Amends Secretary of State Act. Allows the Secretary of State to adopt rules to authorize the filing of documents with his or her office that have been signed by electronic means. Specifies the rules to be adopted. Provides certification requirements for entities seeking to provide services to third parties for the execution of electronic signatures for filing with the Secretary of State. Specifies minimum requirements for the use of electronic signatures on documents. Provides for the refusal of non-compliant electronic signatures. Provides that electronic signatures and electronic delivery of records shall have the same force and effect as manual signatures and the physical delivery of records. Provides that electronic records and electronic signatures accepted by the Secretary of State shall be admissible in all administrative, quasi-judicial, and judicial proceedings.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Public University Uniform Admission Pilot Program Act. Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, requires the University of Illinois to create a 4-year uniform admission system pilot program under the Act to admit first-time freshman students for each semester of the pilot program; makes corresponding changes. Provides that if an institution requires a student's successful completion of certain curriculum requirements prior to or concurrently with enrollment at the institution, then the institution shall identify and connect the student to a community college that offers the required curriculum and that has an articulation agreement with the institution or the institution shall offer the required curriculum through online instruction to the student. Provides that for purposes of determining enrollment capacity, priority in the admission of applicants to an institution must be given to applicants who are residents of this State and admission to an institution may not be denied to an applicant who is a State resident based on the institution's enrollment capacity unless 100% of the enrollment capacity is filled exclusively by students who are State residents. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill, but provides for the University of Illinois to admit community college transfer students (rather than first-time freshman students) under the pilot program. Specifies that the University of Illinois provides multiple pathways to transfer and shall guarantee admission to all applicants who (i) have enrolled only at an Illinois community college after graduating from an Illinois high school; (ii) have earned a minimum of 36 graded, transferable semester hours at the time of application to the University; (iii) have attained a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all transferable coursework completed at the time of application to the University; and (iv) have satisfied the university's English language proficiency requirement.
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that if a student turns 22 during the time in which the student's in-person instruction is suspended for a period of 3 months or more during the school year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, then the student is eligible for special education services through the end of the following school year (rather than being eligible for such services only until the day before the student's 22nd birthday). Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/14-1.02 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/14-17 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that eligible students who reached or will reach their 22nd birthday between March 17, 2020 and the end of the 2021-2022 school year shall be afforded the option of extending the student's eligibility through the end of the 2021-2022 school year to provide the student with an opportunity to participate in post-secondary transition activities and services and pursue the goals under the student's most recent individualized education program. Sets forth provisions regarding the extension of eligibility. Requires each school district to provide written notification of options to each student to whom these provisions apply or to the student's guardian or designated representative within 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Sets forth the written notification form. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that if a student with an individualized education program (IEP) reaches the age of 22 during the time in which the student's in-person instruction, services, or activities are suspended for a period of 3 months or more during the school year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the student is eligible for such services up to the end of the regular 2021-2022 school year, unless the student is no longer a resident of the school district that was responsible for the student's IEP at the time the student reached the student's 22nd birthday. Provides for (i) the resumption of the IEP goals in effect when the student reached the student's 22nd birthday; an exception for a private therapeutic day or residential program, and (iii) notification. Effective immediately.
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that a student whose 22nd birthday occurs during the school year is eligible for special education services through the end of the school year (rather than being eligible for services only until the day before his or her 22nd birthday). Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987. Provides that an optometrist licensed under the Act may practice optometry through telehealth as authorized by the Act and the Telehealth Act. Provides that an optometrist treating a patient located in Illinois through telehealth must be licensed under the Act. Provides that an optometrist practicing optometry through telehealth is subject to the same standard of care and practice standards that are applicable to optometric services provided in a clinic or office setting. Provides that an optometrist may not provide telehealth services unless the optometrist has established a provider-patient relationship with the patient. Provides that an optometrist treating a patient through telehealth must perform a minimum eye examination as required by the Illinois Administrative Code before prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses to the patient. Provides that if the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has reason to believe that a person has violated the provisions of the Act, it may issue a rule to show cause why an order to cease and desist should not be entered against that person. Provides that the rule shall clearly set forth the grounds relied upon by the Department and shall provide a period of 7 days from the date of the rule to file an answer to the satisfaction of the Department. Provides that failure to answer to the satisfaction of the Department shall cause an order to cease and desist to be issued immediately. Defines terms. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that if there is any conflict between the provisions of the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987 and the provisions of the Telehealth Act, the provisions of the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987 control. Provides that an optometrist may treat a patient through telehealth in the absence of a provider-patient relationship when, in the professional judgment of the optometrist, emergency care is required. Provides that an optometrist treating a patient through telehealth must perform at least a minimum eye examination (rather than must perform a minimum eye examination) before prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses to the patient.
Amends the Illinois Fire Protection Training Act. In provisions requiring fire fighters to complete training relating to the history of the fire service labor movement, provides that "fire fighter" includes fire fighters hired by the Chicago Fire Department.
Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that each public institution of higher education shall study and issue a report on the cost-saving methods and practices utilized by the public institution for improving students' timely access to required course materials and the affordability of required course materials. Sets forth the required areas of study that must be included in the report. Provides that the report from each public institution must be submitted to the Board of Higher Education or Illinois Community College Board no later than August 1, 2022. Provides that no later than February 1, 2023, the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board shall submit a joint report to the Governor and General Assembly that summarizes the findings from the reports submitted by public institutions. Requires the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board to post each institution's report and the joint report on their respective websites. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 110 ILCS 205/9.40 new Adds reference to: New Act Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the College Course Materials Affordability and Equitable Access Collaborative Study Act. Provides that the College Course Materials Affordability and Equitable Access Task Force is created within the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Sets forth the membership of the task force. Provides that the duties of the task force are to (i) conduct a collaborative college course materials affordability and equitable access study, (ii) examine the cost-saving methods and practices utilized by public and private institutions of higher learning in this State and throughout the United States for improving students' equitable first-day-of-class access to required course materials and conduct an affordability comparison of providing students' course materials, including digital learning tools, and (iii) submit a report of its findings to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Contains provisions concerning meetings, expenses, Commission assistance, collaboration, and reporting. Dissolves the task force on March 31, 2024, and repeals the Act on March 31, 2025. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Includes the delivery of covered health care services by way of telephone usage in the definition of "telehealth services". Provides that health care services that are covered under an individual or group policy of accident or health insurance must be covered when delivered via telehealth services when clinically appropriate, subject to specified conditions (rather than requiring an individual or group policy of accident or health insurance to comply with specified conditions if it provides coverage for telehealth services). Provides that patient cost-sharing may be no more than if the health care service were delivered in person. Provides that no excepted benefit policy may deny or reduce any benefit to a patient based on the use of clinically appropriate telehealth services in the course of satisfying the policy's benefit criteria. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. In provisions concerning health care services that are covered under an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance that must be covered when delivered via telehealth services when clinically appropriate, provides that reimbursement to a health care provider for telehealth services for behavioral health services provided through an interactive telecommunications system shall be made on the same basis, in the same manner, and at the same rate as would be applied for the same services if they had been delivered in-person and shall include reasonable compensation to a facility that serves as the originating site at the time a telehealth service is rendered. Provides that with respect to telehealth benefits provided in an individual or group policy of accident or health insurance, insurers may not (rather than an individual or group policy of accident or health insurance may not) require patients to use a separate panel of health care providers to receive telehealth service coverage and reimbursement; create geographic or facility restrictions or requirements for telehealth services; require patients or health care providers to prove a hardship or access barrier before the approval of telehealth services for coverage or reimbursement; negotiate different contract rates for telehealth services and in-person services for behavioral health services; or impose upon telehealth services utilization review requirements that are unnecessary, duplicative, or unwarranted or impose any treatment limitations, prior authorization, documentation, or recordkeeping requirements that are more stringent than the requirements applicable to the same health care service when rendered in-person. Provides that health care providers shall determine the appropriateness of specific sites, technology platforms, and technology vendors for a telehealth service, as long as delivered services adhere to privacy laws. Defines terms. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 215 ILCS 5/356z.43 new 225 ILCS 150/5 225 ILCS 150/15 325 ILCS 20/3 from Ch. 23, par. 4153 325 ILCS 20/3b new 325 ILCS 20/11 from Ch. 23, par. 4161 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that a health insurer shall reimburse a network provider for behavioral health services delivered through telehealth on at least the same basis and at the same rate as if delivered in-person. Provides that a health insurer may establish reasonable requirements and parameters for telehealth services. Further amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates the Telehealth Payment Parity Task Force to review and study the use of telehealth services in the State with respect to payment and reimbursement parity for health care providers providing such services. Sets forth provisions concerning election of a chairperson, compensation, and appointments of members of the Telehealth Payment Parity Task Force. Provides that the task force shall submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2021. Provides that the task force is dissolved on January 1, 2023. Amends the Telehealth Act. In provisions concerning use of telehealth, provides that services provided by telehealth shall be consistent with all federal and State privacy, security, and confidentiality laws. Provides that health care professionals shall determine the appropriateness of specific sites, technology platforms, and technology vendors for a telehealth service, as long as delivered services adhere to specified privacy laws. Provides that health care professionals shall maintain documentation and recordkeeping in accordance with specified provisions of the Illinois Administrative Code. Amends the Early Intervention Services System Act. Permits an early intervention provider to deliver via telehealth any type of early intervention services authorized under the Act to the extent of his or her scope of practice as established in his or her respective licensing Act consistent with the standards of care for in-person services. Requires parents to be informed of the availability of early intervention services provided through telehealth. Provides that parents shall make the final decision as to whether accepted early intervention services are delivered in person or via telehealth. Defines terms. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 215 ILCS 5/356z.43 new Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 100/5-45.8 new 225 ILCS 150/10 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident or health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall cover telehealth services, e-visits, and virtual check-ins rendered by a health care professional when clinically appropriate and medically necessary to insureds, enrollees, and members in the same manner as any other benefits covered under the policy. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident or health insurance may provide reimbursement to a facility that serves as the originating site at the time a telehealth service is rendered. Sets forth provisions with which coverage for telehealth services shall comply. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident or health insurance shall notify health care professionals and facilities of any instructions necessary to facilitate billing for telehealth services, e-visits, and virtual check-ins. Provides that the Department of Insurance and the Department of Public Health shall commission a report to the General Assembly and shall submit the report by December 31, 2026. Provides that the Department of Insurance may adopt rules to implement the provisions. Provides that specified provisions are inoperative on and after January 1, 2028. Removes provisions concerning the Telehealth Payment Parity Task Force. Defines terms. Further amends the Telehealth Act. Changes a reference to "telehealth" to "telehealth services." Removes language that provides that health care professionals shall maintain documentation and recordkeeping in accordance with specified provisions of the Illinois Administrative Code. Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to provide for emergency rulemaking. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that it is an improper claims practice for a domestic, foreign, or alien company transacting business in this State to fail to pay the replacement vehicle use or occupation tax, title, and transfer fees on a private passenger total loss claim if that act is committed knowingly in violation of the Code, has been committed with such frequency to indicate a persistent tendency to engage in that type of conduct, and is committed without just cause. Provides that an insurer shall pay use or occupation tax, title, and transfer fees when the insurer determines that an insured's or third-party claimant's private passenger automobile is a total loss covered under the terms of a personal automobile policy issued by the insurer. Provides that if an insurer elects to replace the insured vehicle, the insurer shall pay the use or occupation tax, title, and transfer fees on the replacement vehicle. Provides that if a cash settlement is provided for the total loss private passenger vehicle, an insurer shall reimburse or directly pay the insured or third-party claimant for replacement vehicle use or occupation tax, title, and transfer fees under specified conditions. Grants the Department of Insurance rulemaking authority. Effective January 1, 2022. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that for personal automobile policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2022 (rather than policies issued by an insurer) it is an improper claims practice for a domestic, foreign, or alien company transacting business in this State to fail to pay the replacement vehicle use or occupation tax, title, and transfer fees on a private passenger total loss claim if that act is committed knowingly in violation of the Code, has been committed with such frequency to indicate a persistent tendency to engage in that type of conduct, and is committed without just cause. Changes the effective date from January 1, 2022 to July 1, 2022.
Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Creates the Illinois State Medical Board to carry out the duties of the Medical Disciplinary Board and the Medical Licensing Board under the Act (and makes conforming changes). Provides for membership of the Illinois State Medical Board. Provides that all members of the Medical Licensing Board and the Medical Disciplinary Board shall serve as members of the Medical Board. Requires that a majority of the Illinois State Medical Board members shall be appointed within 260 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Repeals provisions concerning the Medical Licensing Board and Medical Disciplinary Board one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may close a complaint, after investigation and approval of the Chief Medical Coordinator, if certain standards are not met. Makes changes to provisions concerning definitions; withdrawal of applications; the Complaint Committee; findings and recommendations; and administrative review. Makes other changes. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 80/4.32 5 ILCS 80/4.37 Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Provides for the repeal of the Medical Practice Act of 1987 on January 1, 2027 (rather than January 1, 2022). In provisions amending the Medical Practice Act of 1987, restores language that was deleted by the introduced bill that provides that each order of revocation, suspension, or other disciplinary action shall contain a brief, concise statement of the ground or grounds upon which the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation's action is based, as well as the specific terms and conditions of such action. Provides that the document shall be retained as a permanent record by the Department (rather than the Disciplinary Board and the Secretary). Adds an immediate effective date for provisions amending the Regulatory Sunset Act. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 80/4.32 5 ILCS 80/4.37 225 ILCS 60/2 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-2 225 ILCS 60/7 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-7 225 ILCS 60/7.1 new 225 ILCS 60/7.2 new 225 ILCS 60/7.5 225 ILCS 60/8 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-8 225 ILCS 60/8.1 225 ILCS 60/9 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-9 225 ILCS 60/9.3 225 ILCS 60/17 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-17 225 ILCS 60/18 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-18 225 ILCS 60/19 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-19 225 ILCS 60/21 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-21 225 ILCS 60/22 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-22 225 ILCS 60/23 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-23 225 ILCS 60/24 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-24 225 ILCS 60/25 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-25 225 ILCS 60/35 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-35 225 ILCS 60/36 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-36 225 ILCS 60/37 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-37 225 ILCS 60/38 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-38 225 ILCS 60/39 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-39 225 ILCS 60/40 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-40 225 ILCS 60/41 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-41 225 ILCS 60/42 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-42 225 ILCS 60/44 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-44 225 ILCS 60/47 from Ch. 111, par. 4400-47 Adds reference to: 410 ILCS 130/30 410 ILCS 130/31 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act. Provides that a park district shall authorize a program participant's parent, guardian, or other designated caregiver to administer a medical cannabis infused product to the program participant on the premises of the park district if both the program participant and the parent, guardian, or other designated caregiver are cardholders. Contains requirements for designated caregivers. Provides that a member of the park district's staff is not required to administer a medical cannabis infused product to a program participant. Provides that a park district may not authorize the use of a medical cannabis infused product if the park district would lose federal funding as a result of the authorization. Provides that the amendatory provisions are exempt from specified limitations and penalties. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.