Sen. Omar Aquino

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that it shall be a matter of State policy that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall set nursing facility rates by rule utilizing an evidenced-based methodology that rewards appropriate staffing, quality-of-life improvements for nursing facility residents, including the cessation of payments for rooms with 3 or more people residing in them by January 1, 2027, and the reduction of racial inequities and health disparities for nursing facility residents enrolled in Medicaid. Provides that the new nursing services reimbursement methodology taking effect January 1, 2022, upon federal approval, shall utilize the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) (rather than the RUG-IV 48 grouper model). Sets the statewide base rate for dates of service on and after January 1, 2022 at $85.25. Requires the Department to establish, by rule, a multiplier based on information from the Payroll Based Journal. Provides that, beginning on and after January 1, 2022, the Department shall allocate funding, by rule, for per diem add-ons to the PDPM methodology for each resident with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Contains provisions concerning funds allocated for certain incentive payments to nursing facilities; emergency rules; payments to improve the quality of care delivered by nursing facilities; long-term care provider assessments; and other matters. Amends the Nurse Agency Licensing Act. Prohibits nurse agencies from entering into covenants not to compete with certified nurse aides. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Permits the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to adopt emergency rules. Effective immediately.

Amends the Nurse Agency Licensing Act. Defines "covenant not to compete". Changes the definition of "Department" to the Department of Public Health (rather than the Department or Labor). Changes the definitions of "health care facility" and "nurse". Provides that in an application for licensure under the Act, a limited liability company can apply, evidence of general professional liability insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000 (instead of $500,000) is required per incident and $3,000,000 (instead of $1,000,000) in the aggregate is required for workers' compensation coverage, and there is an application fee of $2,000. Provides that collected fees shall be deposited in the State treasury and credited to the Nursing Dedicated and Professional Fund. Provides that for renewal of licensure, the licensee shall submit an attestation detailing the number of contracted shifts, number of shifts missed, and number of shifts fulfilled for the 3 quarters preceding the application. Provides that an application for a license may be denied for failure to develop and implement contingency staffing plans to minimize missed shifts. Provides that nurse agencies who knowingly employ, assign, or refer to a health care facility a nurse or certified nurse aid with an illegally or fraudulently obtained or issued diploma, registration, license, certificate, or background study constitutes negligent hiring and are grounds for suspension, revocation, or refusal to issue or renew a license. Provides that the Department shall establish updated minimum standards. Provides that nurse agencies are prohibited from entering into covenants not to compete with nurses and certified nurse aides. Provides that a nurse agency's maximum rate for services provided to a health care facility by a nurse or certified nurse aide may not exceed 130% of the regional average hourly wage for each staffing position. Provides that the Department shall establish a system of reporting complaints against a health care staffing agency or its employees. Increases the civil penalty for violation of the Act to $10,000 per occurrence (currently $1,000 per day for each violation). Makes other changes. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 225 ILCS 510/4 from Ch. 111, par. 954 225 ILCS 510/8 from Ch. 111, par. 958 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes: Defines "add-on charges" and "administrative fee". Provides that references to the Department means the Department of Labor (instead of the Department of Public Health). Provides that collected fees shall be used by the Department for the enforcement of the Act (rather than deposited in the State treasury and credited to the Nursing Dedicated and Professional Fund). Provides that prior to employing, assigning, or referring a certified nurse aide to a position at a health care employer or long-term facility, the nurse agency shall review the information provided on the Health Care Worker Registry to verify that the certified nurse aide is not ineligible for the position. Includes additional minimal standards for the operation of nurse agencies. Provides that in the development of rules to monitor usage of nurse agency services, the Department may consult with the Department of Public Health to ensure the rules will determine the quality of care and public health impacts of the usage of nurse agency services. Provides that the nurse agency's administrative fee shall not exceed 50% (instead of 130%) of the hourly wage and any add-ons paid to the employee. Removes provisions that provide that the Department shall use and publish the most current median hourly wage data reported by the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. Provides that complaints against a nurse agency shall be investigated by the Department (instead of the Department of Public Health). Makes other changes.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to cover immunosuppressive drugs and related services associated with post-kidney transplant management for noncitizens who are not eligible for comprehensive medical benefits but meet certain residency and financial requirements under the Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the earned income tax credit shall be: (i) 20% of the federal tax credit for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2023 and prior to January 1, 2024; (ii) 22% of the federal tax credit for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2024 and prior to January 1, 2025; and (iii) 25% of the federal tax credit for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1 2025. Provides that the earned income tax credit is available to persons who have attained the age of 18 but have not yet attained the age of 25 and to persons who are 65 years of age or older, without regard to any age requirements that would otherwise apply to individuals without a qualifying child under federal Internal Revenue Code. Extends the earned income tax credit to individuals filing a return using an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Creates a credit for child dependent tax credit that shall be not less than $600 when combined with the taxpayer's earned income tax credit. Effective immediately.

Amends the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004. Provides that reasonable attorney's fees and costs may be awarded to a licensee, interested party, or person injured if he or she successfully obtains injunctive relief, whether by consent or otherwise. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Code. Provides, for tax years ending on or after December 31, 2021, a surcharge is imposed on an Illinois resident's low-taxed investment income. Defines "low-taxed investment income". Provides how the surcharge is calculated. Exempts from the surcharge: (i) resident married individuals filing joint returns, if Illinois taxable income is not more than $250,000; (ii) a resident head of household, if Illinois taxable income is not more than $200,000; and (iii) resident unmarried individuals, resident married individuals filing separate returns, and resident estates and trusts, if Illinois taxable income is not more than $150,000. Effective immediately.

Creates the Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish the Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program for the purpose of providing direct relief to hotels impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides that Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall award a one-time grant to the operator of each hotel in the State in an amount equal to $1,500 for each room in the hotel. Sets forth the permitted uses for grant funds awarded under the Act. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Provides for emergency rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2022.

Amends the Redistricting Transparency and Public Participation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Cigarette Tax Act, the Cigarette Use Tax Act, the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act, the Motor Fuel Tax Law, the Telecommunications Excise Tax Act, and the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that the vendor discount amount under those Acts shall be 1.75%. Provides that the vendor discount may not exceed $1,000 per vendor in any calendar year. Effective immediately.