Sen. Christopher Belt

Amends the State Prompt Payment Act. Makes technical changes to eliminate obsolete provisions. Provides that, if an agency incurs an interest liability that cannot be charged to the same expenditure authority account to which the related goods or services were charged due to federal prohibitions, the agency may pay the interest from any moneys appropriated to the agency that are not otherwise prohibited to be used for the purpose of paying interest. Provides that, when a State official or agency responsible for administering a contract receives a bill or invoice from a contractor, that State official or agency shall confirm the date on which the bill or invoice was received within 15 business days of receipt and shall transmit any approved amount to the Comptroller within 30 days of receipt. Provides that a State official or agency that is responsible for administering a contract submits a voucher to the Comptroller for payment, the official or agency shall make available electronically the voucher number, the date of the voucher, and the amount of the voucher within 15 days after submitting the voucher to the Comptroller (currently, that information shall be made available promptly).

Amends the Probation and Probation Officers Act. Provides that the Division of Probation Services shall reimburse the county or counties for 100% of the salary for all probation officer and supervisor positions approved for reimbursement by the division to meet pretrial services programs and specialty court programs. Provides that for the remaining probation officer positions engaged in basic services and new or expanded services approved of the total statewide number as of July 1, 2023, beginning on July 1, 2027, 20% of that number shall be transferred to those requiring 100% salary reimbursement. Each subsequent July 1, another 20% of the July 1, 2023 population shall also be transferred under described circumstances.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, in Fiscal Year 2027 and thereafter, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall require that any convention and tourism bureau receiving a grant from the Local Tourism Fund that requires matching funds shall provide matching funds equal to no less than 25% of the grant amount (currently, no less than 40% of the grant amount). Amends the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Act. Makes changes concerning the distribution of moneys under those Acts. Effective immediately.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Subject to appropriation, requires the Board of Higher Education to create a school counselor stipend program. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of all eligible students and eligible cooperating school counselors who qualify for the stipend program. Sets forth requirements for the disbursement of stipend funds under the program. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student from participating in the stipend program or from receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Requires an eligible cooperating school counselor who receives a stipend to complete specific training. Requires the Board to issue a report, in collaboration with the State Board of Education, evaluating the impact of the stipend program. Permits the Board to adopt emergency rules regarding the administration of the stipend program in certain circumstances. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to make corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois State Police Radio Act. Provides that the Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) shall oversee governance, interoperability, and land mobile radio standards for Illinois' land mobile radio communications system and shall collaborate with the Office of the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator and the Office of the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator to strengthen Illinois' emergency communications ecosystem. Provides that the SIEC may designate subcommittees necessary to effectuate its responsibilities. Provides that the voting membership of the SIEC must, at a minimum, include the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator, the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator, the Director of the Secretary of the State Police or the Director's designee, and at least one representative from each of the following, appointed by the Governor: an association representing Illinois fire chiefs, an association representing Illinois fire protection districts, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, an association representing Illinois chiefs of police, an association representing Illinois sheriffs, the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Innovation and Technology, and the Department of Military Affairs. Removes references to the STARCOM21 Oversight Committee. Requires the SIEC to, no later than July 1, 2027, establish standards necessary to ensure land mobile radio equipment interoperates throughout Illinois; planning, training, and evaluation standards necessary to enhance public safety communications operational readiness; and standards necessary for the unification of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System statewide. Requires the SIEC to annually review existing statutory law and make recommendations for legislative changes to ensure efficient, effective, reliable, and sustainable communications interoperability statewide (rather than make recommendations concerning better integration of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System statewide and develop a plan to sustainably fund radio infrastructure, radio equipment, and interoperability statewide). Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Provides that the advice and technical assistance provided to State grant-making agencies by the Governor's Office of Management and Budget for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the Act shall include training for State agency staff. Sets forth requirements for the training. Provides that a State grant-making agency that awards a grant must issue the grant agreement associated with the grant within 60 days after the grant's effective date. Sets forth requirements for the grant agreement.

Maddy summarySB 2800 prevents local governments (cities and counties with home rule status) from regulating, licensing, or taxing sports wagering (sports betting). It explicitly states that these powers are exclusively held by the state of Illinois under the Sports Wagering Act. The bill denies local units the authority to impose fees, surcharges, or taxes on sports betting activities or related receipts. This change takes effect immediately upon the bill becoming law.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that, subject to federal approval, on and after January 1, 2027, rates for in-home services shall be increased to $33.92 to sustain a minimum wage of $20.75 per hour for direct service workers. Requires rates in subsequent State fiscal years to be no lower than the rates put into effect upon federal approval. Provides that in order for a provider of in-home services to be eligible to receive the $33.92 rate, the provider must pay a minimum wage of $20.75 per hour to all direct service workers employed by the provider. Requires providers of in-home services to certify to the Department on Aging that they remain in compliance with the mandated wage increase for direct service workers. Requires each provider of in-home services to submit cost reports to the Department consistent with a specified administrative rule in order to be eligible for the $33.92 rate for in-home services. Provides that fringe benefits shall not be reduced in relation to the described rate increases. Requires the Department, beginning January 1, 2027, to ensure that each in-home service provider spends a minimum of 79% of the total payments the provider receives for home care aide services it furnishes under the Community Care Program on total compensation for direct service workers who furnish those services. Requires annual direct service worker cost reports from providers; and requires the Department to amend existing rules on financial reporting and minimum direct service worker costs to reflect the increase in the direct service worker spending requirement from 77% to 79%.

Amends the New Markets Development Program Act. Provides that a credit under the Act may be transferred to an affiliate. Provides that the cap on credits is $37,000,000 for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2029. Makes changes concerning the allocation schedule. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a withholding tax credit for employers that grant all of their employees the option of taking a paid leave of absence for the purpose of serving as an organ donor or bone marrow donor also applies to public employers. Effective immediately.