Sen. Patricia Van Pelt

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a Restaurant Meals Program to permit individuals who are elderly, persons with a disability, and homeless individuals to redeem their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits at private establishments that contract with the Department to offer meals for eligible SNAP recipients at concessional prices. Requires the Restaurant Meals Program to be operational no later than January 1, 2020. Requires the Department to adopt rules. Effective immediately.

Amends the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Removes a provision requiring the Department of Human Services to increase TANF grant amounts in effect on June 30, 2008 by 15%. Provides that TANF grant amounts shall be apportioned as follows: 75% shall be designated for the child or children of the assistance unit; and 25% shall be designated for the adult member or members of the assistance unit. Removes a provision that permits the discontinuance of all or a part of a TANF recipient's grant amount as a penalty for noncompliance with TANF education, training, and employment programs. Requires the Department to, by rule, impose a 30% reduction of the portion of the grant amount designated for the adult member or members of an assistance unit when a member is found to be in noncompliance with program requirements without good cause. Provides that no sanction shall reduce the portion of the grant amount that is designated for any child of the assistance unit. Requires the full grant amount to be restored when an adult member or members are determined to be in compliance with program requirements. Provides that homelessness, receipt of an eviction notice, discontinued utilities, and other specified circumstances shall constitute good cause for failure to participate in required TANF education, training, and employment programs. Provides that beginning October 1, 2019, and each October 1 thereafter, the maximum TANF benefit levels shall be annually adjusted to remain equal to at least 30% of the most recent poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for each family size. Effective immediately.

Creates the Youth Homelessness Prevention Subcommittee Act. Requires the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Youth to create the Youth Homelessness Prevention Subcommittee to drive the State's strategic vision for preventing homelessness among youth leaving State systems of care. Sets forth the Subcommittee's duties including: (1) reviewing the discharge planning, services plans, and discharge procedures for youth leaving the custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Human Services' Division of Mental Health, and the Department of Corrections to determine whether such discharge planning and procedures ensure housing stability for youth leaving State systems of care; and (2) collecting data on the housing stability of youth for one year after they are released from State custody or guardianship. Provides that the Subcommittee shall include specified members, including: (i) one representative from the Governor's office; (ii) 4 representatives from agencies serving homeless youth; and (iii) 4 youth who have a lived experience with homelessness. Contains provisions concerning a quorum, administrative support, subcommittee meetings, and reporting requirements.

Amends the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Minors and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Persons under 21 Years of Age and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products Act. Raises the age for whom tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and alternative nicotine products may be sold to and possessed by from at least 18 years of age to at least 21 years of age. Defines "electronic cigarette". Repeals the Smokeless Tobacco Limitation Act. Amends various other Acts to make conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2019.

Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act to require the instruction on mental health and illness to evaluate the multiple dimensions of health by reviewing the relationship between physical and mental health so as to enhance student understanding, attitudes, and behaviors that promote health, well-being, and human dignity.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that, beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission must implement and administer a program to award Early Childhood Workforce Free College grants to all eligible child care workers seeking an associate or bachelor's degree from a public institution or a regionally accredited, online-only early childhood education degree program; defines terms. Specifies grant eligibility and renewal requirements. Creates the Early Childhood Workforce Advisory Committee to advise the Commission on all matters relating to the Early Childhood Workforce Free College grant program and on the ways to improve and expand the early childhood workforce in this State. Provides for the membership and support of the Committee and requires the Committee to (i) study and make recommendations to the Commission that are related to the implementation of the Early Childhood Workforce Free College grant program, (ii) conduct an analysis from data received by the Commission to ensure the program is at full utilization, (iii) address access issues to the program, including, but not limited to, geographic, financial, cultural, and workplace settings, and (iv) address ways to expand the early childhood workforce in this State. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Early Childhood Workforce Free College Fund. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Expands the definition of "child care worker". Changes the definition of "early childhood degree program" to a regionally accredited degree program (rather than online degree program) administered solely through an Illinois-based, not-for-profit organization or through a public institution through which a child care worker may attain a degree or credential or maintain a classroom role in any child care or early childhood education setting, including a Child Development Associate Credential program or an Early Childhood Education (ECE) degree program. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to implement and administer the Early Childhood Workforce Free College grant program beginning with the 2020-2021 (rather than 2019-2020) academic year and subject to appropriation. Provides that, if other eligibility requirements are met, an eligible child care worker seeking to enroll in an alternative educator licensure program under the School Code is eligible for a grant under the program. Removes a provision allowing for exceptions to a student's initial enrollment in a public institution or an early childhood degree program for extenuating circumstances as provided in rules by the Commission. Provides that, in awarding grants under the program, if, in any fiscal year, the amount appropriated for the grants is less than the amount determined necessary to cover the cost of attendance for all eligible applicants, then the Commission must proportionately reduce the grants accordingly (rather than must develop the selection and renewal criteria for students). Requires the Illinois Early Learning Council (rather than the Commission) to provide the Early Childhood Workforce Advisory Committee with administrative and other support. Makes other changes. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1 with the following changes. Changes the definition of "early childhood degree program". Provides that if a student chooses to enroll in a private institution, the grant awarded to the student under the program shall be no more than 150% of the highest rate paid on behalf of students in a similar program at a public institution to cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees, less all other student aid. Provides that after completion of or disenrolling from his or her program of study, a student must reside and work within this State in a child care or early childhood education setting for a minimum of one year. Provides that if the student does not reside and work within this State for a minimum of one year, the student must repay the total grant amount awarded to him or her through installments in accordance with rules adopted by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Creates the Early Childhood Workforce Free College Advisory Committee (rather than the Early Childhood Workforce Committee), established by the Illinois Early Learning Council; changes the membership of the Committee and the Committee's duties. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council Act. Provides that the purpose of the Council is to facilitate communication between the youth of the State of Illinois and the elected branches of State government regarding the issues, interests, and needs important to youth in the State of Illinois. Creates an Advisory Board, consisting of 2 members of the House of Representatives, one each appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and 2 members of the Senate, one each appointed by the President of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the Senate, to facilitate the functions of the Council. Provides for the application and nomination process for prospective members of the Council. Sets forth membership and meeting requirements and the powers of the Council. Provides that members of the Council shall serve one-year terms, but may be re-elected if they continue to be nominated and qualified to serve as members. Provides for the election of a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Clerk at the first Council meeting of the year. Requires the Council to submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the Governor. Creates the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that all moneys in the Fund shall be used to reimburse Council members for actual expenses incurred in traveling to Council meetings, including travel, food, and lodging, and printing the annual report. Amends the State Finance Act. Adds the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council Fund. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides for the appointment of specified persons to the Illinois Legislative Youth Advisory Council by the Governor. Modifies provisions concerning Council member qualifications. Removes provisions concerning the nomination and appointment of members to the Council by State Senators. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes.

Rescinds Illinois' ratification of the Corwin Amendment to the United States Constitution. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rescinds Illinois' ratification of the Corwin Amendment to the United States Constitution. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Rescinds Illinois' ratification of the Corwin Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Amends the Private Correctional Facility Moratorium Act. Changes the title of the Act to the For-Profit Corrections Prohibition Act. Defines "non-profit contractor", private company", "private vendor", "private contractor", and "work release center". Provides that the State, any unit of local government, or a county sheriff, shall not contract with a private contractor or private vendor for the provision of services relating to community correctional supervision. Provides that the Act does not apply to State work release centers or juvenile residential facilities that provide separate care or special treatment operated in whole or part by non-profit (rather than private) contractors. Adds to exempted contracts for ancillary services contracts for electronic monitoring services. House Committee Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 730 ILCS 140/1 730 ILCS 140/1.5 new 730 ILCS 140/2 730 ILCS 140/3 Adds reference to: New Act Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Private Detention Facility Moratorium Act. Provides that neither the State, nor any unit of local government, any county sheriff, or any agency, officer, employee, or agent thereof, shall: (1) enter into an agreement of any kind related to the detention of individuals in a detention facility owned, managed, or operated in whole or in part by a private entity or person; (2) pay, reimburse, subsidize, or defray in any way any costs related to the sale, purchase, construction, development, ownership, management, or operation, in whole or in part, of any detention facility by any private entity or person; (3) receive per diem, per detainee, or any other payment related to the detention of individuals in a detention facility owned, managed, or operated, in whole or in part, by any private entity or person; or (4) otherwise give any financial incentive or benefit to any private entity or person in connection with the sale, purchase, construction, development, ownership, management, or operation of any detention facility. Provides exemptions. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of House Amendment No. 2 with changes. Provides that neither the State, nor any unit of local government, any county Sheriff, or any agency, officer, employee, or agent thereof, shall: (1) enter into an agreement of any kind for the detention of individuals in a detention facility owned, managed, or operated, in whole or in part, by a private entity; (2) pay, reimburse, subsidize, or defray in any way any costs related to the sale, purchase, construction, development, ownership, management, or operation of a detention facility that is or will be owned, managed, or operated, in whole or in part, by a private entity; (3) receive per diem, per detainee, or any other payment related to the detention of individuals in a detention facility owned, managed, or operated, in whole or in part, by a private entity; or (4) otherwise give any financial incentive or benefit to any private entity or person in connection with the sale, purchase, construction, development, ownership, management, or operation of a detention facility that is or will be owned, managed, or operated, in whole or in part, by a private entity. Makes other technical changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Keep Illinois Families Together Act. Provides that the Attorney General, within 90 days of the effective date of this Act, in consultation with the appropriate stakeholders, shall propose new rules related to limiting assistance with immigration enforcement at the following facilities to the fullest extent possible consistent with federal and State law to ensure that these facilities remain safe and accessible to all Illinois residents, regardless of immigration status: (1) public schools, including public pre-schools and other early learning programs, public elementary and secondary schools, and public institutions of higher education; (2) State-funded medical treatment and health care facilities, including hospitals, health clinics, emergency or urgent care facilities, nursing homes, group homes for persons with developmental disabilities, community-integrated living arrangements, and State mental health facilities; (3) public libraries; (4) facilities operated by the Office of the Secretary of State; and (5) courthouses. Provides that within 6 months of the effective date of the Act, all State agencies, public schools, and public institutions of higher education shall review their confidentiality policies to identify any changes necessary to limit collection of information from individuals to that information necessary to perform agency duties and to limit use or disclosure of information for any other purpose. Provides that a law enforcement agency or official may not inquire about the citizenship or immigration status or place of birth of any individual, including any person who has been arrested or detained by the agency, any person in the agency or official's custody, any person submitting to questioning by the agency or official, any crime victim, any witness, or any person who calls or approaches the law enforcement agency or official seeking assistance. Makes other changes. Fiscal Note (Dept. of Central Management Services) There is no fiscal impact to the Department of Central Management Services. Fiscal Note (Office of the Attorney General) HB 1637 would not have a significant fiscal impact on our Office as an existing bureau within the Office of the Attorney General could cover the work. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Keep Illinois Families Together Act. Provides that on or after the effective date of the Act, no law enforcement agency or official may enter into or remain in an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under a federal delegated authority program. Provides that nothing shall preclude a law enforcement official from otherwise executing that official's duties in ensuring public safety. Defines terms. Effective immediately.