Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that a petitioner may petition the circuit court to expunge the records of his or her arrests when he or she has been convicted of or placed on supervision for a misdemeanor that occurred more than 15 years before the filing of the petition if the person has not committed another offense within that period, other than minor traffic offenses. Provides that prior to the granting of the petition, the Director of State Police shall certify that the person has no other records of arrest and conviction within that time period, other than minor traffic offenses. Provides that the circuit court clerk shall charge a $150 fee per offense plus court costs for the expungement. Provides that the fees shall be deposited in the State treasury in a special fund known as the Misdemeanor Expungement Fund. Provides that the Secretary of Human Services shall disburse moneys in the fund as grants to certain specified organizations.
Sponsored bills
Creates the Pay It Forward, Pay It Back Act. Establishes a program to provide loans to eligible students to attend an institution of higher learning in this State that are to be repaid, in part, according to the income of the student borrowers. Sets forth the Pay It Forward, Pay It Back Program Fund where moneys in the fund shall be kept for the sole purpose of awarding program loans under the Act. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall administer the program and by rule develop the loan application process. Sets forth provisions governing loan repayment. Requires the Department to submit an annual report to the General Assembly. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Pay It Forward, Pay It Back Program Fund. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the limitations period for claims for refunds shall be suspended during any period when the individual seeking the refund is financially disabled. Defines "financial disability". Provides that an individual shall not be treated as financially disabled during any period when that individual's spouse or any other person is authorized to act on behalf of that individual with respect to financial matters. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. Establishes requirements for the use of payroll cards by employers. Provides that receipt of wages by means of a payroll card may not be a condition of employment. Requires certain disclosures to be made to employees before using payroll cards. Requires the offer of an alternative means of payment to be available. Establishes limits on fees. Effective January 1, 2015.
Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that when a child is voluntarily placed in out-of-home care funded by the Department of Children and Family Services for the purpose of obtaining mental health treatment for the child or treatment for the child's developmental disability, the Department is prohibited from requesting, recommending, or requiring that a parent terminate his or her parental rights with respect to the child or that a parent or legal guardian transfer legal custody of the child to the Department. Provides that a child voluntarily placed in out-of-home care shall be placed pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement voluntarily entered into by the parents or legal guardian of the child. Provides that for a child to remain in out-of-home care for longer than 180 days, a juvenile court must make a judicial determination within the first 180 days of the placement that the placement is in the best interests of the child. Requires the Department to report annually to the General Assembly concerning (i) the number of children who were voluntarily placed in out-of-home care funded by the Department and (ii) the number of parents or legal guardians who relinquished custody of their child for the purpose of seeking mental health treatment for the child or treatment for the child's developmental disability. Contains provisions concerning: an interagency agreement between specified State agencies to prevent children from becoming wards of the State and entering the child welfare system solely for purpose of treatment of a child's serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, or developmental disability; certain protocols that must be included in the interagency agreement; and additional reporting requirements. Effective immediately.
Creates the Best Candidate for the Job Act. Provides that an employer may not inquire into or require disclosure of a job applicant's criminal record or criminal history before the candidate has been notified that the candidate has been selected for a job interview or has been offered a conditional offer of employment. Requires consideration of the nature and gravity of a candidate's conviction record, the time elapsed since the conviction, and whether the conviction has a direct bearing on the candidate's fitness before excluding a candidate. Authorizes civil remedies. Provides that the Department of Labor may impose penalties for violations. Effective January 1, 2015.
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person in the custody of (rather than committed to) the Department of Human Services under the provisions of the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act under a detention order, commitment order, conditional release order, or other court order who intentionally escapes from any secure facility or from a Department employee or any of its agents (rather than a person committed to the Department of Human Services under the provisions of the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act or in detention with the Department of Human Services awaiting such a commitment) who intentionally escapes from any secure residential facility or from a Department employee or any of its agents (rather than the custody of an employee of that facility) commits a Class 2 felony.
Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Changes the definition of "aquatic life". Provides that "aquatic life" means all fish, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans, algae, aquatic plants, aquatic invertebrates, and any other aquatic animals or plants that the Department identifies in rules adopted after consultation with biologists, zoologists, or other wildlife experts.
Amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. Provides that regulation of farmers' markets by local authorities may be no more stringent than the regulation established by the Department of Public Health. Establishes a framework for the regulation of food samples. Makes a corresponding change in the Sanitary Food Preparation Act. Imposes requirements for disclosure of product origin with respect to specialty crops and raw agricultural commodities. Authorizes a State-certified local public health department to impose a fee in connection with the registration of a cottage food operation. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code with respect to block grants for school districts other than the Chicago school district. Provides that not less than 14% (instead of 11%) of the Early Childhood Education Block Grant shall be used to fund programs for children ages 0-3, which percentage shall increase to at least 20% by Fiscal Year 2016 (instead of 2015). Effective July 1, 2014.