Sen. Dale Fowler

Mourns the death of Robert Ray "Bob" Holmes Sr.

Mourns the death of Ronald Edward "Ron" Mitchell of Crainville.

Amends the Southern Illinois University Management Act. In provisions concerning the members of the Illinois Ethanol Research Advisory Board, provides that the Board may be composed of designees of the members. Effective immediately.

Creates the Counseling Compact Act. Provides that the State of Illinois enters into the Counseling Compact. Specifies that the Compact's purpose is to facilitate interstate practice of licensed professional counselors with the goal of improving public access to professional counseling services. Contains other provisions relating to state participation in the Compact. Sets out provisions concerning the privilege to practice, obtaining a new home state license, active duty military personnel, telehealth, adverse actions, Counseling Compact Commission, data systems, rulemaking, oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement. Contains other provisions concerning the Commission, the Compact, and the procedures governing participating in and construction of the Compact. Effective immediately.

Amends the Right of Publicity Act. Grants additional enforcement rights and remedies to recording artists. Provides for the liability of any person who materially contributes to, induces, or otherwise facilitates a violation of a specified provision of the Act by another party after having reason to know that the other party is in violation. Defines "artificial intelligence" and "generative artificial intelligence". Changes the definition of "commercial purpose" and "identity".

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the organization of the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Amends the Hospital Services Trust Fund Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Increases by 20% hospital reimbursement rates for dates of service on and after January 1, 2024, for specified services, including, but not limited to: inpatient general acute care services; inpatient psychiatric services for safety-net hospitals; general acute care hospitals that are not safety-net hospitals; and outpatient general acute care services. Provides that the rates for the listed services shall be increased, beginning on January 1, 2025 and each January 1 thereafter, based on the annual increase in the national hospital market basket price proxies (DRI) hospital cost index from the midpoint of the calendar year 2 years prior to the current year, to the midpoint of the preceding calendar year. Provides that in no instance shall the adjustment result in a reduction to the rates in place at the time of the required adjustment. Provides that if the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finds that the increases required under the amendatory Act would result in rates of reimbursement which exceed the federal maximum limits applicable to hospital payments, then the payments and assessment tax imposed on hospital providers shall be reduced as provided in the Hospital Provider Funding Article. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to promptly take all actions necessary to ensure the changes authorized in the amendatory Act are in effect for dates of service on and after January 1, 2024. Requires the Department to ensure that all necessary adjustments to the managed care organization capitation base rates necessitated by the adjustments in the amendatory Act are completed, published, and applied 90 days prior to the implementation date of the changes required under the amendatory Act. Provides that, by October 1, 2023, the Department shall by rule implement a methodology effective for dates of service beginning on and after January 1, 2024 to reimburse hospitals for extended stays in a hospital emergency department. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Grants the Department emergency rulemaking authority. Effective immediately.

Repeals the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act. Amends the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Illinois Procurement Code, and the Criminal Code of 2012 to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning on July 1, 2024, certain food, drugs, and medical appliances that were taxed at the rate of 1% shall be exempt from the taxes under those Acts. Provides that certain amounts shall be transferred from the General Revenue Fund to certain local tax funds. Effective immediately.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall establish and administer a workforce industry needs scholarship program to provide scholarships to qualified students who, in order to meet regional or statewide workforce needs, are pursuing a professional certificate, credential, diploma, or degree from a public institution of higher learning. Sets forth the qualifications that a student must meet to receive a scholarship. Provides that each scholarship awarded shall be in an amount sufficient to pay the tuition and fees and room and board costs of the public institution of higher learning at which the recipient is enrolled, up to an annual maximum of $5,000, except that in the case of a recipient who does not reside on campus at the institution of higher learning at which he or she is enrolled, the amount of the scholarship shall be sufficient to pay tuition and fee expenses and a commuter allowance, up to an annual maximum of $5,000. Provides that the Commission shall adopt rules to define what constitutes a postsecondary course of study or other program in order to meet regional or statewide workforce needs. Provides that priority for receiving a scholarship may be given to students seeking a professional certificate, credential, diploma, or degree from a public institution of higher learning in an industry sector identified annually by the Commission as having significant regional or statewide workforce needs. Provides for the approval and suspension of approval of a postsecondary course of study or other program of a public institution of higher learning. Provides for rulemaking. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.