Sen. Mike Simmons-Gessesse

Amends various Acts concerning children by: replacing certain pronouns with the nouns to which the pronouns refer; replacing certain instances of the word "biological"; changing the Independent Juvenile Ombudsman to the Independent Juvenile Ombudsperson; deleting certain obsolete language; and making technical and other changes. Effective 60 days after becoming law.

Amends the School Code. Provides that at least once every 2 years, a school board shall conduct in-service training on homelessness for all school personnel. Sets forth what the training must include. Provides that a school board may work with a community-based organization that specializes in working with homeless children and youth to develop and provide the training.

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Allows a landlord to accept reusable tenant screening reports. Requires a reusable tenant screening report to include all of the following information regarding an applicant: name; contact information; verification of employment; last known address; and results of an eviction history check. Prohibits a landlord who accepts a reusable tenant screening report from charging the applicant a fee for the landlord to access the report or an application screening fee. Provides that the provisions do not affect any other applicable law related to the consideration of criminal history information in housing. Provides that if an ordinance, resolution, regulation, rule, administrative action, initiative, or other policy adopted by a municipality or county conflicts with the provisions, the policy that provides greater protection to applicants shall apply. Provides that the provisions do not require a landlord to accept reusable tenant screening reports.

Declares May 2023 as "Liver Disease Awareness Month" in the State of Illinois.

Thanks Alderperson Harry Osterman of the Chicago City Council for his dedicated service to the constituents of the 48th Ward and for his significant contributions to the City of Chicago and State of Illinois.

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.

Declares Labor Day weekend 2023 as "Puerto Rican Cultural Center Weekend".

Creates the Substance Use Disorder Residential and Detox Rate Equity Act. Requires the General Assembly to appropriate sufficient funds to the Department of Human Services, for State Fiscal Year 2024 and for each State fiscal year thereafter, to ensure reimbursement rates will be increased and subsequently adjusted upward by an amount equal to the Consumer Price Index-U from the previous year, not to exceed 5% in any State fiscal year, for licensed or certified community-based substance use disorder treatment providers under community service grant programs for persons with substance use disorders, including, but not limited to, certain residential and withdrawal management services provided in accordance with criteria established by the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that the State shall not expend or invest any public funds in any organization, nonprofit organization, religious organization, or any other entity that performs conversion therapy. Provides that any public funds owed by the State to an organization performing conversion therapy shall be withheld from such organization, and any contract between the State and that organization shall be void.

Creates the Paid Family Leave Insurance Program Act. Requires the Department of Employment Security to establish and administer a Family Leave Insurance Program that provides family leave insurance benefits to eligible employees. Sets forth eligibility requirements for benefits under the Act. Provides that a self-employed individual may elect to be covered under the Act. Contains provisions concerning disqualification from benefits; compensation for family leave; the amount and duration of benefits; employer equivalent plans; an annual report by the Department; hearings; penalties; notice; the coordination of family leave; and rules. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the State Benefits Fund. Effective immediately, except that provisions concerning the State Benefits Fund take effect June 1, 2024 and provisions concerning the amount and duration of paid family leave take effect June 1, 2025.