Sen. Jil Tracy

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in a prosecution of a case involving the injury, health, or safety of a cat or dog, the court may, on its own motion or motion of any party, appoint a licensed attorney-at-law of the State or a law student as a special advocate to assist the court, as deemed appropriate by the court, and represent the interests of justice regarding the health or safety of the cat or dog. Provides that the advocate may: (1) monitor the case; (2) consult any person with information that could aid the court and review records relating to the condition of the cat or dog and the defendant's actions, including, but not limited to, records from animal control officers, veterinarians, and police officers; (3) attend hearings; and (4) present information or recommendations to the court pertinent to determinations that relate to the interests of justice, provided that information shall be based solely on the duties undertaken under this provision. Defines "law student". Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that a law student appointed as a special advocate shall be authorized to provide services under Supreme Court Rule 711. Deletes language relating to the definition of "law student".

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that incidental sales of finished compost do not need to be applied to agronomic rates in determining whether a person needs a permit to conduct a landscape waste composting operation at specified sites. Removes a provision requiring that no fee is charged for the acceptance of materials to be composted in order for a site having 10 or more occupied non-farm residences within 1/2 mile of its boundaries to be excepted from permit requirements.

Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority shall not charge a toll for a vehicle of the first division pulling a trailer with no more than 2 axles at a rate higher than an amount calculated by multiplying the toll charged to passenger vehicles using an I-PASS device by the total number of axles on the trailer. Provides that the toll rate applies to drivers who use an I-PASS device or use cash to pay a toll. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Reverts provisions regarding greenhouse gases to the language existing before changes made by amendment under P.A. 102-662. Repeals a provision defining "clean energy". Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act, Counties Code, Illinois Municipal Code, Metro-East Park and Recreation District Act, Local Mass Transit District Act, Regional Transportation Authority Act, and Water Commission Act of 1985. Provides that the amounts transferred into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund shall be reduced from 1.5% to 1%. Effective July 1, 2021.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that the quarterly report submitted by the Legislative Inspector General shall include, among other required information, the total number of founded reports (currently, complaints) forwarded to the Attorney General since the date of the last report.

Creates the Rebuild Illinois Mental Health Workforce Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to preserve and expand access to Medicaid community mental health care in Illinois to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and avoid the criminalization of mental health conditions. Establishes add-on payments for the following community mental health services to be paid beginning with State Fiscal Year 2023 and continuing for each State fiscal year thereafter: individual therapy services; community support-individual services; case management services; and assertive community treatment services. Requires monthly directed payments to community mental health providers of community support team services or assertive community treatment services. Provides that such directed payments shall be based on the number of Medicaid users, as defined, who receive services from the provider in the base year. Provides that the add-on payments established under the Act shall apply to Medicaid services provided by a contracted managed care organization or entity and services paid for directly by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Provides that no base Medicaid rate or Medicaid rate add-on payment or any other payment for the provision of Medicaid community mental health services in place on July 1, 2021 shall be diminished or changed to make the reimbursement changes required under the Act. Requires the Department to apply for federal approval to implement the Act. Provides that implementation of the add-on payments is conditioned on the receipt of federal financial participation for such payments. Effective immediately.

Creates the Home Heating Relief Act of 2022. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create, as soon as practicable, a Home Heating Rebate Program to provide rebates to households that use natural gas or propane gas for heating purposes and that have a median household income between 200% and 400% of the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Provides that eligible households shall receive the rebates as soon as practicable after implementation of the program. Requires the Department to, by rule, establish qualifications for program participation which may include requirements that apply under the Energy Assistance Act and other requirements. Provides that rebates provided under the program shall be funded through appropriations made from the Home Heating Rebate Relief Fund created under the Act. Requires the State Comptroller to direct and the State Treasurer to transfer $500,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Home Heating Rebate Relief Fund to provide rebates to qualifying households for State fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Provides that any funds left over at the end of the second month following implementation of the program may be awarded to certain qualifying first-time small business owners as determined by the Department. Requires the Department to adopt emergency rules in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to implement the program. Amends the State Finance Act to include the Home Heating Rebate Relief Fund as a special fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that when a minor of the age of at least 13 years is adjudged delinquent for: (1) attempted first degree murder or (2) any offense involving the use or discharge of a firearm upon school grounds or any part of a building or grounds used for school purposes, including any conveyance owned, leased, or contracted by a school to transport students to or from school or a school related activity that results in bodily injury or death to any person (in addition to first degree murder), the court shall declare the minor a ward of the court and order the minor committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice until the minor's 21st birthday, without the possibility of aftercare release, furlough, or non-emergency authorized absence for a period of 5 years from the date the minor was committed to the Department, except that the time that a minor spent in custody for the instant offense before being committed to the Department shall be considered as time credited towards that 5-year period.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. In the definition of "Category A offense" for bail and pretrial release purposes, includes aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, escape, and violation of bail bond or pretrial release.