Sen. Rob Martwick

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, in applying the regional wage adjuster component of the RUG-IV 48 reimbursement methodology, no adjuster shall be lower than 0.95. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill, but with the following change: provides that, in applying the regional wage adjuster component of the RUG-IV 48 reimbursement methodology, no adjuster shall be lower than 1.0 (rather than 0.95). Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires the fire chief of a secondary employer to report any injury, illness, or exposure incurred by a secondary employee during his or her employment to the Department of Insurance. Requires secondary employers to transmit to the Department of Insurance a certified copy of its report accounting for all hours worked by secondary employees. Effective immediately.

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Requires every public elementary school and high school to include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of Asian American history; contains provisions governing this instruction. Provides that the teaching of history of the United States shall include the study of the wrongful incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and the heroic service of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of the United States Army during World War II. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/27-21 Removes the provisions relating to the history of the United States.

Urges the General Assembly and the Governor's Administration to invest our transportation and infrastructure dollars as promised under Rebuild Illinois to make good on our collective commitment to fix our roads, bridges, and schools while creating jobs and opportunities for all residents of Illinois.

Proposes to amend the Bill of Rights Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that employees shall have the fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing for the purpose of negotiating wages, hours, and working conditions, and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work. Provides that no law shall be passed that interferes with, negates, or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively over their wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment and work place safety, including any law or ordinance that prohibits the execution or application of agreements between employers and labor organizations that represent employees requiring membership in an organization as a condition of employment. Provides that these provisions are controlling over home rule powers. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Mourns the passing of Raphael Vito "Ralph" Ferri.

Encourages high schools across the State to participate in the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness program to help address key barriers to the successful transition of Illinois high school students into college and careers.

Mourns the death of David Creason.

Declares April 19 to April 22, 2021 as Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Week.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that in distribution of the remaining funds received under the federal Help America Vote Act, the State Board of Elections may make such funds available to election authorities for the maintenance of secure collection sites for the return of vote by mail ballots. Allows election authorities to establish curb-side voting for individuals to cast a ballot during early voting or on election day. Provides that an election authority's curb-side voting program shall designate at least 2 election judges from opposite parties per vehicle and the individual must have the option to mark the ballot without interference from the election judges. Requires election authorities to accept any vote by mail ballot returned, including ballots returned with insufficient or no postage. Allows election authorities to establish secure collection sites for postage-free return of vote by mail ballots. Provides for the collection and processing of vote by mail ballots submitted to collection sites. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall establish additional guidelines for the security of collection sites. Effective immediately.