Sen. Mike Halpin

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Provides that by July 1, 2019, the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall develop a Transition Assistance Program for veterans who have been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of any state. Provides that the program shall be designed to assist veterans in successfully transitioning from military to civilian life in Illinois and shall complement the transition program offered by the United States Department of Defense. Provides that the program shall include specified Illinois-specific transition assistance resources and information covering specified topics. Provides that the program shall provide information to noncitizens who are leaving military service in Illinois or who have already been discharged from military service in Illinois. Provides that the information shall detail how to become United States citizens, including where to acquire State legal assistance. Provides that the Illinois National Guard shall inform its members that it will assist noncitizen members in acquiring United States citizenship as soon as they are eligible. Provides that if a noncitizen member requests such assistance, then the Illinois National Guard shall assist the member in filing all forms and paperwork necessary to become a United States citizen. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. In provisions concerning winds farms and electric-generating wind devices, makes the provisions applicable even if a county has or has not formed a zoning commission and adopted formal zoning. Clarifies that only a county may establish standards for wind farms, electric-generating wind devices, and commercial wind energy facilities in unincorporated areas of the county outside of the zoning jurisdiction of a municipality and the 1.5 mile radius surrounding the zoning jurisdiction of a municipality. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that only a county may establish standards for wind farms outside the 1.5 mile radius (rather than in the 1.5 mile radius) surrounding the zoning jurisdiction of a municipality.

Amends the School Code. Provides that an approved waiver from or modification to a physical education mandate may remain in effect for a period not to exceed 2 school years (rather than 5 school years like other mandate waivers) and may be renewed no more than 2 times upon application by an eligible applicant. Provides that an approved waiver from or modification to a physical education mandate may be changed within the 2-year period by the school board or regional superintendent of schools, whichever is applicable, following the procedure set forth in the Code for the initial waiver or modification request. Provides that a school board may determine the schedule or frequency of physical education courses, provided that an elementary school pupil engage in a course of physical education for a minimum of 150 minutes per week and a middle school, junior high school, or high school pupil engage in a course of physical education for a minimum of 225 minutes per week (rather than engage in a course of physical education for a minimum of 3 days per 5-day week). Provides that if a student non-attendance day is scheduled for a day that would otherwise include a physical education class or if the school building is not otherwise open to students on a day that would otherwise include a physical education class, a student is not required to make up the minutes from that class; defines "student non-attendance day". Effective July 1, 2019.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that notwithstanding any provision of the Code, each opening weekend for every hunting season established by the Department of Natural Resources shall be at least 4 days long. Effective immediately.

Urges the Illinois Department of Public Health to adopt new guidelines for painkillers.

Amends the Illinois Credit Union Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the fiscal year of credit unions. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 205 ILCS 305/6 Adds reference to: 215 ILCS 5/370c.1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Requires a policy of accident and health insurance to provide coverage for treatment of substance use disorders or conditions that is, at a minimum, equivalent to the coverage provided under the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Fiscal Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Dept. of Insurance) HB 0466 (H-AM 1) has no projected fiscal impact on the Illinois Department of Insurance as this is already part of common practice under NAIC model law. State Mandates Fiscal Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not create a State mandate.

Recognizes September 2019 as Dystonia Awareness Month.

States support for veterans currently struggling with mental illness and thoughts of suicide and encourages the State of Illinois to create a memorial for veterans who have died of suicide to be included at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Declares April 2, 2019 as Pay Equity Day.

Creates the Illinois First-Time Homebuyer Savings Account Act. Provides that first-time homebuyers may open a first-time homebuyer savings account to pay or reimburse costs in connection with a qualified home purchase. Provides that the account holder shall not use any funds in a first-time homebuyer savings account to pay expenses of administering the account except for fees and charges assessed by the financial institution. Provides for reporting to the Department of Revenue. Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a taxpayer shall be allowed an annual credit for amounts deposited by the taxpayer into a first-time homebuyer savings account of up to $2,000 for individual taxpayers, and up to $4,000 for married taxpayers. Provides a maximum lifetime credit of 10 times the taxpayer's annual maximum deduction. Provides that beginning January 1, 2020, the Department shall adjust, every year, the maximum tax credits available to a first-time homebuyer savings account holder for inflation.