Sen. Sara Feigenholtz

Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that until June 30, 2024, the service retirement pension of a service retirement pensioner shall not be cancelled if the service retirement pensioner is employed in a subject shortage area and the employer that is employing the service retirement pensioner meets specified requirements. Provides that an employer of a teacher who is unable to continue employment with the employer because of documented illness, injury, or disability that occurred after being hired by the employer is exempt from specified job posting requirements for 90 school days, but must on an ongoing basis comply with those requirements. Provides that the employer must submit documentation of its compliance to the regional superintendent. Provides that upon receiving satisfactory documentation from the employer, the regional superintendent shall certify the employer's compliance with the requirements to the Fund. Makes conforming and other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Energy Transition Act. Provides that Climate Works Hubs shall be awarded grants in multi-year increments not to exceed 36 months with the opportunity for grant renewal and modification for subsequent years. Provides that each Climate Works Hub that receives funding from the Energy Transition Assistance Fund shall: recruit, prescreen, and provide preapprenticeship training to equity investment eligible persons; provide training information related to opportunities and certifications relevant to clean energy jobs in the construction and building trades; and provide preapprentices with stipends not less than the State minimum wage unless a higher wage is required by the locality where the preapprenticeship training program is situated. Provides that priority shall be given to Climate Works Hubs that have an agreement with North American Building Trades Union to utilize the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum or successor curriculums. Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Provides that projects less than or equal to 25 kilowatts on the waitlist for this capacity that are moved to the waitlist for the first block of annual capacity shall not be required to be in compliance with the Agency's long-term renewable resources plan. Removes language that provides that projects that were on the waitlist for the first block of annual capacity prior to the opening of the next block are not required to be in compliance with the Agency's long-term renewable resources plan. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 3855/1-75 Adds reference to: 220 ILCS 5/5-117 220 ILCS 5/16-108.30 220 ILCS 5/16-111.11 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Removes a provision of the Illinois Power Agency Act concerning the Planning and Procurement Bureau. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the annual report in the provisions concerning supplier diversity goals shall include a buying plan for the specific goods and services the company intends to buy in the next 6 to 18 months. Provides that the energy transition assistance charge shall not exceed 1.3% of the amount paid per kilowatthour by eligible retail customers during the year ending May 31, 2009. Provides that specified entities shall submit an annual supplier diversity report to the Illinois Commerce Commission. Provides that the annual report shall be filed on an electronic form as designed by the Commission by June 1, 2023 and every June 1 thereafter on all procurement goals and actual spending for women-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and small business enterprises in the previous calendar year related to performance of obligations in the State of the contracts of licenses. Provides the relevant information that shall be included in the annual report. Provides that each annual report: shall include as much State-specified data as possible; shall include the rules, regulations, and definitions used for the procurement goals; and shall be submitted to the Commission. Provides that the Commission shall not be required or authorized to compel production of any specified report. Provides that the Commission shall hold an annual workshop in 2024 and every year thereafter on the state of supplier diversity, and the Commission shall invite all entities submitting an annual report. Provides that the Commission shall publish a database on its website of the point of contact for each participating entity for supplier diversity. Makes other changes. House Floor Amendment No. 4 Adds reference to: 220 ILCS 5/8-218 220 ILCS 5/16-107.6 220 ILCS 5/16-108.5 415 ILCS 5/9.15 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill and makes the following changes. In the Public Utilities Act, provides that Climate Works Hub shall be awarded grants in multi-year increments not to exceed 36 months and removes a provision that provides that this shall be with the opportunity for grant renewal and modification for subsequent years. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may take into account experience and performance as a previous grantee of the Climate Works Hub as part of the selection criteria for subsequent years. Provides that each Climate Works Hub that receives funding from the Energy Transition Assistance Fund shall provide preapprentices with stipends they receive that may vary depending on the occupation the individual is training for. Provides that the annual report shall include a buying plan for the specific goods and services the company intends to buy in the next 6 to 18 months that is either (i) organized by and reported at the level of each applicable North American Industry Classification System code, (ii) provided using a method, system, or description similar to the North American Industry Classification System, or (iii) provided using the major categories of goods and related services utilized in the company's procurement system, and including any procurement codes used by the company, to assist entrepreneurs and diverse companies to understand upcoming opportunities to work with the company, however, a utility shall not be required to include commercially-sensitive data, nonpublic procurement information, or other information that could compromise a utility's ability to negotiate the most advantageous price or terms. Provides that a utility-scale pilot project may consist of photovoltaic energy generation facilities located on one or more sites and may be installed or constructed in phases. Provides that upon approval of a rebate application, the retail customer shall no longer be entitled to receive any delivery service credits for the excess electricity generated by its facility and shall be subject to the Act's provisions concerning net electricity metering unless the owner or operator receives a rebate only for an energy storage device and not for the distributed generation device. Provides that provisions concerning a report on the infrastructure program and the performance-based formula rate and provisions concerning a participating utility prohibited from offering broadband services or the delivery of broadband services are not inoperative after December 31, 2022 for every participating utility. Provides that the provisions concerning what a participating utility is prohibited from providing (rather than offering) are inoperative after December 31, 2027 for every participating utility. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that large GHG-emitting units including EGUs may temporarily continue emitting CO2e and copollutants (instead of greenhouse gases) after any applicable deadline specified in any of the provisions concerning EGUs and greenhouse gas-emitting units if it has been determined that ongoing operation of the EGU is necessary to maintain power grid supply and reliability or ongoing operation of large GHG-emitting unit that is not an EGU is necessary to serve as an emergency backup to operations. Effective immediately.

Creates the Equity and Representation in Health Care Act. Contains the findings of the General Assembly. Creates the Equity and Representation in Health Care Workforce Repayment Program and the Equity and Representation in Health Care Workforce Scholarship Program to be administered by the Department of Public Health. Provides that a health care professional, medical facility, or behavioral health provider may apply to the Department for loan repayment assistance under the Program. Provides that, in order to be eligible for loan repayment under the Act, the health care professional or behavioral health provider shall comply with specified requirements. Requires the Department to submit an annual report with specified requirements to the General Assembly and the Governor. Contains provisions regarding the adoption of rules by the Department. Contains other provisions. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that loan repayment and scholarship program funds are subject to appropriation. Provides that an individual who is awarded a loan repayment authorized under the Act shall not receive concurrent loan repayments through any other Illinois or federal loan repayment program. Requires the Department of Public Health to share information about the application process for a scholarship or loan repayment under the Act prominently on the Department's website, as well as with specified Illinois-based health care training programs and institutions of higher education. Requires recipients who fail to meet their obligations to pay to the Department a sum of at least 1.5 times plus 7% interest annually (rather than a sum equal to) the amount of the received moneys. Contains provisions for waiver or deferment of a recipient's obligation under the Act. Provides that the Act is effective January 1, 2023. Makes other changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that a nurse is a "health care professional". Removes language providing that a certified nurse midwife is a "health care professional". Defines "nurse" as a person who is licensed as a licensed practical nurse or as a registered nurse under the Nurse Practice Act.

Amends the Early Intervention Services System Act. Requires all early intervention services to be initiated as soon as possible but not later than 30 calendar days after the consent of the parent or guardian has been obtained for the child's individualized family service plan. Provides that services may be initiated later than 30 calendar days after the consent of the parent or guardian has been obtained if the multidisciplinary team determines that a later initiation date is necessary to meet the individual needs of the child and family, the child's parent or guardian provides informed written consent for the later initiation date, and the reasons for the later initiation date are documented by the multidisciplinary team. Provides that the parent or guardian must be informed in writing, which may be done electronically if the parent or guardian prefers, that services shall be initiated no later than 30 calendar days after the individualized family service plan has been developed or on a later initiation date as determined by the multidisciplinary team with the informed consent of the parent or guardian. Provides that if services are not initiated within 30 calendar days after the consent of the parent or guardian has been obtained for the individualized family service plan or on a later initiation date as determined by the multidisciplinary team with the informed consent of the parent or guardian, the parent or guardian must be informed by the family's Child and Family Connections service coordinator in writing, which may be done electronically if the parent or guardian prefers, of the family's legal rights and alternative service options available to the family until an early intervention provider is identified, including, but not limited to, providers not currently early intervention credentialed or enrolled in the early intervention program. Effective July 1, 2022. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Early Intervention Services System Act. Provides that all early intervention services shall be initiated as soon as possible but not later than 30 calendar days after the consent of the parent or guardian has been obtained for the individualized family service plan, in accordance with rules adopted by the Department of Human Services. Effective July 1, 2022.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that beginning January 1, 2023, the Department of Children and Family Services shall implement a 3-year pilot program of additional resources for families receiving Extended Family Support Program services from the Department for the purpose of supporting relative caregivers. Provides that these resources may include, but are not limited to: (i) wraparound case management services, (ii) home visiting services for caregivers with children under the age of 5, and (iii) parent mentors for caregivers with children over the age of 3. Provides that the resources provided by the pilot program are voluntary and refusing such resources shall not be used as evidence of neglect of a child. Requires the Department to arrange for an independent evaluation of the pilot program to determine whether the pilot program is successfully supporting families receiving Extended Family Support Program services and preventing entrance into the foster care system. Provides that the evaluation will support determining whether there is a long-term cost benefit to continuing the pilot program. Provides that at the end of the 3-year pilot program, the Department shall submit a report to the General Assembly with its findings of the evaluation. Requires the report to state whether the Department intends to continue the pilot program and the rationale for its decision. Grants the Department rulemaking authority. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: Permits the Department of Children and Family Services to consult with independent partners to review Extended Family Support Program services and advise if additional services are needed prior to the start of the 3-year pilot program scheduled to be implemented on January 1, 2023. Provides that the services for the Extended Family Support Program are expanded given the program's inclusion in the Family First Prevention Services Act's targeted populations. Sets forth other targeted populations. Provides that funding through Title IV-E of the Social Security Act shall be spent on services to prevent children and youth who are candidates for foster care from coming into care and allow them to remain with their families. Provides that the Department shall arrange for an independent evaluation of the pilot program to determine whether the pilot program is successfully supporting families receiving Extended Family Support Program services or Family First Prevention Program services. Effective immediately.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to establish by rule guidelines for required continuing education of all employees who inspect, survey, or evaluate a facility and to offer continuing education opportunities at least quarterly. Provides that the Department shall notify a facility and complainant of its findings regarding a complainant's complaint within 5 calendar days (rather than 10 days) of the determination. Provides that employees of a State or unit of local government agency charged with inspecting, surveying, or evaluating facilities are required to complete at least 10 hours of continuing education annually. Provides that if a facility is found to have violated any provision of the Act or rule adopted under the Act, the facility shall develop a plan of correction to address deficiencies indicated in a statement of deficiency. Requires the Department to approve or deny the plan of correction within 72 hours after receiving the plan of correction. Provides that the Department shall conduct an annual review of all survey activity from the preceding calendar year (rather than conduct an annual review) and make a report including specified information concerning the complaint and survey process. Contains other provisions. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Removes language requiring specified actions to be taken within 7 (rather than 30) days or 5 (rather than 10) days after specified events. Removes language providing that, if a facility is found to have violated any provision of the Act or rule adopted under the Act, the facility shall develop a plan of correction to address deficiencies indicated in a statement of deficiency. Requires the Department of Public Health's annual report to include the total number of times the Department recommended a discretionary denial of payment for new Medicare or Medicaid admissions with a specified effective date and the number of instances in which employees not fully vaccinated against or who tested positive for COVID-19 entered a long-term care facility. Makes other changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Requires the 10 hours of continuing education to include specified topics that support the survey process. Provides that the continuing education is separate from any continuing education required for any license that the employee holds. Requires the Department of Public Health's report to include (i) the breakdown of 24-hour, 7-day, and 30-day complaints, (ii) the average length of tenure for nurse surveyors employed by the Department at the time the report is created, and (iii) the total number of times the Department recommended a discretionary denial of payment for new Medicare or Medicaid admissions and how much time existed between the start of that denial and when the facility was notified. Removes language requiring all of the listed reporting criteria and additional complaint information requested by the Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Board, the Illinois Long-Term Care Council, or the General Assembly to be provided in aggregate and broken down by Office of Health Care Regulation region. Makes other changes. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Provides that at least 5 of the 10 required hours of continuing education shall be separate and distinct from any continuing education hours required for any license that the employee holds. Allows any continuing education hours provided by the Department in addition to the required 10 hours of continuing education to count towards continuing education hours required for any license that the employee holds. Makes changes in the list of items to be included in the Department's annual report. Deletes a provision requiring employees of local agencies that inspect facilities to complete continuing education. Removes language requiring all of the listed reporting criteria and additional complaint information requested by the Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Board, the Illinois Long-Term Care Council, or the General Assembly to be provided in aggregate and broken down by Office of Health Care Regulation region. Makes other changes.

Amends the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Act. Provides that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Act, to the extent that there is a conflict between the provisions of Executive Order 2017-1 and the Act, supersedes the Executive Order, and shall be controlling. Provides that the position of State Historian is now an honorary position, and specifies new duties of the honorary State Historian. Transfers previously held duties and requirements of the State Historian under the Act to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and its Executive Director. Removes provision requiring the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation to mutually cooperate to establish a working group for specified purposes. Removes provision allowing the Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to have hiring and appointing power over specified personnel. Repeals the State Historical Library Act. Repeals the Illinois Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission Act. Makes conforming changes concerning the State Historian. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 3475/20 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Act. Provides that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Act, to the extent that there is a conflict between the provisions of Executive Order 2017-1 and the Act, supersedes the Executive Order, and shall be controlling. Provides that the Governor in consultation with the Board of Trustees of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Illinois Historical Society shall appoint the Illinois State Historian (currently, appointed by the Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum). Provides for qualifications and term requirements of the Illinois State Historian. Transfers previously held duties and requirements of the State Historian under the Act to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and its Executive Director. Removes provision requiring the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation to mutually cooperate to establish a working group for specified purposes. Removes provision allowing the Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to have hiring and appointing power over specified personnel. Repeals the State Historical Library Act. Repeals the Illinois Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission Act. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that upon receiving custody or guardianship of a youth in care, and at least annually thereafter, the Department of Children and Family Services shall determine whether the youth may be eligible for Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or Veterans benefits. Provides that if it is determined that the youth may be eligible for benefits, the Department shall ensure that an application is filed on behalf of the youth. Requires the Department to ensure that any youth in care eligible for benefits beyond the age of 18 has a timely application filed. Requires the Department to immediately notify a youth over the age of 16, the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem, and the youth's parent or legal guardian or another responsible adult of: (1) any application for or any application to become representative payee for benefits on behalf of a youth in care; (2) any decisions or communications from the Social Security Administration or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regarding an application for benefits or for representative payee status; and (3) any appeal or other action requested by the Department regarding an application for benefits. Requires the Department to ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee or fiduciary, a minimum percentage of the youth's benefits are conserved in a way that avoids violating any federal asset or resource limits that would affect the youth's eligibility to receive the benefits, including, but not limited to, establishing for the youth a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) Account; an ABLE account, a Social Security Plan to Achieve Self-Support account, or other specified savings accounts. Contains provisions concerning annual accounting reports to a youth's attorney and guardian ad litem of how a youth's benefits have been used and conserved; financial literacy training and support for youth in care; the adoption of rules; reporting requirements for the Department; and other matters. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that upon receiving temporary custody or guardianship of a youth in care, the Department of Children and Family Services shall assess the youth to determine whether the youth may be eligible for Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans benefits, or Railroad Retirement benefits. Provides that if, after the assessment, the Department determines that the youth may be eligible for such benefits, the Department shall ensure that an application is filed on behalf of the youth. Requires the Department to prescribe by rule how it will review cases of youth in care at regular intervals to determine whether the youth may have become eligible for benefits after the initial assessment. Provides that the Department shall make reasonable efforts to encourage youth in care over the age of 18 who are likely eligible for benefits to cooperate with the application process and to assist youth with the application process. Provides that when applying for benefits, the Department shall identify a representative payee in accordance with specified federal requirements. Requires the Department to immediately notify a youth over the age of 16, the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem, and the youth's parent or legal guardian or another responsible adult of: (1) any application for or any application to become representative payee for benefits on behalf of a youth in care; (2) any communications from the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Railroad Retirement Board pertaining to the acceptance or denial of benefits or the selection of a representative payee; and (3) any appeal or other action requested by the Department regarding an application for benefits. Provides that when the Department serves as the representative payee for a youth receiving benefits, the Department shall: (i) beginning January 1, 2023, ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee, a minimum percentage of the youth's Supplemental Security Income benefits are conserved as specified under the amendatory Act; (2) beginning January 1, 2024, ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee a minimum percentage of the youth's Social Security benefits, Veterans benefits, or Railroad Retirement benefits are conserved as specified under the amendatory Act; (3) appropriately monitor any federal asset or resource limits for the benefits and ensure that the youth's best interest is served by using or conserving the benefits in a way that avoids violating any federal asset or resource limits that would affect the youth's eligibility to receive the benefits; and other matters. Contains provisions concerning annual accounting reports to a youth's attorney and guardian ad litem on how a youth's benefits have been used and conserved; financial literacy training and support for youth in care; the adoption of rules; reporting requirements for the Department; and other matters. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that all school boards shall waive fees assessed by the district for each student with a parent who is a veteran with an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that all school boards shall waive fees assessed by the district for each student with a parent who is a veteran or active duty military personnel (only veteran in the introduced bill) with an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Creates the Music Therapy Licensing and Practice Act. Provides for licensure of professional music therapists and clinical music therapists by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Establishes the Music Therapy Advisory Committee. Establishes the powers and duties of the advisory committee, including advising the Department on all matters pertaining to licensure, education, and continuing education requirements for licensees. Establishes the powers and duties of the Department, including prescribing rules defining what constitutes an appropriate curriculum for music therapy, reviewing the qualifications of applicants for licenses, investigating alleged violations of the Act, conducting hearings on disciplinary and other matters, and establishing a schedule of fees for the administration and enforcement of the Act. Establishes qualifications for licensure as a professional music therapist and clinical music therapist. Establishes grounds for discipline of a license. Provides for civil and criminal penalties for violations of the Act. Creates provisions concerning formal hearings, including transcripts of proceedings, appointment of hearing officers, subpoenas and depositions, and rehearings. Provides for judicial review of all final administrative decisions of the Department. Preempts home rule. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Removes all references to licensed clinical music therapists. Changes references to the "Music Therapy Advisory Committee" and "Advisory Committee" to "Music Therapy Advisory Board" and "Advisory Board". Changes the definition of "music therapy". Adds provisions concerning applicants' and licensees' addresses of record and email addresses of record. Makes changes concerning composition and powers and duties of the Music Therapy Advisory Board. Makes changes in provisions concerning exemptions from the Act, collaboration with audiologists and speech-language pathologists, the practice of psychotherapy by licensed music therapists, the powers and duties of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, qualifications for licensure, license renewal, grounds for discipline, violations, investigations, hearings, and findings. Removes provisions concerning restrictions and limitations. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of Senate Amendment No. 2 with the following changes. Provides that "music therapy intervention" as defined occurs during a therapist-client relationship and includes collaborating with and educating the client and the family, caregiver of the client, or any other appropriate person regarding the needs of the client that are being addressed in music therapy and the manner in which the music therapy treatment addresses those needs in compliance with state and federal law. Provides that the Music Therapy Advisory Board shall advise the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation on all matters pertaining to disciplinary actions for practice of music therapy in the State. Removes a provision that provides that nothing in the Act may be construed to prohibit the practice of a person whose training and national certification attests to the individual's preparation and ability to practice the individual's certified profession or occupation. Provides that the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation shall issue a license to an applicant for a professional music therapist license if the applicant is of good moral character. Provides that in determining moral character under the provisions of qualifications for licensure, the Department may take into consideration whether the applicant has engaged in conduct which would constitute grounds for discipline under the Act. Removes as a ground for discipline the failure to file a return, or to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by a tax Act administered by the Department of Revenue. Adds that whenever the Secretary believes substantial justice (rather than only justice) has not been done in the revocation, suspension, or refusal to issue or renew a license or the discipline of a licensee, the Secretary may order a rehearing. Removes provisions concerning: the suspension of a license for failure to pay restitution; the surrender of a license; and any conflict with the Act and any other law. Makes other and conforming changes. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 80/4.38 Repeals the Music Therapy Licensing and Practice Act on January 1, 2028.