Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant

Mourns the death of Angelo A. Marchio of Joliet.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the angel investment credit.

Creates the Network Adequacy and Transparency Act. Provides that administrators and insurers, prior to going to market, must file with the Department of Insurance for review and approval a description of the services to be offered through a network plan, with certain criteria included in the description. Provides that the network plan shall demonstrate to the Department, prior to approval, a minimum ratio of full-time equivalent providers to plan beneficiaries and maximum travel and distance standards for plan beneficiaries, which shall be established annually by the Department based upon specified sources. Provides that the Department shall conduct quarterly audits of network plans to verify compliance with network adequacy standards. Establishes certain notice requirements. Provides that a network plan shall provide for continuity of care for its beneficiaries under certain circumstances and according to certain requirements. Provides that a network plan shall post electronically a current and accurate provider directory and make available in print, upon request, a provider directory subject to certain specifications. Provides that the Department is granted specific authority to issue a cease and desist order against, fine, or otherwise penalize any insurer or administrator for violations of any provision of the Act. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2018.

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Contains provisions concerning the establishment of various programs and services for the benefit of veterans including a proactive outreach program for veterans that served in high casualty units, in units that experienced high conflict areas, and in units where at least one service member committed suicide following his or her service; a public awareness campaign concerning the trauma and internal injuries suffered by veterans; specified training concerning mental health services for employees of veterans service organizations, Veterans Assistance Commissions, and veterans' service associations; educational success programs for veterans experiencing specified difficulties in higher education; a family preparation course for the families of returning veterans; a licensing program for therapy dogs for veterans; a transition program for returning veterans that reside in the State; a system that allows veterans to file a specified federal form immediately upon discharge; creation of an employer training program; and a standard statewide peer-to-peer training program to familiarize veterans with the veterans' services available at the local, State, and federal levels. Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to adopt any rules necessary to implement these provisions.

Amends the Joliet Regional Port District Act. Provides that at least one of the Governor's appointees and at least one of the County Executive of Will County's appointees to the Joliet Regional Port District Board shall be from within the corporate boundaries of the Village of Romeoville. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Helping Paws Service Dog Program shall include training service dogs for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. Defines "veteran".

Amends the Downstate Public Transportation Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Use Tax Act, and the Service Use Tax Act. Beginning July 1, 2018, instead of use and occupation tax collections being deposited into the General Revenue Fund and then transferred monthly by the Comptroller from the General Revenue Fund to the Downstate Public Transportation Fund, requires the Department of Revenue to deposit the designated fraction of the net revenue realized from those collections directly into the Downstate Public Transportation Fund. Effective July 1, 2018.

Amends the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act. Provides that the Department of State Police shall create and operate a statewide sexual assault evidence kit tracking system. Provides that the statewide sexual assault evidence kit tracking system shall: (1) track the location and status of sexual assault evidence kits throughout the criminal justice process, including the initial collection in examinations performed at medical facilities, receipt at local law enforcement agencies, and receipt and analysis at forensic laboratories; (2) allow medical facilities performing sexual assault forensic examinations, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, State and local crime laboratories, and other entities who have physical custody of sexual assault evidence kits to update and track the status and location of sexual assault evidence kits; (3) allow victims of sexual assault to anonymously track and receive updates regarding the status of their sexual assault evidence kit; and (4) use technology to allow continuous access for appropriate personnel. Provides that the Department may phase in initial participation in the statewide sexual assault evidence kit tracking system by region, volume, or other appropriate classification. Provides that all entities who have custody of sexual assault evidence kits shall fully participate in the system by no later than July 1, 2019. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision relating to employer contributions from special trust and federal funds, provides that, beginning July 1, 2017, the rate, expressed as a percentage of salary, shall be equal to the total employer's normal cost, expressed as a percentage of payroll. Effective immediately.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Removes provisions that prohibit the use of resident identification wristlets without a physician's order. Requires identification wristlets to be employed for every resident.