Sen. Elgie Sims

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision permitting a nursing facility to appeal a change in its Minimum Data Set rate, provides that the facility shall be permitted to offer any and all additional documentation during the appeal hearing that is necessary to refute the State's findings (rather than the facility may not offer any additional documentation during the appeal hearing, but may identify documentation provided during the on-site review that may support a specific area of documentation deemed deficient by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services).

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may designate investment zones. Provides that an area is eligible for designation as an investment zone if the median household income is less than 125% of the federal poverty level. Provides that the corporate authorities of the municipality in which a prospective investment zone is located may apply with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to have the area designated as an investment zone. Provides for an income tax credit for site remediation in an investment zone. Provides that the credit for wages paid to ex-felons shall be equal to 25% (currently, 5%) of those wages. Provides that the total credit for each ex-offender may not exceed $2,500 (currently, $1,500). Requires qualified ex-offenders to complete certain job training programs. Amends the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides for a building materials exemption for investment zones.

Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act. Provides that the Secretary of State shall report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly the total number of limited-term Illinois Identification Cards and original or replacement Illinois Identification Cards issued to persons released on parole, mandatory supervised release, aftercare release, final discharge, or pardoned from the Department of Corrections or the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the total cost to the Secretary in waiving fees for such persons. Provides that the Secretary shall further report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly any impediments to issuing Illinois Identification Cards to those persons, and provide recommendations to improve access to Illinois Identification Cards for those persons. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice shall report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly the total number of persons for which those Departments obtained a certified birth certificate and social security card, and provide the total number of verification forms issued by those Departments to persons prior to their release.

Creates the Criminal History in College Applications Act. Provides that a public college may not inquire about or consider an applicant's criminal history information at any time during the admission decision-making process, except as required by State or federal law. Allows public colleges to continue using a multi-institution application, even if the application inquires about criminal history, but requires the public college to disregard the information for the admissions process. Allows public colleges to inquire about criminal history for certain purposes after the admission decision-making process, but forbids public colleges from rescinding an admissions offer based on the information. Authorizes public colleges to provide certain information. Effective immediately.

Amends the Sex Offender Community Notification Law. Provides that the sheriff of the county and the Chicago Police Department may disclose the sex offender information by notifying the entities required to receive disclosure of sex offender information of the link to the "County Sex Offender Registration" website if available in that county or of the "Chicago Sex Offender Registration" website if available in that city.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the sunset of exemptions, credits, and deductions.

Amends the Illinois Criminal Justice Act. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall collect data and information on race and ethnicity at every point within the criminal justice system to allow for a systematic assessment of disproportionate impact on minorities. Provides that the Authority shall report its findings to the General Assembly on an annual basis.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, the State Board of Education shall develop and maintain a program aimed at facilitating education in advanced manufacturing technical skills. Provides that the program shall be implemented in no less than 12 public high schools, over the span of 3 years, where the youth unemployment rate is at least twice the national average. Specifies program requirements. Provides that the State Board shall ensure that each high school participating in the program has adequate funding for at least one industry coordinator, tutoring, pre-employment and on-the-job mentoring, professional and leadership development, and life and financial management instruction. Provides that the State Board shall use a program provider to help design, build, and accredit the training program. Effective immediately.

Creates the Racial and Ethnic Bias Training Act. Provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall adopt model rules for training for law enforcement officers to recognize implicit racial and ethnic bias and racial sensitivity that may be adopted by law enforcement agencies in this State. Provides that the Department of State Police shall work in consultation with the Board to adopt model rules for training to recognize implicit racial and ethnic bias and racial sensitivity for officers. Provides that training on recognizing implicit racial and ethnic bias and promoting racial sensitivity for individuals who work in the criminal justice system shall be required.