Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities shall be prorated if the property is first used as a qualified residence by a veteran with a disability after January 1 of a taxable year. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. With regard to the textbook block grant program, provides that the textbooks authorized to be purchased must accurately portray the diversity of our society, including the role and contributions of people protected under the Illinois Human Rights Act, and must be non-discriminatory as to certain characteristics under the Act. Provides that the teaching of history of the United States in public schools shall include a study of the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country and this State. Requires every public elementary school and high school to include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the significant role of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in society. Specifies instruction requirements. Requires the regional superintendent of schools to monitor a school district's compliance with the curriculum requirements. Effective July 1, 2019.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that licensed medically complex for the developmentally disabled facilities (MC/DD) (rather than licensed long-term care facilities for persons under 22 years of age) that serve severely and chronically ill patients (rather than pediatric patients) shall have a specific reimbursement system designed to recognize the characteristics and needs of the patients they serve. Sets forth certain reimbursement rates for MC/DD facilities for date of services starting July 1, 2018. Requires MC/DD facilities to document within each resident's medical record the conditions or services using the minimum data set documentation standards and requirements to qualify for exceptional care reimbursement. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall be responsible for reimbursement calculations and direct payment for services. Imposes an assessment and licensing fee on MC/DD facilities. Creates the Medically Complex for the Developmentally Disabled Provider Fund for the purpose of receiving and disbursing assessment moneys, including making payments to intermediate care facilities for persons with a developmental disability that are also licensed as MC/DD facilities and making payments of any amounts which are reimbursable to the federal government. Makes other changes. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Medically Complex for the Developmentally Disabled Provider Fund. Effective immediately.
Amends the Election Code. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no general election ballot may indicate the political party or political affiliation of any candidate. Makes corresponding changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the Governor shall annually designate by official proclamation the day before (currently, after) Gold Star Mothers' Day as Gold Star Family Day to be observed throughout the State as a day to honor and commemorate the families of men and women who gave their lives while serving with the armed forces of the United States in time of war or during a period of hostilities. Effective immediately.
Amends the Part of the Code of Civil Procedure concerning wage deductions. Requires that a summons be served with one copy (instead of 4 copies) of the interrogatories to be answered by the employer.
Amends the Illinois Promotion Act. Provides that private convention centers are also eligible to receive grants from the Tourism Promotion Fund (currently, units of local government, municipal convention centers, and convention center authorities only). Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the research and development credit applies for taxable years ending prior to January 1, 2027 (currently, January 1, 2016). Provides that the research and development credit may be carried forward for a period of 20 taxable years (now, 5 taxable years) or carried back for one taxable year. Provides that the research and development credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision.
Amends the Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to develop and maintain an online registry for recovery residences that operate in Illinois. Defines "recovery residence" to mean a sober, safe, and healthy living environment that promotes recovery from alcohol and other drug use and associated problems. Requires non-licensable recovery residences to register with the Department. Provides that the registry shall be publicly available through online posting and shall highlight attributes of the recovery residences and their locations. Provides that registrants are encouraged to seek national accreditation from any entity that has developed uniform national standards for recovery residences. Effective January 1, 2019.
Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Provides that beginning not less than 2 years, but no more than 3 years, after the effective date of this amendatory Act, and for every even-numbered year thereafter, the Illinois Labor Relations Board shall conduct an election to certify the majority representative of the employees as the exclusive bargaining representative for the unit of employees. Provides further procedures and certification requirements for an election to select an exclusive bargaining representative. Provides that an election may be directed by the Board in any bargaining unit where there is in force a valid collective bargaining agreement, but requires that the terms of any pre-existing agreement between the prior exclusive representative and the public employer shall continue in effect for the remaining contract term, except for certain provisions involving the exclusive representative. Provides that no multi-year collective bargaining agreement entered into after the effective date of this amendatory Act shall be longer than 5 years in duration. Removes provisions allowing the board to designate an exclusive representative by means other than an election. Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act to make similar changes. Modifies the term "exclusive representative". Makes other conforming changes.
