Sen. Elgie Sims

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. In provisions concerning bond authorization and financing limits for clean coal projects, coal projects, energy efficiency projects, PACE projects, and renewable energy projects, provides that the limitations apply to outstanding bonds (instead of issued bonds). Provides that those limitations do not include bonds issued to refund the bonds of the Illinois Finance Authority or bonds of predecessor authorities. Provides that no member, officer, or employee of the Illinois Finance Authority may be in any manner financially interested in any contract or agreement upon which that person may be called to act or vote. Requires those members, officers, and employees to abstain from deliberating or voting on the award or material modification of any contract or agreement in which that person holds a financial interest. Provides that no member, officer, or employee of the Illinois Finance Authority may take or receive, or offer to take or receive, any money or other thing of value as a gift, bribe, or means of influencing that person's vote or action in that person's official capacity. Amends the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act. Provides that certain provisions do not apply to the members and officers of the Illinois Finance Authority. Makes other changes.

Amends the Managed Care Organization Provider Assessment Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning tiered managed care assessment rates, provides that beginning July 1, 2026, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may implement a tax that is based on uniform rates, determined at a level not to exceed limitations imposed by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, that may be set at either a percentage of premium revenue or on a per member per month basis. Removes a provision requiring any upward adjustment to the Tier 3 rate to be the minimum necessary to meet federal statistical tests. In the definition of "member months", removes language exempting enrollment in a Limited Health Services Organization, a Medicare Supplement Plan, or a Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan from the calculation of member months. Expands the definition of "managed care organization" to include an entity that operates as a preferred provider organization. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that Department has the power to expend moneys appropriated to the Department from the Park and Conservation Fund in the State treasury for furtherance of the Department's programs or for use by the Department for the Department's normal operations and for the construction and maintenance of State owned, leased, and managed sites (rather than the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department). Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer from the Park and Conservation Fund Account in the Build Illinois Fund to the Park and Conservation Fund 1/12 of $10,000,000, plus any cumulative deficiency in those transfers for prior months, for any purposes (rather than Conservation and Park purposes) as enumerated in Section 805-420 of the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law or for the same purposes as specified in any other State general obligation bond Act. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the moneys deposited in the Park and Conservation Fund shall be used as provided for in Section 805-420 of the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (rather than for the development and acquisition of bike paths).

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning the Medicaid Access Adjustment payments to nursing facilities, provides that for dates of service beginning January 1, 2027, the Medicaid Access Adjustment shall be increased by $5.75 to $10.50 per diem. Provides that beginning January 1, 2027, facilities located outside of Rate Areas 6, 7, and 8 shall have the Medicaid percent of occupied bed days to be at least 60% of all occupied bed days adjusted quarterly to qualify for the Medicaid Access Adjustment. Provides that the remaining facilities shall have their threshold remain at 70%.

Amends the Commission to End Hunger Act. Creates the SNAP Response Working Group. Provides that the co-chairs of the Commission to End Hunger shall convene and appoint the co-chairs of the Working Group. Provides that the Working Group shall review and analyze federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), gather and analyze data regarding the potential impact of the federal changes to SNAP on Illinois residents, and gather relevant estimates and data about Illinois' SNAP payment error rate, including the monthly State-reported error rate. Requires the SNAP Response Working Group to make projections about the cost to the State to maintain SNAP in Illinois in federal Fiscal Year 2028. Directs the Working Group to submit a preliminary report to the General Assembly no later than January 1, 2027. Provides that the preliminary report shall outline the federal changes to SNAP and identify the number of State residents impacted by those changes. Further provides that the preliminary report shall include initial recommendations for State action to prevent or mitigate any harm to State residents caused by the federal changes and shall project the cost to maintain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Illinois in federal Fiscal Year 2028. Provides that, no later than April 1, 2027, the Working Group shall issue a full report to the General Assembly that includes an analysis on the impact of federal changes to SNAP on Illinois, final recommendations for State action to prevent or mitigate harm resulting from those changes, updated projections of the cost to maintain the program in federal Fiscal Year 2028, and any other cost projections relating to the Working Group's recommendations. Requires the SNAP Response Working Group to provide any relevant additional updates to its recommendations or projections as appropriate. Specifies that all reports of the Working Group shall be published by the Department of Human Services on its website. Provides that the SNAP Working Group shall be dissolved on May 31, 2027. Effective immediately.

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to, subject to available funding, establish a Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) Program to provide FRESH benefits to households subject to termination of the household's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or a reduction in the household's monthly SNAP benefit allotment, if the termination or reduction in SNAP benefits occurred as a result of one or more members of the household failing to meet federal SNAP work requirements. Provides that, for eligible households whose SNAP benefits were reduced or terminated, FRESH benefits shall be provided as a one-time lump sum payment distributed via an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. Requires the Department to make FRESH program applications available online and at local Family and Community Resource Centers immediately upon the first of the month following the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that an application for FRESH benefits shall not be deemed an application for any other public aid provided under the Code. Requires the Department to provide within a specified time frame FRESH benefits to households' that experience a reduction or termination of SNAP benefits prior to or after the first month following the effective date of the amendatory Act, if certain application submission deadlines are met. Requires the Department to publish monthly data reports on the FRESH program and to include such data in the Department's annual report to the General Assembly. Prohibits the Department and local governmental units from considering a household's receipt of FRESH benefits when determining the household's eligibility for other assistance provided under the Code. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are inoperative on and after January 1, 2028. Effective immediately.

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Responsible Gun Manufacturing Act. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits the offense of unlawful possession of weapons when the person knowingly manufactures, sells, or offers to sell, purchases, receives, manufactures, imports, or transfers a convertible pistol. Establishes penalties. Provides exemptions. Provides that a machine gun also includes any convertible pistol equipped with a switch. Defines "convertible pistol", "switch", and "common household tool". Contains a severability provision.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a withholding tax credit for employers that grant all of their employees the option of taking a paid leave of absence for the purpose of serving as an organ donor or bone marrow donor also applies to public employers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that to ensure Illinois parents with children, including foster parents and parents of adult children with intellectual or developmental disabilities, can easily access all publicly available information on State resources for parents, as soon as practicable the Department shall maintain a publicly accessible webpage on its official website that lists each child care, early child care, education, nutrition, mental health, housing, family planning, cash assistance, health care, and any other program or service for parents operated by the Department or another State agency, including, but not limited to, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Early Childhood, the Department of Public Health, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. Provides that the webpage must include for each listed program and service a hyperlink to a publicly viewable webpage that is operated and maintained by the State agency responsible for administering the program or service and that includes additional information and resources on the specific program or service.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides within 24 hours of admission to a correctional institution or facility of the Department of Corrections, each committed person shall be screened for substance use disorders as part of an initial and ongoing substance use screening and assessment process. Provides that this process includes screening and assessment for opioid use disorders. Provides that if at any time a committed person screens positive as having or being at risk for an opioid use disorder, is diagnosed with an opioid use disorder or is exhibiting symptoms of withdrawal from an opioid use disorder, and medication assisted treatment is clinically indicated by a licensed physician, a licensed physician assistant, or a licensed nurse practitioner, then the individual may consent to commence medications for opioid use disorder, which shall be provided by the Department. Provides that the committed person shall be authorized to receive the medication immediately and for as long as clinically indicated. Provides that upon reentry, the Department shall provide an individual participating in medication assisted treatment with a referral to a community-based provider who may assist the individual with continued medications for opioid use disorder and medication assisted treatment care.