Sen. Karina Villa

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that every individual is entitled to an estate of homestead to the extent in value of the greater of (1) the countywide median sale price for a single-family home in the calendar year prior to the calendar year in which the judgment debtor claims the exemption, not to exceed $600,000, or (2) $300,000 (rather than $15,000) of his or her interest in a farm or lot of land and buildings thereon, a condominium, or personal property, owned or rightly possessed by lease or otherwise and occupied by him or her as a residence, or in a cooperative that owns property that the individual uses as a residence. Makes conforming changes.

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 Illinois Human Rights Act. Deletes language providing that "employee" does not include members of the immediate personal staffs of elected public officials.

Amends the Illinois Pesticide Act. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2023, no pesticide containing a neonicotinoid may be used outdoors on any land owned or maintained by the State, except for use in structural pest control or abatement of non-native insect borers, subject to specified restrictions. Provides that the provisions do not prohibit: (i) the use of seeds that are pretreated with neonicotinoids on public lands owned or maintained by the State; or (ii) the use of neonicotinoids on property belonging to a public institution of higher education. Defines "neonicotinoid". Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Water Commission Act of 1985. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Provides that each patient has the right to: (1) receive current health care facility policies, inspection findings of State and local health authorities, and further explanation of a written statement of rights to be available to the patient, his or her guardian, or his or her chosen representative; (2) be treated with courtesy and respect for his or her individuality by employees or persons providing medical services or care and to have his or her human and civil rights maintained in all aspects of medical care; (3) have his or her basic human needs accommodated in a timely manner; (4) continuity and coordination of care among and between all disciplines serving the patient's medical diagnoses and needs; (5) be told the identity of his or her health care provider upon request; (6) be provided, digitally or in writing, current information concerning the patient's diagnosis, treatment, alternatives, risks, and prognosis upon request; and (7) be informed, prior to or at the time of admission and during his or her stay, of services that are included in the health care facility's basic per diem or daily room rate and that other services are available at additional charge. Provides that hospitals' patient advocates or ombudsmen shall be notified of patient grievances. Provides that a health care facility shall make every effort to assist patients in obtaining information regarding whether the Medicare or Medical Assistance program will pay for any or all of the services provided by the health care facility. Provides that hospitals shall have a written internal grievance procedure that conforms with specified requirements. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning the adoption of rules by the State Board of Education governing time out and physical restraint in the public schools. Subject to appropriation, requires the State Board to create a grant program for school districts and special education cooperatives and charter schools to implement school-wide, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed practices, positive behavioral interventions and supports, and restorative practices. Allows the State Board to contract with a third party to provide assistance with oversight and monitoring, and requires the State Board to establish reduction goals and a system of ongoing review, auditing, and monitoring. Makes changes in provisions concerning a school board's use of time out and physical restraint, including providing that isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint may be used only under certain circumstances, prohibiting the deprivation of necessities and prone, mechanical, and chemical restraint, and requiring a meeting with school personnel if requested by the parent or guardian, the provision of information to parents and guardians, and written procedures. Effective immediately.

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Requires every public elementary school and high school to include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of Asian American history; contains provisions governing this instruction. Provides that the teaching of history of the United States shall include the study of the wrongful incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and the heroic service of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of the United States Army during World War II.

Amends the Eviction Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a sealed court file shall be made available to a State or local government employee or contractor responsible for processing court-based rental assistance. Requires prospective counsel to request a sealed court file in a specified form. Allows a scholarly, public policy, court reform agency, educational, journalistic, or governmental body to access all sealed files by filing a motion with the judge presiding over evictions in that judicial district or county. Changes operative and repeal dates to August 1, 2024 (currently August 1, 2022). Makes conforming changes in the Article and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, provides that the child support collected on behalf of a family shall be passed through to the family and disregarded in determining the amount of the assistance grant provided to the family under the program (rather than the first $100 of child support collected on behalf of a family in a month for one child and the first $200 of child support collected on behalf of a family in a month for 2 or more children shall be passed through to the family and disregarded in determining the amount of the assistance grant provided to the family under the program). Provides that beginning October 1, 2022 (rather than October 1, 2018) the Department of Human Services shall increase TANF grant amounts in effect on September 30, 2022 (rather than September 30, 2018) to at least 50% (rather than 30%) of the most recent United States Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines for each family size. Provides that beginning October 1, 2023 (rather than October 1, 2019), and each October 1 thereafter, the maximum benefit levels shall be annually adjusted to remain equal to at least 50% (rather than 30%) of the most recent poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for each family size. Effective October 1, 2022.