Photo of Tom Bennett
R Illinois Senate · District 53

Sen. Tom Bennett

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Total votes
321
all sessions
Attendance
-
of floor votes
With party
98%
of cast votes
Lower than 87% of chamber peers
Bipartisan score
2%
crosses aisle rarely
Higher than 90% of chamber peers
Sponsored
839
bills & resolutions
Near the chamber average
Committees
0
assignments
839 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
839
Primary
166
Co-sponsor
673
This page
839
matching current filters
Co-sponsor HB 2864
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
EMS SYSTEMS-RURAL POPULATIONS

Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act. Provides that, in a rural population of 7,500 or fewer inhabitants, each EMS System medical director shall create an exception to the credentialing process to allow registered nurses, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses to serve as EMTs. Requires each EMS System medical director to accept documentation from an applicant detailing education from either continuing education or documented work experience and practical skill credentialing including, but not limited to, airway management, ambulance operations, extrication, telecommunications, and pre-hospital cardiac and trauma care. Requires each EMS System medical director to ensure that applicants meet EMS System requirements for credentialing and authorizing the practice in accordance with the EMS System Plan as an EMT. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act. Provides that, in a rural population of 5,000 or fewer inhabitants, each EMS System Medical Director may create an exception to the credentialing process to allow registered nurses, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses to apply to serve as volunteers who perform the same work as EMTs. Requires that, as part of the volunteer recognition process, EMS Systems shall ensure that registered nurses, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses have an active license issued by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides that the system-level recognition shall require documentation and proof of the completion of at least 20 hours of prehospital care-specific coursework approved by the Department of Public Health and 8 hours of observant riding time. Provides that each EMS System Medical Director who creates an exception to the credentialing process may require additional training or documentation and may reject a volunteer applicant for just cause. Provides that each exemption period shall be no longer than one year, after which time a volunteer applicant may apply for another exemption. Provides that each EMS System Medical Director is responsible for ensuring that volunteer applicants meet EMS System requirements for credentialing and authorizing the practice in accordance with the EMS System plan for basic life support. Provides that exceptions to the credentialing process are only allowable for volunteer EMS agencies in Illinois.

Signed into law Aug 20, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 2860
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
FIRE CHIEF VEHICLE EQUIPMENT

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that vehicles of deputy fire chiefs and assistant fire chiefs may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet. Provides that deputy fire chiefs and assistant fire chiefs are eligible for fire chief license plates. Provides that any fire chief, deputy fire chief, or assistant fire chief operating warning devices upon a vehicle not owned by a municipality or fire protection district shall display fire chief license plates. Provides that, with the exception of permanently issued license plates, upon the resignation, termination, or reassignment to a rank other than fire chief, deputy fire chief, or assistant fire chief, a person issued fire chief license plates shall immediately surrender the license plate to the Secretary of State. Provides that the Secretary of State shall have the ability to recover the license plates.

Signed into law Aug 20, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 711
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REFORM ACT

Creates the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Provides requirements concerning disclosure and review of prior authorization requirements, denial of claims or coverage by a utilization review organization, and the implementation of prior authorization requirements or restrictions. Provides requirements concerning a utilization review organization's obligations with respect to prior authorizations in nonurgent circumstances, urgent health care services, and emergency health care services. Provides that a utilization review organization shall not require prior authorization under specified circumstances. Provides requirements concerning the length of prior authorizations. Provides that health care services are automatically deemed authorized if a utilization review organization fails to comply with the requirements of the Act. Provides that the Director of Insurance may impose an administrative fine not to exceed $250,000 for violations of the Act. Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code to change the definition of "emergency medical condition". Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act to provide that companies that transact accident and health insurance shall comply with specified requirements of the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code to provide that all managed care organizations shall comply with the requirements of the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2022. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Changes references from "utilization review organization" to "health insurance issuer" or "health insurance issuer or its contracted utilization review organization". Provides that a health insurance issuer or its contracted utilization review organization must ensure that all adverse determinations are made by a physician when the request is by a physician or a representative of a physician. Provides that a health insurance issuer shall periodically review its prior authorization requirements and consider removal of prior authorization requirements in specified circumstances (rather than a utilization review organization shall not require prior authorization in specified circumstances). In provisions concerning length of prior authorization approval, provides that a prior authorization approval shall be valid for the lesser of 12 months after the date the health care professional or health care provider receives the prior authorization approval or the length of treatment as determined by the patient's health care professional. In provisions concerning clinical review criteria of prior authorization requirements, removes language that provides that a utilization review organization shall seek input from actively practicing physicians representing major areas of the specialty who are not employees of the utilization review organization or consultants to the utilization review organization before establishing or substantially or materially altering written clinical review criteria. Removes language that provides that a utilization review organization shall not deny prior authorization of a health care service solely based on the grounds that a health care professional or health care provider judges a service, product, or procedure is medically appropriate for his or her patient even if it has not been formally approved for the specific condition being treated. In provisions concerning statistics that shall be made available regarding prior authorization approvals and denials, removes specified categories of information. In provisions concerning requirements applicable to the physician who can review consultations and appeals, removes language that provides that the physician must not be employed by a utilization review organization, be under contract with the utilization review organization other than to participate in one or more of the utilization review organization's health care professional networks or to perform reviews of appeals, or otherwise have any financial interest in the outcome of the appeal. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2022. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 215 ILCS 134/65 Adds reference to: 215 ILCS 5/155.36 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes: In the Prior Authorization Reform Act, deletes a Section concerning obligations with respect to prior authorization concerning emergency health care services, and makes changes in provisions governing applicability; definitions; disclosure and review of prior authorization requirements; obligations with respect to prior authorizations; personnel qualified to make adverse determinations of a prior authorization request; adverse determinations; review of appeals; denials; length of prior authorization approval; continuity of care; effect of failure to comply with the Act; and administration and enforcement. Makes further changes in the Illinois Insurance Code in a Section concerning obligations under the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Deletes changes made to the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act in a Section concerning emergency services prior to stabilization. Effective January 1, 2022.

Signed into law Aug 19, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 2894
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
VETERANS GARDENING DAY

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the first Saturday in May of each year is designated as Veterans Gardening Day to be observed throughout the State as a day set apart in the honor and remembrance of veterans and as celebrated with appropriate activities.

Signed into law Aug 16, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 119
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
PRESCRIPTION DRUG REPOSITORY

Creates the Prescription Drug Repository Program Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to, by rule, establish a prescription drug repository program, under which any person may donate a prescription drug or supplies needed to administer a prescription drug for use by an individual who meets eligibility criteria specified by the Department. Sets forth requirements that prescription drugs or supplies must meet in order to be accepted and dispensed under the program. Provides that no drugs or supplies donated under the prescription drug repository program may be resold. Provides that nothing in the Act requires that a pharmacy or pharmacist participate in the prescription drug repository program. Provides for civil and criminal immunity for drug and supply manufacturers and individuals in relation to the donation, acceptance, or dispensing of prescription drugs or supplies under the prescription drug repository program. Imposes conditions on any rulemaking authority. Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act, the Wholesale Drug Distribution Licensing Act, the Senior Pharmaceutical Assistance Act, the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, and the Cannabis and Controlled Substances Tort Claims Act to provide that persons engaged in donating or accepting, or packaging, repackaging, or labeling, prescription drugs to the extent permitted or required under the Prescription Drug Repository Program Act are exempt from provisions of those other Acts that might prohibit or otherwise regulate such activity. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Illinois Drug Reuse Opportunity Program Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other law or rule, donors may donate drugs to recipients and recipients may receive donated drugs from donors. Provides that recipients shall only dispense or administer drugs to eligible patients, further donate drugs to another recipient, or dispose of drugs in accordance with specified provisions. Provides that drugs donated for use under the Act are considered nonsaleable. Provides that, when dispensing a drug to an eligible patient, the recipient must do so at no cost to the eligible patient, except that a reasonable handling fee may be charged. Provides that recipients may only dispense or administer a prescription drug or provide an over-the-counter drug if specified requirements are met. Provides that recipients shall, to the greatest extent practicable, dispense drugs received under the Act to priority patients. Provides that drugs may be accepted under the Act only if specified requirements are met. Contains requirements for the further donation of drugs by a recipient. Contains provisions regarding the disposition of specified drugs. Provides that nothing in the Act requires that a pharmacy or pharmacist be a recipient of drugs under the Act. Provides that the Act shall supersede any inconsistent law or rule for activities conducted under the Act. Contains other provisions. Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act, the Wholesale Drug Distribution Licensing Act, the Senior Pharmaceutical Assistance Act, the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, and the Cannabis and Controlled Substances Tort Claims Act to provide that persons engaged in donating or accepting, or packaging, repackaging, or labeling, prescription drugs to the extent permitted or required under the Illinois Drug Reuse Opportunity Program Act are exempt from provisions of those other Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Provides that "prescription drug" does not include a drug for the treatment of cancer that can only be dispensed to a patient registered with the drug manufacturer in accordance with the federal Food and Drug Administration's requirements. Provides that when dispensing a drug to an eligible patient, the recipient must do so at no cost to the eligible patient, except that a uniform reasonable handling fee (rather than a reasonable handling fee) may be charged.

Signed into law Aug 16, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 58
Signed into law · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
REVENUE-VEHICLES

Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning 120 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the term "selling price" no longer includes the value of traded-in motor vehicles. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. In a Section concerning the use tax on motor vehicles, makes changes concerning the amount of the tax. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 625 ILCS 5/1-216.5 new 625 ILCS 5/3-819 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-819 625 ILCS 5/3-821 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-821 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2022, the term "selling price" no longer includes the value of traded-in motor vehicles. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "utility trailer". Provides for a flat weight trailer tax of $36 for utility trailers. Decreases the flat weight tax for Class TA trailers from $118 to $36. Increases the certificate of title fee for vehicles other than all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, motor homes, mini motor homes, and van campers from $150 to $155 and provides that the additional fee amount shall be deposited into the Road Fund. In a Section concerning the use tax on motor vehicles, makes changes concerning the amount of the tax. Effective January 1, 2022. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Removes language including only trailers weighing between 2,000 pounds and 3,000 pounds within the TA trailer class, and restores language including all trailers weighing 3,000 pounds and less within the TA trailer class.

Signed into law Aug 13, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Primary HB 165
Signed into law · Illinois House · Lead sponsor
CARBON CAPTURE TASK FORCE

Creates the Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Legislation Task Force Act. Creates the Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Legislation Task Force. Adds provisions governing Task Force membership, duties, powers, and compensation. Provides that the Task Force shall meet no less than once a month beginning in July 2021. Provides that the Task Force shall submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2021. Dissolves the Task Force upon the filing of the report. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2023. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: New Act Adds reference to: 110 ILCS 305/120 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the University of Illinois Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, in consultation with an intergovernmental advisory committee, must file a report on potential for carbon capture, utilization, and storage as a clean energy technology throughout Illinois with the Governor and General Assembly no later than December 31, 2022. Provides that the report must provide an assessment of Illinois subsurface storage resources, state of readiness, and provide recommendations for policy and regulatory needs at the State level based on its findings. Provides that in developing the report, the Prairie Research Institute shall form an advisory committee and provides for membership of the committee. Provides that the Prairie Research Institute shall also engage with interested stakeholders throughout the State to gain insights into socio-economic perspectives from environmental justice organizations, environmental non-governmental organizations, industry, landowners, farm bureaus, manufacturing, labor unions, and others. Repeals the provisions on January 1, 2023. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Deletes reference to: New Act Adds reference to: 110 ILCS 305/120 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the University of Illinois Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, in consultation with an intergovernmental advisory committee, must file a report on potential for carbon capture, utilization, and storage as a climate mitigation technology throughout Illinois with the Governor and General Assembly no later than December 31, 2022. Provides that the report must provide an assessment of Illinois subsurface storage resources, state of readiness, and provide recommendations for policy and regulatory needs at the State level based on its findings. Provides that in developing the report, the Prairie Research Institute shall form an advisory committee and provides for membership of the committee. Provides that the Prairie Research Institute shall also engage with interested stakeholders throughout the State to gain insights into socio-economic perspectives from environmental justice organizations, environmental non-governmental organizations, industry, landowners, farm bureaus, manufacturing, labor unions, and others. Repeals the provisions on January 1, 2023. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 In provisions amending the University of Illinois Act, provides that the report on the potential for carbon capture, utilization, and storage shall provide an assessment of Illinois subsurface storage resources, a description of existing and selected subsurface storage projects, and best practices for carbon storage. Provides that additionally, the report shall provide recommendations for policy and regulatory needs at the State level based on its findings (rather than the report must provide an assessment of Illinois subsurface storage resources, state of readiness, and provide recommendations for policy and regulatory needs at the State level based on its findings).

Signed into law Aug 13, 2021 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor HB 219
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
SCH CD-TIME OUT-RESTRAINT

Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning the adoption of rules by the State Board of Education governing time out and physical restraint in the public schools. Subject to appropriation, requires the State Board to create a grant program for school districts and special education cooperatives and charter schools to implement school-wide, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed practices, positive behavioral interventions and supports, and restorative practices. Allows the State Board to contract with a third party to provide assistance with oversight and monitoring, and requires the State Board to establish reduction goals and a system of ongoing review, auditing, and monitoring. Makes changes in provisions concerning a school board's use of time out and physical restraint, including providing that isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint may be used only under certain circumstances, prohibiting the deprivation of necessities and prone, mechanical, and chemical restraint, and requiring a meeting with school personnel if requested by the parent or guardian, the provision of information to parents and guardians, and written procedures. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 100/5-45 from Ch. 127, par. 1005-45 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill with the following changes. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt rules governing the use of isolated time, time out, and physical restraint in public schools and special education nonpublic facilities (rather than just in public schools). Provides that the State Board shall, by the adoption of emergency rules if it so chooses, create (rather than must create) a grant program for school districts, certain special education nonpublic facilities, and special education cooperatives (rather than for school districts and special education cooperatives and charter schools approved by the State Board). Makes changes concerning the prohibition against the use of prone restraint to allow prone restraint to be used when specified conditions are satisfied. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to make a related change. Corrects grammatical errors. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 With respect to the grant program, requires the State Board of Education to prioritize grant funding to those school districts, special education nonpublic facilities, and special education cooperatives that submit a plan to achieve a significant reduction or elimination in the use of isolated time out and physical restraint in less than 3 years. In provisions allowing the use of prone restraint if certain conditions are satisfied, allows the use of prone restraint if the use of prone restraint occurs within the 2021- 2022 school year (rather than within the schools years of 2021-2022 and 2022-2023).

Signed into law Aug 13, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Primary HB 656
Signed into law · Illinois House · Lead sponsor
VEH CD-MOTORCYCLE PASSENGERS

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires the passenger of a motorcycle to be capable of resting a foot on the footrest while the motorcycle is in motion.

Signed into law Aug 13, 2021 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor SB 1305
Signed into law · Illinois Senate · Co-sponsor
SCHOOL CONST-GREEN PROJECTS

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the School Code's construction. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/1-2 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 230/5-40 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Construction Law. Makes changes to provisions relating to green projects to provide that a school construction project is not required to receive silver certification from the United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System if (i) the school construction project is located in a county with a population of more than 38,000 and less than 39,000; (ii) the school district has no more than 500 students, with the relevant school facility housing no more than 150 students; (iii) the facilities for which the school construction grant will be used have been in use as of August 2019; and (iv) the application for the school construction grant has been approved prior to the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/19-1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the engrossed bill with the following changes. Amends the School Code. In a Section concerning the debt limitations of school districts, provides that, in addition to all other authority to issue bonds, Iroquois County Community Unit School District 9 may issue bonds with an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $17,125,000 and Field Community Consolidated School District 3 may issue bonds with an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $2,600,000 if certain conditions are met, including (1) that the voters of the district approve a proposition for the bond issuance at an election held on or after April 6, 2021 and (2) that, prior to the issuance of the bonds, the school board determines, by resolution, that it is necessary to make site improvements and other changes because of the age and condition of the district's existing school facilities. Provides that the debt incurred on the bonds shall not be considered indebtedness for purposes of any statutory debt limitation and that the bonds must mature within not to exceed 25 years from their date, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary. Effective immediately.

Signed into law Aug 6, 2021 1 co-sponsor
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