Sen. Willie Preston

Recognizes the accomplishments of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, also known as the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, in increasing opportunities for women and girls in all facets of education. Recognizes the magnificent accomplishments of women and girls in sports, as well as the need to continue pursuing the goal of Title IX.

Creates the Task Force on Black Immigrants to study the state of Black immigrants in Illinois and provide recommendations on how to assist them.

Appropriates $30,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the Chicago Park District for costs associated with capital improvements for Ogden Park. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act. Provides that the State Board shall require each health care facility to submit an annual report of all capital expenditures (previously in excess of 200,000). Provides that if a hospital reports zero capital expenditures, a section detailing the hospital's total purchasing budget that encompasses all goods and services purchased by the hospital in the preceding fiscal year must still be included in the report.

Creates the Paid Family Leave Insurance Program Act. Requires the Department of Employment Security to establish and administer a Family Leave Insurance Program that provides family leave insurance benefits to eligible employees. Sets forth eligibility requirements for benefits under the Act. Provides that a self-employed individual may elect to be covered under the Act. Contains provisions concerning disqualification from benefits; compensation for family leave; the amount and duration of benefits; employer equivalent plans; an annual report by the Department; hearings; penalties; notice; the coordination of family leave; and rules. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the State Benefits Fund. Effective immediately, except that provisions concerning the State Benefits Fund take effect June 1, 2024 and provisions concerning the amount and duration of paid family leave take effect June 1, 2025.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that for community-based providers serving persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2024 shall be increased sufficiently to: (i) provide a minimum $4.00 per hour wage increase over the wages in for front-line personnel; and (ii) provide wages for all other residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding direct support personnel, at the U.S. Department of Labor's average wage as defined in by the Department of Human Services. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that for ID/DD facilities and MC/DD facilities, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2024 shall be increased sufficiently to: (i) provide a minimum $4.00 per hour wage increase over the wages in for front-line personnel; and (ii) provide wages for all other residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding direct support personnel, at the U.S. Department of Labor's average wage as defined in rule by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Grants the Departments of Human Services and Healthcare and Family Services emergency rulemaking authority. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that rates for homemaker services shall be increased to $29.64 beginning July 1, 2023 to sustain a minimum wage of $18 per hour for direct service workers. Requires rates in subsequent State fiscal years to be no lower than the rates in effect on July 1, 2023. Requires providers of in-home services to be required to certify to the Department on Aging that they remain in compliance with the mandated wage increase for direct service workers. Provides that fringe benefits, including, but not limited to, paid time off and payment for training, health insurance, travel, or transportation, shall not be reduced in relation to the rate increases described in the amendatory Act. Effective July 1, 2023.

Mourns the death of Chicago police officer Aréanah Preston.

Amends the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall conduct an access to nutritious food program to establish and operate projects and strategies within food deserts that focus on: (1) distribution of fresh and nutritious food; and (2) education in food preparation and nutrition. Provides that the Department shall promote the sharing of information concerning best practices and programs, including specified projects, that have proven to be effective in improving distribution of fresh and nutritious food and education in food preparation and nutrition. Provides that the Department shall convene an annual meeting of nonprofit organizations and other interested parties to share best practices and information on programs, including specified projects, that have proven to be effective in improving distribution of fresh and nutritious food and education in food preparation and nutrition. Defines "food desert" and "program".

Congratulates Alderman Howard B. Brookins Jr. on his retirement from the Chicago City Council. Thanks him for his years of dedicated service to the people of the 21st Ward and the City of Chicago. Wishes him continued success in his future endeavors.