Sen. Mike Halpin

Amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, a person or entity shall not manufacture, sell, deliver, distribute, hold, or offer for sale a food product for human consumption that contains brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, or red dye 3. Provides that a person or entity that violates the prohibition shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for a first violation and not to exceed $10,000 for each subsequent violation. Makes a conforming change.

Amends the Court of Claims Act. Deletes language regarding the amount a court shall award to a person for time unjustly served in prison when the person imprisoned received a pardon on the ground of innocence of the crime for which he or she was imprisoned or he or she received a certificate of innocence. Provides instead that the court shall award $50,000 per year during which the person was wrongfully imprisoned and shall prorate that amount for a fraction of a year that the person was wrongfully imprisoned, including the number of years the person was awaiting trial. Provides that the court shall award attorney's fees in an amount not to exceed 25% of the award granted. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act apply to all claims pending or filed on or after the effective date. Effective immediately.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning types of licenses, creates the School Social Work Associate License. Provides that an applicant may apply to the State Board of Education for issuance of a School Social Work Associate License. Provides that a School Social Work Associate License holder shall be authorized to perform all responsibilities associated with traditional school social work roles, with the exception of direct work with students with disabilities, including, but not limited to, a student with an individualized education program. Provides that a School Social Work Associate License may be issued to an applicant who (i) holds a degree from a graduate program of social work that has been approved by the Council on Social Work Education and (ii) has an active license though the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation under the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act as either a licensed clinical social worker or licensed social worker. Provides that if the applicant is a licensed social worker under the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act, then the applicant shall be limited to the restrictions in the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act regarding independent clinical practice. Provides for a $150 application fee. Effective immediately.

Creates the Resilient Illinois Revolving Loan Fund Act. Establishes the Resilient Illinois Revolving Loan Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used to provide low-interest or no-interest loans to counties and nonprofit organizations for local resilience projects that address mitigation of hazards. Specifies that moneys in the Fund may also be used for administrative support associated with the Fund, including the hiring of necessary staff. Tasks the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security with the Fund's administration. Requires the Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency when funding is available under the federal STORM Act to capitalize the Fund. Directs IEMA-OHS to prioritize providing loans to projects it determines to have the greatest impact on eliminating hazards. Provides that the Fund shall be administered, operated, and maintained to remain available in perpetuity to provide loans and other financial assistance. Requires the Agencies to establish application procedures and eligibility criteria for loans from the Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. In provisions concerning the State Aviation Program Fund, provides that grant moneys in excess of $30,000,000 shall be distributed by the Department of Transportation to airports for capital development purposes for projects identified on Transportation Improvement Plans submitted by airports on a discretionary basis by the Illinois Division of Aeronautics. Makes changes concerning the transfer of surplus moneys from the Aviation Fuel Sales Tax Refund Fund to the State Aviation Program Fund and the General Revenue Fund. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Makes changes concerning the distribution of proceeds from sales of aviation fuel.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution congratulates Clarence R. Wyatt, Ph.D., on his retirement as the president of Monmouth College in Illinois. The document highlights his leadership achievements, such as guiding the college through the pandemic and securing significant funding for scholarships and facility renovations. It also notes his educational background and the support of his wife during his tenure. Ultimately, the bill serves as a formal expression of appreciation from the Illinois Senate and results in presenting a copy of the resolution to Dr. Wyatt.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life of Judith A. "Judy" Mayer, a resident of Rock Island who passed away in April 2024. The document formally records the Illinois Senate's condolences to her family and directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to them as a gesture of sympathy. It does not alter any laws or policies but serves as a commemorative statement acknowledging her personal history and contributions to her community.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable year 2023, the maximum income limitation for the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption is (i) $75,000 for qualified property in a county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and (ii) $65,000 for qualified property located in a county with fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants. Provides that, for taxable years 2024 and thereafter, the maximum income limitation for the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption is $75,000 for all qualified property. Amends the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. Provides that the maximum household income under the Act is $75,000 for tax years 2023 and thereafter. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish reimbursement rates that build toward livable wages for front-line personnel in residential and day programs and service coordination agencies serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Provides that for community-based providers serving persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, subject to federal approval, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after July 1, 2024 shall be increased sufficiently to: (i) provide a minimum $3.00 per hour wage increase over the wages in effect on June 30, 2024 for front-line personnel; and (ii) provide wages for all other residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding direct support professionals, at the U.S. Department of Labor's average wage as defined, by rule, by the Department. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that for ID/DD facilities and MC/DD facilities, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after July 1, 2024, shall be increased sufficiently to: (i) provide a minimum $3.00 per hour wage increase over the wages in effect on June 30, 2024 for front-line personnel; and (ii) provide wages for all other residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding direct support professionals, at the U.S. Department of Labor's average wage as defined, by rule, by the Department. Requires the same increase for front-line personnel employed at community-based providers serving persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Grants the Departments of Human Services and Healthcare and Family Services emergency rulemaking authority. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. In provisions concerning the directory of new hires, provides that the definition of "newly hired employee" includes an individual under an independent contractor arrangement. Effective January 1, 2024.