Sen. Mike Simmons-Gessesse

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice, for a period of 45 days after a disaster is declared by the President of the United States or the Governor, for any person to sell or offer to sell to a consumer in the designated disaster area any consumer food items or goods, goods or services used for emergency cleanup or response, emergency supplies, medical supplies, home heating oil, building materials, housing, lodging, transportation, freight, or storage services, fuel, gasoline, or other motor fuels, repair or reconstruction services, or any other necessity for an unconscionably high price. Sets forth provisions concerning the determination of unconscionably high prices and enforcement of the provision by the Attorney General. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to exempt specified information.

Amends the Military Veterans Assistance Act. Expands the Act to allow for the formation of multi-county Veterans Assistance Commissions. Provides that veteran service organizations located in 2 or more adjacent counties having a population of 60,000 or less may enter into an agreement to come together and jointly form a multi-county Veterans Assistance Commission to serve the adjacent counties in accordance with the Act. Provides that a multi-county Veterans Assistance Commission may also be formed under an agreement between an existing county Veterans Assistance Commission and a veteran service organization located in an adjacent county that is without a veterans assistance commission and has a population of 60,000 or less. Requires an agreement to form and maintain a multi-county Veterans Assistance Commission to set forth: (i) the distribution of funding with respect to each member county; (ii) the location of the Commission's office; (iii) the type of services provided; (iv) the superintendent selection or appointment process; (v) Commission rules and policies; and (vi) the composition of delegates and alternates on the Commission. Provides that multi-county Veterans Assistance Commissions shall have the same powers and duties under the Act as Veterans Assistance Commissions that serve one county. Makes corresponding changes in the Counties Code, the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Drug Court Treatment Act, the Veterans and Servicemembers Court Treatment Act, and the Mental Health Court Treatment Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that for charges alleging violations under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Illinois Human Rights Act, if the EEOC issues a right to sue, the Department will issue a Departmental right to sue. Provides that if the complainant does not file a written request with the Department to review the EEOC's determination within 35 days after receipt of the Department's notice, the Department shall issue to the complainant, within 10 business days after the expiration of the 35-day period, a Departmental right to sue notice stating that the complainant has the right, within 90 days after receipt of the Department's notice, to either file the complainant's own complaint with the Human Rights Commission or commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court. Requires the Department, within 10 days of the date on which the charge was filed, to serve a copy of the charge on the respondent and provide all parties with a notice of the complainant's right to opt out of the investigation within 60 days to commence an action in circuit court and the complainant's right to request a Departmental right to sue notice after 60 days has elapsed to file in the Human Rights Commission or commence a civil action in circuit court. Provides that within 10 business days of receipt of the complainant's request to opt out of the investigation, the Director shall issue an opt out notice to commence an action in circuit court to the parties. Provides that a Departmental right to sue notice does not constitute a finding of substantial evidence or of a lack of substantial evidence. Requires that any Departmental right to sue notice to state that the complainant shall have 90 days from the date of receipt of the notice to either file the complainant's own complaint with the Human Rights Commission or commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court.

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Community Housing Reintegration Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund may be used to provide housing-related costs for eligible persons who are either (i) transitioning out of congregate long-term care settings into less restrictive independent and community-based housing or (ii) facing impending placement in a congregate long-term care facility due to lack of affordable accessible housing. Amends the Property Tax Code. Increases the real estate transfer tax from $0.50 per $500 of valuation to $0.75 per $500 in valuation. Provides that a portion of the proceeds from the real estate transfer tax shall be deposited into the Community Housing Reintegration Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Creates emergency rulemaking procedures for the student teaching stipend program. Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes a person to establish optional credit for periods of service as a student teacher under a specified provision of the Board of Higher Education Act. In provisions requiring an additional employer contribution for certain salary increases greater than 6%, provides that the System shall exclude any stipends paid to an eligible cooperating teacher under the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Creates the student teaching stipend program. Defines terms. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of Higher Education of all eligible students and eligible cooperating teachers who qualify for the stipend program. Creates requirements for the disbursement of stipend funds under the program. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student from participating in the stipend program or from receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Requires an eligible cooperating teacher who receives a stipend to complete specific training. Requires the Board to issue a report in collaboration with the State Board of Education evaluating the impact of the stipend program. Permits the Board to adopt emergency rules regarding the administration of the stipend program in certain circumstances subject to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Equitable Access to Education, Employment, and Training for Incarcerated Individuals with Disabilities Act. Provides that reasonable accommodations for incarcerated individuals with an intellectual disability or a developmental disability shall include a waiver of any requirement that the individual take the Test of Adult Basic Education and receive a passing score, or take and receive a passing score on any other examination or test that the Department may require to determine academic achievement or access to educational programs, work assignments, and vocational programs. Provides that participation in these programs through the Test of Adult Basic Education waiver and other reasonable accommodations shall qualify individuals with an intellectual disability or a developmental disability to earn earned sentence credit, consistent with opportunities provided to other incarcerated individuals. Provides that Department of Corrections staff, including educational personnel, shall receive annual training on: (1) identifying individuals who have an intellectual disability or a developmental disability; (2) providing accommodations and supports to an individual with an intellectual disability or a developmental disability in educational, employment. and vocational settings; and (3) administering appropriate alternative assessments. Provides that staff training programs shall be developed in collaboration with disability advocacy organizations and educational institutions. Provides that the Department shall ensure compliance with federal disability laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Rehabilitation Act of 1973, through the implementation of the Act. Provides that individuals with an intellectual disability or a developmental disability who are denied access to programs or accommodations under the Act may file a grievance through the Department's established grievance procedures. Effective immediately.

Creates the Residential Automated Solar Permitting Platform Act. Provides that on or before July 1, 2026, municipalities with a population of more than 5,000 residents and all counties must adopt a residential automated solar permitting platform. Requires the public reporting of information about such a platform on the official website of the municipality and county. Provides that a person or entity aggrieved by a violation of the Act or any rule adopted under the Act may file a civil action in the county in which the alleged offense occurred or where any person who is party to the action resides, without regard to exhaustion of any alternative administrative remedies provided in the Act. Provides that a person or entity whose rights have been violated under the Act by a municipality or county is entitled to collect: (i) up to 50% of the total cost of the residential photovoltaic system installation for which the permit is requested; (ii) in the case of unlawful retaliation, all legal or equitable relief as may be appropriate; and (iii) attorney's fees and costs. Creates a statute of limitations for a civil action 3 years from the date that a person or entity requested a permit for a residential photovoltaic system.

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Requires landlords to disclose all non-optional fees in a clear and conspicuous manner in the listing and on the first page of the lease. Requires landlords to disclose if any utility bills are non-optional fees in the listing and the first page of the lease. Provides that if a landlord failed to comply with this disclosure, the landlord may not collect the non-optional fee. Prohibits a landlord from charging a bundled services fee that combines optional and non-optional fees. Prohibits a landlord from charging a tenant with a fee or fine that includes, but is not limited to, an application fee that includes a background check of more than $50, an after-hours request for maintenance service, or pest abatement or removal in which the tenant has not contributed to the infestation. Prohibits a landlord from charging a tenant more than one of the following: (i) a security deposit, (ii) a move-in fee, or (iii) a move-out fee. Exempts leases in owner-occupied buildings containing 6 or fewer units and to nonresidential tenancies. Defines terms. Creates a civil cause of action for violation of the Act by a landlord. Makes other changes. Limits home rule.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that no person may intentionally drag or pull any bovine by its tail by any means for the purpose of entertainment, sport, practice, or contest.

Creates the Health Care Transparency Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall identify reproductive health care services, LGBTQ health care services, and end-of-life health care services that are or may be subject to denial of care for nonmedical reasons in the State and develop a clear and simple disclosure form for the purpose of conveying to patients and to the public which of the identified health care services are and are not generally available, are subject to restriction for nonmedical reasons, and are subject to restrictions on referral by each covered entity. Requires the Department to publish and maintain on its public-facing website a current list of covered entities and provide for public access to the disclosure form submitted by each covered entity; adopt rules implementing the Department's duties; and develop and administer to the public an education and awareness program regarding how denial of care may negatively impact health care access and quality, may be avoided, and affects vulnerable people and communities. Establishes disclosure requirements for covered entities. Effective immediately.