Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins

Amends the School Code. Provides that every school district shall include safe gun storage information in schools' student handbooks. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.83 new 105 ILCS 5/34-18.78 new Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/27-17 from Ch. 122, par. 27-17 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Course of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that the safety education that school boards and other boards may provide instruction in includes safe gun storage.

Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that until June 30, 2024, the service retirement pension of a service retirement pensioner shall not be cancelled if the service retirement pensioner is employed in a subject shortage area and the employer that is employing the service retirement pensioner meets specified requirements. Provides that an employer of a teacher who is unable to continue employment with the employer because of documented illness, injury, or disability that occurred after being hired by the employer is exempt from specified job posting requirements for 90 school days, but must on an ongoing basis comply with those requirements. Provides that the employer must submit documentation of its compliance to the regional superintendent. Provides that upon receiving satisfactory documentation from the employer, the regional superintendent shall certify the employer's compliance with the requirements to the Fund. Makes conforming and other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an insured or any other person who may be the owner of rights under a policy of life insurance may make an irrevocable assignment of all or a part of his or her rights under the policy to a funeral home in accordance with a specified provision of the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. Provides that a policy owner who executes a designation beneficiary form irrevocably waives and cannot exercise certain rights. Amends the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. In a provision concerning pre-need contracts funded through the purchase of a life insurance policy or tax-deferred annuity contract, provides that nothing shall prohibit the purchaser from irrevocably assigning ownership of the policy or annuity to a person or trust or from irrevocably assigning the benefits of the policy or annuity to a funeral home for the purpose of obtaining favorable consideration for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or another public assistance program. Requires the insured or any other person who may be the owner of rights under the policy of whole life insurance to sign a guaranteed pre-need contract with the provider that describes the cost of the goods and services to be provided upon the person's death, up to $6,774, except that any portion of a contract that clearly represents the purchase of burial space is exempt regardless of value. Amends the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision requiring the Department of Human Services to exempt certain prepaid funeral or burial contracts from consideration when making an eligibility determination for medical assistance, provides that at any time after submitting an application for medical assistance and before the Department makes a final determination of eligibility, an applicant may use available resources to purchase one of the exempted prepaid funeral or burial contracts. Exempts up to $6,774 (rather than $5,874) in funds under an irrevocable prepaid funeral or burial contract when determining an individual's resources and eligibility for medical assistance. Contains provisions concerning exemptions; irrevocable designation of beneficiary forms; and other matters. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 215 ILCS 5/245.3 new 225 ILCS 45/2a 225 ILCS 45/2b new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision requiring the Department of Human Services to exempt certain prepaid funeral or burial contracts from consideration when making an eligibility determination for medical assistance, provides that at any time after submitting an application for medical assistance and before a final determination of eligibility has been made by the Department, an applicant may use available resources to purchase one of the exempted prepaid funeral or burial contracts. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 215 ILCS 5/245.3 new 225 ILCS 45/2a 225 ILCS 45/2b new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an insured or any other person who may be the owner of rights under a policy of life insurance may make an irrevocable assignment of all or a part of his or her rights under the policy to a funeral home in accordance with a specified provision of the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. Provides that a policy owner who executes a designation beneficiary form irrevocably waives and cannot exercise certain rights. Amends the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. In a provision concerning pre-need contracts funded through the purchase of a life insurance policy or tax-deferred annuity contract, provides that nothing shall prohibit the purchaser from irrevocably assigning ownership of the policy or annuity to a person or trust or from irrevocably assigning the benefits of the policy or annuity to a funeral home for the purpose of obtaining favorable consideration for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or another public assistance program. Requires the insured or any other person who may be the owner of rights under an existing policy of life insurance to sign a guaranteed pre-need contract with the provider that describes the cost of the funeral goods and services to be provided upon the person's death, up to $7,248, except that any portion of a contract that clearly represents the purchase of burial space, as that term is defined for purposes of the Supplemental Security Income program, is exempt regardless of value. Provides that the form to effectuate the irrevocable assignment and thereby provide for the irrevocable designation of beneficiary of one or more life insurance policies shall be prepared by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services or such form, approved by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, that has been prepared by an insurance company licensed to operate in the State of Illinois. Contains provisions concerning disclosure statements under pre-need contracts with cash advances; the distribution of proceeds under a life insurance policy upon the death of the insured; and other matters. Amends the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that at any time prior to or after submitting an application for medical assistance and before a final determination of eligibility has been made, an applicant may use available resources to purchase one of the prepaid funeral or burial contracts exempted under the Article. Provides that existing life insurance policies are exempt if there has been an irrevocable assignment in compliance with a specified provision under the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. Requires a person to sign a contract with a funeral home, which is licensed under the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act, that describes the cost of the funeral goods and services to be provided upon the person's death, up to $7,248, except that any portion of a contract that clearly represents the purchase of burial space, as that term is defined for purposes of the Supplemental Security Income program, is exempt regardless of value. Provides that the amount shall be adjusted annually for any increase in the Consumer Price Index. Requires the licensed funeral home to which the life insurance policy benefits have been irrevocably assigned to retain copies for inspection by the Comptroller and to report annually to the Comptroller certain information. Provides that certain provisions under the amendatory Act shall be subject to federal approval. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to apply for any necessary federal waivers or approvals to implement certain changes made under the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Equity and Representation in Health Care Act. Contains the findings of the General Assembly. Creates the Equity and Representation in Health Care Workforce Repayment Program and the Equity and Representation in Health Care Workforce Scholarship Program to be administered by the Department of Public Health. Provides that a health care professional, medical facility, or behavioral health provider may apply to the Department for loan repayment assistance under the Program. Provides that, in order to be eligible for loan repayment under the Act, the health care professional or behavioral health provider shall comply with specified requirements. Requires the Department to submit an annual report with specified requirements to the General Assembly and the Governor. Contains provisions regarding the adoption of rules by the Department. Contains other provisions. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that loan repayment and scholarship program funds are subject to appropriation. Provides that an individual who is awarded a loan repayment authorized under the Act shall not receive concurrent loan repayments through any other Illinois or federal loan repayment program. Requires the Department of Public Health to share information about the application process for a scholarship or loan repayment under the Act prominently on the Department's website, as well as with specified Illinois-based health care training programs and institutions of higher education. Requires recipients who fail to meet their obligations to pay to the Department a sum of at least 1.5 times plus 7% interest annually (rather than a sum equal to) the amount of the received moneys. Contains provisions for waiver or deferment of a recipient's obligation under the Act. Provides that the Act is effective January 1, 2023. Makes other changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that a nurse is a "health care professional". Removes language providing that a certified nurse midwife is a "health care professional". Defines "nurse" as a person who is licensed as a licensed practical nurse or as a registered nurse under the Nurse Practice Act.

Amends the Address Confidentiality for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking Act. Renames the Act the Address Confidentiality for Victims of Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, Sexual Assault, or Stalking Act. Defines "human trafficking". Makes the Act's requirements applicable to victims of human trafficking. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 140/7.5 10 ILCS 5/1A-16 10 ILCS 5/19-1 from Ch. 46, par. 19-1 10 ILCS 5/20-3 from Ch. 46, par. 20-3 750 ILCS 61/30 750 ILCS 61/35 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Address Confidentiality for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Address Confidentiality for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking, or Stalking Act. Makes the Act's requirements applicable to victims of human trafficking. Deletes language providing that: a program participant who is otherwise qualified to vote may apply to vote under the Election Code; the program participant shall automatically receive absentee ballots for all elections in the jurisdictions for which that individual resides; and the election authority shall transmit the absentee ballot to the program participant at the address designated by the participant in his or her application. Provides instead that a program participant who is otherwise qualified to vote may register to vote by submitting an Illinois Address Confidentiality Program Voter Registration Application created by the State Board of Elections to the appropriate election authority. Provides that the State Board of Elections (rather than the Attorney General) shall adopt rules to ensure the integrity of the voting process and the confidentiality of the program participant. In a provision regarding when disclosure of an address is prohibited, removes the exception requirement that a certification has been canceled. Exempts a program participant's address and phone number on file with the Attorney General from being disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act. Makes corresponding changes in the Freedom of Information Act and the Election Code. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 140/7.5 10 ILCS 5/1A-16 10 ILCS 5/19-1 from Ch. 46, par. 19-1 10 ILCS 5/20-3 from Ch. 46, par. 20-3 750 ILCS 61/1 750 ILCS 61/5 750 ILCS 61/10 750 ILCS 61/11 750 ILCS 61/15 750 ILCS 61/30 750 ILCS 61/35 750 ILCS 61/40 Adds reference to: 735 ILCS 5/13-207 from Ch. 110, par. 13-207 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. In a provision concerning a counterclaim or set-off, provides that a defendant may plead a set-off or counterclaim barred by the statute of limitation or the statute of repose (rather than only the statute of limitation), while held and owned by him or her, to any action, the cause of which was owned by the plaintiff or person under whom he or she claims, before such set-off or counterclaim was so barred, and not otherwise. Provides that the changes made to this provision apply to claims initiated on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 140/7.5 10 ILCS 5/1A-16 10 ILCS 5/19-1 from Ch. 46, par. 19-1 10 ILCS 5/20-3 from Ch. 46, par. 20-3 750 ILCS 61/1 750 ILCS 61/5 750 ILCS 61/10 750 ILCS 61/11 750 ILCS 61/15 750 ILCS 61/30 750 ILCS 61/35 750 ILCS 61/40 Adds reference to: 735 ILCS 5/13-207 from Ch. 110, par. 13-207 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. In a provision concerning a counterclaim or set-off, provides that a defendant may plead a set-off or counterclaim barred by the statute of limitation or the statute of repose (rather than only the statute of limitation), while held and owned by him or her, to any action, the cause of which was owned by the plaintiff or person under whom he or she claims, before such set-off or counterclaim was so barred, and not otherwise. Provides that the changes made to this provision apply to claims initiated on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act and to claims intentionally filed to preclude a defendant a reasonable opportunity to file a counterclaim within the original limitation period. Effective immediately.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to establish by rule guidelines for required continuing education of all employees who inspect, survey, or evaluate a facility and to offer continuing education opportunities at least quarterly. Provides that the Department shall notify a facility and complainant of its findings regarding a complainant's complaint within 5 calendar days (rather than 10 days) of the determination. Provides that employees of a State or unit of local government agency charged with inspecting, surveying, or evaluating facilities are required to complete at least 10 hours of continuing education annually. Provides that if a facility is found to have violated any provision of the Act or rule adopted under the Act, the facility shall develop a plan of correction to address deficiencies indicated in a statement of deficiency. Requires the Department to approve or deny the plan of correction within 72 hours after receiving the plan of correction. Provides that the Department shall conduct an annual review of all survey activity from the preceding calendar year (rather than conduct an annual review) and make a report including specified information concerning the complaint and survey process. Contains other provisions. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Removes language requiring specified actions to be taken within 7 (rather than 30) days or 5 (rather than 10) days after specified events. Removes language providing that, if a facility is found to have violated any provision of the Act or rule adopted under the Act, the facility shall develop a plan of correction to address deficiencies indicated in a statement of deficiency. Requires the Department of Public Health's annual report to include the total number of times the Department recommended a discretionary denial of payment for new Medicare or Medicaid admissions with a specified effective date and the number of instances in which employees not fully vaccinated against or who tested positive for COVID-19 entered a long-term care facility. Makes other changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Requires the 10 hours of continuing education to include specified topics that support the survey process. Provides that the continuing education is separate from any continuing education required for any license that the employee holds. Requires the Department of Public Health's report to include (i) the breakdown of 24-hour, 7-day, and 30-day complaints, (ii) the average length of tenure for nurse surveyors employed by the Department at the time the report is created, and (iii) the total number of times the Department recommended a discretionary denial of payment for new Medicare or Medicaid admissions and how much time existed between the start of that denial and when the facility was notified. Removes language requiring all of the listed reporting criteria and additional complaint information requested by the Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Board, the Illinois Long-Term Care Council, or the General Assembly to be provided in aggregate and broken down by Office of Health Care Regulation region. Makes other changes. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Provides that at least 5 of the 10 required hours of continuing education shall be separate and distinct from any continuing education hours required for any license that the employee holds. Allows any continuing education hours provided by the Department in addition to the required 10 hours of continuing education to count towards continuing education hours required for any license that the employee holds. Makes changes in the list of items to be included in the Department's annual report. Deletes a provision requiring employees of local agencies that inspect facilities to complete continuing education. Removes language requiring all of the listed reporting criteria and additional complaint information requested by the Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Board, the Illinois Long-Term Care Council, or the General Assembly to be provided in aggregate and broken down by Office of Health Care Regulation region. Makes other changes.

Creates the Real Estate Valuation Task Force Act. Establishes the Real Estate Valuation Task Force. Provides for membership of the Task Force. Provides for Task Force meetings and the selection of a Task Force chair and other officers. Provides that members shall serve without compensation. Provides for administrative and other support of the Task Force. Provides for duties of the Task Force. Provides Task Force reporting requirements. Provides for termination of the Task Force. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2029. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Modifies the membership of and provides for additional members to be appointed to the Real Estate Valuation Task Force. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds an additional member to be appointed to the Real Estate Valuation Tax Force.

Amends the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Act. Provides that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Act, to the extent that there is a conflict between the provisions of Executive Order 2017-1 and the Act, supersedes the Executive Order, and shall be controlling. Provides that the position of State Historian is now an honorary position, and specifies new duties of the honorary State Historian. Transfers previously held duties and requirements of the State Historian under the Act to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and its Executive Director. Removes provision requiring the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation to mutually cooperate to establish a working group for specified purposes. Removes provision allowing the Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to have hiring and appointing power over specified personnel. Repeals the State Historical Library Act. Repeals the Illinois Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission Act. Makes conforming changes concerning the State Historian. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 3475/20 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Act. Provides that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Act, to the extent that there is a conflict between the provisions of Executive Order 2017-1 and the Act, supersedes the Executive Order, and shall be controlling. Provides that the Governor in consultation with the Board of Trustees of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Illinois Historical Society shall appoint the Illinois State Historian (currently, appointed by the Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum). Provides for qualifications and term requirements of the Illinois State Historian. Transfers previously held duties and requirements of the State Historian under the Act to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and its Executive Director. Removes provision requiring the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation to mutually cooperate to establish a working group for specified purposes. Removes provision allowing the Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to have hiring and appointing power over specified personnel. Repeals the State Historical Library Act. Repeals the Illinois Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission Act. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that upon receiving custody or guardianship of a youth in care, and at least annually thereafter, the Department of Children and Family Services shall determine whether the youth may be eligible for Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or Veterans benefits. Provides that if it is determined that the youth may be eligible for benefits, the Department shall ensure that an application is filed on behalf of the youth. Requires the Department to ensure that any youth in care eligible for benefits beyond the age of 18 has a timely application filed. Requires the Department to immediately notify a youth over the age of 16, the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem, and the youth's parent or legal guardian or another responsible adult of: (1) any application for or any application to become representative payee for benefits on behalf of a youth in care; (2) any decisions or communications from the Social Security Administration or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regarding an application for benefits or for representative payee status; and (3) any appeal or other action requested by the Department regarding an application for benefits. Requires the Department to ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee or fiduciary, a minimum percentage of the youth's benefits are conserved in a way that avoids violating any federal asset or resource limits that would affect the youth's eligibility to receive the benefits, including, but not limited to, establishing for the youth a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) Account; an ABLE account, a Social Security Plan to Achieve Self-Support account, or other specified savings accounts. Contains provisions concerning annual accounting reports to a youth's attorney and guardian ad litem of how a youth's benefits have been used and conserved; financial literacy training and support for youth in care; the adoption of rules; reporting requirements for the Department; and other matters. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that upon receiving temporary custody or guardianship of a youth in care, the Department of Children and Family Services shall assess the youth to determine whether the youth may be eligible for Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans benefits, or Railroad Retirement benefits. Provides that if, after the assessment, the Department determines that the youth may be eligible for such benefits, the Department shall ensure that an application is filed on behalf of the youth. Requires the Department to prescribe by rule how it will review cases of youth in care at regular intervals to determine whether the youth may have become eligible for benefits after the initial assessment. Provides that the Department shall make reasonable efforts to encourage youth in care over the age of 18 who are likely eligible for benefits to cooperate with the application process and to assist youth with the application process. Provides that when applying for benefits, the Department shall identify a representative payee in accordance with specified federal requirements. Requires the Department to immediately notify a youth over the age of 16, the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem, and the youth's parent or legal guardian or another responsible adult of: (1) any application for or any application to become representative payee for benefits on behalf of a youth in care; (2) any communications from the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Railroad Retirement Board pertaining to the acceptance or denial of benefits or the selection of a representative payee; and (3) any appeal or other action requested by the Department regarding an application for benefits. Provides that when the Department serves as the representative payee for a youth receiving benefits, the Department shall: (i) beginning January 1, 2023, ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee, a minimum percentage of the youth's Supplemental Security Income benefits are conserved as specified under the amendatory Act; (2) beginning January 1, 2024, ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee a minimum percentage of the youth's Social Security benefits, Veterans benefits, or Railroad Retirement benefits are conserved as specified under the amendatory Act; (3) appropriately monitor any federal asset or resource limits for the benefits and ensure that the youth's best interest is served by using or conserving the benefits in a way that avoids violating any federal asset or resource limits that would affect the youth's eligibility to receive the benefits; and other matters. Contains provisions concerning annual accounting reports to a youth's attorney and guardian ad litem on how a youth's benefits have been used and conserved; financial literacy training and support for youth in care; the adoption of rules; reporting requirements for the Department; and other matters. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act. Creates the ICJIA Violence Reduction Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used for grants by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority to community-based organizations whose primary purpose is violence reduction in disproportionately impacted areas. Provides that the moneys in the Fund shall also be used by the Authority for operational and grant program purposes. Provides eligibility requirements for receiving grant funds. Provides that grants shall be subject to the requirements of the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Requires the Authority to adopt rules to implement the grant program. Amends the State Finance Act to provide for the ICJIA Violence Reduction Fund. Defines terms. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 3930/10.3 new 30 ILCS 105/5.935 new Adds reference to: 10 ILCS 5/1-21 new 10 ILCS 5/9-8.5 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Election Code. Creates the Public Financing of Judicial Elections Task Force. Sets forth the membership of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall study the feasibility of implementing a system of campaign finance that would allow public funds to be used to subsidize campaigns for candidates for judicial office in exchange for voluntary adherence by those campaigns to specified expenditure limitations. Provides that a political committee that is self-funding and is established to support or oppose a candidate for the Supreme Court, the Appellate Court, or the Circuit Court may not accept contributions from any single person, other than the judicial candidate or the candidate's immediate family, in a cumulative amount that exceeds $500,000 in any election cycle. Provides that an independent expenditure committee established to support or oppose a candidate for the Supreme Court, the Appellate Court, or the Circuit Court may not accept contributions from any single source that exceed $500,000 in any election cycle. Provides that certain contributions to political committees from committees, associations, or other entities that are not required to disclose their contributors are considered anonymous donations, unless the political committee reports to the State Board of Elections all persons who have contributed in excess of $500 during the same election cycle to the committee, association, or other organization or group making the contribution. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces a reference to the term "source" with the term "person".