Sen. Sara Feigenholtz

Amends the Homelessness Prevention Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall be mindful of preventing undue administrative burden in the application process for individual tenants in applying for assistance. Provides that program staff shall endeavor to lessen any administrative burden on landlords receiving assistance payments. Amends the Eviction Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a defendant shall have an affirmative defense to any action where the plaintiff has made a demand for possession that is based on unpaid rent regardless of whether the owner has joined in the action a claim for rent if the defendant, a social services agency, or a government agency offered the owner an application for emergency housing assistance and the owner refused to complete the process to obtain the emergency housing assistance and the defendant would have been eligible for the emergency housing assistance program. Provides that the owner may overcome the affirmative defense only if the court makes a finding that the application for emergency housing assistance would impose a significant administrative burden on the owner. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Defines "source of income". Provides that if a landlord requires that a prospective tenant or current tenant have a certain threshold level of income, then the landlord shall subtract any source of income in the form of a rent voucher or subsidy from the total of the monthly rent prior to calculating if the income criteria have been met. Provides that a landlord shall not apply an income or asset requirement to a tenant with a non-wage source of income that the landlord does not apply to all tenants. Provides that if an income or asset requirement serves to generally exclude participants in a housing or benefits program, that requirement shall be considered presumptively discriminatory. Makes other changes. Fiscal Note (Dept. of Human Services) HB 2775 does not have a fiscal impact to the Department of Human Services. Housing Affordability Impact Note (Housing Development Authority) This bill will have no effect on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 310 ILCS 70/4 from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1304 310 ILCS 70/10 from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1310 735 ILCS 5/9-106.4 new 775 ILCS 5/3-102.2 new 775 ILCS 5/8B-104 from Ch. 68, par. 8B-104 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Declares that it is the public policy of the State to prevent discrimination based on source of income in real estate transactions. Defines "source of income" as the lawful manner by which an individual supports himself or herself and his or her dependents. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for various people to participate in specified discriminatory actions related to real estate transactions because of an individual's source of income.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the chief county assessment officer in a county of more than 3,000,000 residents, and in any other county where the county board has authorized such action by ordinance or resolution, may automatically renew the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities without application for any person who applied for the exemption and presented a Disability Identification Card stating that the claimant is under a Class 2 disability. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds provisions to the introduced bill providing that an applicant for the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities may be examined by an optometrist if the person qualifies because of a visual disability. Provides that provisions of the introduced bill concerning automatic renewal (i) apply for taxable years 2021 through 2026 and (ii) apply if the person presents proof of eligibility (in the introduced bill, a Disability Identification Card stating that the claimant is under a Class 2 disability). Provides that the chief county assessment officer shall not automatically renew the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities if the physician, advanced practice registered nurse, optometrist, or physician assistant who examined the claimant determined that the disability is not expected to continue for 12 months or more. House Committee Amendment No. 3 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 2505/2505-805 new 35 ILCS 200/9-275 35 ILCS 200/15-10 35 ILCS 200/15-169 35 ILCS 200/15-170 35 ILCS 200/15-172 35 ILCS 200/15-175 35 ILCS 200/18-185 35 ILCS 200/18-190.7 new 105 ILCS 5/17-1.3 new 105 ILCS 5/17-2A from Ch. 122, par. 17-2A 320 ILCS 30/3 from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 453 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for levy years 2022 and later, the taxing district's aggregate extension base is the greater of (A) the district's last preceding aggregate extension limit or (B) the district's last preceding aggregate extension, subject to certain adjustments. Provides that the term "aggregate extension limit" means the district's last preceding aggregate extension if the taxing district had utilized the maximum limiting rate permitted without referendum for each of the 5 immediately preceding levy years. Provides that the maximum reduction under the General Homestead Exemption is $10,000 in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and counties that are contiguous to a county of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and $6,000 in all other counties (currently, $10,000 in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and $6,000 in all other counties). Provides that the maximum reduction under the senior citizens homestead exemption is $8,000 in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and counties that are contiguous to a county of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and $5,000 in all other counties (currently, $8,000 in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and $5,000 in all other counties). In provisions concerning the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities, makes changes concerning the surviving spouse. Provides that the interest rate under the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act is reduced from 6% to 4%. Amends the School Code. Contains provisions concerning interfund transfers and disclosure of cash reserve balances. Amends the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to require the Department of Revenue to conduct a study concerning the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 5 Makes changes to the bill as amended by House Amendment No. 3 to provide that the maximum amount of the general homestead exemption is $10,000 in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, $8,000 in counties that are contiguous to a county of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, and $6,000 in all other counties (rather than $10,000 in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and counties that are contiguous to a county of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and $6,000 in all other counties).

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that to receive a reduction in assessed value, an owner, for the purpose of the initial application and only until the building is put in service, may provide proof of either a deed restriction or participation in a government program that includes legally enforceable affordability requirements comparable to the requirements of this Code and the chief county assessment officer shall furnish a letter of intent to the applicant indicating that a preliminary assessment of the new construction or qualifying rehabilitation indicates that it will meet all eligibility requirements. Modifies "assessed value for the residential real property in the base year" to mean the assessed value used to calculate the tax bill, as certified by the Board of Review, for the tax year immediately prior to the tax year in which the building permit is issued; for property assessed as other than residential property, the "assessed value for the residential real property in the base year" means the assessed value that would have been obtained had the property been classified as residential as derived from the Board of Review's certified market value (currently, the value in effect at the end of the taxable year prior to the latter of: (1) the date of initial application; or (2) the date on which 20% of the total number of units in the property are occupied by eligible tenants paying eligible rent). Modifies "maximum income limits" to include when a property may be deemed to have satisfied the maximum income limits with a weighted average if municipal, state, or federal laws, ordinances, rules or regulations requires the use of a weighted average of no more than 60% of area median income for that property. Modifies "maximum rent" to include that a property may be deemed to have satisfied the maximum rent with a weighted average if municipal, state, or federal laws, ordinances, rules or regulations requires the use of a weighted average of no more than 60% of area median income for that property. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Removes provisions from the introduced bill providing that the owner may provide proof of either a deed restriction or participation in a government program that includes certain legally enforceable affordability requirements. Provides that the bill is effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions concerning an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity, provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall notify each owner of record of land included in a right-of-way over which the utility seeks in its application to construct a high-voltage electric line of the time and place scheduled for the initial hearing on the public utility's application by certified mail (rather than registered mail). Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 220 ILCS 5/8-406 220 ILCS 5/8-406.1 Adds reference to: 720 ILCS 5/24-5.1 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly sell, offer to sell, or transfer an unserialized unfinished frame or receiver or unserialized firearm, including those produced using a three-dimensional printer, unless the party purchasing or receiving the unfinished frame or receiver or unserialized firearm is a federal firearms importer, federal firearms manufacturer, or federal firearms dealer. Provides that 180 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, it shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly possess, transport, or receive an unfinished frame or receiver, unless: (A) the party possessing or receiving the unfinished frame or receiver is a federal firearms importer or federal firearms manufacturer; (B) the unfinished frame or receiver is possessed or transported by a person for transfer to a federal firearms importer or federal firearms manufacturer; or (C) the unfinished frame or receiver has been imprinted with a serial number issued by a federal firearms importer or federal firearms manufacturer as specified. Provides that 180 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, unless the party receiving the firearm is a federal firearms importer or federal firearms manufacturer, it shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly possess, purchase, transport, or receive a firearm that is not imprinted with a serial number by (1) a federal firearms importer or federal firearms manufacturer in compliance with all federal laws and regulations regulating the manufacture and import of firearms or (2) a federal firearms manufacturer, federal firearms dealer, or other federal licensee authorized to provide marking services in compliance with the unserialized firearm serialization process. Specifies requirements for the firearm serialization process. Requires the Director of the Illinois State Police to issue a public notice regarding the provisions concerning serialization of unfinished frames or receivers, prohibition on unserialized firearms, exceptions, and penalties within 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides exemptions and establishes penalties for violations. Effective immediately.

Amends the Loan Repayment Assistance for Physicians Act. To address the shortage of obstetrical services in rural communities, provides that a physician who provides obstetrical care and works at a privately owned rural health clinic in this State may qualify for assistance under the Act if all other established criteria are met. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 110 ILCS 949/27 new Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 2310/2310-220 was 20 ILCS 2310/55.73 110 ILCS 935/1 from Ch. 144, par. 1451 110 ILCS 935/3.04 from Ch. 144, par. 1453.04 110 ILCS 935/3.09 110 ILCS 970/1-20 from Ch. 144, par. 2781-20 110 ILCS 980/3 from Ch. 144, par. 2703 305 ILCS 5/12-4.24a from Ch. 23, par. 12-4.24a Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Underserved Physician Workforce Act. Provides that the Act may be cited as the Underserved Health Care Provider Workforce Act (rather than the Underserved Physician Workforce Act). Adds a government-owned, privately owned, independent, or provider-based Rural Health Clinic or hospital that accepts Medicaid patients and assists patients who are uninsured to qualify for Medicaid or develop a discount payment plan to the definition of "designated shortage area". Makes changes to the definition of "eligible health care provider". Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Nurses in Advancement Law, the Private Medical Scholarship Agreement Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to make related changes. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1, with the following changes. With respect to the definition of "Designated Shortage Area" in the Underserved Physician Workforce Act, adds a government-owned, privately owned, independent, or provider-based Rural Health Clinic or hospital that accepts Medicaid, Medicare, the State's Children's Health Insurance Program, private insurance, and self-pay (rather than a government-owned, privately owned, independent, or provider-based Rural Health Clinic or hospital that accepts Medicaid patients and assists patients who are uninsured to qualify for Medicaid or develop a discount payment plan, or both, according to financial need). Changes the definition of "eligible health care provider" to mean a primary care physician, general surgeon, emergency medicine physician, obstetrician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant who accepts Medicaid, Medicare, the State's Children's Health Insurance Program, private insurance, and self-pay (rather than a primary care physician, general surgeon, emergency medicine physician, obstetrician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant who accepts Medicaid patients or develops a discount payment plan, or both, for patients according to financial need). Effective immediately.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Replaces the definition of "post-adoption reunion services" with a definition of "search and reunion services". Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to provide a notice that includes a description of the Department's search and reunion services and an explanation of how to access those services to all youth in care, within 30 days after their 18th birthday and within 30 days prior to closure of their pending case if the case is closing after the youth's 18th birthday. Amends the Adoption Act. Provides that former youth in care who have been surrendered or adopted who are (i) between the ages of 18 and 21 and who are seeking contact or an exchange of information with siblings, birth relatives, former foster parents, or former foster siblings or (ii) over the age of 21 who are seeking contact with former foster parents or former foster siblings are not required to complete an Illinois Adoption Registry Application prior to commencement of the search. Allows a former youth in care who was surrendered or adopted to petition the court for appointment of a confidential intermediary for the purposes of obtaining identifying information or arranging contact with (i) siblings or birth relatives if the former youth in care is between the ages of 18 and 21 or (ii) former foster parents or foster siblings if the former youth in care is over the age of 21. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Allows any former youth in care who was adopted or surrendered to petition the court for appointment of a confidential intermediary for the purposes of obtaining identifying information or arranging contact with former foster parents or foster siblings if the former youth in care is over the age of 18 (rather than 21). Adds an effective date of July 1, 2023.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. In provisions concerning the Council on Aging, provides that at least 7 citizen members shall represent underrepresented communities, including, but no limited to: one member who is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer individual; one member who is a transgender or gender-expansive individual; one member who is an African-American or Black individual; and one member who is an Asian-American or Pacific Islander individual. Creates the Illinois Commission on LGBTQ Aging to investigate, analyze, and study the health, housing, financial, psychosocial, home-and-community-based services, assisted living, and long-term care needs of LGBTQ older adults and their caregivers. Requires the Commission to make recommendations to improve access to benefits, services, and supports for LGBTQ older adults and their caregivers. Requires the Commission to: examine the impact of State and local laws, policies, and regulations on LGBTQ older adults and make recommendations to ensure equitable access, treatment, care and benefits, and overall quality of life; and examine strategies to increase provider awareness of the needs of LGBTQ older adults and their caregivers and to improve the competence of and access to treatment, services, and ongoing care, including preventive care; and carry out other duties. Contains provisions concerning: members appointed to the Commission; Commission meetings and reports; an LGBTQ Older Adult Advocate to advocate for LGBTQ older adults and older adults living with HIV who experience barriers to accessing and utilizing services; an LGBTQ Older Adult Curriculum and Training Program; and other matters. Effective immediately.

Amends the Custody Relinquishment Prevention Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Public Health to enter into a 10-year extension of the interagency agreement required by Public Act 98-808. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Requires the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Public Health to enter into a 5-year (rather than 10-year) extension of the interagency agreement required under Public Act 98-808.

Amends the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act. In provisions concerning the Department of Human Services' Home Services Program, provides that subject to federal approval the Department shall allow a recipient's spouse to serve as his or her provider of personal care or similar services. Effective immediately.

Amends the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act. Provides that the Act does not prohibit a person, who is not a resident of the State, from performing social work via telehealth in the State for a non-resident of the State for not more than 5 days in any one month or more than 15 days in any one calendar year, had a previous established therapeutic relationship with the non-resident, and the person is authorized to perform such services under the laws of the state or country in which the person resides. Provides that the Act does not prohibit a person, who is not a resident of the State, from performing social work via telehealth in the State for a non-resident of the State currently attending an university or college in the State, had a previous established therapeutic relationship with the non-resident, and the person is authorized to perform such services under the laws of the state or country in which the person resides.