Sen. Laura Murphy

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning restrictions on prekindergarten through grade 2 assessments, provides that the term "diagnostic and screening purposes" includes to determine eligibility for advanced academic programs, as defined in the Gifted and Talented Children and Children Eligible for Accelerated Placement Article of the Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Community Reinvestment Act. Provides that the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation shall retain qualified persons to design and conduct one or more disparity studies to prepare and report findings and conclusions to the Secretary to: (1) identify and delineate geographies in Illinois exhibiting significant disparities by protected characteristics with respect to: access to financial products or services, including, but not limited to, physical branches of covered financial institutions; and lending and investments by covered financial institutions; and (2) identify policies, procedures, patterns, or practices that have or may have disparate impact or discriminatory effects. Provides that the Secretary shall implement the findings, conclusions, and other results from the study into the examination process as detailed in rule. Provides that the Secretary shall update the disparity studies at least every 4 years, but may require it to be updated more frequently at the Secretary's discretion. Provides that the Secretary may use specified fees to pay for the disparity studies, as necessary. Defines the term "protected characteristic". Effective immediately.

Amends the Subsidized Housing Joint Occupancy Act. Provides that an elderly parent with an adult child with disabilities of the opposite sex shall not be required to occupy subsidized housing with only one bedroom. Provides that exceptions to the largest permissible unit size for subsidized housing shall be made when the elderly parent and adult child with disabilities of the opposite sex otherwise meet all other eligibility requirements.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires the Secretary of State to include, in the Illinois Rules of the Road publication, information pertaining to the transportation of hazardous materials. Provides that the information shall include an image and description that details the various hazardous material placards used on vehicles that transport hazardous materials.

Amends the Regional Planning Act. Removes provisions relating to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's Wastewater Committee. Provides that approval of four-fifths of the Board of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning members in office is necessary for the Board to take action regarding the Agency's budget and work plan, a regional plan, the annual federally funded program, the legislative agenda, and any matter regarding the executive director, but action on all other matters shall be taken in accordance with the Board's bylaws. Provides that the Board shall continue directly involving local elected officials in federal program allocation decisions for any other federally suballocated funding as required by law (rather than only directly involving local elected officials in federal program allocation decisions for the Surface Transportation Program and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds). Repeals provisions relating to succession and transfers related to the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission and a transition period of the Board. Provides that each General Assembly shall appropriate dedicated funding to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to fulfill those functions and programs authorized by the Act (rather than additional funding shall be provided to the Agency to support those functions and programs authorized by the Act). Makes other changes.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. In a provision requiring the Department of Human Service' Division of Mental Health to implement a direct support professional credential pilot program, delays the pilot program's start date to Fiscal Year 2025 (rather than Fiscal Year 2024). Amends the School Code. Provides that beginning with the 2026-2027 school year (rather than the 2025-2026 school year) and continuing for not less than 2 years, the State Board of Education shall make available a model program of study that incorporates the training and experience necessary to serve as a direct support professional. Provides that by July 1, 2025 (rather than by July 1, 2023) the Department of Human Service must submit recommendations to the State Board of Education for the training that would be required in order to complete the model program of study. Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that by July 1, 2026 (rather than by July 1, 2025), the Illinois Community College Board shall submit recommendations for a model program of study, for credit, that incorporates the training and experience necessary to serve as a direct support professional to the Department of Human Services. Effective immediately.

Amends the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987. Provides that, prior to taking any legally binding action on a shared appreciation agreement, the borrower or borrowers shall be provided specified counseling regardless of the county in which the property is located. Provides that the borrower may not waive counseling. Provides that the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation may adopt rules relating to shared appreciation agreements. Defines "shared appreciation agreement", and includes shared appreciation agreements within the definition of "Mortgage loan", "residential mortgage loan", or "home mortgage loan". Amends the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act. Provides that, for each loan for which the originator takes an application, the broker or originator must submit for inclusion in the predatory lending database whether the borrower has entered into a shared appreciation agreement. Provides that a borrower or borrowers subject to specified provisions shall be recommended for counseling if the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation finds the borrower or borrowers are all first-time homebuyers or refinancing a primary residence and the loan is a mortgage that includes a shared appreciation agreement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Local Library Act. Provides that the bond of a library treasurer or custodian of the moneys paid over to a library board shall not be less than 10% (rather than 50%) of the total funds received by the library in the last fiscal year or the treasurer or custodian of the moneys paid over to a library board may provide insurance coverage for negligent and intentional acts by library officials and employees that could result in the loss of library funds in an amount at least equal to 10% (rather than 50%) of the average amount of the library's operating fund from the prior 3 fiscal years. Makes similar changes in the Illinois Library System Act and the Public Library District Act of 1991 relating to treasurer bonds. Effective immediately.

Amends the Financial Institutions Code. Changes the name of the Code to the Financial Institutions Act. Makes conforming changes, including in the Collection Agency Act. Provides that the Division of Financial Institutions is authorized to receive and investigate complaints made about regulated persons; to keep records of all registrations or other authorizations; to issue orders and fines, to require information or reports from regulated persons; to examine activities, books, and records of regulated persons; to defray operating and implementation expenses of administering the Act and other laws; to enter into cooperative agreements; to prescribe the forms of and receive applications or other authorizations and all reports, books, and records required to be made by regulated persons; to subpoena documents and witnesses and administer oaths; to appoint examiners, supervisors, experts, and special assistants; and to investigate and take actions reasonably necessary to prohibit and stop unlicensed activity. Provides for the Division to make and implement rules. Repeals provisions relating to the transfer of powers, rights, and duties from various former Departments to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides for a Director of the Division appointed by the Governor to report to the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides that any Illinois circuit court may enter an order to enforce subpoenas issued by the Division. Requires regulated persons to maintain character and fitness to justify confidence of the public. Provides for the Secretary to enter into consent orders or settlement agreements with regulated persons. Provides exceptions for some forms of financial interest in any financial institutions under the Division's jurisdiction. Makes other changes. Amends the Consumer Installment Loan Act and the Payday Loan Reform Act. Provides that the Director may fine a person doing business without the required license. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Provides that the Act applies to all employees, volunteers, interns, unpaid personnel, and agents of comprehensive community mental health centers. Makes conforming changes. Defines the term "comprehensive community mental health center". Changes the definition of "direct care". Allows the Department of Public Health to adopt rules to implement the Act as it relates to comprehensive community mental health centers.