Sen. Cristina Castro

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Equitable Restrooms Act. Provides that every public restroom open to the public shall include menstrual hygiene products at no cost to the users of that public restroom. Provides that all menstrual hygiene products shall be placed within the public restroom and be openly accessible to users of that public restroom. Provides that the entity providing the public restroom shall be responsible for ordering, stocking, and replenishing the supply of menstrual hygiene products in the public restroom. Provides that the provisions do not apply to mosques, temples, churches, or other places of worship. Includes provisions relating to inspection of public restrooms and rules that the Department of Public Health shall adopt. Provides that a violation of provisions relating to baby changing stations, all-gender single-occupancy restrooms, and menstrual hygiene products is a petty offense with a fine of not more than $100. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Articulation Initiative Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning notices of increased assessments, provides that the county assessor shall continue to accept appeals from the taxpayer for a period of not less than 30 days (currently, 30 business days) from the date the assessment notice is mailed or the date the notice is published on the assessor's website, whichever is later. Effective immediately.

Mourns the passing of Joseph McKinley "Joe" Wars of Elgin.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that in awarding contracts for Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Projects with a total value of more than $100,000, preference shall be given to an otherwise qualified bidder who either (1) provides proof that at least 2 current employees of the bidder are former coal mine employees and that all such declared former coal mine employees in the bid shall be utilized in the fulfillment of an awarded Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Project or (2) commits to employing at least 2 former coal mine employees hired out of a union hall in the fulfillment of the Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Project (requiring the bidder to provide proof that at least 2 former coal mine employees have been hired out of a union hall within 60 days after the start of construction and to declare that the former coal mine employees, after being hired, shall be utilized in the fulfillment of an awarded Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Project). Provides that when the Department of Natural Resources is to award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, an otherwise qualified bidder who will fulfill the contract through the use of former coal mine employees may be given preference over other bidders unable to do so, if the bid is not more than 2% greater than the low bid.

Creates the Access to Affordable Insulin Act. Sets forth provisions concerning an insulin urgent-need program. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall establish procedures and applications for the insulin urgent-need program. Sets forth provisions concerning insulin urgent-need program exceptions, eligibility, forms, applications, claims and reimbursement, copayments, information sheets, and navigators. Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning cost sharing in prescription insulin drugs, provides that an insurer that provides coverage for prescription insulin drugs under the terms of a health coverage plan the insurer offers shall limit the total amount that an insured is required to pay for a 30-day supply of covered prescription insulin drugs at an amount not to exceed $35 (rather than $100). Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, when a revision is made by the county assessor and that revision is not made on complaint of the property owner, the county assessor shall continue to accept appeals from the taxpayer for a period of not less than 35 business days from the later of the date the assessment notice is mailed or is published on the assessor's website.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the Historic Residence Assessment Freeze Law, provides that the fair cash value of the property shall be based on the final determination by the assessment officer, board of review, Property Tax Appeal Board, or court. Provides that, after the expiration of the 8-year valuation period, if the current fair cash value is less than the adjusted base year valuation, then the assessment shall be based on the current fair cash value. Provides that those changes are declarative of existing law.

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. With respect to safety education instruction for students enrolled in prekindergarten through grade 6, adds water safety that incorporates the water safety instructional materials and resources developed by the American Red Cross and the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project or by a district-approved source. Effective immediately.