Sen. Toi W. Hutchinson

Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning valuation statements.

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that: eligible economically distressed workers enrolled or participating in economically distressed worker training may not be denied unemployment insurance benefits solely because they are attending training; eligible economically distressed workers approved for economically distressed worker training may not be denied unemployment insurance benefits for refusing to accept work, subject to certain conditions; and eligible economically distressed workers who are enrolled or participating in economically distressed worker training and who are otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance benefits are not ineligible for benefits or waiting week credit because of attendance in the training. Sets forth duties of the Director of Employment Security and contains provisions regarding rules and a report. Provides that a base period employer's account may not be charged for benefits for economically distressed worker training paid under this Section, but this does not relieve the State, reimbursing political subdivisions, or reimbursing nonprofit employers from paying into the unemployment trust fund account an amount equal to the benefits for economically distressed worker training paid under the new provisions. Contains applicability provisions.

Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. In connection with the pharmaceutical assistance program under the Act, provides that to become a beneficiary under the program, a person must have a maximum household income equal to or less than 239% of the Federal Poverty Level (instead of less than specified amounts or equal to or less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Provides for 4 (instead of 5) Eligibility Groups (eliminates current Eligibility Group 3). For persons in the Eligibility Group consisting of persons who have a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS, provides for an alternative co-payment according to whether or not a drug is covered by the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan in which the beneficiary is enrolled (in addition to whether or not the drug is included in the formulary of the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program operated by the Illinois Department of Public Health). Makes changes in the definitions of "covered prescription drug" for each Eligibility Group. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires that the Governor's submitted budget include information concerning the amount and description of overdue bills and invoices under the State Prompt Payment Act. Amends the Prompt Payment Act. Accelerates the payment period from 60 days after the bill is submitted to 30 days after the bill is submitted. Increases the interest penalty from 1% to 1.5% if the payment is not made within 60 days after the bill is submitted. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Requires an addition modification to base income of an amount equal to the contribution component of any nonqualified withdrawal or refund from a tuition savings program that was previously deducted from base income and that did not result from the death or disability of the beneficiary. Effective immediately.

Creates the Green Jobs Training Fund Act. Creates the Green Jobs Training Fund as a special fund in the State Treasury. Provides that the purpose of the Fund shall be to support the development and implementation of worker skills training and education programs in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. Authorizes the Director of Labor to use money from the Fund to establish 2 competitive grant programs: (i) an Energy Training Partnership Grant program, which would authorize the Director to award grants to eligible entities in order to produce economically self-sufficient program participants and a skilled workforce for eligible industries and (ii) a Pathways out of Poverty Grant program, which would authorize the Director to award grants to eligible entities that meet certain requirements. Limits grants made under either of these programs to $500,000 total over no more than 2 years. Requires the Department of Labor to report certain information to the General Assembly and Governor each year.

Mourns the death of Samuel Wilson Hurley Jr. of Chicago.

Mourns the death of Alex Lopez.

Creates the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to operate as a debt settlement provider or engage in debt settlement service except as authorized by the Act and without first having obtained a license under the Act. Contains provisions concerning the (1) application for a license, (2) qualifications for licensure, (3) renewal of a license, (4) display requirements for a license, (5) temporary licensed locations, (6) denial of a license, (7) revocation or suspension of a license, (8) maintenance of records by a licensee, (9) examination of a licensee, (10) maintenance of trust funds by a licensee, and (11) other licensee businesses. With respect to the Director of Financial Institutions, contains provisions concerning the (1) adoption of rules by the Director, (2) penalties for violations of the Act, (3) procedure the Director may take to obtain an injunction, (4) review of decisions, (5) issuance of cease and desist orders. Contains provisions concerning (1) advertising practices, (2) individualized financial analysis, (3) required disclosures, (4) debt settlement contracts, (5) fees, (6) consumer settlement accounts, (7) cancellation of contracts, (8) obligations of good faith, (9) prohibited practices and noncompliance with the Act, and (10) civil remedies. Amends the Debt Management Service Act to exclude "debt settlement service" and attorneys engaged in specific practices from the Act. Amends the State Finance Act to provide that moneys collected under the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act shall be deposited into the Financial Institution Fund. Contains a severability clause. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to specify that a violation of the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act is a violation of the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Family Military Leave Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.