Sen. Mike Halpin

Maddy summaryHB 478 is a technical amendment to the Local Government Travel Expense Control Act that updates the bill's short title. This change does not alter any existing rules or regulations regarding travel expenses for local government officials. The legislation directly affects local governments by refining the official name of the governing act without changing its operational requirements. Since the bill only modifies a title, it has no impact on funding, procedures, or substantive policy.

Creates the Summary of Rights for Safer Homes Act. Requires the Department of Human Rights to create a summary form advising tenants who have suffered domestic violence or sexual violence of the rights that they have under Illinois law that provide protection in their ability to have safe housing. Requires landlords to attach a copy of the summary as the first page of any written residential lease entered into with a tenant.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. In provisions concerning deceptive practices targeting veterans and military members, changes the definition of "veteran or military benefits services" to any services offered or provided to a veteran, military member, or family member who is entitled to receive benefits under federal, State, or local law, policy, or practice as a result of, at least in part, qualifying military service. Adds a veterans services disclosure to be made by any person providing veteran or military benefits services. Makes it an unlawful practice for any person providing veteran or military benefits services to fail at the outset of the business relationship to clearly provide, both orally and in writing, veterans services disclosures when veteran or military benefits services are provided in exchange for any financial compensation, benefit, or thing of value. Makes other changes.

Amends the Coal Mining Act. Provides for State mine rescue stations that are maintained by the Department of Natural Resources for the sole purpose of responding to and preparing for emergencies in the coal mines of Illinois. Provides that recovery operations that are intended solely for the purpose of securing property are not covered under a provision concerning State mine rescue services. Provides that additional mine rescue services for the purpose of securing property are the responsibility of the operator of the property. Provides that mine rescue teams shall be based out of each State mine rescue station to serve the Illinois coal industry as either a primary or secondary responder. Provides that every coal producing mine in the State must assign its mine rescue team or mine complex rescue team to a State mine rescue station and must compensate these employees at their regular rate of pay. Provides that the Mining Board shall establish training requirements for mine rescue teams and mine complex rescue teams. Provides that coal producing mines that maintain a mine rescue station are exempt from providing a mine rescue team or mine complex rescue team to serve the State mine rescue station if certain conditions are met. Sets forth provisions concerning the Department providing suitably located sites for State mine rescue stations; supervision of State mine rescue operations; definitions; and mine rescue teams.

Amends the Probate Act of 1975. For the appointment of a successor guardian, provides that notice of the time and place of the hearing on a petition for the appointment of a successor guardian shall be given not less than 3 days before the hearing for a successor to a temporary guardian and not less than 14 days before hearing for a successor to a limited or plenary guardian. Provides that the notice shall be by mail or in person to the alleged person with a disability, to the proposed successor guardian, and to those persons whose names and addresses are listed in the petition for adjudication of disability and appointment of a guardian. Provides that the court, upon a finding of good cause, may waive the notice requirement.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Requires the governing board of each public university and community college district to pay employees and contractors their daily, regular rate of pay and benefits if a campus is closed due to a city, county, or State declaration of a winter weather emergency.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to require specific health benefits for employees of the State Employees Group Insurance Program and for employees of self-insured county governments. It mandates that these health plans cover infertility diagnosis and treatment, including procedures like in vitro fertilization and genetic screening, starting on January 1, 2024. The coverage is limited to a two-year period ending on July 1, 2026, and applies only when procedures meet established medical standards and are performed at accredited facilities. Additionally, the bill ensures that fertility medications are treated the same as other prescription drugs regarding cost-sharing and restrictions.

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning a comprehensive strategic plan, provides that the State Board of Education shall annually review the strategic plan, update the contents of the plan if necessary, and provide updates to the Governor and General Assembly (instead of requiring the plan to be updated and issued to the Governor and General Assembly). Makes changes concerning property tax relief pool grants and tuition for non-resident pupils. In provisions concerning hazardous materials training, provides that the State Board may identify in-service training programs to be used by school boards (instead of shall approve in-service training programs). In provisions concerning e-learning days, provides that a research-based program for e-learning days shall be verified annually before the implementation of any e-learning days in a school year (instead of requiring verification on or before September 1st annually); makes other changes. In provisions concerning school counseling services, provides that school counseling services shall (instead of may) be provided by school counselors and may be delivered through a comprehensive school counseling program; makes other changes. Makes changes concerning the reporting of firearms and drug-related incidents in schools, educator licensure, reenrolled students, and career and technical education. Amends the School Safety Drill Act. Makes changes concerning threat assessment team members, and fixes a typographical error. Amends the Vocational Education Act. Makes changes regarding the Gender Equity Advisory Committee.

Amends the County Department of Corrections Law. In provisions about pregnant prisoners, modifies the definitions of "post-partum" and "correctional institution", including that "correctional institution" includes institutions in all counties (rather than only in counties more than 3,000,000 inhabitants). Modifies and removes provisions relating to security restraints on a prisoner who is pregnant or in postpartum recovery. Adds provisions relating to annual reports by sheriffs documenting the number of pregnant prisoners in custody each year and the number of people who deliver or miscarry while in custody, relating to county department of corrections providing informational materials concerning the laws pertaining to pregnant prisoners to any pregnant or postpartum prisoner, and relating to supplemental nutrition for prisoners who are pregnant or lactating. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections and the County Jail Act making similar changes. In the Unified Code of Corrections, also adds language relating to restraints of committed persons who are pregnant. Amends the Health Care Violence Prevention Act. In provisions relating to pregnant prisoners, removes a limitation on the provisions to pregnant prisoners in the custody of the Cook County. Provides that restraint of a pregnant prisoner shall comply with specified provisions of the Counties Code, the Unified Code of Corrections, and the County Jail Act (rather than only the Counties Code provisions).

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual plan of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act must provide coverage for wigs or other scalp prostheses worn for hair loss caused by alopecia, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment for cancer or other conditions. Makes a conforming change in the Health Maintenance Organization Act and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Effective immediately.