Sen. Dave Koehler

Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Provides that a change in rates of the privilege tax imposed on casinos and riverboats begins on January 1, 2020 (rather than the first day the new casino conducts gambling operations). Requires the Illinois Gaming Board to calculate the amount of privilege taxes collected from each owners licensee from January 1, 2020 until the effective date of the amendatory Act under the current tax rate and the amount of privilege taxes owed under the new tax rate from January 1, 2020 until the effective date of the amendatory Act and to calculate the difference between the rates and credit any overpaid amount of privilege taxes against the future privilege tax obligations of the owners license. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Aeronautics Act. Provides that the Secretary of State may issue Air Force Combat Action Medal license plates to residents who meet eligibility requirements prescribed by the Secretary.

Amends the Article of the School Code concerning school districts from 100,000 to 500,000 inhabitants. Provides that a board of education member shall be elected for a term of 4 years (rather than 5 years) and shall serve until his or her successor is elected and has qualified. Provides that the term of a board of education member commences after (i) the election authority has canvassed the votes and proclaimed the results and (ii) the member-elect has taken the oath of office (rather than on July 1). Specifies that a board of education shall have all of the rights, powers, and duties as are provided for other school boards under the School Boards Article of the Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Requires the Illinois Community College Board to publish on its website online textbooks and supplementary learning materials, including faculty resources, for the 20 most common courses taught at community colleges for any community college student or faculty member to access free of charge and without limitation. Requires the Board to consult with community college faculty members in the development of these online textbooks and materials. Requires the online textbooks and materials to be published no later than December 1, 2020 and to be updated, as the Board determines is necessary, on an annual basis. Effective immediately.

Amends the Early Intervention Services System Act. Provides that the Illinois Interagency Council on Early Intervention shall be composed of at least 20 but not more than 35 (rather than 30) members. Provides that the Council shall include: one member who is a representative of the Child Care Assistance Program; and one member who is a representative of the Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program authorized under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. In a provision permitting the Department of Human Services to enter into contracts for some or all of its responsibilities under the Act, removes language requiring such contracts to be subject to a request for proposals as described in the Illinois Procurement Code and to be posted on the early intervention website maintained by the Department during the entire bid period. Effective immediately.

Amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. Provides that regulation by a State-certified local public health department may include a requirement that the State-certified local public health department provide a certificate of registration for approved cottage food operations, which must be displayed at all events or at the point of sale.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the fee that must be paid to a foreign fire insurance board by a corporation, company, or association that is not incorporated under the laws of the State and which is engaged in effecting fire insurance in the municipality or fire protection district shall be 2% of the gross receipts received from fire insurance upon property situated within the municipality or district (rather than a sum not exceeding 2%). Allows a foreign fire insurance board aggrieved by a violation relating to foreign fire insurance board fees to file suit. Provides that a department foreign fire insurance board may: (i) establish, manage, and maintain an account for the holding and expenditure of all funds paid to the board; (ii) contract for the purchase of goods and services; and (iii) sue all parties necessary to enforce its rights. Limits home rule powers. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the valuation procedures for commercial solar energy systems apply regardless of whether the owner of the device or devices is also the owner or occupant of the property.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning construction of the Code.

Amends the Long-Term Care Provider Funding Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision concerning payment assessments imposed on long-term care providers, provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services is authorized to establish delayed payment schedules for long-term care providers that are unable to make certain assessment payments for occupied bed days and licensed nursing bed days reported due to financial difficulties. Provides that the Department may not deny a request for delay of payment of the assessment if the long-term care provider has not been paid for services provided during the month or months (rather than services provided during the month) on which the assessment is levied or the Medicaid managed care organization has not been paid by the State. Effective immediately.