Amends the School Code. Repeals the provisions of the Code that relate to the transportation of students to and from interscholastic or school-sponsored activities that do not require student participation and are not associated with the students' regular class-for-credit schedule. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an insurer that amends, delivers, issues, or renews group accident and health policies providing coverage for hospital or medical treatment or services for illness entered into on or after January 1, 2021 shall ensure that the insured have timely and proximate access to treatment for mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions. Provides that network adequacy standards for timely and proximate access to treatment for mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions must satisfy specified minimum requirements. Provides that if there is no in-network facility or provider available for an insured to receive timely and proximate access to treatment for mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions in accordance with the minimum network adequacy standards, the insurer shall provide necessary exceptions to its network to ensure admission and treatment with a provider or at a treatment facility in accordance with those network adequacy standards. Effective immediately.
Amends the State Universities Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that if an employer employs an affected annuitant to fill a posted position that has gone unfilled for at least 180 days, then, for one and only one academic year, the employer is not required to pay a specified additional contribution. Provides that the employer shall immediately notify the System upon employing such a person.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that each qualified teacher is entitled to an income tax credit in an aggregate amount equal to 50% of the tuition costs incurred by that teacher at a public university in the State. Provides that each qualified teacher may take no more than 20% of his or her aggregate credit amount in any taxable year. Provides that the term "qualified teacher" means an individual who (i) graduated from a public university in the State, (ii) is employed as a teacher in this State during the taxable year, and (iii) has been employed as a teacher in the State for at least 5 consecutive years as of the first day of the taxable year. Effective immediately.
Creates the Right to Garden Act. Provides that the State or a unit of local government may not regulate gardens or the use of season extension techniques and devices on residential property. Provides that the Act does not preclude the State or a unit of local government from adopting statutes or regulations pertaining to: restrictions on water use during drought conditions; existing or future adoption of property set-backs; maximum lot coverage; utility safety; fertilizer use; control of invasive species; a substance regulated under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, the Industrial Hemp Act, or the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act; or any other regulation that does not have the effect of prohibiting gardens. Defines the terms "garden", "residential property", and "season extension techniques and devices". Limits home rule powers. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Livestock Dealer Licensing Act. Provides that the form and amount of the surety bond posted by a livestock dealer prior to licensing under the Act shall be prescribed by the Packers and Stockyards Administration of the United States Department of Agriculture. Deletes current provisions related to the form and amount of the surety bond posted by a livestock dealer prior to licensing under the Act.
Amends the Line of Duty Compensation Act. Includes probation officers within the scope of the Act.
Amends the Criminal Identification Act, the Illinois Vehicle Code, the Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act, the Boat Registration and Safety Act, the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act, the Cannabis Control Act, and the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that certain fees, assessments, fines, and funds collected relating to the State Police shall be remitted to the State Treasurer for deposit into the appropriate fund or distribution to the appropriate entity. Repeals the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act and the Section of the Clerks of Courts Act pertaining to court fees on January 1, 2025 (rather than 2021). Effective immediately.
Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities. Sets forth requirements concerning mandatory student fees, including the establishment of a system of internal controls over mandatory student fees, an assessment of each mandatory student fee, and the establishment of separate funds. Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Requires an institution of higher learning to provide a financial aid shopping sheet to each prospective student as part of the institution's financial aid offer to that student. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to develop a model format for the shopping sheet; sets forth what the model shopping sheet must include. Requires each institution to utilize either the model shopping sheet or the most current financial aid shopping sheet developed by the United States Department of Education or the United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Effective July 1, 2020.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a taxpayer who may claim a qualifying student as a dependent is allowed a credit of up to $2,000 for qualified tuition and fee expenses paid by the taxpayer. Provides that the term qualifying student means a person who (i) is a resident of the State, (ii) is under the age of 24 at the close of the school year for which a credit is sought, and (iii) during the school year for which a credit is sought, is a full-time student enrolled in a program at a qualifying college or university.
