Sen. Ram Villivalam

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "drug and alcohol clearinghouse" as a database system established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that permits the access and retrieval of a drug and alcohol testing violation or violations precluding an applicant or employee from occupying safety-sensitive positions involving the operation of a commercial motor vehicle. Provides that, no later than November 18, 2024, the Secretary shall request information from the drug and alcohol clearinghouse for all applicants applying for an initial, renewal, transfer, or upgraded commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit, and enforce federal regulations pertaining to the clearinghouse. Provides that a commercial learner's permit is valid for 12 months (instead of 6 months with a 6-month renewal). Provides that certificates of insurance and notices of cancellation or termination of insurance shall be submitted to the Secretary of State electronically (instead of in written or electronic form). Sets forth additional requirements for certain vehicles when approaching or stopping at railroad grade crossings, railroad tracks or tracks at grades, or highway rail grade crossings. Effective immediately.

Amends the Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program Act. Provides that a community-based human services agency may contract with, receive funding from, or be grant-funded by a State agency (instead of may contract with or be grant-funded by a State agency). Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, in awarding grants under the Act, may grant preference to applicants based on need or income levels. Removes the provision limiting the grant to an applicant for a cumulative maximum of 4 years. In provisions regarding the eligibility of an applicant, provides that the applicant shall have been a full-time employee for at least 24 consecutive months as a human services professional and the community-based human services agency shall currently have or have had a contract with, receive funding from, or be grant-funded by a State agency for the purpose of providing human services during the applicant's 24 consecutive month tenure (instead of shall have worked for at least 24 consecutive months as a full-time employee as a human services professional in a community-based human services agency that currently has or did have a contract with a State agency to provide human services during the duration of applicant's 24 consecutive month tenure). Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act. Provides that a public officer, employee, board, or representative of a governmental unit may not ban or otherwise prohibit a book from being available for reading or circulation by members of the public in a library, school, or other publicly funded facility. Provides that the provisions do not restrict the ability to limit books in schools or in another publicly funded facility based upon the age and development level of persons who will have access to those books. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes various changes concerning sales in error. In provisions allowing a sale in error if the assessor, chief county assessment officer, board of review, board of appeals, or other county official has made an error, provides that the error must be material to the tax sale at issue and may not be an error in the description of the physical characteristics, location, or picture of the property. Removes provisions allowing a sale in error when a bankruptcy petition has been filed after the tax sale and before the issuance of the tax deed. Provides that, if the bankruptcy petition is filed prior to the tax sale, then a sale in error is allowed if the property is subject to an automatic stay and the stay is active on the date of the date of that sale. Provides that the $100 fee paid by a tax purchaser for a certificate of purchase is non-refundable. Makes other changes.

Creates the Mechanical Insulation Energy Audit Act. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency shall perform a mechanical insulation energy audit of every public building within the State within 10 years after the effective date of the Act. Provides that each mechanical insulation energy audit finding shall identify remediation measures necessary to bring the subject mechanical insulation system into compliance with the latest published edition of the International Code Council's International Energy Conservation Code and to ensure the building's mechanical systems function at operating temperatures that minimize energy loss and ensure public health and safety. Provides that audit findings are to be made available to the public. Requires the Agency, by December 31, 2025 and by December 31 of each year thereafter, to deliver to the General Assembly an annual report outlining the mechanical insulation energy audits that it completed in the previous calendar year. Repeals the Act on December 31, 2034. Defines terms. Includes legislative findings.

Amends the State Finance Act. Changes the name of the Equal Pay Registration Fund to the Equal Pay Fund. Amends the Personnel Record Review Act. Provides that an employer shall, upon the employee's written request, email or mail a copy of a requested record to the employee. Repeals provisions concerning copies of personnel records. Amends the Minimum Wage Law, the Equal Pay Act of 2003, the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, and the Day and Temporary Labor Services Act. Provides that every employer with employees who do not regularly report to a physical workplace, such as employees who work remotely or travel for work, shall provide specified information by email to its employees or conspicuous posting on the employer's website or intranet site, if such site is regularly used by the employer to communicate work-related information to employees and is able to be regularly accessed by all employees, freely and without interference. Repeals the Wages of Women and Minors Act. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Provides that the Illinois Labor Relations Board shall determine whether refusing to bargain collectively in good faith with a labor organization that is the exclusive representative of public employees in an appropriate unit, including, but not limited to, the discussing of grievances with the exclusive representative, was of a serious enough nature that it may undermined or significantly impact the collective bargaining process such that other traditional remedies may not remedy the violation if the Board is unable to order a make-whole remedy. Sets forth standards to make the determination and the option to order impasse arbitration. Provides that parties continue to have a duty to engage in good faith bargaining during the pendency of impasse arbitration procedures. Provides that the Board shall have authority to 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 violators may also be subject to liquidated 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.

Amends the Labor Dispute Act. Provides that no award of monetary damages, except for damage done to an employer's property as a result of conduct prohibited by law, shall be granted by any court of this State in any case involving a labor dispute.

Amends the Labor Dispute Act. Provides that a person who, with the intent of interfering with, obstructing, or impeding a picket or other demonstration or protest, places any object in the public way commits a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum fine of $500.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Reduces the interest rate for delinquent taxes in Cook County to 0.75% for tax year 2023 and thereafter.