Sen. Linda Holmes

Amends the Chicago Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In provisions concerning death benefits and disability benefits, provides that certain presumptions that apply to a policeman who becomes disabled or dies as a result of exposure to and contraction of COVID-19 apply to any policeman who was exposed to and contracted COVID-19 on or after March 9, 2020 and on or before January 31, 2022 (instead of on or before June 30, 2021). Amends the State Mandates Act require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Requires coverage of medically necessary treatment of a mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorder or condition for all individuals who have experienced a miscarriage or stillbirth to the same extent and cost-sharing as for any other medical condition covered under the policy. Effective January 1, 2025.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed in this State shall provide coverage for medically necessary hormone therapy treatment to treat menopause (instead of to treat menopause that has been induced by a hysterectomy). Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no insurer, dental service plan corporation, professional service corporation, insurance network leasing company, or any company that amends, delivers, issues, or renews an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall require a dental care provider to incur a fee to access and obtain payment or reimbursement for services provided. Provides that a dental plan carrier shall provide a dental care provider with 100% of the contracted amount of the payment or reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes a minor technical update to the law governing the occupation tax for cigarette machine operators. Specifically, it amends the official short title of the existing Cigarette Machine Operators' Occupation Tax Act. The legislation does not change tax rates, add new fees, or alter the rules for who must pay the tax. It was signed into law and became effective on July 1, 2024, primarily to correct the name of the statute.

Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act. Provides that one representative of the Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman (instead of one representative of the Department on Aging) is a nonvoting member of the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Advisory Board. Adds a certified long term care ombudsman and 3 current or former residents of an assisted living establishment or shared housing establishment as voting members of the Board.

Amends the Counties Code. In provisions regarding county officer stipends in counties of less than 2,000,000 population, provides that, for State fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2024, the State Board of Elections shall remit to each county the amount required for the stipend for the county clerk, the county recorder, and the chief clerk of each county board of election commissioners. Requires the money from the State Board of Elections to be deposited by the county treasurer into a fund dedicated for that purpose, and requires the county payroll clerk to pay the stipend within 10 business days after those funds are deposited into the county fund. Provides that the stipend shall not be considered part of the recipient's base compensation and must be remitted to the recipient in addition to the recipient's annual salary or compensation. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2024, the county shall be responsible for the State and federal income tax reporting and withholding as well as the employer contributions under the Illinois Pension Code on the stipend under the provisions. Effective immediately.

Authorizes the People of the State of Illinois to release specified property located in Monroe County from all dedication and easement rights and interest acquired for highway purposes for the sum of $2,700. Authorizes the People of the State of Illinois to release or restore any rights of easements of access, crossing, light, air, and view from, to, and over specified property in Kane County for $152,835. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a deputy sheriff applicant who is a veteran and who was discharged honorably or generally under honorable conditions no later than 6 months before applying may request examination to occur before the next scheduled examination date and, if requested, shall be examined no later than 2 weeks following receipt of the application. Provides that, once the applicant passes the examination and all other requirements to be on an eligibility list, the applicant shall be immediately placed on the eligibility list. Provides that nothing in the provisions waives eligibility for the applicant to receive military preference points during the application process or employment.

Amends the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act. Removes references to the State-Wide One-Call Notice System and replaces it with JULIE, Inc. Sets forth additional definitions. Provides that owners or operators of underground utility facilities are required to be members of JULIE. Sets forth requirements for excavators engaging in nonemergency excavation or demolition. Sets forth notice requirements prior to engaging in the excavation or demolition. Provides that underground utility facility owners or operators may request to be present when excavation occurs when there is a critical facility within a proposed excavation area and excavators shall comply with a request to be present during excavation. Creates the positive response system to be implemented by January 1, 2026. Provides that excavators and facility owners or operators shall use the positive response system to send and respond to required notices. Sets forth required response times in various circumstances. Provides that facility owners or operators shall respond to a valid planning design request and the requirements for the response. Provides for joint meet notifications and sets forth responsibilities of excavators and facility owners or operators for a joint meet. Provides that any county or the State that has shared geographic information system data with any other not-for-profit or agency shall share the information with JULIE. Sets forth requirements for emergency excavation or demolition circumstances. Sets forth liability for damage or dislocation of a facility. Makes other changes. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.