Sen. Ram Villivalam

Amends the Airport Authorities Act. Provides that, in airport authorities having a population of not more than 500,000, the compensation for services of any commissioner shall not exceed $300 (rather than $150) in any one month for services within the corporate limits of the authority or within a distance of 50 miles from the corporate limits of the authority. Provides that, in airport authorities having a population of more than 500,000, the compensation for services of any commissioner shall not exceed the sum of $25,000 (rather than $10,000) per annum.

Appropriates $43,597,015 from the General Revenue Fund to Northeastern Illinois University for its ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2024.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that in awarding contracts for Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Projects with a total value of more than $100,000, preference shall be given to an otherwise qualified bidder who either (1) provides proof that at least 2 current employees of the bidder are former coal mine employees and that all such declared former coal mine employees in the bid shall be utilized in the fulfillment of an awarded Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Project or (2) commits to employing at least 2 former coal mine employees hired out of a union hall in the fulfillment of the Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Project (requiring the bidder to provide proof that at least 2 former coal mine employees have been hired out of a union hall within 60 days after the start of construction and to declare that the former coal mine employees, after being hired, shall be utilized in the fulfillment of an awarded Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Project). Provides that when the Department of Natural Resources is to award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, an otherwise qualified bidder who will fulfill the contract through the use of former coal mine employees may be given preference over other bidders unable to do so, if the bid is not more than 2% greater than the low bid.

Creates the Access to Affordable Insulin Act. Sets forth provisions concerning an insulin urgent-need program. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall establish procedures and applications for the insulin urgent-need program. Sets forth provisions concerning insulin urgent-need program exceptions, eligibility, forms, applications, claims and reimbursement, copayments, information sheets, and navigators. Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning cost sharing in prescription insulin drugs, provides that an insurer that provides coverage for prescription insulin drugs under the terms of a health coverage plan the insurer offers shall limit the total amount that an insured is required to pay for a 30-day supply of covered prescription insulin drugs at an amount not to exceed $35 (rather than $100). Effective immediately.

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. With respect to safety education instruction for students enrolled in prekindergarten through grade 6, adds water safety that incorporates the water safety instructional materials and resources developed by the American Red Cross and the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project or by a district-approved source. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that diapers, baby wipes, and infant formula are exempt from the taxes imposed under the Acts.

Urges Portillo's to honor the wishes of its food distribution workers who have voted to join a union and bargain collectively for the betterment of themselves and their families. Urges all State elected officials to stand with Portillo's food distribution workers that voted to unionize for better working conditions, livable wages, and access to basic sick time benefits. Urges Portillo's to respect the constitutional rights of its workers in Illinois to bargain collectively. Commends and acknowledges the decision made by Portillo's food distribution workers in Addison to unionize and join the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, AFL-CIO.

Mourns the death of Arnold Reymer.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that in the development of the individualized education program for a student who is 17 years of age or older, or will be during that academic year, the IEP team shall consider voter registration as an appropriate goal or competency to be included in the IEP plan, and, if appropriate, when and how voter registration shall be accomplished. Provides that any resulting decisions shall be included in the IEP plan.

Amends the Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act. Provides that unless otherwise required by State or federal law, an employer shall not voluntarily enroll in the E-Verify program or a similar Electronic Employment Verification System. Provides that if an employer is required to participate in the E-Verify program or a similar Electronic Employment Verification System and receives notification from the Social Security Administration of a discrepancy between an employee's name or social security number and the Social Security Administration's records, an employer must provide the employee with specified information or grant the employee no less than 30 days of unpaid leave to correct any verification discrepancy. Provides for additional rights and protections granted to an employee following the notification from the Social Security Administration of a discrepancy. Makes corresponding changes.