Sen. Ram Villivalam

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that a claims adjuster's determination whether a claimant is eligible for unemployment benefits shall state whatever appeal rights the claimant or employer may have, including the ability to request waiver of any recoupment ordered and the standard for such waiver to be granted. Permits the Director of Employment Security to request that the Comptroller and the Secretary of the Treasury withhold any sum of benefits that an ineligible individual has received through the individual's own fault. In a provision prohibiting the disclosure of information obtained from an individual or employing unit in the administration of the Act, provides that an officer or employee of the State or other specified persons who disclose such information without the authority of the Director commit a business offense (rather than a Class B misdemeanor with disqualification from holding any appointment or employment by the State). Provides that, with the written consent of a claimant or employing unit and an agreement not to publicly disclose, the Director shall provide requested information related to a claim to a public officer or his or her agent. Provides that nothing under the Act prohibits the disclosure of contracts entered into by the Department of Employment Security in accordance with the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that, except as otherwise provided in the Illinois Procurement Code, all contracts for services, purchases, or sales by the Department not subject to public bid shall be made available on the Department's website within 14 days of execution of the contract.

Creates the Landscape Architecture Registration Act. Provides that no person shall use the title "registered landscape architect" or "landscape architect" without being registered by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Creates the Registered Landscape Architecture Registration Board. Provides for the membership, meetings, and powers of the Board. Provides that the Department may seek the expert advice and knowledge of the Board on any matter relating to the enforcement of the Act, including qualifications of applicants for registration. Provides that the Department may issue certificates of registration to those who meet the requirements of the Act. Provides that the Department may authorize examinations to ascertain the fitness and qualifications of applicants for registration. Provides that the Department may conduct investigations and hearings to refuse to issue, renew, or restore registrations, revoke, suspend, place on probation, or reprimand persons registered under provisions of the Act. Provides that the Department may take disciplinary action with regard to any certificate of registration issued under the Act. Makes corresponding changes in the Park District Code, the Chicago Park District Act, the Professional Geologist Licensing Act, and the Unified Code of Corrections. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to repeal the Landscape Architecture Registration Act on January 1, 2031.

Creates the Workplace Transparency Act. Provides that an employer shall not enter into a contract or agreement with an employee or applicant if that contract or agreement contains a nondisclosure or nondisparagement clause or forced arbitration clause that covers workplace harassment or discrimination, including sexual harassment or retaliation for reporting, resisting, opposing, or assisting in the investigation of workplace harassment or discrimination. Makes corresponding changes in the Uniform Arbitration Act, the Illinois Human Rights Act, and the Illinois Freedom to Work Act. Changes the definition of "sexual harassment" in the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act and the Lobbyist Registration Act. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that no court shall enter an order or judgment that has the purpose or effect of concealing a public hazard or any information concerning a public hazard, nor shall the court enter an order or judgment that has the purpose or effect of concealing any information that may be useful to members of the public in protecting themselves from injury that may result from the public hazard. Further amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Requires the Department of Human Rights to adopt a model sexual harassment prevention training program and provides that all employers shall use the model or establish a training program that equals or exceeds the minimum standards provided by the model. Makes other changes concerning: definitions; procedures following an employer's failure to post required notices; and employer disclosure requirements. Amends the Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act. Makes the Act applicable in instances of sexual harassment. Provides that a civil action may be brought to enforce the Act without first filing an administrative complaint. Makes other changes concerning definitions and documentation. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 430/5-65 25 ILCS 170/4.7 735 ILCS 5/2-302 new 775 ILCS 5/5A-101 820 ILCS 90/20 new 820 ILCS 180/35 Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 140/7 from Ch. 116, par. 207 775 ILCS 5/1-103 from Ch. 68, par. 1-103 775 ILCS 5/2-102 from Ch. 68, par. 2-102 775 ILCS 5/8-109.1 new 5 ILCS 140/7.5 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Workplace Transparency Act. Provides provisions for: prohibitions; voidable agreements; unconscionable terms; settlement or separation agreements; enforcement; application; limitations; and severability. Makes conforming changes in the Uniform Arbitration Act. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for an employer to engage in: harassment; harassment of nonemployees in the workplace; and sexual harassment of nonemployees in the workplace. Provides that beginning July 1, 2020, each employer shall disclose specified information to the Department of Human Rights. Provides that the Department shall produce a model sexual harassment prevention training program aimed at the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace. Provides provisions for: civil penalties; failure to report; and failure to train. Makes conforming changes in the Freedom of Information Act and the Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act. Creates the Stopping Predators from Evading Allegations of Abuse of Kids Act. Provides provisions for: prohibition on sexual abuse of children in youth sports; required reporting of child and sexual abuse in youth sports; posting of rights by youth recreational athletic entity; and enforcement. Creates the Sexual Harassment Victim Representation Act. Provides that in any proceeding in which a victim who is a member of a union has accused a perpetrator who is a member of the same union, the victim and the perpetrator may not be represented in the proceeding by the same union representative. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: New Act 5 ILCS 140/7.5 710 ILCS 5/1 from Ch. 10, par. 101 775 ILCS 5/1-103 from Ch. 68, par. 1-103 775 ILCS 5/2-101 from Ch. 68, par. 2-101 775 ILCS 5/2-102 from Ch. 68, par. 2-102 775 ILCS 5/2-108 new 775 ILCS 5/6-102 775 ILCS 5/7-114 new 775 ILCS 5/8-109.1 new 820 ILCS 180/10 820 ILCS 180/15 820 ILCS 180/20 820 ILCS 180/25 820 ILCS 180/30 820 ILCS 180/45 Adds reference to: 735 ILCS 5/1-101 from Ch. 110, par. 1-101 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Creates the Illinois Future of Work Act. Creates the Illinois Future of Work Task Force. Provides for the duties and responsibilities of the Task Force. Provides for the membership and meetings of the Task Force. Provides that members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall provide administrative support to the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to submit a final report to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than November 1, 2021. Dissolves the Task Force upon the filing of its report. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2023. Effective immediately.

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) on the date the qualified employee is hired, the qualified employee resides 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 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 by $500 if (i) the qualified employee is hired to work at a location in a disproportionately impacted area or (ii) on the date the qualified employee is hired, the qualified employee resides in a disproportionately impacted area. Provides that the term "qualified employee" means a resident of the State who is hired by the taxpayer to fill a 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 Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for employers who hire residents of the State if those residents were unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic immediately prior to the date of hire by the taxpayer. Sets forth the amount of the credit. Effective immediately.

Amends the Issuing Licenses and Abating Nuisances Division of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that nothing in the Division shall prohibit the issuance or renewal of a license authorizing the sale of tobacco products or tobacco accessories at a premises that is located within a municipality with a population in excess of 1,000,000 inhabitants and is within 100 feet of the property line of any building or other location used primarily as a school if: (1) the school is a private elementary school; (2) the school is located within the boundaries of West Devon Avenue, West Rosemont Avenue, North Mozart Street, and North Fairfield Avenue; and (3) the sale of tobacco products or tobacco accessories at the premises occurs only after school hours until no later than 2 a.m. Limits home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the State earned income tax credit shall be: (i) 19% of the federal tax credit for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2022 and beginning before January 1, 2023; and (ii) 20% of the federal credit for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2023. Requires the Department of Revenue and certain institutions of higher education to provide certain notices concerning the federal and State earned income tax credits. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall create and maintain an online database and resource page on its website. Provides that the database and resource page shall contain mental health resources specifically geared toward post-secondary social workers, counselors, parents, faculty, graduate assistants, school administrators, graduate and undergraduate students, and support personnel with the goal of connecting those people with mental health resources related to crisis services, wellness, sexual health, survivor support, gender-based violence, nutrition, stress reduction, anxiety, depression, violence prevention, suicide prevention, and substance use and encouraging information sharing among educational administrators, security personnel, resource officers, faculty, students, and all other employees of a university or college. Effective immediately.