Sen. Cristina Castro

Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Prohibits an employer from: (i) screening job applicants based on their wage or salary history, (ii) requiring that an applicant's prior wages satisfy minimum or maximum criteria, and (iii) requesting or requiring as a condition of being interviewed or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment that an applicant disclose prior wages or salary. Prohibits an employer from seeking the salary, including benefits or other compensation or salary history, of a job applicant from any current or former employer, with some exceptions. Limits defenses. Provides for penalties and injunctive relief.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the School Code's construction.

Amends the Governor's Office of New Americans Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Repeals a provision providing for the collection of an annual commercial distribution fee on vehicles of the second division weighing more than 8,000 pounds. Makes conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2018.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that a request for an arrest report or criminal history record must be made to the public body that created the public record being sought. Provides that a public body that merely maintains a copy of the public record being sought shall not release the public record. Provides that if a public body receives a request for a public record that it did not create, the public body shall direct the requester to the public body that created the public record.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall not require any person committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections who is eligible for medical assistance to pay a fee as a co-payment for services.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Creates the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program. Provides for the implementation of and requirements for the Program. Provides for the State Treasurer's duties under the Program. Provides that the State Treasurer may adopt any rules that may be necessary to implement the Program. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Defines terms.

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Provides that a Veterans Home shall notify the residents of the Veterans Home, the families of residents at the Veterans Home, employees of the Veterans Home, and individuals working on contract at the Veterans Home within 24 hours of an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at the Veterans Home. Effective immediately.

Creates the Criminal History in College Applications Act. Provides that a public college may not inquire about or consider an applicant's criminal history information at any time during the admission decision-making process, except as required by State or federal law. Allows public colleges to continue using a multi-institution application, even if the application inquires about criminal history, but requires the public college to disregard the information for the admissions process. Allows public colleges to inquire about criminal history for certain purposes after the admission decision-making process, but forbids public colleges from rescinding an admissions offer based on the information. Authorizes public colleges to provide certain information. Effective immediately.

Creates the Wage Lien Act. Provides that a lien exists on an employer's property for the amount of unpaid wages owed to an employee. Defines terms and includes provisions concerning creation of the lien; exemptions; notice; limitations; recording of the lien; enforcement; other claims on the employer's property; successor obligations; and construction.