying out a cost of quality study or survey that the Department is currently conducting, as a requirement of its State plan under a specified provision of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, and utilize the information to set base payment rates.
Creates the Geolocation Privacy Protection Act. Defines "geolocation information", "location-based application", and "private entity". Provides that a private entity may not collect, use, store, or disclose geolocation information from a location-based application on a person's device unless the private entity first receives the person's affirmative express consent after complying with specified notice requirements. Provides exceptions. Provides that a person whose rights are violated may recover: (1) liquidated damages of $1,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater; (2) reasonable attorney's fees and costs; and (3) other relief, including an injunction, as the court may deem appropriate. Provides that authority to seek remedies and impose penalties granted to the Attorney General under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act is also granted to the Attorney General for the enforcement of the Geolocation Privacy Protection Act. Provides that in any action brought by the Attorney General to enforce the Act, the court may order that persons who incurred actual damages be awarded 3 times the amount at which actual damages are assessed. Provides that a violation of the Act constitutes an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that the provisions of the Act may not be waived. Contains applicability language. Makes a corresponding change in the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Effective immediately.
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.
Mourns the death of Barbara Kaye Barlow.
Creates the Network Adequacy and Transparency Act. Provides that administrators and insurers, prior to going to market, must file with the Department of Insurance for review and approval a description of the services to be offered through a network plan, with certain criteria included in the description. Provides that the network plan shall demonstrate to the Department, prior to approval, a minimum ratio of full-time equivalent providers to plan beneficiaries and maximum travel and distance standards for plan beneficiaries, which shall be established annually by the Department based upon specified sources. Provides that the Department shall conduct quarterly audits of network plans to verify compliance with network adequacy standards. Establishes certain notice requirements. Provides that a network plan shall provide for continuity of care for its beneficiaries under certain circumstances and according to certain requirements. Provides that a network plan shall post electronically a current and accurate provider directory and make available in print, upon request, a provider directory subject to certain specifications. Provides that the Department is granted specific authority to issue a cease and desist order against, fine, or otherwise penalize any insurer or administrator for violations of any provision of the Act. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2018.
Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Contains provisions concerning the establishment of various programs and services for the benefit of veterans including a proactive outreach program for veterans that served in high casualty units, in units that experienced high conflict areas, and in units where at least one service member committed suicide following his or her service; a public awareness campaign concerning the trauma and internal injuries suffered by veterans; specified training concerning mental health services for employees of veterans service organizations, Veterans Assistance Commissions, and veterans' service associations; educational success programs for veterans experiencing specified difficulties in higher education; a family preparation course for the families of returning veterans; a licensing program for therapy dogs for veterans; a transition program for returning veterans that reside in the State; a system that allows veterans to file a specified federal form immediately upon discharge; creation of an employer training program; and a standard statewide peer-to-peer training program to familiarize veterans with the veterans' services available at the local, State, and federal levels. Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to adopt any rules necessary to implement these provisions.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a Section of the Code that provides for an abatement of unpaid taxes and existing liens for certain property that is acquired by a unit of local government also applies to forest preserve districts (now, counties, municipalities, school districts, and park districts only).
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Adds families that are not recipients of benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and that need child care assistance to participate in education and training activities to the list of family categories that are covered under the child care assistance program. Deletes a provision: requiring the Department of Human Services to allocate $7,500,000 annually for a test program for families that are income-eligible for child care assistance, are not recipients of TANF, and need child care assistance to participate in education and training activities; and requiring the Department to specify the conditions of eligibility for the test program. Effective July 1, 2017.
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.
