Sen. Christopher Belt

Creates the Water and Sewer Financial Assistance Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is authorized to institute the water and sewer assistance program. Provides that any person who is a resident of the State of Illinois and whose household income is not greater than an amount determined annually by the Department may apply for assistance. Provides that in determining the amounts of assistance to be provided to or on behalf of a qualified applicant, the Department shall ensure that the highest amounts of assistance go to households with the greatest need for financial assistance in relation to household income by considering specified factors. Provides that each water or sewer provider shall assess each of its customer accounts a monthly Water and Sewer Assistance Charge to be deposited into the Water and Sewer Low-Income Assistance Fund. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Water and Sewer Low-Income Assistance Fund. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that specified water or sewer utilities shall be allowed to offer a financial assistance program designed for bill payment assistance for low-income customers in accordance with the Water and Sewer Financial Assistance Act. Provides that the costs of a financial assistance program offered by a water or sewer utility shall be reimbursed from the Water and Sewer Low-Income Assistance Fund. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that, in its use of federal funds under the Act, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may not cause a disproportionate share of those federal funds to benefit customers of water or sewer providers that do not assess the Water and Sewer Assistance Charge. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: In provisions creating the Water and Sewer Financial Assistance Act, provides that in setting the annual eligibility level to receive financial assistance under the Act, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may not set a limit higher than the eligibility limit for assistance under the Energy Assistance Act (rather than 150% of the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). Provides that the process to allow a water or sewer provider to discontinue imposing assessments shall include review by the Illinois Commerce Commission of any water or sewer provider subject to the Public Utilities Act. Removes provisions concerning program eligibility for residents of rental properties. In provisions amending the Public Utilities Act, provides that the Commission shall render its decision within 90 days (rather than 60 days) after receiving a petition from a water or sewer utility to offer a financial assistance program. Removes language requiring the Commission to annually review and reconcile any amounts collected through tariffs to recover the costs of the financial assistance program. Makes corresponding changes.

Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Provides that if the number of members serving on a local school council falls below 7 members due to vacancies, then 4 serving members of the local school council shall constitute a quorum for the sole purpose of convening a meeting to fill vacancies through appointments. Provides that, for such purposes, the affirmative vote of a majority of those present shall be required to fill a vacancy through appointment by the council. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 With respect to the 4 serving members of a local school council constituting a quorum, requires at least 2 of the 4 serving members to be elected members.

Amends the Expressway Camera Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 605 ILCS 140/1 Adds reference to: 620 ILCS 5/34 from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 22.34 620 ILCS 5/34a from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 22.34a 620 ILCS 5/38.01 from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 22.38a Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Aeronautics Act. Provides that the Division of Aeronautics of the Department of Transportation shall not render financial assistance in connection with the planning, construction, reconstruction, extension, development, or improvement of hangars or other airport buildings, or in connection with the subsequent operation or maintenance of such air navigation facilities unless such facilities are publicly used, publicly owned, and of public benefit. Provides that "of public benefit" includes aircraft hangars, fixed-based operator buildings, and aircraft maintenance buildings at nonprimary airports included within the State Airport Plan. Includes construction costs as costs eligible for financial assistance by the Division of Aeronautics of the Department of Transportation. Provides that the prohibition on a municipality or political subdivision from directly accepting, receiving, or disbursing any funds granted by the United States under the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 shall not prohibit any municipality or any political subdivision owning a primary commercial service airport serving at least 10,000 annual enplanements from accepting, receiving, or disbursing funds directly from the federal government. Provides that any federal money awarded to airports in the State under specified federal laws that include project applications approved by the Department where the Department is designated as the agent to accept, receive, and disburse such funds shall also include a State match to the local share of the application for all costs eligible.

Amends the Compulsory Attendance Article of the School Code. With respect to the exceptions to the compulsory attendance requirement, provides that absence for cause by illness shall include the mental or behavioral health of a student for up to 5 days for which the child need not provide a medical note, in which case the child shall be given the opportunity to make up any school work missed during the mental or behavioral health absence. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the child, after the second mental health day used, may be referred to the appropriate school support personnel.

Creates the Feminine Hygiene Products for the Homeless Act. Provides that feminine hygiene products, including, but not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons, and panty liners, shall be available free of charge at all homeless shelters that provide temporary housing assistance to women or youth. Provides that a homeless shelter's obligation to satisfy this requirement is subject to the availability of funds in the homeless shelter's general budget.

Amends the Motor Vehicle Franchise Act. Provides that the sale of motor vehicles by unlicensed dealers shall be prohibited (rather than should be prevented). Changes the manner in which dealers are reimbursed by manufacturers. Provides that manufacturers must pay a dealer no less than the amount a retail customer pays the dealer for the same services. Authorizes the use of agreed upon time guides. Applies to warranty work and factory recalls. Establishes a manner of determining effective labor rates.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that persons shall not be determined ineligible for cash assistance provided under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program based upon a conviction for any drug-related felony under State or federal law. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Makes the bill effective 3 months after it becomes law.

Amends the Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Provides that "health care employer" includes the Department of Corrections or a third-party vendor employing certified nursing assistants working with the Department of Corrections. Effective immediately.

Amends the Stalking No Contact Order Act. Includes electronic communication in the definition of "contact". Amends the Civil No Contact Order Act. Provides that the court may provide relief in a civil no contact order by restraining the respondent from having any electronic communication with the petitioner. Amends the Internet Dating, Internet Child Care, Internet Senior Care, and Internet Home Care Safety Act. Changes the definition of "internet dating service" to remove the qualifier that such services be performed for a fee. Makes a corresponding change to the Dating Referral Services Act.

Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that each State agency shall establish the goal of increasing diversity on interview panels in order to increase State employment opportunities provided to women, minority persons, and persons under specified employment plans. Provides that each State agency shall use in the interview process, if possible, persons that are representative of specified persons if the interview being conducted meets specified criteria. Requires each State agency to submit an annual report to the Department of Central Management Services. Provides for the content of the report.