Sen. Dave Syverson

Proposes to amend the Legislature and Revenue Articles of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that the General Assembly may increase the rate of an existing tax or impose a new tax only by a law approved by the vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house. Provides that the General Assembly may override the veto of the Governor of a bill to increase the rate of an existing tax or impose a new tax only by a record vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning coverage for telehealth services, provides that certain health benefit policies or plans may not exclude from coverage a medically necessary health care service or procedure delivered by certain providers solely because the health care service or procedure is provided through telehealth (rather than requiring certain policies to meet specified criteria if they provide coverage for telehealth services). Provides the requirements of coverage for telehealth services. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident or health insurance that provides coverage for telehealth services delivered by contracted licensed dietitian nutritionists and contracted certified diabetes educators must also provide coverage for in-home services for senior diabetes patients (rather than requiring an individual or group policy of accident or health insurance that provides coverage for telehealth services to provide coverage for licensed dietitian nutritionists and certified diabetes educators who counsel senior diabetes patients in the patients' homes). Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides payment, reimbursement, and service requirements for telehealth services provided under the State's fee-for-service or managed care medical assistance programs. Provides that "telehealth" includes telepsychiatry. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall implement the new provisions 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Repeals a provision requiring the Department to reimburse psychiatrists and federally qualified health centers for mental health services provided by psychiatrists to medical assistance recipients through telepsychiatry. Makes other changes.

Amends the Video Gaming Act. Provides that the Illinois Gaming Board shall post on its website: (i) a statement describing what constitutes an inducement and does not constitute an inducement; and (2) the text of rulings by the Board regarding what constitutes an inducement and does not constitute an inducement. Provides that the Board shall redact personal, company, and location data from the posted rulings. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that the prohibition by a licensee under the Act from carrying a firearm into any building, parking area, or portion of a building under the control of an officer of the executive or legislative branch of government does not apply to any rest areas under the control of the Department of Transportation or to buildings located in rest areas under the control of the Department of Transportation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act. Provides that the Act does not apply to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity who has been given, and is currently in possession of, a valid Federal Firearms License, during all State approved activities held at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex. Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act and the Criminal Code of 2012 to make technical changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person also commits a hate crime when, by reason of the actual or perceived employment as a peace officer, correctional institution employee, probation officer, parole officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services personnel of another individual or group of individuals, regardless of the existence of any other motivating factor or factors, he or she commits assault, battery, aggravated assault, misdemeanor theft, criminal trespass to residence, misdemeanor criminal damage to property, criminal trespass to vehicle, criminal trespass to real property, mob action, disorderly conduct, harassment by telephone, or harassment through electronic communications.

Amends the Boxing and Full-contact Martial Arts Act. Changes the definition of "amateur" to allow the person to receive a stipend for an athletic club or sponsor of the contestant to cover the cost of training and participation expenses not to exceed $1,500. Provides that "full-contact martial arts" includes, but is not limited to, mixed martial arts and kickboxing techniques. Defines "incumbent sanctioning body". Allows amateur boxing or full-contact martial arts contests sponsored by a State, county, or municipal entity to be conducted by a sanctioning body approved by the Act without oversight by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides that specified qualified entities are exempt from oversight by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and must notify the Department of their intent to sponsor events covered under the Act. Adds provisions for sanctioning bodies. Effective immediately.

Amends the Navigator Certification Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that employees of regional offices of education, intermediate services centers, school districts, and any contracting agency, along with workers from child welfare agencies with open cases involving the student, may transport a student to and from school in a first division vehicle if proof of insurance not less than $300,000 per incident and $100,000 per person is on record with the employer of the driver of the vehicle. Effective immediately.

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that a public body may hold closed meetings to consider, among other subjects, deliberations or portions of deliberations for decisions of the Illinois Gaming Board in which specified information is discussed.