Sen. Ram Villivalam

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Changes all references to "Food Stamp Program" to "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) Program". Changes all references to the "Food Stamp Employment and Training Program" to the "SNAP Employment and Training Program". Provides that the SNAP Employment and Training Program shall be voluntary in every county except those in which the Department of Human Services can show that there are sufficient program slots for at least the majority of the county's current non-exempt work registrants. Provides that persons who fail to cooperate with the SNAP Employment and Training Program in counties where available program slots exist for at least the majority of that county's current work registrants shall become ineligible for SNAP benefits according to SNAP regulations. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program operated by the Department of Human Services may only be mandatory in counties where the Department can show that there are sufficient program slots for at least the majority of the county's current non-exempt work registrants (rather than the SNAP E&T program shall be voluntary in every county except those in which the Department can show that there are sufficient program slots for at least the majority of the county's current non-exempt work registrants). Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act shall prevent the Department from operating a fully voluntary SNAP E&T program.

Amends the Evidence Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that evidence of a person's immigration status is not admissible in any civil proceeding unless: it is essential to prove an element of a claim or an affirmative defense; or a person or his or her attorney voluntarily reveals his or her immigration status to the court. Provides that a party intending to offer evidence regarding a person's immigration status shall file a written motion at least 14 days before trial. Provides that the court shall conduct an in camera hearing to review the probative value of the person's immigration status. Provides that if the court finds that the probative value of the person's immigration status outweighs its prejudicial nature, the court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding the permitted use of the evidence. Provides that the motion, related papers, and the record of the hearing shall be sealed and remain under seal unless the court orders otherwise. Provides that a party who communicates to a person or witness any threat to or actually disclose a person's or witness's immigration status to any entity or immigration or law enforcement agency with the intent to deter the person from testifying commits a Class C misdemeanor. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill and makes the following changes: Provides that evidence is also admissible if it is offered to prove an interest or bias of a witness, if it does not cause confusion of the issues or mislead the trier of fact, and the probative value of the evidence outweighs its prejudicial nature. Provides that a party intending to offer evidence related to a person's immigration status shall file a written motion that also explains why it is essential to a claim or affirmative defense or is probative of an interest or bias of a witness, it does not cause confusion of the issues or mislead the trier of fact, and the probative value of the evidence outweighs its prejudicial nature. Makes a corresponding change regarding findings of fact and conclusions of law the court must make regarding the permitted use of the evidence. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes language providing that a written motion shall explain why it is essential to a claim or affirmative defense or is probative of an interest or bias of a witness.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that at the initial bail hearing or any subsequent hearing, the defendant shall be released on recognizance if the judge finds that the defendant's pre-trial detention will harm any infant or child in the defendant's custody at the time of arrest, unless the harm is outweighed by a clear and serious risk of harm to a victim or the community. Provides circumstances that the court shall consider in favor of release. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the defendant is the parent of a child or infant whose well-being will be affected by the parent's absence shall be accorded weight in favor of withholding or minimizing a sentence of imprisonment. Provides circumstances to be considered in assessing this factor in mitigation. Makes other changes. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 725 ILCS 5/110-5.3 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Deletes language providing that at the initial bail hearing or any subsequent hearing, the defendant shall be released on recognizance if the judge finds that the defendant's pre-trial detention will harm any infant or child in the defendant's custody at the time of arrest, unless the harm is outweighed by a clear and serious risk of harm to a victim or the community. Provides circumstances that the court shall consider in favor of release. Removes a factor in mitigation. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Makes technical changes to specify in provisions concerning provisional eligibility for long-term care services that: (i) the Department of Healthcare and Family Services must maintain the applicant's provisional Medicaid enrollment status until a final eligibility determination is approved or the applicant's appeal has been adjudicated and eligibility is denied; (ii) the Department of Healthcare and Family Services or the managed care organization, if applicable, must reimburse providers for services rendered during an applicant's provisional eligibility period; (iii) the Department of Healthcare and Family Services must submit payment vouchers for all retroactive reimbursement due to the Office of the Comptroller within 10 business days of issuing provisional eligibility to an applicant; and (iv) the Department of Healthcare and Family Services must adopt rules. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 30 ILCS 772/25 new Amends the Equity in Long-term Care Quality Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall establish a nursing home labor force promotion, expansion, and retention program no later than January 1, 2020 using moneys appropriated from the Equity in Long-term Care Quality Fund. Provides for the components of the program. Provides that the Department shall establish partnerships with one or more community colleges or universities to execute the program. Provides for scholarship distribution and preferences. Provides that the Department shall report to the General Assembly no later than January 30, 2020 on the status of the establishment of the program. Provides that no later than January 1, 2021, and each January 1 thereafter, the Department shall report to the General Assembly the number of scholarships awarded during the preceding year and the demographics of the awardees. Makes the amendatory Act effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 30 ILCS 772/25 new Amends the Equity in Long-term Care Quality Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health, contingent upon approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, shall establish a nursing home labor force promotion, expansion, and retention program no later than January 1, 2020 using moneys appropriated from the Equity in Long-term Care Quality Fund. Provides for the components of the program. Provides that the Department shall establish partnerships with one or more community colleges or universities to execute the program. Provides for scholarship distribution and preferences. Provides that the Department shall report to the General Assembly no later than January 30, 2020 on the status of the establishment of the program. Provides that no later than January 1, 2021, and each January 1 thereafter, the Department shall report to the General Assembly the number of scholarships awarded during the preceding year and the demographics of the awardees. Makes the amendatory Act effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that in fixing the salaries of teachers, a school board shall pay those who serve on a full-time basis a rate not less than (i) $32,076 for the 2020-2021 school year, (ii) $34,576 for the 2021-2022 school year, (iii) $37,076 for the 2022-2023 school year, and (iv) $40,000 for the 2023-2024 school year. Provides that the minimum salary rate for each school year thereafter, subject to review by the General Assembly, shall equal the minimum salary rate for the previous school year increased by a percentage equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index For All Urban Consumers for all items published by the United States Department of Labor for the previous school year. Fiscal Note (State Board of Education) HB 2078 is estimated to increase the Regionalized Adequacy Target for school districts in the Evidence-Based Funding calculations by approximately 0.5%, at minimum, in the first year based on fiscal year 2019 Evidence-Based funding calculations. HB 2078 will increase the funding gap to adequacy. State Mandates Fiscal Note (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does create a State mandate. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following change: provides that, on or before January 31, 2020, the Professional Review Panel must submit a report to the General Assembly on how State funds and funds distributed under the evidence-based funding formula may aid the financial effects of the changes made by the amendatory Act.

Creates the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act. Defines terms. Provides that, with exceptions, a landlord shall not: (1) threaten to disclose or actually disclose information regarding or relating to the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant to any person, entity, or any immigration or law enforcement agency with the intent of harassing or intimidating the tenant, retaliating against the tenant for exercising his or her rights, or influencing the tenant to surrender possession; or (2) bring an action to recover possession of a dwelling unit based solely or in part on the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant. Provides that the Act does not enlarge or diminish a landlord's right to terminate a tenancy pursuant to existing State or local law; nor does the Act enlarge or diminish any ability of local government to regulate or enforce a prohibition against a landlord's harassment of a tenant. Provides that waiver of a right under the Act by a tenant is void as a matter of public policy. Provides remedies. Provides that in a civil action involving a tenant's or occupant's housing rights, no inquiry shall be permitted into the tenant's or occupant's immigration or citizenship status, with exceptions. Amends the Eviction Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that, subject to specified conditions, it is an affirmative defense to an eviction that a landlord engaged in conduct on the basis of immigration status of the tenant. Amends the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act. Provides that an eviction order may not be entered against a tenant as a reprisal for or on the basis of the tenant's immigration or citizenship status. Effective immediately.

Creates the Re-Entering Citizens Civics Education Act. Provides that the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice shall provide a nonpartisan peer-led civics program throughout the correctional institutions of the State to teach civics to soon-to-be released citizens who will be re-entering society. Provides for the curriculum and eligibility for the program. Provides that the program shall be taught by peer educators who are citizens incarcerated in the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice facilities and specially trained by experienced peer educators and established nonpartisan civic organizations. Provides that the nonpartisan civic organizations shall provide adequate training to peer educators on matters including, but not limited to, voting rights, governmental institutions, current affairs, and simulations of voter registration, election, and democratic processes, and shall provide periodic updates to program content and to peer educators. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall adopt rules to carry out the Act within 6 months after the effective date of the Act. Provides that the funding for the voting rights and registration peer education program shall be subject to appropriation by the General Assembly. Contains provisions regarding funding for the program. Effective January 1, 2020. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that the civic education program must be offered by the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice to prisoners scheduled to be discharged within 12 months (rather than 6 months). Provides that established nonpartisan civic organizations may be assisted by area political science or civics educators at colleges, universities, and high schools and by nonpartisan organizations providing re-entry services. Provides that the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice should aim to include the peer reeducation workshop in conjunction with other pre-release procedures and movements. Adds references to "or superintendents" wherever "wardens" appear in the engrossed bill.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that each election authority shall collaborate with the county jail within the jurisdiction of the election authority to facilitate voting by mail for voters eligible to vote in the county who are confined or detained in the county jail. Provides that in a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more, the election authority in the county shall establish a temporary branch polling place in the county jail. Provides that a refusal by an eligible voter to participate in the voting process must be documented by the voter or witnessed by a pollwatcher. Provides that individuals who facilitate a vote by mail process must receive training on the process, responsibilities, and requirements of implementing a vote by mail program. Contains additional provisions concerning the temporary branch polling place in the county jail. Prohibits certain individuals from from being election judges in a temporary branch polling place in a county jail. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that each election authority shall collaborate with the county jail within the jurisdiction of the election authority to facilitate voter registration for voters eligible to vote in that county who are confined or detained in the county jail. Provides that a county jail shall provide a voter registration application to any person in custody at the jail who requests an application and is eligible to vote. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that upon release of a person who is eligible to vote, the Department of Corrections shall provide the person with a specified form that informs him or her that his or her voting rights have been restored. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections and Counties Code. Provides that upon discharge from a county jail or release from the Department of Corrections, a person shall be provided with a voter registration form. Provides that the Department, each county jail, and each county probation office shall provide an individual in its custody with specified information on voting rights. Makes other changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the introduced bill with the following changes: In provisions amending the Election Code, removes language that requires a refusal by an eligible voter to participate in the voting process to be documented by the voter or witnessed by a pollwatcher. Removes language that prohibits active law enforcement officers, employees of the Department of Corrections, or employees of the head sheriff of the facility where voting occurs from being election judges in a temporary branch polling place in a county jail.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that "employer" includes any person employing one (instead of 15) or more employees within Illinois during 20 or more calendar weeks within the calendar year of or preceding the alleged violation. Provides that "employer" does not include any place of worship with respect to the employment of individuals of a particular religion to perform work connected with the carrying on by the place of worship of its activities. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds an effective date of July 1, 2020.

Amends the State Comptroller Act. Creates the Illinois Bank On Initiative to increase the use of Certified Financial Products and reduce reliance on alternative financial products. Provides that the Illinois Bank On Initiative shall be administered by the Comptroller, and the Comptroller shall be responsible for specified ongoing activities of the Initiative. Creates the Illinois Bank On Initiative Commission and provides for membership of the Commission. Provides for requirements and duties of the Commission. Requires the Comptroller and the Commission to annually prepare and make available on the Controller's website a report concerning the progress of the Illinois Bank On Initiative. Provides that the Comptroller may adopt rules necessary to implement provisions concerning the Illinois Bank On Initiative and Commission. Defines terms. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Modifies the membership requirements of the Illinois Bank On Initiative Commission. Modifies the definition of "Certified Financial Product" and defines "financial institution".