Sen. Christopher Belt

Creates the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Act. Requires the Department of Employment Security to establish and administer a Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program that provides family and medical leave insurance benefits to eligible employees. Sets forth eligibility requirements for benefits under the Act. Contains provisions concerning disqualification from benefits; premium payments; the amount and duration of benefits; the recovery of erroneous payments; hearings; defaulted premium payments; elective coverage; employment protection; coordination of family and medical leave; defined terms; and other matters. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Account Fund. Provides phase-in periods for the collection of money and making of claims for benefits under the Act. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, moneys in the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund may not be appropriated, assigned, or transferred to another State fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that beginning October 1, 2023 (rather than October 1, 2018) the Department of Human Services shall increase TANF grant amounts in effect on September 30, 2023 (rather than September 30, 2018) to at least 50% (rather than 30%) of the most recent United States Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines for each family size. Provides that beginning October 1, 2024 (rather than October 1, 2019), and each October 1 thereafter, the maximum benefit levels shall be annually adjusted to remain equal to at least 50% (rather than 30%) of the most recent poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for each family size. Effective October 1, 2023.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, and the State Finance Act. Provides for a sales tax holiday on school supplies from August 5, 2023 through August 14, 2023. Effective immediately.

Amends the New Markets Development Program Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall limit the monetary amount of qualified equity investments at no more than $20,000,000 of tax credits for the primary allocation and no more than $12,000,000 of tax credits for the targeted allocation. Provides that, on or after January 1, 2024, but not more than 120 days after the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund of the United States Department of the Treasury announces allocation awards under a Notice of Funding Availability that was published in the Federal Register on November 22, 2022, $250,000,000 of qualified equity investments for the primary allocation and $150,000,000 of qualified equity investments for the targeted allocation shall be allocated by the Department. Makes other changes. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Creates the Literary and Justice for All Act. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt and make available to school districts a rubric by which districts may evaluate curricula and select and implement evidence-based, culturally inclusive core reading instruction programs, a template to develop literacy plans, and guidance on evidence-based practices. Requires the State Board to develop training opportunities in teaching reading and a comprehensive literacy plan for this State. Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program, the requirements to receive a Professional Educator License, taking a test in reading foundations for certain licensure, and the requirements for educators trained in other states or countries. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. With respect to the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program, removes language that provides that the State Board of Education may distribute an amount not to exceed 2% of the moneys appropriated for the Program for the purpose of providing teacher training and re-training in the teaching of reading. Provides that if the appropriation for the Program for a given fiscal year is less than $15,000,000, then the State Board shall limit eligibility to certain school districts and shall impose additional eligibility criteria to limit the number of approved applicants to a cohort sufficient for each selected district to provide adequate training and ongoing coaching support to each teacher of students in grades K through 2 and special education teachers and evidence-based curriculum investments. Removes language that provides that programs provided with grant funds shall not replace quality classroom reading instruction. Provides that Program funds may be used for grades K through 6 to provide both evidence-based, high-quality core literacy curriculum materials that consider the unique needs of English learners for concurrent oral language practice and high-quality screening assessments designed to inform instruction in English language arts and literacy for students (instead of classroom reading materials for students). Sets forth other provisions concerning if the appropriation is less than $15,000,000 or is at least $15,000,000.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. In provisions concerning the Illinois Veteran grant program, provides that, for a specified eligibility requirement, a person can be an Illinois resident within 18 months (instead of 6 months) of entering federal active duty service. Provides that a person is also eligible if the person returned to this State within 18 months (instead of 6 months) after leaving federal active duty; makes a related change. Provides that a person who was stationed in Illinois at the time the person was discharged or retired from federal active duty service also meets the requirements for the grant program.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit in an amount equal to $500 for individuals who serve as volunteer emergency workers for at least 9 months during the taxable year and do not receive compensation of more than $10,000 during the taxable year for that service. Defines "volunteer emergency worker". Effective immediately.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 235 ILCS 5/1-1 Adds reference to: 235 ILCS 5/5-3 from Ch. 43, par. 118 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Reduces the license fees for first-class wine manufacturers and first-class wine-makers. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Changes the effective date to August 1, 2022 (rather than an immediate effective date). House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 235 ILCS 5/5-1 from Ch. 43, par. 115 Further amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that a non-home rule municipality may not regulate the delivery of alcoholic liquor inconsistent with certain provisions of the Act concerning delivery of alcoholic liquor by retailers. Changes the effective date from August 1, 2022 to immediate.