Sen. Omar Aquino

Urges significant funding for affordable housing be included in any new capital spending plan.

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.

Declares April 2, 2019 as Pay Equity Day.

Declares September 2019 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in the State of Illinois.

Creates the Workplace Transparency Act. Provides that employers shall not require an employee or prospective employee to sign a nondisclosure agreement that contains any provision that has the purpose or effect of: limiting the disclosure of sexual misconduct, retaliation, or unlawful discrimination; suppressing information relevant to an investigation into a claim of sexual misconduct, retaliation, or unlawful discrimination; impairing the ability of any person to report a claim of sexual misconduct, retaliation, or unlawful discrimination; or waiving a substantive or procedural right or remedy of any person relating to a claim of sexual misconduct, retaliation, or unlawful discrimination. Provides that any such provision is void as against public policy and unenforceable, and that agreements that contain such provisions and were entered into before the effective date of the Act are voidable by a party who entered into the agreement under specified circumstances.

Urges support for funding the physical infrastructure of early childhood education programs.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a chairman of a county board who is chosen by the board may be removed, with or without cause, upon a motion adopted by an affirmative vote of four-fifths of the board. Provides that upon adoption of a motion to remove the chairman: (i) the chairman position becomes vacant the and former chairman's compensation shall be prorated to the date the motion was approved; (ii) the vice-chairman immediately assumes the duties of chairman without chairman compensation; and (iii) a new chairman shall be elected at the next regularly scheduled county board meeting. Further provides that a chairman removed maintains his or her status as a member of the county board.

Creates the Student Online Personal Protection Act of 2019. Provides for legislative intent and definitions. Provides for operator prohibitions, operator duties, school authority prohibitions, school authority duties, State Board of Education duties, and parent rights. Creates the Student Data Protection Oversight Committee and provides for the Committee's membership and support. Requires the Committee to submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the State Board of Education with recommendations, if any, for policy revisions and legislative amendments that would carry out the intent of the Act. Amends the Illinois School Student Records Act. Adds a definition of record. Requires written consent of a student's parent to publish student directories that list student names, addresses, and other identifying information and similar publications. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change. Repeals the Student Online Personal Protection Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Nursing Home Reform Act. Provides that the purposes of the Act include establishing a framework for the provision of care to residents of facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act, ensuring the coordination of regulation and reimbursement, strengthening the provider and employee community, and supporting the highest possible quality of resident-centered services and care. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Nursing Home Medicaid Reimbursement Reform Act. Provides that it shall be a matter of State policy that all residents of facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act who meet the financial requirements for medical assistance and have a determination of need score of 29 or greater shall be guaranteed the right to: (1) select the facility in which he or she receives care; (2) participate fully in the development of his or her individualized care plan; and (3) be informed in advance of any changes to his or her individualized care plan or to the status of his or her nursing home stay. Provides that all medical treatment and services deemed medically necessary by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, including the provision of prescription drugs not covered under a qualified Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan, shall be presumed to be available for any resident who is eligible for medical assistance and shall qualify for reimbursement under the Medical Assistance Program. Provides that any medical services provided, as specified in the Act, to a resident of a facility licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act shall be reimbursed based on an aggregate rate composed of nursing, support, and capital components. Provides that the State shall also reimburse each facility paying property taxes an amount that equals the facility's actual property tax bill, if applicable. Provides that any additional funds contained in the State Fiscal Year 2020 budget in excess of those expended in the State Fiscal Year 2019 budget shall be distributed by statute. Provides that reimbursement payments for services covered under the Act are due and payable on the last day of each month for all claims submitted during the preceding calendar month. Effective immediately.

Creates the Collective Bargaining Freedom Act. Provides that employers and labor organizations covered by the National Labor Relations Act may execute and apply agreements requiring membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment to the fullest extent authorized by the National Labor Relations Act. Provides that it is the policy of the State that employers, employees, and their labor organizations are free to bargain collectively. Provides that the authority to enact laws or rules that restrict the use of union security agreements between an employer and a labor organization vests exclusively with the General Assembly. Prohibits local governments from enforcing any such law or rule. Defines terms. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Changes a reference to federal law with respect to union security agreements from a reference relating to requiring membership in a union in conflict with state law to a reference relating to unfair labor practices in connection with membership in a union. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes provision making a violation of the Act by a local governmental official a Class A misdemeanor.