Sen. Ram Villivalam

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Changes the Public Accommodations and Financial Credit Articles to prohibit discrimination on the basis of citizenship, primary language, or immigration status that includes discrimination against a person because of the person's actual or perceived characteristic or characteristics within the listed categories or that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any particular characteristic or characteristics within the listed categories. "Citizenship" means the status of being: (i) a born U.S. citizen; (ii) a naturalized U.S. citizen; or (iii) a U.S. national. "Immigration status" means citizenship of some country other than the United States, including stateless persons, and the specific authority, or lack thereof, to reside in or otherwise to be present in the United States. "Primary language" means a person's preferred language for communication. Provides that it is not a civil rights violation to verify immigration status or any discrimination based upon verified immigration status if required by federal law. Nothing in the Act may be construed to require the provision of services or documents in a language other than English beyond that which is otherwise required by other provisions of federal, State, or local law. Provides that a civil rights violation for a violation of Articles 4 and 5 may include statutory damages of 3 times the amount of actual damages sustained or $8,000, whichever is the greater.

Appropriates $54,256,600 from the General Revenue Fund to Northeastern Illinois University for its ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Provides that the Illinois Labor Relations Board or the relevant panel having jurisdiction may order make-whole relief, including, but not limited to, consequential damages and front pay for injuries suffered by employees or a labor organization as a result of an unfair labor practice. Provides that, in determining appropriate relief for a violation of provisions concerning refusal to bargain in good faith with a labor organization that is serious enough to have frustrated the purposes of the Act and that may have undermined or significantly impacted the collective bargaining process, the Board shall take into consideration factors that normally determine the outcome of collective bargaining when such bargaining has been conducted in good faith. Provides that employers who commit unfair labor practices under certain provisions in the Act shall also be subject to damages in an amount equal to any monetary make-whole relief ordered by the Board unless the employer can show it acted in good faith and had reasonable grounds to believe it was acting in compliance with this Act.

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Provides that the Illinois Labor Relations Board or the panel having jurisdiction shall determine whether a violation of the Act was serious enough that the Board or panel is unable to order a make-whole remedy. Describes potential reasons for such a determination. Provides that, if the Board makes a determination that the violation frustrated the purposes of the Act, the Board shall include the availability of interest arbitration in its order and, upon request of the charging party, the parties must participate in the impasse arbitration procedures.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the State Board of Education, shall develop a separate classroom course and refresher course for operation of vehicles of the first division being operated as school buses. Requires all applicants to operate a first division vehicle to: (1) meet specified requirements; and (2) complete the classroom course or refresher course or complete a training course administered by the service provider in which the applicant will be employed by that covers safe driving practices with a first division vehicle, special considerations for transporting students with disabilities, emergency preparedness, and safe pick-up and drop-off procedures. Provides that an applicant to operate a first division vehicle is exempt from the requirement of demonstrating physical fitness to operate a school bus by submitting the results of a medical examination if the applicant will be providing transportation services with a provider that uses a telematics system that sends, receives, and stores telemetry data. Provides that a vehicle subject to a safety test prior to an application for a license shall be subject to tests, in the case of first division vehicles, at least every 12 months, or 10,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that, when determining rates or premiums for certain automobile insurance policies, insurance issuers may not consider or otherwise use an individual's credit-based insurance score or age if the age of the insured is 50 years of age or more. Provides that a policy of automobile insurance, including any class of motor vehicle coverage, may not be canceled by the insurer solely because the insured has reached the age of 65 years so long as the insured has a valid Illinois driver's license. Prohibits an insurer from refusing to issue a renewal policy or increasing the premium for any policy solely because an insured has attained the age of 65 years or older. Prohibits providers of automobile insurance from considering any data obtained from applications on an insured's cellular phone or that may be installed, either at the time of manufacture or later, in the insured's motor vehicle for purposes of establishing premiums or rates with the express written consent of the insured. Prohibits providers from increasing rates or premiums on the basis that express written consent of the insured is withheld.

Creates the Liability Insurance for Child Care Providers Act. Directs the Department of Children and Family Services, in consultation with stakeholders, including licensed child care providers, business owners, insurance providers, and others, to conduct a study to investigate (1) the existing regulations under the Child Care Licensing Act; (2) the availability and affordability of liability insurance for licensed child care providers; (3) the impact of regulatory actions and citations issued by licensing representatives on the ability of child care providers to obtain or maintain adequate liability insurance coverage; and (4) best practices in other states for balancing regulation and insurance requirements to promote safe and sustainable child care programs. Requires the Department to conduct a systematic review of its administrative rules and procedures as necessary to reform the child care licensing regulatory system to prioritize collaboration and educational support over punitive measures. Directs the Department to investigate specified actions that could be taken to improve the affordability of insurance for child care providers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Increases the fee for an original instruction permit issued to persons who do not hold or have not previously held an Illinois instruction permit or driver's license from $20 to $40. Provides that $32 (rather than $16) of the $40 (rather than $20) fee for an original driver's license shall be paid into the Drivers Education Fund.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that any printed or digital receipt issued or made available to a consumer by a retail seller at the time of sale must clearly list the single unit price of each individual item purchased by the consumer regardless of the number or quantity of each individual item purchased by the consumer at the time of sale. Provides that a retail seller who violates this requirement commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.

Recognizes the cultural and historical significance of the Lunar New Year to Asian American communities. Expresses the deepest respect for Asian Americans and people throughout Illinois and the world who celebrate the Lunar New Year. Wishes those who celebrate a happy and prosperous new year.