Sen. Ram Villivalam

Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. In provisions regarding security improvements that assist a not-for-profit organization in preventing, preparing for, or responding to acts of terrorism, requires the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to determine that an organization is at high risk of being subject to threats, attacks, or acts of terrorism based on the organization's profile, ideology, mission, or beliefs in order to be eligible for assistance under the provisions. Requires the Agency to post specified information on its website. Throughout the provisions, refers to threats, attacks, or acts of terrorism (rather than just acts of terrorism). Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for an employer who hires a qualified employee to work at a location in the State. Sets forth the amount of the credit. Provides that the credit shall be increased if (i) the qualified employee is hired to work at a location in a disproportionately impacted area or (ii) the qualified employee resides, on the date the employee is hired, in a disproportionately impacted area. Limits the total amount of income tax credits that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may issue over the duration of the program. Provides that the term "qualified employee" means a resident of the State who is hired by the taxpayer to fill a full-time net new job and was unemployed as a result of COVID-19 prior to the date he or she was hired by the taxpayer. Provides that the term "qualified employee" does not include an individual who was furloughed by the taxpayer. Effective immediately.

Amends the Design-Build Procurement Act. Provides that the definition of "design-build" includes the progressive design-build delivery method. Defines “progressive design-build delivery method”.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Creates the Teacher Loan Repayment Program. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall consider applications for forgiving portions of qualified applicant's education loans each year. Provides that 10% of the applicant's yearly loan balance shall be forgiven each year for 5 years or until 50% of the applicant's outstanding balance at the time of the initial application is paid off. Effective July 1, 2024.

Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Provides that certain economically disadvantaged persons, among other specified individuals, are considered minority persons under the Act. Provides additional requirements concerning qualification as a socially disadvantaged person. Defines "economically disadvantaged person" and “socially disadvantaged person”. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2024.

Creates the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Act. Requires the Department of Employment Security to establish and administer a Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program that provides family and medical leave insurance benefits to eligible employees. Sets forth eligibility requirements for benefits under the Act. Contains provisions concerning disqualification from benefits; premium payments; the amount and duration of benefits; the recovery of erroneous payments; hearings; defaulted premium payments; elective coverage; employment protection; coordination of family and medical leave; defined terms; and other matters. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Account Fund. Provides phase-in periods for the collection of money and making of claims for benefits under the Act. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, moneys in the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund may not be appropriated, assigned, or transferred to another State fund. Effective immediately.

Creates the Phase Out Corporate Giveaways Interstate Compact. Enters into the compact, which may be entered into by any state and the District of Columbia, in which each member state agrees not to offer or provide any company-specific tax incentive or company-specific grant to any entity for a corporate headquarters, manufacturing facility, office space, or other real estate development located in any other member state as an inducement for the corporate headquarters, manufacturing facility, office space, or other real estate development to relocate to the offering member state. Defines terms. Excludes: (1) workforce development grants that train employees; (2) company-specific tax incentives or company-specific grants from local governments; and (3) specified company-specific tax incentives or company-specific grants related to companies already within the member state. Creates the Phase Out Corporate Giveaways Board and provides for membership and meeting requirements. Provides for withdrawal of a member state with a 6-month written notice to each member state's chief executive officer. Contains construction and severability provisions.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish a program to award rebates of up to $750 to individuals who purchase a low-speed electric bicycle. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. In provisions concerning the directory of new hires, provides that the definition of "newly hired employee" includes an individual under an independent contractor arrangement. Effective January 1, 2024.