Sen. Patricia Van Pelt

Mourns the death of Ernest Robert Jenkins.

Mourns the death of Claudell Ervin.

Mourns the death of Lisa McCarthy-Brooks.

Mourns the death of Ronnie Taylor, "Pastor Ron," of Chicago.

Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Prohibits an employer from: (i) screening job applicants based on their wage or salary history, (ii) requiring that an applicant's prior wages satisfy minimum or maximum criteria, and (iii) requesting or requiring as a condition of being interviewed or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment that an applicant disclose prior wages or salary. Prohibits an employer from seeking the salary, including benefits or other compensation or salary history, of a job applicant from any current or former employer. Limits defenses. Provides for penalties and injunctive relief.

Amends the Counties Code and Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that counties and municipalities may not classify milkweed as a noxious or exotic weed. Limits home rule powers.

Urges those in government to commit to working to change the culture that breeds sexual harassment.

Amends the State Finance Act. Requires each State agency to report to the State Comptroller the aggregate dollar amount of all current liabilities held at the time of the report and an estimate of any interest penalties that have accrued under the State Prompt Payment Act. Provides that the report shall be made in a time and form prescribed by the State Comptroller. Removes related language.

Creates the Geolocation Privacy Protection Act. Defines "geolocation information", "location-based application", and "private entity". Provides that a private entity may not collect, use, store, or disclose geolocation information from a location-based application on a person's device unless the private entity first receives the person's affirmative express consent after complying with specified notice requirements. Provides exceptions. Provides that a person whose rights are violated may recover: (1) liquidated damages of $1,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater; (2) reasonable attorney's fees and costs; and (3) other relief, including an injunction, as the court may deem appropriate. Provides that authority to seek remedies and impose penalties granted to the Attorney General under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act is also granted to the Attorney General for the enforcement of the Geolocation Privacy Protection Act. Provides that in any action brought by the Attorney General to enforce the Act, the court may order that persons who incurred actual damages be awarded 3 times the amount at which actual damages are assessed. Provides that a violation of the Act constitutes an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that the provisions of the Act may not be waived. Contains applicability language. Makes a corresponding change in the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to identify and flag all college students who are potentially eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Provides that the factors to be used to determine potential SNAP eligibility shall be prescribed by the Department of Human Services by rule, but at a minimum the Department shall consider income information reported on a college student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Requires ISAC to develop a notice available electronically to institutions of higher education that includes, at a minimum, college student SNAP eligibility criteria, the Application for Benefits Eligibility's website address, and the Illinois Hunger Coalition's Hunger Hotline. Requires Illinois institutions of higher education that participate in the Monetary Award Program to provide the notice in writing to all students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment and are identified by ISAC as potentially SNAP eligible and, if possible, to designate a public benefits liaison or single point person to assist students in taking the necessary steps to obtain public benefits if eligible. Contains provisions concerning: SNAP Employment and Training program requirements; protocols to identify and verify all potential exemptions to an eligibility rule described in a specified federal regulation and to identify and verify a student's participation in educational programs; and other matters. Requires the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement specified provisions on or before October 1, 2017. Effective immediately.