Nominates Michael Pieczonka to be a Member of the Illinois Independent Tax Tribunal.

  RECENT STATUS

11/20/2018 - Assigned to Senate Executive Appointments

11/20/2018 - Received by the Senate Sen. Antonio Mu?oz

Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that records of conviction for any non-violent offense or any criminal offense that did not result in bodily harm or death to another person may be sealed 10 years after the termination of the petitioner's last sentence. Provides that this provision shall only apply to a petitioner who has not had one or more criminal conviction between the conviction eligible for sealing and the filing of the petition for relief. Defines "non-violent offense".

House Floor Amendment No. 1 - Provides that convictions for a non-violent offense that did not result in bodily harm or death to another person may be sealed 10 years after the termination of the petitioner's last sentence (in the introduced bill, records of conviction for any non-violent offense or any criminal offense that did not result in bodily harm or death to another person).

House Floor Amendment No. 7 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision relating to expungement of conviction records, a petitioner may petition the circuit court to expunge records of a conviction or plea of guilty for possession of not more than 10 grams of any substance containing cannabis or possession of drug paraphernalia seized in relation to possession of not more than 10 grams of any substance containing cannabis before July 29, 2016, (the effective date of Public Act 99-697) if 3 years or more have passed since the petitioner has completed his or her sentence.

  RECENT STATUS

1/8/2019 - Session Sine Die

1/2/2019 - Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Toi W. Hutchinson

1/2/2019 - Referred to Senate Assignments

Synopsis As Introduced - Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Prohibits an employer from: (i) screening job applicants based on their wage or salary history, (ii) requiring that an applicant's prior wages satisfy minimum or maximum criteria, and (iii) requesting or requiring as a condition of being interviewed or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment that an applicant disclose prior wages or salary. Prohibits an employer from seeking the salary, including benefits or other compensation or salary history, of a job applicant from any current or former employer, with some exceptions. Limits defenses. Provides for penalties and injunctive relief.

House Floor Amendment No. 1 - Deletes language providing that an employer's wage differential defense does not apply if an employee demonstrates that an alternative employment practice exists that would serve the same business purpose without producing the differential and the employer has refused to adopt the alternative practice.

  RECENT STATUS

11/28/2018 - BILL DEAD - No Positive Action Taken - Amendatory Veto

11/28/2018 - Motions in Writing Amendatory Veto Motions

11/28/2018 - Consideration of Governor's Veto Amendatory Vetoes

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit in an amount equal to the contributions made by the taxpayer to the Illinois Excellence Fund during the taxable year. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Illinois Excellence Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used for exclusively public purposes, as specified under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code relating to charitable contributions and gifts. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the county board may establish a fund in the county treasury for the purpose of accepting contributions for exclusively public purposes, as specified under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code relating to charitable contributions and gifts and may provide for a credit against the taxpayer's property tax liability in an amount equal to the amount of the contribution. Effective immediately.

House Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: (1) provides that the Fund shall be known as the Illinois Education Excellence Fund; (2) provides that the Illinois Education Excellence Fund may accept contributions for exclusively public education purposes; (3) provides that the tax credits for contributions to the Illinois Education Excellence Fund and the county fund for charitable purposes apply to individual taxpayers only; (4) provides that the State Treasurer shall provide a copy of the certification to the taxpayer and the Department of Revenue as soon as possible after the contribution is certified; (5) provides that the income tax credit applies for taxable years ending after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026; and (6) provides that provisions amending the Counties Code apply for taxable years 2018 through 2025. Effective immediately.

House Floor Amendment No. 2 - Makes changes to the bill as amended by House Amendment 1 to provide that contribution certifications may be provided electronically.

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: (1) provides that the income tax credit is in an amount equal to 90% (instead of 100%) of the contributions made by the taxpayer to the Illinois Education Excellence Fund; (2) provides that moneys in the Illinois Education Excellence Fund shall be transferred to the Common School Fund on an annual basis and shall be used for public education purposes; and (3) removes provisions amending the Counties Code. Creates the Local Government Charitable Fund Act. Provides that, upon authorization by the county in which the local unit is located, a local unit may establish one or more charitable funds for specific public purposes of that local unit. Provides that a person or entity may donate to a charitable fund on behalf of specified property located in the local unit. Provides that the property is entitled to a property tax credit equal to a percentage of the contribution amount, subject to certain annual caps. Effective immediately.

Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 - Adds provisions to the bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and further amends the State Finance Act. Provides for emergency rulemaking to administer the Illinois Education Excellence Fund.

  RECENT STATUS

1/8/2019 - Session Sine Die

7/2/2018 - Rule 19(b) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

5/31/2018 - Consideration of Senate Amendments Concurrence

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that "employer" includes any person employing one (instead of 15) or more employees within Illinois during 20 or more calendar weeks within the calendar year of or preceding the alleged violation.

House Floor Amendment No. 1 - Provides that "employer" does not include any place of worship with respect to the employment of individuals of a particular religion to perform work connected with the carrying on by the place of worship of its activities.

  RECENT STATUS

11/28/2018 - Total Veto Stands - No Positive Action Taken

11/28/2018 - Consideration of Governor's Veto Total Vetoes

11/27/2018 - Consideration of Governor's Veto Total Vetoes

Amends the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act. Provides that an investment option may be a conservative fund rather than a conservative principal protection fund. Provides that the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Board may establish deadlines for payment of payroll deductions to the Fund. Provides for audits on a fiscal year basis rather than a calendar year basis and report by the following January rather than July. Requires the Treasurer to prepare annual reports on benefits provided by the Program and post the report on the Program website. Effective immediately.

House Floor Amendment No. 1 - Further amends a provision of the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act. Provides that the audited financial report the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Board is required to submit annually to the General Assembly shall be filed electronically with the General Assembly as provided under the General Assembly Organization Act and shall be provided electronically to any member of the General Assembly upon request.

  RECENT STATUS

11/28/2018 - BILL DEAD - No Positive Action Taken - Amendatory Veto

11/28/2018 - Consideration of Governor's Veto Amendatory Vetoes

11/27/2018 - Consideration of Governor's Veto Amendatory Vetoes

Amends the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act and the Illinois Physical Therapy Act. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may issue an occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapist, or physical therapist assistant license to an applicant who is licensed under another jurisdiction upon filing an application, paying the required fee, and meeting requirements established by rule (rather than if the requirements for licensure in that jurisdiction were, at the date of licensure, substantially equivalent to the requirements in force in this State on that date or equivalent to the requirements of this Act). Provides that an applicant for endorsement shall meet the requirements for endorsement upon filing the application, paying the required fee, and showing proof of licensure in another jurisdiction for at least 10 consecutive years without discipline by certified verification of licensure by the jurisdiction. Effective immediately.

House Committee Amendment No. 1 - In provisions regarding an application for licensure by endorsement as an occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapist, or physical therapist assistant, adds language requiring an applicant to have practiced for 10 consecutive years in another jurisdiction.

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Regulatory Sunrise Review Act. Establishes a system to investigate and review the necessity of new State regulation over a previously unregulated profession or occupation. Provides a process to investigate what level of regulation is necessary in order to protect the public health, safety, or welfare. Provides that the General Assembly shall commence the process established by the Act to investigate and review the necessity of new State regulation over a previously unregulated profession by passage of a resolution. Requires that an applicant that proposes legislation to license a profession or occupation submit a petition for licensure on forms provided by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and pay a fee of $1,000 within 30 days after introduction of the proposed professional regulation legislation. Provides that the Department shall prepare a report within 12 months assessing the need for the proposed new licensure upon receipt of a complete petition and petition fee. Provides that the report shall be principally authored by persons with specified qualifications or by persons whose qualifications are substantially similar to specified qualifications. Provides that if the Department is unable to enter into a contract for preparation of the report for a sum not to exceed $1,000, the Department may utilize existing funds to supplement the $1,000 fee collected. Provides the various requirements, factors, criteria, and standards that must be included in a report. Provides that a report must be filed with the Secretary of State. Provides that if the General Assembly finds that it is necessary to regulate a profession or occupation, the least restrictive method of regulation may be imposed, consistent with the public interest and specified provisions. Provides a list of factors for the General Assembly to consider when making determinations. Effective immediately.

  RECENT STATUS

1/8/2019 - Session Sine Die

9/30/2018 - Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. William E. Brady

7/2/2018 - Rule 19(b) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

COMMENTS

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE:  Senate Amend 1 becomes the bill that creates the Regulatory Sunrise Review Act.  Se companion bill SB 2776.  IDFPR Initiative.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Repeals the Code on July 1, 2019.

  RECENT STATUS

1/8/2019 - Session Sine Die

11/7/2018 - Referred to House Rules

11/7/2018 - FIRST READING

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that for specified types of charges pending before the Department of Human Rights, if the charging party has initiated litigation for the purpose of seeking final relief in a State or federal court or before an administrative law judge or hearing officer in an administrative proceeding before a local government administrative agency, and if a final decision on the merits in that litigation or administrative hearing would preclude the charging party from bringing another action based on the pending charge, the Department shall cease its investigation and dismiss the pending charge by order of the Director, who shall provide the charging party notice of his or her right to commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court or other appropriate court of competent jurisdiction. Provides that the Illinois Human Rights Commission shall consist of 7 (instead of 13) members, with no more than 4 (instead of 7) members being of the same political party. Abolishes the existing terms of office of the members of the Commission on January 19, 2019. Provides for the appointment of new terms of office. Provides that on and after January 19, 2019, the Chairperson of the Commission shall be compensated at the rate of $125,000 per year, and each other member shall be compensated at the rate of $119,000 per year, or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater. Provides that each commissioner has the authority to hire and supervise a staff attorney. Adds training and continuing education requirements for commissioners. Adds provisions governing the qualification and employment of commissioners. Provides that the Governor shall appoint, by and with the consent of the Senate, a special panel of commissioners comprised of 3 members, to hold office until the Commission, in consultation with the Governor, determines that the caseload of requests for review has been reduced sufficiently to allow cases to proceed in a timely manner, or for a term of 18 months from the date of appointment by the Governor, whichever is earlier. Provides that each of the 3 members appointed to the special panel shall receive the same salary as other commissioners for the duration of the panel. Provides that decisions by commissioners must be based strictly on neutral interpretations of the law and the facts. Provides that the Commission shall publish its decisions within 180 days of the decision (instead of "in timely fashion"). Makes changes in provisions governing: charge procedures; requests for review; publication of opinions; and review by the Commission. Effective immediately.

  RECENT STATUS

8/24/2018 - Effective Date August 24, 2018

8/24/2018 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 100-1066

8/24/2018 - GOVERNOR APPROVED

Amends the Illinois Municipal Auditing Law of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that audit reports reporting on the financial position and results of financial operations for each fund of the municipality shall be consistent with either the accrual or cash basis of accounting depending upon the system followed by each municipality and shall otherwise be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (currently, shall be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, insofar as possible).

  RECENT STATUS

1/9/2019 - Session Sine Die

4/18/2018 - Senate Local Government

4/13/2018 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Provides that it is unlawful for an employer to require an employee to sign a contract or waiver that would prohibit the employee from disclosing or discussing the employee's wage or salary; however, an employer may prohibit a human resources employee, a supervisor, or any other employee whose job responsibilities require or allow access to other employees' wage or salary information from disclosing such information without prior written consent from the employee whose information is sought or requested. Provides that it is unlawful for an employer to seek the wage or salary history of a prospective employee from the prospective employee or a current or former employer or to require that a prospective employee's prior wage or salary history meet certain criteria, with some exceptions. Provides that an employer against whom an action is brought alleging a violation of the Act's prohibition against gender-based wage differentials and who, within the previous 3 years and prior to the commencement of the action, has completed a self-evaluation of the employer's pay practices and can demonstrate that reasonable progress has been made towards eliminating wage differentials based on gender for the same or substantially similar work in accordance with that evaluation shall have an affirmative defense to liability. Provides that an employer who cannot demonstrate that the evaluation was reasonable in detail and scope shall not be entitled to an affirmative defense, but is liable for any civil fine of: (1) up to $500 per employee affected, if the employer has fewer than 4 employees; or (2) up to $2,500 per employee affected, if the employer has 4 or more employees.

  RECENT STATUS

1/9/2019 - Session Sine Die

12/21/2018 - Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. William E. Brady

5/3/2018 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that all procurement scoring rubrics for contracts entered into under the Code shall account for and allocate 20% of the total available points towards evaluation of each respondent's commitment to diversity, and shall require supporting documentation to that purpose. Specifies further scoring rubric requirements. Provides that when a solicitation is issued by any State agency or public institution of higher education and falls within a service or product offering that has a history of disparate awards to a class of business owners that are identified under the Business Enterprise Program Act, the scoring rubric allocation shall be 30% of the total available points towards evaluating commitment to diversity. Provides an exemption concerning federal-aid funds, grants, or loans. Provides that no vendor shall be eligible for renewal of a contract when that vendor has failed to meet the Business Enterprise Program spending goal specified under the contract, and that vendor is not otherwise excused from compliance under the Business Enterprise Program Act. Provides that all employees under each Chief Procurement Officer shall complete annual training for diversity and inclusion as prescribed by the Chief Procurement Officer in consultation with the Executive Ethics Commission. Requires each Chief Procurement Officer to submit reports to the Executive Ethics Commission concerning diversity training and diversity efforts. Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Provides that when a State agency or public institution of higher education issues requests for proposals or solicitations that fall within a service or product offering that has a history of disparate awards to a class of business owners that are underrepresented in contract awards, it shall be the aspirational goal to use service or product providers owned by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities for not less than 20% of the total dollar amount of State contracts. Provides for modification of the 20% requirement. Provides an exemption concerning federal-aid funds, grants, or loans. Provides for the electronic filing of reports to the General Assembly.

Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 - Provides that provisions of a subsection concerning vendor eligibility for renewal of contracts does not apply to the renewal of contracts for construction or construction-related services. Requires each Chief Procurement Officer to consult with and report to the Business Enterprise Council (rather than Executive Ethics Commission) regarding diversity training and the diversity training report. Provides that in the case of State contracts for architectural and engineering services, specified provisions of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act requiring a portion of State contracts to be awarded to businesses owned and controlled by persons with disabilities do not apply. Adds a Section concerning agency compliance with the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act, and provides that reports under that Section shall include a self-evaluation of the efforts of the State agency or public institution of higher education to meet its goals under the Act, as well as a plan to increase the diversity of their vendors engaged in contracts, with a particular focus on those most underrepresented in contract awards. Makes conforming changes.

  RECENT STATUS

1/9/2019 - Session Sine Die

1/8/2019 - Senate Bills on Second Reading

1/7/2019 - Senate Bills on Second Reading

COMMENTS

PROCUREMENT-Imposes diversity requirements on Higher Education Procurement.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Regulatory Sunrise Review Act. Establishes a system to investigate and review the necessity of new State regulation over a previously unregulated profession or occupation. Provides a process to investigate what level of regulation is necessary in order to protect the public health, safety, or welfare. Provides that the General Assembly shall commence the process established by this Act to investigate and review the necessity of new State regulation over a previously unregulated profession by passage of a resolution. Requires that an applicant that proposes legislation to license a profession or occupation submit a petition for licensure on forms provided by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and pay a fee of $1,000 within 30 days after introduction of the proposed professional regulation legislation. Provides that the Department shall prepare a report within 12 months assessing the need for the proposed new licensure upon receipt of a complete petition and petition fee. Provides that the report shall be principally authored by persons with specified qualifications or by persons whose qualifications are substantially similar to specified qualifications. Provides that if the Department is unable to enter into a contract for preparation of the report for a sum not to exceed $1,000, the Department may seek and the General Assembly may approve an appropriation from the general revenue fund to supplement the $1,000 fee collected. Provides the various requirements, factors, criteria, and standards that must be included in a report. Provides that a report must be filed with the Secretary of State. Effective immediately.

  RECENT STATUS

1/9/2019 - Session Sine Die

9/30/2018 - Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. William E. Brady

5/3/2018 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Modifies and reorganizes the provisions of a Section concerning the College Savings Pool. Provides that the State Treasurer may establish and administer a College Savings Pool as a qualified tuition program under the Internal Revenue Code, and that the Pool may consist of one or more college savings programs. Provides that the State Treasurer, in administering the College Savings Pool, may receive, hold, and invest moneys paid into the Pool and perform such other actions as are necessary to ensure that the Pool operates as a qualified tuition program under the Internal Revenue Code. Provides provisions concerning administration, availability, fees, and investment restrictions of the Pool. Modifies the way in which investments, distributions, contributions, and bonds are made regarding the Pool. Defines terms. Makes conforming, technical, and other changes. Effective immediately.

  RECENT STATUS

11/28/2018 - BILL DEAD - Amendatory Veto

11/28/2018 - Consideration of Governor's Veto Specific Recommendation For Change

11/27/2018 - Consideration of Governor's Veto Specific Recommendation For Change

COMMENTS

ISSUE:  Unclaimed Property Legislation.  SB 2921 is similar to SB 2901.  

Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Prohibits an employer from requiring an employee to sign a nondisclosure agreement regarding the employee's salary, from seeking the salary history of a prospective employee, and from requiring that a prospective employee's salary history meet any specified criteria. Provides for employers to establish a self-evaluation plan of the employer's pay practices. Sets forth permissible components of a self-evaluation plan. Requires the self-evaluation plan to be submitted to the Department of Labor for verification. Provides that an employer that has completed a self-evaluation plan that has been verified by the Department of Labor has an affirmative defense to liability for certain alleged violations of the Act. Provides that an employer that does not have a verified self-evaluation plan may be subject to civil penalties for violations of the Act.

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill, but removes provisions requiring employers to establish a self-evaluation plan of their pay practices that has been verified by the Department of Labor.

  RECENT STATUS

1/9/2019 - Session Sine Die

9/11/2018 - Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Dan McConchie

5/31/2018 - Senate Bills on Third Reading

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that the exemption for coal and aggregate exploration, mining, off-highway hauling, processing, maintenance, and reclamation equipment sunsets on June 30, 2023 (currently, the exemption is subject to the Acts' automatic sunset provisions). Effective immediately.

  RECENT STATUS

1/9/2019 - Session Sine Die

1/8/2019 - Senate Bills on Second Reading

1/7/2019 - Senate Bills on Second Reading

COMMENTS

FEDERAL SALT WORKAROUND-Amendment provides a work around to the federal SALT deduction cap through allowing taxpayers to make charitable contributions that will be credited against local property tax and state income tax liabilities.  Note:  This concept appears to be contrary to guidance provided by the IRS and most likely will not result in acceptance by the IRS as a charitable contribution.

Amends the Corporate Accountability for Tax Expenditures Act. Repeals a Section requiring the Department of Revenue to submit an annual Unified Economic Development Budget to the General Assembly. Amends the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes changes concerning electronic payments. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that property purchased by a purchaser who is exempt from tax under federal law is exempt from the taxes under those Acts. Makes changes concerning rolling stock. Amends the State Finance Act, the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, and numerous other Acts imposing local use and occupation taxes to include a reference to tangible personal property that is subject to the 1% rate under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and the Service Occupation Tax Act (currently, those items are specifically named). Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Provides that certain waivers may be granted in case of a disaster in another jurisdiction (currently, another state). Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Makes changes concerning the collection of the pari-mutuel tax. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 - In the Use Tax Act, adds provisions concerning returns. Removes provisions from the introduced bill repealing a provision of the Corporate Accountability for Tax Expenditures Act concerning the annual Unified Economic Development Budget. Makes various other technical corrections to the introduced bill.

House Committee Amendment No. 1 - Further amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to provide that deposits into the Fund for the Advancement of Education shall be based on revenue from the current month (instead of revenue from the preceding month).

  RECENT STATUS

1/4/2019 - Effective Date January 4, 2019

1/4/2019 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 100-1171

1/4/2019 - GOVERNOR APPROVED

Creates the Occupational Board Reform Act. Provides for the statement of policy. Provides that an individual with a criminal conviction may submit to the appropriate occupational board a preliminary application for an occupational license, government certification, or State recognition of the individual's personal qualifications for a determination as to whether the individual's criminal conviction would disqualify the individual from obtaining the occupational license, government certification, or State recognition of the individual's personal qualifications. Provides that the appropriate occupational board shall issue the determination in writing within 90 days after receiving the preliminary application. Provides that an occupational board may charge a fee not to exceed $100 for each preliminary application filed. Provides that an individual may appeal the determination. Provides specified requirements concerning the preliminary application and determination. Requires each standing committee of the General Assembly to review and analyze approximately 20% of the occupational regulations within its jurisdiction and submit an annual report electronically to the General Assembly by December 15 of each year beginning in 2019. Provides requirements for the specified annual report. Provides that the standing committee shall complete the specified process for all occupational regulations within its jurisdiction within 5 years and every 5 years thereafter. Provides that if the standing committee finds that it is necessary to change occupational regulations, the standing committee shall recommend the least restrictive regulation consistent with the public interest and specified policies.

  RECENT STATUS

1/9/2019 - Session Sine Die

11/13/2018 - Referred to Senate Assignments

11/13/2018 - FIRST READING

COMMENTS

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE-