Sen. Mike Halpin

Makes various appropriations to the Department of Human Services for family and community services and related distributive purposes, including federal funds available for early intervention services and for the Parents Too Soon program and the Healthy Families Program. Makes an appropriation to the Department of Human Services for income assistance and related distributive purposes, including federal funds available for child care services. Makes an appropriation to the Illinois State Board of Education for early childhood education. Effective July 1, 2022.

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that a claimant is not disqualified from obtaining benefits during a period of unemployment caused by a labor dispute if the labor dispute is caused by the failure or refusal of the employer to comply with an agreement or contract between the employer and the claimant, including a collective bargaining agreement with a union representing the claimant, or a State or federal law pertaining to hours, wages, or other conditions of work. Provides that a claimant shall not be provided benefits for a period of the first 30 days following the commencement of unemployment caused by a labor dispute, including a strike or other concerted activities of employees at the claimant's workplace, whether or not authorized or sanctioned by a union representing the claimant, but not including a dispute during which benefits are otherwise available. Provides that the 30-day waiting period shall not apply if the employer hires a permanent replacement worker for the claimant's position. Provides that if the employer does not permit the claimant to return to his or her prior position upon conclusion of the dispute, the claimant shall be entitled to recover any benefits lost as a result of the 30-day waiting period before receiving benefits. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employee Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that an investigator for the Department of Revenue or investigator for the Illinois Gaming Board may elect to establish eligible creditable service under the alternative retirement annuity formula for up to 5 years of service as a person employed by a participating municipality to perform police duties under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article, a county corrections officer, a court services officer under the Cook County Article, or a firefighter under the Downstate Firefighter Article by filing a written election with the Board within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act and paying to the System an amount to be determined by the Board equal to (i) the difference between the amount of employee and employer contributions transferred to the System and the amounts that would have been contributed had such contributions been made at the rates applicable to investigators for the Department of Revenue or investigators for the Illinois Gaming Board, plus (ii) interest thereon at the actuarially assumed rate for each year, compounded annually, from the date of service to the date of payment. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Makes conforming changes in the Downstate Firefighter, Cook County, and IMRF Articles. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State.

Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Provides that only railroad companies, street, suburban or interurban railroad companies, and pipeline companies are required to report deliveries of motor fuel (currently, railroad companies, street, suburban or interurban railroad companies, pipeline companies, motor truck or motor tank car companies, water transportation companies, and every person transporting reportable motor fuel to a point in this State from a point without this State). Effective immediately.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to award grants for the payment of tuition and fees to eligible applicants who agree to serve a minimum of 4 years as a law enforcement officer in a local community in this State following graduation from a public institution of higher learning. Sets forth provisions concerning applicant eligibility, conditions for maintaining grant eligibility, and conditions requiring the repayment of grant assistance. Provides for rulemaking. Effective immediately.

Amends the General Provisions and State Employees Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a special agent or special agent chief with the Securities Department of the Secretary of State may establish eligible creditable service under the alternative annuity provisions of the State Employees Article. Provides that an investigator for the Secretary of State or a special agent or special agent chief with the Securities Department of the Secretary of State may elect to establish eligible creditable service for up to 5 years of service as a person employed by a participating municipality to perform police duties under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Article, a county corrections officer, or a court services officer under the Cook County Article by filing a written election and making a specified contribution. Provides that an investigator for the Secretary of State or a special agent or special agent chief with the Securities Department of the Secretary of State may elect to convert service credit under the State Employees Article to eligible creditable service under the alternative annuity provisions by filing a written election and making a specified contribution.

Amends the State Employees Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that an investigator for the Department of Revenue or investigator for the Illinois Gaming Board may elect to establish eligible creditable service under the alternative retirement annuity formula for up to 5 years of service as a person employed by a participating municipality to perform police duties under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article, a county corrections officer, a court services officer under the Cook County Article, or a firefighter under the Downstate Firefighter Article by filing a written election with the Board within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act and paying to the System an amount to be determined by the Board equal to (i) the difference between the amount of employee and employer contributions transferred to the System and the amounts that would have been contributed had such contributions been made at the rates applicable to investigators for the Department of Revenue or investigators for the Illinois Gaming Board, plus (ii) interest thereon at the actuarially assumed rate for each year, compounded annually, from the date of service to the date of payment. Provides that an investigator for either the Department of Revenue or the Illinois Gaming Board may elect to convert service credit under the State Employees Article to eligible creditable service under the alternative annuity provisions by filing a written election and making a specified contribution. Makes other changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State.

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that the provisions of the Act apply to the construction or demolition of public works performed by an employee of a public body engaged in the construction or demolition of public works on behalf of another public body. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning on July 1, 2021, breast pumps, breast pump collection and storage supplies, and breast pump kits are exempt from the taxes imposed under those Acts. Effective immediately.

Amends the Police Officers' Pension Investment Fund Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the transition period shall end no later than June 30, 2023 (instead of 30 months after January 1, 2020). Effective immediately.