Sen. Mike Simmons-Gessesse

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the School Code's construction.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Redefines the term "children" to include persons under the age of 23 (rather than 21) who were committed to the Department of Children and Family Services pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and who continue under the jurisdiction of the court. Requires the Department to provide or authorize child welfare services, aimed at assisting minors to achieve sustainable self-sufficiency as independent adults, for any minor eligible for the reinstatement to wardship pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, whether or not such reinstatement is sought or allowed, provided that the minor consents to such services and has not yet attained the age of 23 (rather than 21). Makes conforming changes in the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, the Illinois Identification Card Act, and the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that the definition of "dog dealer" does not include a person who sells dogs at retail to the public. Provides that a person who sells dogs at retail to the public, shall not be considered an animal shelter under the Act. Defines "at retail to the public". Provides that the Illinois Department of Agriculture may refuse to issue or renew or may suspend or revoke a license for operating without a proper license under the Act.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Defines "dependent". Provides that beginning no later than the 2024-2025 academic year, if an exonerated person has been found by the Commission to qualify for a grant under this Section, and that person has not yet exhausted his or her eligibility for assistance, the exonerated person may designate one or more dependents to use any unexpended portion of the exonerated person's eligibility, up to the total benefit for which the exonerated person is eligible. Provides that the combined benefits used by the exonerated person and any designated dependents may not exceed the total benefit for which the exonerated person is eligible. Provides that if funding is insufficient to serve all applicants, the Commission may prioritize applicants who have been exonerated over applicants who are dependents of exonerated individuals.

Creates the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Task Force Act. Provides that the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Task Force shall be composed of 12 appointed members and the State's Chief Behavioral Health Officer, or the Officer's representative. Provides that the 2 Task Force co-chairs shall appoint experts to contribute and participate in the Task Force as nonvoting members. Provides for meetings of the Task Force and responsibilities relating to examination of the first year of implementation and use of the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Illinois. Requires the development of an action plan with specified recommendations to be filed with the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2023. Includes legislative findings. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2025. Effective immediately.

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that beginning July 1, 2023, and each State fiscal year thereafter, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall increase the Prospective Payment System rates for federally qualified health centers by $100,000,000 using an alternative payment method acceptable to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and a trade association representing a majority of federally qualified health centers operating in Illinois, including a rate increase that is an equal percentage increase to the rates paid to each federally qualified health center. Effective July 1, 2023.

Creates the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall develop and administer an annual Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program to enhance local food processing, aggregation, and distribution within the State. Establishes eligibility requirements for the grants. Provides that all grant funding must be used for the purchasing, leasing to own, renting, building, or installation of infrastructure that will increase market access of Illinois communities to Illinois agricultural products. Provides that the Department shall create an independent Local Food Infrastructure Steering Committee to guide the implementation and evaluation of the grant. Provides that the committee shall be selected by the Director. Provides that the committee shall include, but is not limited to, at least 3 farmers, including one specialty crop farmer, one livestock farmer, and one farmer of color; one representative from the local food processing industry, one representative from a non-profit organization serving farmers of color, one representative from a non-profit organization serving farmers at large, and one representative from the Department. Provides that the Director must file with the Governor and General Assembly, and publish publicly on or before March 1 of each year, a written report detailing the impact of the Local Food Infrastructure Grant for the previous calendar year. The report must include a complete list of (1) all applications for grants under the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program during the previous calendar year; (2) all persons that were awarded the Local Food Infrastructure Grant and the nature and amount of their awards in the previous calendar year; and (3) the economic impact of the grant from the previous calendar year, which may include jobs created, local food sales increases, and communities served. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately.

Amends the Solicitation for Charity Act. Defines "reviewed financial statements". Provides that every charitable organization that receives in any 12-month period ending upon its established fiscal or calendar year contributions in excess of $500,000 (rather than $300,000) shall file a written report meeting specified criteria with the Attorney General. Provides that a charitable organization that receives in excess of $300,000, but not in excess of $500,000, shall file a written report meeting other specified criteria with the Attorney General upon forms prescribed by the Attorney General. Provides that the Attorney General, within a binding nonjudicial settlement agreement, may accept a written assurance of discontinuance of any method, act, or practice alleged to be a violation of the reporting requirements from the person who has engaged in the method, act, or practice. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act are inoperative on and after January 1, 2029. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. Provides that the Department of the Lottery shall offer a special instant scratch-off game titled "Epilepsy Quality of Life". Provides that the game commences on January 1, 2024 and shall be discontinued on December 31, 2029. Provides that the operation of the game is governed by the Act and by any rules adopted by the Department. Creates the Epilepsy Quality of Life Fund. Provides that the Department shall award grants to qualified recipients in amounts that are proportionate to the annual budget of each recipient in relation to every other recipient. Provides that during the time that tickets are sold for the Epilepsy Quality of Life game, the Department shall not unreasonably diminish the efforts devoted to marketing any other instant scratch-off lottery game. Provides that the Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement the scratch-off game. Makes a corresponding change in the State Finance Act.

Creates the Digital Forgeries Act. Provides that an individual depicted in a digital forgery has a cause of action against any person who, without the consent of the depicted individual, knowingly distributes a digital forgery, creates a digital forgery with intent to distribute, or solicits the creation of a digital forgery with the intent to distribute: (1) in order to harass, extort, threaten, or cause physical, emotional, reputational, or economic harm to an individual falsely depicted; (2) with reckless disregard for whether such a creation, distribution, reproduction, or manipulation will cause physical, emotional, reputational, or economic harm to an individual falsely depicted; or (3) in order to incite violence or interfere with an official proceeding. Allows a prevailing plaintiff to be awarded damages, costs, and additional relief. Allows the court to grant injunctive relief maintaining the confidentiality of a plaintiff using a pseudonym.