Sen. Elgie Sims

Amends the Worker's Compensation Act and the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act. Provides that specified Sections limiting recovery do not apply to injuries or death resulting from an occupational disease as to which the recovery of compensation benefits under the Act would be precluded due to the operation of any period of repose or repose provision. Provides that, as to any such injury occupational disease, the employee, the employee's heirs, and any person having the standing under law to bring a civil action at law has the nonwaivable right to bring such an action against any employer or employers. Effective immediately. State Debt Impact Note (Government Forecasting & Accountability) SB 1596 would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued or State-supported bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness. Pension Note (Government Forecasting & Accountability) SB 1596 amends the Worker's Compensation Act and the Worker's Occupational Diseases Act in a way that does not impact any State pension fund. Land Conveyance Appraisal Note (Dept. of Transportation) No land conveyances are included in Senate Bill 1596; therefore, there are no appraisals to be filed. Balanced Budget Note (Office of Management and Budget) Please be advised that the Balanced Budget Note Act does not apply to this bill, as it is not a supplemental appropriation that increases or decreases appropriations. Under the Act, a balanced budget note must be prepared only for bills that change a general funds appropriation for the fiscal year in which the new bill is enacted. Correctional Note (Dept of Corrections) There is no fiscal or population impact on the Department of Corrections. State Mandates Fiscal Note (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not create a State mandate. Home Rule Note (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not pre-empt home rule authority. Housing Affordability Impact Note (Housing Development Authority) This bill will have no effect on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence. Fiscal Note (Dept. of Central Management Services) It is not possible to calculate an exact fiscal impact of this proposed legislation due to the case­specific nature of any claims that may arise pursuant to this legislation. However, based on the average cost of a workers' compensation claim and the percentage of claims that are denied for untimely filing, the Department of Central Management Services estimates the proposed legislation would result in a cost increase of approximately $250,000 annually.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall establish reimbursement rates that build toward livable wages for front-line personnel in residential and day programs and service coordination agencies serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities under the Act, including, but not limited to, intermediate care for the developmentally disabled facilities, medically complex for the developmentally disabled facilities, community-integrated living arrangements, community day services, employment, and other residential and day programs for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities supported by State funds or funding under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act. Provides that on or before July 1, 2019, the Department shall increase rates and reimbursements and on or before that date, direct support persons shall earn a base wage of not less than $5.25 per hour above the highest applicable federal, State, county, or municipal minimum wage, and on or before that date, other front-line personnel shall earn a commensurate wage. Provides that on or before July 1, 2021, the Department shall increase rates and reimbursements and on or before that date, direct support persons shall earn a base wage of not less than $6.75 per hour above the highest applicable federal, State, county, or municipal minimum Wage, and on or before July 1, 2021, other front-line personnel shall earn a commensurate wage. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Declares May 15, 2019 as Trauma-Informed Awareness Day in Illinois. Encourages all officers, agencies and employees of the State of Illinois whose responsibilities impact children and adults to become informed regarding the impacts of adverse childhood experiences, toxic stress and structural violence on children, adults and communities and to become aware of care practices, tools and interventions that promote healing and resiliency in children, adults and communities so that people, systems and community, family and interpersonal relationships can maximize their well-being.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Provides that, beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year, each university must accept any academic credits from a student who transfers to the university from a senior military college or a military junior college.

Amends the Property Tax Code. With respect to the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, provides that, beginning in assessment year 2019, the taxpayer's household income shall be reduced by any amounts paid as Medicare premiums. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the bill takes effect on January 1, 2020. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Makes changes to the introduced bill to provide that the reduction for Medicare premiums begins in taxable year 2020 (in the introduced bill, taxable year 2019). Provides that the reduction for Medicare premiums shall be made only upon proof of payment of Medicare premiums by the taxpayer.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Creates a Misdemeanor Retail Theft and Theft Diversionary Program. Provides that when any person who has not previously been convicted of any felony offense under the laws of this State or the laws of another state or federal law which would be classified as a felony offense in this State is arrested for and charged with a misdemeanor offense of theft or retail theft, with the consent of the defendant and the State's Attorney, may continue the matter to allow the defendant to participate and complete the Misdemeanor Retail Theft and Theft Diversionary Program. Provides that the conditions of the Program shall be that the defendant: (1) not violate any criminal statute of this State or any other jurisdiction; (2) refrain from possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapon; and (3) make full restitution to the victim or property owner plus 10% of the cost of the stolen item. Provides that upon fulfillment of the terms and conditions of the Program, the State's Attorney shall dismiss the case or the court shall discharge the person and dismiss the proceedings against the person. Makes other changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Provides that when any person who has not previously been convicted of a violation of certain financial crime enterprise offenses or convicted of any similar offense in another state is arrested for and charged with a misdemeanor offense of theft or retail theft, the court may with the consent of the defendant and the State's Attorney, continue the matter to allow the defendant to participate and complete the Misdemeanor Retail Theft and Theft Diversionary Program (in the introduced bill, when any person who has not previously been convicted of any felony offense under the laws of the State or the laws of another state or federal law which would be classified as a felony offense in the State is arrested for and charged with a misdemeanor offense of theft or retail theft, with the consent of the defendant and the State's Attorney, the court may continue the matter to allow the defendant to participate and complete the Misdemeanor Retail Theft and Theft Diversionary Program). Provides that a person may only have one discharge and dismissal under the Program within a 3-year period.

Mourns the death of Doloris Cotton-Gaines.

Urges the General Assembly to continue to investigate and identify areas in which the State can improve with respect to the prevention of maternal mortality, especially among vulnerable populations. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes everything and replaces with similar language that urges the General Assembly to continue to investigate and identify areas in which the State can improve with respect to the prevention of maternal mortality, especially among vulnerable populations. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes everything and replaces with similar language that urges the General Assembly to continue to investigate and identify areas in which the State can improve with respect to the prevention of maternal mortality, especially among vulnerable populations.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Deletes language providing that the Section concerning the traffic and pedestrian stop statistical study is repealed on July 1, 2019. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall report specified findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on March 1, 2022 (rather than March 1, 2004). Effective immediately.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that, for State Fiscal Year 2020, the Department of Children and Family Services shall increase reimbursement rates payable to each private agency with a purchase of service contract or grant from the Department to an amount that equals the sum of all increases in general inflation during State Fiscal Years 2014 through 2018 as determined by the consumer price index-u published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor, less any rate increases, previously provided by the Department. Sets forth the types of services eligible for the increased reimbursement rate, including, (i) residential services, (ii) specialized, adolescent, treatment, or other non-traditional or Home-of-Relative foster care services, and (iii) intact family services. Provides that beginning in State Fiscal Year 2020, and for every State fiscal year thereafter, the Department shall implement the rate reimbursement methodology outlined in a specified provision of the Illinois Administrative Code when calculating and determining the payment rates for private agencies that contract with the Department to provide specified services. Provides that, for State Fiscal Year 2021, and for every State fiscal year thereafter, foster parent rates and payment rates for other specified services shall be adjusted each year to an amount that equals any increase in general inflation as determined by the consumer price index-u. Effective immediately.