Sen. John Curran

Amends the Counties Code. Removes a provision limiting a special investigator appointed by a State's Attorney to carrying a firearm only in the performance of the special investigator's assigned duties (currently, a special investigator shall not carry firearms except with permission of the State's Attorney and only while carrying appropriate identification indicating the special investigator's employment and in the performance of the special investigator's assigned duties).

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county board may adopt reasonable regulations for the control and eradication of diseased, damaged, dead, or insect-infested trees, including trees: with Dutch elm disease or elm blight; infested by the Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Longhorn Beetle, Gypsy Moth, or other parasitic organisms; or that have been severely damaged or at a risk of falling (currently, the county board may regulate for the control and eradication of Dutch elm disease or elm blight). Provides that a county board may adopt an ordinance declaring it to be a nuisance to keep or maintain any diseased, damaged, dead, or insect-infested tree which presents a risk of falling onto any public way or public property, including utility easements and watercourses. Provides that the ordinance may authorize the county to remove nuisance trees when the property owner fails to do so in a timely manner after receiving notice thereof and to have a lien placed on the subject property for the costs of the tree removal.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Declares that all changes to the existing nursing facility direct care reimbursement rate methodologies and to the bed assessment and collection procedures must be approached with caution, executed deliberately, and held to the highest of standards in order to protect nursing facility residents from disruption in care, protect workers from lost wages and jobs, and protect providers from the increased instability within the industry. Provides that a Nursing Facility Oversight Committee (Committee) shall be named by the 4 legislative leaders to oversee, assess, and provide direction to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services as it relates to long term care services. Contains provisions on the Committee's composition, meetings, proxy voting, and other matters. Requires the Department to seek the advice and consent of the Committee prior to filing emergency or permanent administrative rules with the Secretary of State or submitting Medicaid State Plan amendments and all correspondence to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Requires the Department to prepare transition plans for the redesign of the direct care reimbursement rate methodologies and the assessment tax schedule and collection proceedings. Contains provisions concerning advanced notice to nursing facilities of all payment, award, and rate changes; a quarterly direct care per diem reimbursement rate for each nursing facility; direct care reimbursement rate components subject to redesign; establishment of a single quarterly non-Medicare occupied bed varied tax assessment; State Plan amendments to permit expedited implementation of the redesigned bed assessment; compliance requirements for managed care organizations; penalties for non-compliance; and other matters. Effective immediately.

Proposes to amend the Suffrage and Elections Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides for the recall of all State Executive Branch officers, legislative leaders, the Auditor General, members of the General Assembly, and local government officials. Makes changes to the procedures for the recall of the Governor. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that financial support funds under the Local Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Support (Local CURE) Program may be used by a unit of local government only for payment of costs permitted to be covered with monies from the Coronavirus Relief Fund.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the month of October of each year is designated as Italian Heritage Month to be observed throughout the State as a month to recognize the contributions and influence of Italians on American history, achievement, culture, and innovation.

Amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that, if a bite occurs from an exempt animal, the exempt animal shall be treated as an unvaccinated animal and, if a rabies titer has been administered, the animal will be treated as a vaccinated animal. Provides that, if the animal is exempt, the animal shall be re-examined by a licensed veterinarian on no less than an annual basis and be vaccinated against rabies as soon as the animal's health permits or if deemed necessary by a rabies titer.

Amends the Election Code. Beginning on January 1, 2022, requires the treasurer of a political committee to preserve certain records and accounts required by the Code for a period of 7 years (rather than a period of 2 years). Includes in the reasons the State Board of Elections may order a political committee to conduct an audit of its financial records: (1) sworn testimony or sentence entered upon a plea of guilty by a candidate or political committee officer admitting to conduct constituting a violation of certain provisions of the Code, (2) conviction of a candidate or political committee officer for a crime relating to misuse of political committee funds or for certain violations of the Code, (3) failure to comply with a Board order requiring certain filings, or (4) filing of a statement of organization by a political committee composed of one or more officers of, or formed for the same purpose as, or for the support of the candidacy of the same person as, a former political committee that was administratively terminated by the Board in the last 24 months. Provides that for certain audits, the audit period shall be within the discretion of the Board but may not exceed 7 years from the close of the most recent reporting period. Effective immediately.

Amends the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Defines "security purpose" as the purpose of preventing retail theft, fraud, or any other misappropriation or theft of a thing of value, including protecting property from trespass, controlling access to property, protecting any person from harm, including stalking, violence, or harassment, and assisting a law enforcement investigation. Allows a private entity to collect, capture, or otherwise obtain a person's or customer's biometric identifier or biometric information without satisfying other specified requirements if: (1) the private entity collects, captures, or otherwise obtains a person's or customer's biometric identifier or biometric information for a security purpose; (2) the private entity uses the biometric identifier or biometric information only for a security purpose; (3) the private entity retains the biometric identifier or biometric information no longer than is reasonably necessary to satisfy a security purpose; and (4) the private entity documents a process and time frame to delete any biometric identifier or biometric information.

Appropriates $246,800,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for a full second year implementation of all of the rate methodology recommendations contained within the Illinois Developmental Disabilities Services Rate Study Regarding Residential Services and Related Supports. Effective July 1, 2022.