Sen. Sara Feigenholtz

Amends the Court of Claims Act. Creates an administrative process for uncontested claims for vendors arising from contracts with the State. Requires a State agency to confirm or reject an uncontested claim that is from a lapsed appropriation and valued at less than $2,500 within 30 days after being notified in writing by the Attorney General. Provides that if the State agency does not confirm or reject the claim within that 30-day period, then the State agency forfeits the right to reject or contest the claim. Requires the Comptroller, subject to appropriation, then issue payment to the vendor within 30 days of the court entering such an award. Provides that if the court determines that it is unable to process such an uncontested claim because the bill or invoice contains a defect, the court must notify the vendor in writing of the defect no later than 30 days after the bill or invoice was first submitted. Provides that if one or more items on a bill or invoice are disapproved, but not the entire bill or invoice, then the portion that is not disapproved must be transmitted to the Comptroller for payment. Changes the filing fees required under the Act as follows: a fee of $15 for a petition seeking more than $500 but less than $10,000; and $35 for a petition seeking more than $10,000 or more. Requires that the court must allow claimants to submit documentation to amend and cure defects. Makes other changes. Authorizes the Court of Claims to adopt rules to implement the Act.

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 Environmental Protection Act. Defines the terms "anaerobic digester", "anaerobic digestion", "digestate", and "food waste processing facility". Replaces the definition of "food scrap" with the definition of "food waste". Replaces references to food scrap with references to food waste. Makes changes to provisions concerning pollution control facilities to exclude the portion of a site or facility that is used exclusively for the processing of food waste, with certain other requirements. Provides an exception for the commingling of certain food waste and landscape waste from certain provisions regarding landscape waste. Amends the Solid Waste Planning and Recycling Act. Adds to requirements for county waste management plan recycling programs. Amends the Illinois Solid Waste Management Act. Establishes a food and food waste management hierarchy. Requires a covered establishment to carry out certain duties with respect to food waste. Provides for rulemaking, enforcement, and penalties with respect to provisions concerning food waste. Establishes requirements and procedures for diverting food that is safe for human consumption. Requires certain State agencies and units of local government to purchase and use compost and digestate, with certain requirements. Establishes a food diversion grant program. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

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 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.

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 Department of Healthcare and Family Services Law. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to conduct a statewide one-year pilot program that studies the prevalence of cholestatic liver disorders associated with increased risk of end-stage liver disease among women ages 35 through 64 who are recipients of medical assistance. Requires the Department to collect the following information on study participants: (1) key demographics such as age, genetic predispositions, pre-existing conditions, and lifestyle factors that elevate the risk of developing cholestatic liver disorders; (2) the number or percentage of study participants who, despite being identified as high-risk, do not follow through with referrals or treatment recommendations; (3) the number of study participants who avoid referral and follow-up care or engage in treatment avoidance; and (4) any other relevant information or issues identified by the Department. Requires the Department to compile a report on its findings at the end of the one-year study and include (i) recommendations on how to increase awareness of cholestatic liver disorders through screenings, genetic testing, and collaboration with patient advocacy groups to raise public awareness and (ii) an analysis of strategies and funding to increase screening and genetic testing for cholestatic liver disorders. Provides that the Department shall submit the report to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2028. Effective immediately.

Creates the Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit Act. Provides that owners of qualified low-income housing developments are eligible for credits against the taxes imposed by the Illinois Income Tax Act or taxes, penalties, fees, charges, and payments imposed by the Illinois Insurance Code. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Illinois Insurance Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption, provides that the Chief County Assessment Officer in a county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants may request full social security numbers or individual taxpayer identification numbers for all members of the applicant's household. Provides that the Chief County Assessment Officer may renew the low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption without a new application if the Chief County Assessment Officer is able to confirm both that the applicant still owns and resides in the property and that applicant's household income qualifies for the exemption. Provides that a Chief County Assessment Officer who renews a low-income senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption without an annual application shall notify the applicant of both the decision to renew the exemption and the applicant's ongoing duty to report changes in the eligibility of the property to receive the exemption.

Amends the Sports Wagering Act. Specifies that, for purposes of the Act, the term "sports event" includes any awards show. Provides that "awards show" means the Emmy Awards Show, the Grammy Awards Show, the Academy Awards Show, the Tony Awards Show, or any other live competition or talent contest. Grants rulemaking and emergency rulemaking powers to the Illinois Gaming Board to authorize wagering on awards shows. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.