Sen. Laura Ellman

Amends the Workplace Transparency Act. Prohibits the enforcement of certain arbitration clauses. Provides that arbitration clauses must contain an exception for claims of harassment or discrimination. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that certain provisions are unconscionable in arbitration agreements, including venue conditions, waiver of other legal rights, and excessive fees.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Adds provisions concerning expanded use of energy saving programs. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission may establish a program for promoting expanded use of energy saving programs for residential and small commercial customers. Provides that the program shall include the use of thermostats, lights, plugs, and other devices that allow a customer to control and reduce his or her energy usage. Provides that the program shall not discriminate based on brand names and shall include ways to promote those energy-saving devices and incentives for residential customers, including both homeowners and renters. Provides that on or before September 1, 2020 and every 2 years thereafter, the Commission shall initiate a collaborative workshop for stakeholders, retail electric suppliers, advocates for energy savings, and industry representatives developing energy saving devices and applications, and that any recommendations arising from the workshop process shall be included in the annual report of the Office of Retail Market Development.

Proposes to amend the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that the oath of office for each prospective holder of a State office shall include an affirmation to protect and honor the diversity of the people of Illinois. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning street racing.

Amends the Regulation of Public Pension Funds and the Downstate Firefighter Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the Public Pension Division of the Department of Insurance or the Consolidated Fund may examine or investigate any downstate police or downstate firefighter pension fund as often as the Division or the Consolidated Fund deems appropriate but shall, at a minimum, conduct an examination of every downstate police and downstate firefighter pension fund not less frequently than once every 7 years (instead of once every 3 years). Provides that a pension fund shall request a hearing within 30 days after the receipt of the final report of examination and shall submit payment for the hearing cost, which shall not exceed $600. Establishes a penalty for a pension fund that fails, without just cause, to submit requested examination documentation. In a provision establishing penalties for pension funds that fail to file certain statements, specifies that a pension fund shall comply with the notice of noncompliance within 15 days. Provides that the Director of Insurance may assess a civil penalty of up to $4,000 (instead of $2,000) for each noncompliance with an order of the Director. In a provision of the Downstate Firefighter Article concerning the calculation of retirement pensions and automatic annual increases for eligible firefighters who participated in more than one pension fund, removes language limiting application of the provision to Tier 1 retirement pension amounts and Tier 1 automatic annual increases. Makes other changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council Act. Provides that the purpose of the Council is to facilitate communication between the youth of the State of Illinois and the elected branches of State government regarding the issues, interests, and needs important to youth in the State of Illinois. Creates an Advisory Board, consisting of 2 members of the House of Representatives, one each appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and 2 members of the Senate, one each appointed by the President of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the Senate, to facilitate the functions of the Council. Provides for the application and nomination process for prospective members of the Council. Sets forth membership and meeting requirements and the powers of the Council. Provides that members of the Council shall serve one-year terms, but may be re-elected if they continue to be nominated and qualified to serve as members. Provides for the election of a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Clerk at the first Council meeting of the year. Requires the Council to submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the Governor. Creates the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that all moneys in the Fund shall be used to reimburse Council members for actual expenses incurred in traveling to Council meetings, including travel, food, and lodging, and printing the annual report. Amends the State Finance Act. Adds the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council Fund. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Provides that the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council shall be an entity created under the legislative branch, and maintained and staffed under the executive branch (currently, maintained and staffed under the legislative branch) by the Office of the Governor or an agency designated by the Governor that is under the jurisdiction of the Governor. Modifies the initial terms of members of the Advisory Board of the Council. Provides for the nomination of members to the Council by State Representatives (currently, State Senators). Provides that the Council shall convene each year on the Saturday (currently, Thursday) following the second Wednesday of January in the State Capitol, unless the General Assembly is in session. Provides for an alternative meeting place if one or both chambers at the State Capitol cannot accommodate the meeting. Removes requirement that the Council shall meet at least once within 100 days after its initial meeting. Provides that staff and administrative support for the Council shall be provided by the Office of the Governor or an agency designated by the Governor that is under the jurisdiction of the Governor (currently, designated by the General Assembly). Provides that the report submitted to the General Assembly and the Governor shall be submitted electronically. Effective immediately. Fiscal Note (Office of Management and Budget) This Bill would have no fiscal impact to the Governor's Office of Management and Budget and minimal fiscal impact on the state due to the listed reimbursements. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: New Act 30 ILCS 105/5.891 new Adds reference to: 25 ILCS 120/6.7 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Compensation Review Act. Prohibits cost-of-living adjustments for or during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019 for State government legislative and executive elected officers and appointees in positions for which the Compensation Review Board previously recommended or determined compensation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Messages Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 35 ILCS 610/15 from Ch. 120, par. 467.15 Adds reference to: 35 ILCS 200/9-275 35 ILCS 200/15-170 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in a county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, for taxable years 2019 through 2023 (currently, 2020 through 2024), a taxpayer who has been granted a senior citizens homestead exemption need not reapply. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Modifies the disclosure of economic interests Article to provide for separate provisions concerning statements of economic interests to be filed with the Secretary of State and the county clerk respectively. Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that Ethics Officers designated for an office or State agency under the jurisdiction of the Executive Ethics Commission or designated by a Regional Transit Board shall, among other responsibilities, review statements of economic interest and disclosure forms of officers, senior employees, and contract monitors before they are filed with the Secretary of State if the statements of economic interest are filed by hard copy. Provides that if such statements are filed online, the Ethics Officer shall review the statements of economic interest and disclosure forms of officers, senior employees, and contract monitors within 15 days after the filing deadline. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 420/4A-101 from Ch. 127, par. 604A-101 5 ILCS 420/4A-101.5 new 5 ILCS 420/4A-102 from Ch. 127, par. 604A-102 5 ILCS 420/4A-105 from Ch. 127, par. 604A-105 5 ILCS 420/4A-106 from Ch. 127, par. 604A-106 5 ILCS 420/4A-106.5 new 5 ILCS 420/4A-107 from Ch. 127, par. 604A-107 5 ILCS 420/4A-108 5 ILCS 430/20-23 Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 140/7.5 5 ILCS 315/6 from Ch. 48, par. 1606 5 ILCS 315/6.5 new 5 ILCS 315/10 from Ch. 48, par. 1610 15 ILCS 405/20 from Ch. 15, par. 220 40 ILCS 5/1-167 new 50 ILCS 740/8 from Ch. 85, par. 538 115 ILCS 5/3 from Ch. 48, par. 1703 115 ILCS 5/11.1 new 115 ILCS 5/11.2 new 115 ILCS 5/14 from Ch. 48, par. 1714 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Provides that an employer is required to furnish the exclusive bargaining representative with a complete list of the names and addresses of the public employees in the bargaining unit at least once each month. Provides that the employer shall not discourage employees or applicants from becoming or remaining union members or authorizing dues deductions, and shall not otherwise interfere with the relationship between employees and their exclusive bargaining representative. Provides that the employer shall refer all inquiries about union membership to the exclusive bargaining representative, with certain exceptions. Provides that the employer may not disclose certain personal information with respect to any employee, except to that employee's exclusive representative. Contains provisions concerning the collection of dues. Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Prohibits the disclosure of certain personal information regarding participants and members. Makes other changes. Correctional Note, House Floor Amendment No. 1 (Dept of Corrections) There is no fiscal or population impact on the Department of Corrections. Land Conveyance Appraisal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 1 (Dept. of Transportation) No land conveyances are included in Senate Bill 1784 (H-AM 1); therefore, there are no appraisals to be filed. State Debt Impact Note, House Floor Amendment No. 1 (Government Forecasting & Accountability) SB 1784 (H-AM 1) would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued or State-supported bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness. Balanced Budget Note, House Floor Amendment No. 1 (Office of Management and Budget) The Balanced Budget Note Act does not apply to this bill as it is not a supplemental appropriation that increases or decreases appropriations. Under the Act, a balanced budget note must be prepared only for bills that change a general funds appropriation for the fiscal year in which the new bill is enacted. Judicial Note, House Floor Amendment No. 1 (Admin Office of the Illinois Courts) This legislation would neither increase nor decrease the number of judges needed in the State of Illinois. Pension Note, House Floor Amendment No. 1 (Government Forecasting & Accountability) There is no discernible fiscal impact associated with SB 1784, as amended by HA 1. Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 1 (IL Educational Labor Relations Board) In the event Senate Bill 1784 (H-AM 1) passes and becomes law, it is not expected to have any measurable fiscal impact on the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board. Housing Affordability Impact Note, House Floor Amendment No. 1 (Housing Development Authority) This bill will have no effect on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Makes changes to the bill as amended by House Amendment No. 1 by providing that certain references to dues of a labor organization also include other payments to a labor organization. Makes a technical correction to change a reference from "employee" to "participant". Provides that certain provisions of House Amendment No. 1 concerning the disclosure of information by a pension fund or retirement system do no apply to a labor organization or other voluntary association affiliated with a labor organization or labor federation (in House Amendment No. 1, a labor organization or an exclusive representative).

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that 30 days after the effective date of the bill, the Department of Transportation shall conduct a study evaluating automated traffic law enforcement systems in this State. Provides that on or before December 31, 2019, the Department shall file a report with the General Assembly with the results from the study, including input from local law enforcement, and any recommendations the Department deems necessary. Effective immediately.

Amends the ID/DD Community Care Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 210 ILCS 47/1-101 Adds reference to: 215 ILCS 5/355 from Ch. 73, par. 967 215 ILCS 125/4-12 from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1409.5 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code and the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Provides that all individual and small group accident and health policies written subject to certain federal standards must file rates with the Department of Insurance for approval. Provides that unreasonable rate increases or inadequate rates shall be disapproved. Requires the Department to provide a report to the General Assembly on or after January 1, 2021 regarding both on and off exchange individual and small group rates in the Illinois market. Requires that the Department approve or deny rate filings within 45 calendar days of submission unless the Director of Insurance extends the period by following specific procedures. Provides that a rate increase that is not approved or denied by the Department by the applicable deadline shall be automatically approved on the following calendar day. Provides that no less than 30 days after the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has certified the plans described in this Section for the upcoming plan year, the Department shall publish on its website a report explaining the rates for that plan year's certified health care plans. Defines "inadequate rate" and "unreasonable rate increase".