Sen. Mattie Hunter

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that each qualified teacher is entitled to an income tax credit in an aggregate amount equal to 50% of the tuition costs incurred by that teacher at a public university in the State. Provides that each qualified teacher may take no more than 20% of his or her aggregate credit amount in any taxable year. Provides that the term "qualified teacher" means an individual who (i) graduated from a public university in the State, (ii) is employed as a teacher in this State during the taxable year, and (iii) has been employed as a teacher in the State for at least 5 consecutive years as of the first day of the taxable year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. Requires the Department of the Lottery, beginning on July 1, 2021, to offer a special instant scratch-off game for child abuse prevention. Requires the net revenue from that game to be deposited into the Child Abuse Prevention Fund. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that the special instant scratch-off game for child abuse prevention shall be offered by the Department of the Lottery starting on July 1, 2022 (rather than July 1, 2021) and be discontinued on July 1, 2023 (rather than July 1, 2022).

Creates the Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit Act. Provides that owners of qualified low-income housing developments are eligible for credits against (i) State income taxes and (ii) any privilege tax or retaliatory tax, penalty, fee, charge, or payment imposed under the Illinois Insurance Code. Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Provides that the Illinois Housing Development Authority shall develop a form and include it with certain financing agreements. Amends the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Creates an exemption for building materials to be incorporated into an 100% affordable housing project by rehabilitation or new construction. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides for a reduction in assessed value for affordable rental housing construction or rehabilitation. Amends the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act. Provides that an affordable housing plan, or any revision thereof, shall not be adopted by a non-exempt local government until notice and opportunity for public hearing have first been afforded. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 35 ILCS 200/10-260 Provides that the credits and incentives created in the introduced bill apply on or after January 1, 2024 (in the introduced bill January 1, 2021). In provisions creating the Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit Act, provides that notice of recapture shall be sent to the owner of the qualified development, the Department of Revenue, and the Department of Insurance (in the introduced bill, the Department of Revenue and Department of Insurance only). Further amends the Property Tax Code. Makes changes concerning the assessment of low-income housing projects that qualify for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code. Makes other technical changes.

Urges the State of Illinois to fully fund the Guidehouse final rate recommendations in FY 22.

Amends the State Property Control Act. Provides that the Director of Central Management Services as Administrator may convey any surplus real property covered by the State Property Control Act, by sale or lease, to a duly incorporated, charitable, non-profit organization or association for the cultivation and sale of fresh fruits and vegetables on a tract of land of less than 5 acres within any unit of local government, provided that the non-profit organization or association is not controlled, directly or indirectly, by any agricultural, commercial, or other business. Provides that the non-profit organization or association shall be authorized to sell fresh fruits and vegetables either on the land that was conveyed, off that land, or both, provided, that the sales are related or incidental to the non-profit purposes of the organization or association, and the net proceeds received by the non-profit organization or association are used to further the non-profit purposes of the organization or association. Provides that the lease of any real property to any duly incorporated non-profit organization or association shall be in accordance with the Illinois Procurement Code. Amends the Property Tax Code to provide a property tax exemption for non-profit organizations using land for the cultivation and sale of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Appropriates $8,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Office of the State Treasurer for the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program. Effective July 1, 2022.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the rates or payments for home health visits shall be as follows: $111 for dates of service from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021; and $131 for dates of service on and after January 1, 2022. Provides that the rates or payments for the certified nursing assistant component of the home health agency rate shall be as follows: $20 for dates of service prior to January 1, 2021; $25 for dates of service from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021; $30 for dates of service from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022; and $35 for dates of service on and after January 1, 2023. Effective immediately.

Creates the Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit Act. Provides that owners of qualified low-income housing developments are eligible for credits against the taxes imposed by the Illinois Income Tax Act or taxes, penalties, fees, charges, and payments imposed by the Illinois Insurance Code. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Illinois Insurance Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Allows the board of trustees of a community college district to establish and offer a baccalaureate-level early childhood education program and confer a bachelor of applied science degree in early childhood education and a Professional Educator License with endorsements in early childhood education and early childhood special education under certain conditions. Provides for an application for approval from the Illinois Community College Board. Sets forth college requirements and prohibitions. Provides that a candidate for educator licensure must successfully complete applicable testing requirements prior to the issuance of an educator license and any endorsements. Provides for a statewide evaluation of such programs.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that a child protective investigator is authorized to carry and use personal protection spray devices, such as mace, pepper mace, or pepper gas, for self-defense purposes while investigating a report of child abuse or neglect if the child protective investigator has been trained on the proper use of such personal protection spray devices by the Illinois State Police. Requires the Illinois State Police to establish a training program for child protective investigators on the proper use of personal protection spray devices for self-defense purposes. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to provide funding for the training program. Effective immediately.