Dear Friends,

The Illinois State Senate took a historic vote yesterday in support of my bill to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and solidify equal rights for all. I am pleased to inform you that Illinois is one step closer to becoming the 37th state to ratify the amendment.

Women across the nation are rising up and pushing back against laws and policies that deny our equality. By voting to ratify the ERA, Illinois lawmakers are saying to women everywhere, ‘We hear you, and we stand with you.’

The Equal Rights Amendment, SJRCA 4, declares that equality of rights will not be denied by the United States or any state on account of sex. It initially was introduced in Congress in 1923 and was sent to the states for ratification 46 years ago.

It may come as a surprise, but women have no guaranteed equal rights under the U.S. Constitution. Several advancements for women’s rights, such as the Equal Pay Act and Title IX, could be repealed by a majority vote in Congress. The executive branch also could reduce enforcement of these acts.

The bottom line is women’s rights are in jeopardy as long as our equality is not cemented in the Constitution.

This is not the first time I have sponsored this legislation, or the first time Illinois has considered ratifying it. Since 1972, both chambers have voted on this legislation multiple times but have never achieved the three-fifths majority in both chambers necessary for ratification. Decades of widespread misinformation have hindered Illinois’ ability to ratify the amendment.

Opposition has argued that the ERA would open women to being drafted and that it would hurt mothers in custody or divorce battles. The fact is the ERA would strengthen protections and legal standards for women.

Another exciting aspect of SJRCA 4 is that it is the first piece of legislation that passed the Senate with the support of the bipartisan Senate Women’s Caucus. I helped found this caucus in the fall and am proud that a measure so fundamental to many women’s issues is the first bill the caucus endorsed.

For Illinois to ratify the ERA to the U.S. Constitution, three-fifths of House members must vote in support of SJRCA 4. Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) is sponsoring the legislation in the House.

I will keep you updated on what happens with this historic legislation. I hope that together we can make Illinois the 37th state to ratify the ERA.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 773-769-1717 or reach out online with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Senator Heather Steans
7th District – Illinois

One Summer Chicago

I encourage students to apply for summer job and internship opportunities through the One Summer Chicago Program. The City of Chicago is accepting applications for more than 30,000 positions. The application deadline is May 21.

The One Summer Chicago Program will run from July 2 through Aug. 10. Job opportunities range from forestry projects to office work to infrastructure jobs. Applicants must be between the ages of 14 and 24. For more information and to apply, click here.

Illinois bicentennial coin competition

Calling all artists! The Illinois treasurer’s office is holding a competition to design one side of the 2918 bicentennial medallion. Designs will be judged based on creativity, uniqueness and quality, among other factors. Participants must be Illinois residents and are limited to one design submission. The deadline is May 1. For more information, click here.

Keep track of what’s happening in Springfield

Keeping track of all the bills heard in Senate committees can be difficult. I started a newsletter to help you track the noteworthy bills that are scheduled to be heard in committee each week. Click here to sign up for these weekly emails during the legislative session.

These updates will give you advance notice so that you can submit a witness slip. Before a bill is heard in committee and let lawmakers know if you support or oppose the legislation. This is a vital part of the legislative process that helps me and other lawmakers make informed decisions before voting.

Dear Friends,

This Friday is the deadline for Senate bills to be voted out of committee. That means that the majority of bills will be called for a vote in committee this week, providing a prime chance to submit witness slips. For directions on how to submit a witness slip to show your support or opposition to a particular bill, click here.

I have included the committee schedule below, but expect additional hearings to be scheduled as the week progresses. Updated committee schedules will be posted on www.ilga.gov.

In addition to moving bills out of committee this week, the Senate will vote on legislation that is on third reading. I encourage you to call your State Senator or Representative to express your opinion on a bill once it is on third reading.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 773-769-1717 or reach out online with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Senator Heather Steans
7th District – Illinois

Civil law and consumer protection issues

• Sanctuary zones – SB 35 requires the Attorney General to create safe zones where immigration enforcement is limited, such as state-funded schools, state-funded health care facilities, public libraries, facilities operated by the Secretary of State and state courts.
     o Sponsor: Senator Don Harmon
     o Committee: Senate Judiciary

• Citizenship question – SJR 55 urges the Secretary of Commerce to reject the U.S. Department of Justice’s request to include a citizenship question in the 2020 census.
     o Sponsor: Senator Kwame Raoul
     o Committee: Senate Judiciary

• Alimony – SB 2289 creates a new formula for calculating the amount of alimony an individual should receive. It also allows judges to deviate from support guidelines if the payments exceed 50 percent of the obligor’s income.
     o Sponsor: Senator Michael Hastings
     o Committee: Senate Judiciary

• Veteran’s home damages – SB 2434 limits the $100,000 damage award cap on deaths of residents at an Illinois veteran’s home.
     o Sponsor: Senator Andy Manar
     o Committee: Senate Judiciary

• Condo lawsuits – SB 2556 excludes attorney’s fees from the demand in certain condo lawsuits.
     o Sponsor: Senator Laura Murphy
     o Committee: Senate Judiciary

• Condo information – SB 3165 provides that condominium associations must allow the members to decide whether to disclose personal information.
     o Sponsor: Senator Michael Connelly
     o Committee: Senate Judiciary

• Court fees – SB 2590 rewrites Illinois statutes that establish court fees and fines to create a more consistent and fair assessment structure. This legislation is based on the finding and recommendations of the Statutory Court Fee Task Force.
     o Sponsor: Senator John Mulroe
     o Committee: Senate Judiciary

• Price transparency – SB 2953 requires automotive repair facilities to post the hourly charge for labor, charges and conditions for storage, prices for commonly used repair parts, and the charge for diagnosing a malfunctioning vehicle.
     o Sponsor: Senator Tom Cullerton
     o Committee: Senate Judiciary

• Worker’s compensation insurance – SB 2973 creates an independent, nonprofit insurance company for worker’s compensation liability.
     o Sponsor: Senator Daniel Biss
     o Committee: Senate Judiciary

• Data breach – SB 3007 requires data collectors to report large data breaches to the attorney general’s office.
     o Sponsor: Senator Kwame Raoul
     o Committee: Senate Judiciary

• Immigration status – SB 3103 provides that a landlord cannot require disclosure of, intimidate, harass or evict tenants on the basis of their immigration or citizenship status.
     o Sponsor: Senator Cristina Castro
     o Committee: Senate Judiciary

• Service fees – SB 2433 caps the service fees on check cashing services and lays out criteria for considering the impact of any future increases.
     o Sponsor: Senator Jacqueline Collins
     o Committee: Senate Financial Institutions

• Government resources for registry – SB 3488 prohibits any state or local government agency or agent from using government resources to participate in or provide support for the creation, publication or maintenance of a registry program intended to create a compilation of personal demographic information.
     o Sponsor: Senate President John Cullerton
     o Committee: Senate Executive

Criminal law issues

• Criminal justice alternatives – SB 3023 authorizes law enforcement to develop and implement programs that offer alternatives to traditional involvement in the criminal justice system by creating immediate pathways to substance use treatment and other services.
     o Sponsor: Senator Melinda Bush
     o Committee: Senate Human Services

• Criminal record – SB 2560 requires any website that display’s an individual’s criminal record to remove the information upon written request.
     o Sponsor: Senator Steve Stadelman
     o Committee: Senate Judiciary

• Sex offenders – SB 2526 requires an individual convicted of sex trafficking of minors to register as a sex offender.
     o Sponsor: Senator Julie Morrison
     o Committee: Senate Criminal Law

• Testimony – SB 2479 regulates the use of incriminating testimony in courts.
     o Sponsor: Senator Michael Hastings
     o Committee: Senate Criminal Law

• Legal immunity – SB 2294 provides legal immunity to individuals who forcibly enter a locked vehicle to save a child or animal they perceive to be in danger.
     o Sponsor: Senator Julie Morrison
     o Committee: Senate Criminal Law

• Withdrawing guilty plea – SB 3276 allows a defendant to withdraw their guilty plea within two years of a conviction if a judge failed to advise them that a guilty plea could affect their immigration status.
     o Sponsor: Senator Elgie Sims, Jr.
     o Committee: Senate Criminal Law

• Prohibited substances – SB 3136 allows the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Corrections to fire employees who test positive for any prohibited substance.
     o Sponsor: Senate President John Cullerton
     o Committee: Senate Executive

Education issues

• Inclusive curriculum – SB 3249 requires elementary and high schools to teach students about the important contributions of LGBTQ individuals.
     o Sponsor: Senator Heather Steans
     o Committee: Senate Education

• Free lunch – SB 2428 requires schools to provide a federally reimbursable lunch to students who wish to eat lunch, regardless of their ability to pay.
     o Sponsor: Senator Steve Stadelman
     o Committee: Senate Education

• Special education – SB 3514 requires school districts in communities with a population greater than 500,000 to determine special education staffing needs based on the individualized education program minutes, optimal scheduling protocols and other relevant factors. It also prohibits the school board from reducing special education staffing levels of schools where staffing levels are less than 90 percent of the state average.
     o Sponsor: Senator Mattie Hunter
     o Committee: Senate Education

• PE requirements – SB 2572 requires elementary students to receive at least 150 minutes of physical education each week and high school students to receive a minimum of 225 minutes of physical education. Also states that a sports waiver for physical education can only be in effect for up to two years and cannot be renewed more than twice.
     o Sponsor: Senator Linda Holmes
     o Committee: Senate Education

• Teacher salary – SB 2892 sets the minimum salary for a full-time teacher in Illinois at $40,000.
     o Sponsor: Senator Andy Manar
     o Committee: Senate Education

• Principal’s contract – Under SB 3183, if a principal is rated as “exceeding expectations” in an evaluation, the local school council’s vote to not renew the principal’s contract must be agreed to by at least 90 percent of the council’s members.
     o Sponsor: Senator Emil Jones III
     o Committee: Senate Education

• Dual credit – SB 2527 bars school boards from limiting the number of dual credit courses a student may enroll in or the number of credits a student may receive from dual credit courses.
     o Sponsor: Senator Chuck Weaver
     o Committee: Senate Education

• Emergency door locking – SB 2611 allows a school district to apply for temporary door locking devices to be used in emergency situations.
     o Sponsor: Senator Chapin Rose
     o Committee: Senate Education

• School training programs – SB 2856 requires all schools to create training programs for all personnel on cyber-bullying, sexting, and sextortion.
     o Sponsor: Senator Michael Connelly
     o Committee: Senate Education

• Student information – SB 3099 allows a national assessment provider to rent or sell a student’s information if it receives consent and the information is used to provide access to employment or educational opportunities.
     o Sponsor: Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant
     o Committee: Senate Education

• Student loans – SB 2559 requires the Board of Higher Education to develop a three-year education loan information pilot program for students at every public university and community college.
     o Sponsor: Senator Steve Stadelman
     o Committee: Senate Higher Education

• STEM teachers – SB 3047 requires universities to waive tuition, fees and campus housing costs of students who agree to pursue a bachelor’s degree in STEM areas for a teaching occupation.
     o Sponsor: Senator Andy Manar
     o Committee: Senate Higher Education

• Bridge program – SB 3058 allows a bridge program for underrepresented students at public Illinois universities to be established. The program would provide access, academic and financial support to students.
     o Sponsor: Senator Kimberly Lightford
     o Committee: Senate Higher Education

• Tuition waiver – SB 2846 provides that certain youth would receive a tuition waiver ay any public community college or university. This applies to youth who the Department has court-ordered legal responsibility for, have aged out of care at age 18 or older, were formerly under care and were the subject of an adoption assistance agreement, or were the subject of a subsidized guardianship agreement.
     o Sponsor: Senator Cristina Castro
     o Committee: Senate Human Services

• Student savings accounts – SB 1246 exempts student savings accounts from debt collection agencies.
     o Sponsor: Senator Scott Bennett
     o Committee: Senate Judiciary

Election issues

• Election reporting - SB 2612 requires each election authority to annually report the following information to the State Board of Elections: voter outreach to populations that have difficulty voting or accessing polling places; poll worker training material, recruitment and compensation; and a communication plan for early voting.
     o Sponsor: Senator Melinda Bush
     o Committee: Senate Executive

• Online advertisement - SB 3079 adds digital communication to “electioneering communication” and requires online platforms to make a complete record of any request to purchase an electioneering communication in excess of $500 available for public inspection.
     o Sponsor: Senator Ira Silverstein
     o Committee: Senate Executive

Environmental issues

• Solar state contracts – SB 3533 allows state purchasing officers to enter into renewable energy resource contracts and leases that do not exceed 15 years. This is designed to facilitate solar projects statewide.
     o Sponsor: Senator Pam Althoff
     o Committee: Senate State Government

• Sales tax for coal – SB 3238 extends the sales tax exemption for coal and aggregate exploration, mining, off-highway hauling, processing, maintenance and reclamation equipment until July 1, 2023.
     o Sponsor: Senator Don Harmon
     o Committee: Senate Revenue

• Well water tests – SB 2492 requires Clean Construction or Demolition Debris sites to pay for and conduct baseline well water tests on the site property and submit the results to the Environmental Protection Agency.
     o Sponsor: Senator Sue Rezin
     o Committee: Senate Environment and Conservation

• Emissions testing – SB 2643 allows auto service and repair stations to apply to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for certification as an official emission inspection station.
     o Sponsor: Senator Dan McConchie
     o Committee: Senate Environment and Conservation

• Drinking water – SB 3548 provides that the Department of Natural Resources must notify local governments and communities of a threat to their drinking water.
     o Sponsor: Senator Chapin Rose
     o Committee: Senate Environment and Conservation

Gaming issues

• Increased gaming regulations – SB 1356 allows municipalities and counties to establish additional video gaming rules in non-incorporated areas.
     o Sponsor: Senator Pam Althoff
     o Committee: Senate Gaming

• Online gambling – SB 3529 allows the department of lottery to offer certain games online such as Lotto.
     o Sponsor: Senator Steve Stadelman
     o Committee: Senate Gaming

Human Services issues

• DSP wages – SB 3508 increase rates and reimbursements so that by July 1, 2018 direct support personnel and front-line workers earn a base wage of $13.50 per hour and $15 by July 1, 2020.
     o Sponsor: Senator Heather Steans
     o Committee: Senate Human Services

• Community-based alternatives – SB 2424 requires the Department of Human Services to establish the Diversion from Institutionalization Homes Program to address the needs of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are at risk of institutionalization by providing a community-based residential alternative.
     o Sponsor: Senator Heather Steans
     o Committee: Senate Human Services

• Community Care – SB 1628 creates a Community Care Program Medicaid Initiative that provides targeted funding to increase enrollment in Medicaid for qualified Community Care Programs.
     o Sponsor: Senator Iris Martinez
     o Committee: Senate Human Services

• Dental care for Medicaid patients – SB 2429 requires preventative dental care to be provided to all Medicaid-eligible adults. Currently, services are only available to people under 21 and pregnant women.
     o Sponsor: Senator Omar Aquino
     o Committee: Senate Human Services

• Community-based services – SB 2951 requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to create two pilot programs for Medicaid beneficiaries to provide community-based services for young people with mental health conditions and one for young people with substance use disorders.
     o Sponsor: Senator Melinda Bush
     o Committee: Senate Human Services

• Quarterly reporting – SB 3075 requires the Department of Human Services, the Department of Children and Family Services, Juvenile Justice and the Department of Corrections to submit a quarterly report regarding workplace assaults on staff.
     o Sponsor: Senator Michael Hastings
     o Committee: Human Services

• TANF – SB 3115 requires DHS to gradually increase the maximum benefit levels provided to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients so that the maximum benefit levels will be annually adjusted to remain equal to 50 percent.
     o Sponsor: Senator Mattie Hunter
     o Committee: Senate Human Services

• Medicaid oversight – SB 2447 requires the Auditor General to conduct a performance audit of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services regarding compliance with certain requirements of Medicaid managed care entities.
     o Sponsor: Senator Laura Murphy
     o Committee: Senate Special Committee on Oversight of Medicaid managed Care

Labor issues

• Protecting workers - SB 2213 retains current federal protections for workers’ rights, workers’ safety, and environmental provisions provided by various federal laws as of January 1, 2017, regardless of how they may change in the future.
     o Sponsor: Senator Daniel Biss
     o Committee: Senate Labor

• Graduate workers – SB 2546 classifies research assistants and graduate students as employees, providing them with all rights and remedies under labor laws including the right to unionize.
     o Sponsor: Senator Daniel Biss
     o Committee: Senate Labor

Public Health issues

• Metal detectors in hospitals – SB 2334 requires hospitals to have metal detectors at each public point of entry and makes visitors subject to screening.
     o Sponsor: Senator Laura Murphy
     o Committee: Senate Public Health

• Nursing homes – SB 2232 prioritizes long-term care facilities for restoration of power during a power outage, regardless of reason.
     o Sponsor: Senator Dave Koehler
     o Committee: Senate Public Health

• Prescriptions - SB 3170 allows a prescription for medication other than controlled substances to be valid for up to 15 months from the date issued.
     o Sponsor: Senator Steve Stadelman
     o Committee: Senate Licensed Activities and Pensions

• Multiple Sclerosis – HB 3223 requires insurance companies to cover all physical therapy treatments for individuals with multiple sclerosis without limitation or a calendar year maximum.
     o Sponsor: Senator Terry Link
     o Committee: Senate Insurance

Revenue issues

• Senior exemption – SB 2305 increases the maximum income limitation for the senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption to $75,000 beginning in 2018.
     o Sponsor: Senator Laura Murphy
     o Committee: Senate Revenue

• Sales tax exemption – SB 2881 exempts condoms, incontinence products, diapers and baby wipes from the state’s sales taxes, thereby reducing the tax on these products from 6.25 percent to 1 percent.
     o Sponsor: Senator Omar Aquino
     o Committee: Senate Revenue

• Fines – SB 3141 allows the Department of Revenue to impose monetary penalties for the failure to keep books and records.
     o Sponsor: Senator Karen McConnaughay
     o Committee: Senate Revenue

State Government issues

• Consolidation – SB 2543 allows mosquito abatement districts to be consolidated.
     o Sponsor: Senator Tom Cullerton
     o Committee: Senate Government Reform

• Public hearings – SB 2328 allows a political subdivision to waive the public hearing, evaluation and selection procedure for projects expected to cost less than $150,000.
     o Sponsor: Senator Linda Holmes
     o Committee: Senate Government Reform

• Drafting legislation – SB 3139 requires the legislative brand and advises the executive and judicial branches to use plain language when drafting legislation, executive orders and other public facing documents.
     o Sponsor: Senator Jacqueline Collins
     o Committee: Senate Government Reform

• Budget – SB 2279 prohibits the State of Illinois from entering into or awarding a contract if there is not an appropriation in place to fund that contract.
     o Sponsor: Senator Laura Murphy
     o Committee: Senate State Government

• Council on Women and Girls – SB 3402 establishes the Illinois Council on Women and Girls to advise the governor and General Assembly on policy issues that impact women and girls in Illinois.
     o Sponsor: Senator Jacqueline Collins
     o Committee: Senate State Government

Committee schedule for Tuesday, April 10

• Senate Appropriations I Committee | 9 a.m., Room 212 Subject matter regarding FY 19 budget request for the Department of Human Services.
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Education Committee | 1:30 p.m., Room 212
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Public Health Committee | 1:30 p.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Veterans Affairs Committee | 1:30 p.m., Room 409
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Judiciary Committee | 3 p.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Higher Education Committee | 3 p.m., Room 212
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Human Services Committee | 3 p.m., Room 409
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Transportation Committee | 4:30 p.m., Room 212
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Subcommittee on CLEAR Compliance | 4:30 p.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Criminal Law Committee| 5 p.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

Committee schedule for Wednesday, April 11

• Senate Appropriations I Committee | 8 a.m., Room 400 Subject matter regarding FY 19 budget request for the following agencies: Illinois Department of Corrections, Department of Juvenile Justice, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Department of Revenue, Illinois Independent Tax Tribunal, and Illinois Finance Authority.
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Gaming Committee | 8:30 a.m., Room 212
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Local Government Committee | 9:15 a.m., Room 409
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Financial Institutions Committee| 10:30 a.m., Room 409
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Labor Committee| 10:30 a.m., Room 212
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Government Reform Committee | 10:30 a.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Executive Committee | 2 p.m., Room 212
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate State Government Committee | 2 p.m., Room 409
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee | 2 p.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Revenue Committee | 3:30 p.m., Room 212
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Insurance Committee | 3:30 p.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Special Committee on Oversight of Medicaid Managed Care | 4:30 p.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

Committee schedule for Thursday, April 12

• Senate Agriculture Committee | 8 a.m., Room 409
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Appropriations II Committee | 9 a.m., Room 212 Subject matter regarding FY 19 budget request for the following agencies: Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Auditor General, Lieutenant Governor, and Comptroller.
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Commerce and Economic Development Committee | 9:30 a.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Telecommunications and Information Technology Committee | 11 a.m., Room 212
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Environment and Conservation Committee | 11 a.m., Room 409
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee | 11 a.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

Dear Friends,

This week the Senate is scheduled to hear legislation ranging from removing lead service lines from community water systems to establishing a bill of rights for sexual assault survivors. There are only two more session weeks until the deadline for substantive Senate bills to move out of committee. As such, there are quite a few pieces of legislation posted to committee.

I have included legislation that I support and do not support in the list of noteworthy bills below. I encourage you to review the proposals to determine your stance and then submit a witness slip to let legislators know your opinion. For directions on how to submit a witness slip to show your support or opposition to a particular bill, click here. You can listen to committee hearings live by clicking here.

After this week, senators will return to work in their districts until April 10, when we are scheduled to reconvene in Springfield. I will send you an email with noteworthy bills in committee when we return.

In the meantime, I recently started a Facebook and Twitter account to provide more frequent updates about my legislation, events in the district and developing issues within Illinois government. Follow me @SenatorSteans and like my Facebook page for news on what’s happening in Springfield and in District 7.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 773-769-1717 or reach out online with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Senator Heather Steans
7th District – Illinois

Noteworthy bills in committee this week

Civil law and consumer protection issues

• Worker's compensation insurance - SB 2973 creates an independent, nonprofit insurance company for worker's compensation liability.
  o Sponsor: Senator Daniel Biss
  o Committee: Senate Judiciary

• Collections agencies - SB 2485 requires condominium associations to provide written notice regarding unpaid fines and hold a hearing to resolve any disputed fees before sending a unit owner or their agents to a collection agency.
  o Sponsor: Senator Laura Murphy
  o Committee: Senate Judiciary

• Data breach - SB 3007 requires data collectors to report large data breaches to the attorney general's office.
  o Sponsor: Senator Kwame Raoul
  o Committee: Senate Judiciary

• Immigration status - SB 3103 provides that a landlord cannot require disclosure of, intimidate, harass or evict tenants on the basis of their immigration or citizenship status.
  o Sponsor: Senator Cristina Castro
  o Committee: Senate Judiciary

• Registering to vote - SB 3167 allows teens who are at least 16 to preregister to vote when they receive their driver's license.
  o Sponsor: Senator Steve Stadelman
  o Committee: Senate Executive

• Student loans - SB 2529 prevents a professional license from being revoked, removed or suspended for defaulting on a student loan.
  o Sponsor: Senator Steve Stadelman
  o Committee: Senate Licensed Activities and Pensions

Criminal law issues

• Resentencing - HB 1804 allows someone previously charged with a criminal offense to file a petition for resentencing if the penalty for that offense is reduced or changed.
  o Sponsor: Senator Toi Hutchinson
  o Committee: Senate Criminal Law

• Survivor's bill of rights - SB 3404 creates the Survivor's Bill of Rights guaranteeing additional protections to survivors of sexual assault.
  o Sponsor: Senator Kwame Raoul
  o Committee: Senate Criminal Law

• Felony theft - SB 3257 increases the threshold amount for felony theft to $2,000 from $500 and threshold amount for felony retail theft to $2,000 from $300, along with other conforming changes.
  o Sponsor: Senator Elgie Sims Jr.
  o Committee: Senate Criminal Law

• Adult Redeploy Illinois - SB 3388 allows individuals with probation-level offenses to be included in Adult Redeploy Illinois programs.
  o Sponsor: Senator James Clayborne Jr.
  o Committee: Senate Criminal Law

• Prohibited substances - SB 3136 allows the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Corrections to fire employees who test positive for any prohibited substance.
  o Sponsor: Senate President John Cullerton
  o Committee: Senate Executive

• Criminal justice alternatives - SB 3023 authorizes law enforcement to develop and implement programs that offer alternatives to traditional involvement in the criminal justice system by creating immediate pathways to substance use treatment and other services.
  o Sponsor: Senator Melinda Bush
  o Committee: Senate Human Services

• Testimony - SB 2479 regulates the use of incriminating testimony in courts.
  o Sponsor: Senator Michael Hastings
  o Committee: Senate Criminal Law

Education issues

• Inclusive curriculum - SB 3249 requires elementary and high schools to teach students about the important contributions of LGBTQ individuals.
  o Sponsor: Senator Heather Steans
  o Committee: Senate Education

• PE requirements - SB 2572 requires elementary students to receive at least 150 minutes of physical education each week and high school students to receive a minimum of 225 minutes of physical education. Also states that a sports waiver for physical education can only be in effect for up to two years and cannot be renewed more than twice.
  o Sponsor: Senator Linda Holmes
  o Committee: Senate Education

• Emergency door locking - SB 2611 allows a school district to apply for temporary door locking devices to be used in emergency situations.
  o Sponsor: Senator Chapin Rose
  o Committee: Senate Education

• Free lunch - SB 2428 requires schools to provide a federally reimbursable lunch to students who wish to eat lunch, regardless of their ability to pay.
  o Sponsor: Senator Steve Stadelman
  o Committee: Senate Education

• Concussion protocol - SB 2489 requires the Illinois State Board of Education to adopt rules to administer concussion protocol including rules governing accommodations for students who may have sustained a concussion.
  o Sponsor: Senator Michael Connelly
  o Committee: Senate Education

• Principal's contract - Under SB 3183, if a CPS principal is rated as "exceeding expectations" in an evaluation, the local school council's vote to not renew the principal's contract must be agreed to by at least 90 percent of the council's members.
  o Sponsor: Senator Emil Jones III
  o Committee: Senate Education

• Student information - SB 3099 allows a national assessment provider to rent or sell a student's information if it receives consent and the information is used to provide access to employment or educational opportunities.
  o Sponsor: Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant
  o Committee: Senate Education

• Security breach - SB 3201 requires a school to notify parents within 48 hours of discovering a security breach of student information.
  o Sponsor: Senator Michael Hastings
  o Committee: Senate Education

• Special education - SB 3514 requires school districts in communities with a population greater than 500,000 to determine special education staffing needs based on the individualized education program minutes, optimal scheduling protocols and other relevant factors. It also prohibits the school board from reducing special education staffing levels of schools where staffing levels are less than 90 percent of the state average.
  o Sponsor: Senator Mattie Hunter
  o Committee: Senate Education

• Dual credit - SB 2527 bars school boards from limiting the number of dual credit courses a student may enroll in or the number of credits a student may receive from dual credit courses.
  o Sponsor: Senator Chuck Weaver
  o Committee: Senate Education

• Teacher shortage - SB 2838 addresses the shortage of substitute teachers by allowing schools to use recruiting firms to find substitutes.
  o Sponsor: Senator Terry Link
  o Committee: Senate Education

• School training programs - SB 2856 requires all schools to create training programs for all personnel on cyber-bullying, sexting, and sextortion.
  o Sponsor: Senator Michael Connelly
  o Committee: Senate Education

• Teacher salary - SB 2892 sets the minimum salary for a full-time teacher in Illinois at $40,000.
  o Sponsor: Senator Andy Manar
  o Committee: Senate Education

• STEM teachers - SB 3047 requires universities to waive tuition, fees and campus housing costs of students who agree to pursue a bachelor's degree in STEM areas for a teaching occupation.
  o Sponsor: Senator Andy Manar
  o Committee: Senate Higher Education

• College education - SB 2846 provides that certain youth who do not receive a scholarship or fee waiver from the Department of Children and Family Services shall receive a waiver of all tuition and fees for any community college, university or college maintained by the state.
  o Sponsor: Senator Cristina Castro
  o Committee: Senate Human Services

Environmental issues

• Electric buses - SB 3055 earmarks 15 percent of the funds available to the Illinois EPA from the Volkswagen settlement with the US EPA for the acquisition, installation, operation and maintenance of public electric vehicle charging stations. The remaining funds shall be dedicated to upgrading or replacing eligible trucks and buses.
  o Sponsor: Senator Heather Steans
  o Committee: Senate Environment and Conservation

• Solar state contracts - SB 3533 allows state purchasing officers to enter into renewable energy resource contracts and leases that do not exceed 15 years. This is designed to facilitate solar projects statewide.
  o Sponsor: Senator Pam Althoff
  o Committee: Senate State Government

• Sales tax for coal - SB 3238 extends the sales tax exemption for coal and aggregate exploration, mining, off-highway hauling, processing, maintenance and reclamation equipment until July 1, 2023.
  o Sponsor: Senator Don Harmon
  o Committee: Senate Revenue

• Emissions testing - SB 2643 allows auto service and repair stations to apply to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for certification as an official emission inspection station.
  o Sponsor: Senator Dan McConchie
  o Committee: Senate Environment and Conservation

Gaming issues

• Unincorporated areas - SB 1356 allows municipalities and counties to establish additional video gaming rules in non-incorporated areas.
  o Sponsor: Senator Pam Althoff
  o Committee: Gaming

Human service issues

• TANF - SB 3115 requires DHS to gradually increase the maximum benefit levels provided to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients so that the maximum benefit levels will be annually adjusted to remain equal to 50 percent.
  o Sponsor: Senator Mattie Hunter
  o Committee: Senate Human Services

• Medicaid applications - SB 2913 establishes an expedited long-term care eligibility and enrollment system to reduce the backlog of pending long-term care Medicaid applications.
  o Sponsor: Senator John Mulroe
  o Committee: Senate Public Health

• Community care - SB 1628 creates a Community Care Program Medicaid Initiative that provides targeted funding to increase enrollment in Medicaid for qualified Community Care Programs.
  o Sponsor: Senator Iris Martinez
  o Committee: Senate Human Services

• Dental care for Medicaid patients - SB 2429 requires preventative dental care to be provided to all Medicaid-eligible adults. Currently, services are only available to people under 21 and pregnant women.
  o Sponsor: Senator Omar Aquino
  o Committee: Senate Human Services

• Community-based services - SB 2951 requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to create two pilot programs for Medicaid beneficiaries to provide community-based services for young people with mental health conditions and one for young people with substance use disorders.
  o Sponsor: Senator Melinda Bush
  o Committee: Senate Human Services

• Community Care Program providers - SB 3511 progressively increases hourly rates for Community Care Program providers to $24.69 by July 1, 2021.
  o Sponsor: Senator Mattie Hunter
  o Committee: Senate Human Services

Pension issues

• Teacher raises - SB 2517 requires school districts rather than the state to pay the benefit cost of teacher raises after 2019.
  o Sponsor: Senator Dan McConchie
  o Committee: Senate Licensed Activities and Pensions

• Retired CPD officers - SB 2525 makes the 3 percent increase in pension benefits for retired Chicago Police Department officers over the age of 75 compounded.
  o Sponsor: Senator Bill Cunningham
  o Committee: Senate Licensed Activities and Pensions

Public health issues

• Lead pipes - SB 3080 requires every community water system to create a plan to remove all known lead service lines within 10 years.
  o Sponsor: Senator Heather Steans
  o Committee: Senate Public Health

• Lactation room - SB 3503 requires facilities that house circuit courtrooms to include at least one lactation room or area for public use.
  o Sponsor: Senator Elgie Sims Jr.
  o Committee: Senate Public Health

• Mental health coverage - SB 3213 requires insurers to cover evidence-based early treatment of serious mental illnesses and serious emotional disturbances.
  o Sponsor: Senator Melinda Bush
  o Committee: Senate Insurance

• Water management - SB 272 requires state-operated facilities with residents to create a water management and Legionella sampling plan.
  o Sponsor: Senator Tom Cullerton
  o Committee: Senate Public Health

• Nursing homes - SB 2232 prioritizes long-term care facilities for restoration of power during a power outage, regardless of reason.
  o Sponsor: Senator Dave Koehler
  o Committee: Senate Public Health

• Dense breast tissue - SB 2442 requires health care providers to notify patients if they have dense breast tissue.
  o Sponsor: Senator John Mulroe
  o Committee: Senate Public Health

• Flu vaccine opt out - HB 2984 allows health care employees at health departments with a jurisdiction of 500,000 or more to opt out of the flu vaccination for medical or religious reasons.
  o Sponsor: Senator Bill Cunningham
  o Committee: Senate Public Education

State government and revenue issues

• Truth in hiring - SB 3233 closes a loophole that enables the governor's office to pay its employees using appropriations from other state agencies, even though the employees are doing no work for those agencies.
  o Sponsor: Senator Andy Manar
  o Committee: Senate State Government

• Sales tax exemption - SB 2881 exempts condoms, incontinence products, diapers and baby wipes from the state's sales taxes, thereby reducing the tax on these products from 6.25 percent to 1 percent.
  o Sponsor: Senator Omar Aquino
  o Committee: Senate Revenue

Committee schedule for Tuesday, March 13

• Senate Education Committee | 1:30 p.m., Room 212
  Subject matter hearing on HB 5812
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Public Health Committee | 1:30 p.m., Room 400
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Veterans Affairs Committee | 1:30 p.m., Room 409
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Judiciary Committee | 3:15 p.m., Room 400
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Higher Education Committee | 3:15 p.m., Room 212
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Human Services Committee | 3:15 p.m., Room 409
  Subject matter hearing on HB 4223
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Criminal Law Committee| 4:45 p.m., Room 400
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Transportation Committee | 4:45 p.m., Room 212
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

Committee schedule for Wednesday, March 14

• Senate Appropriations I Committee | 8 a.m., Room 400
  Subject matter regarding FY 19 budget request for the following agencies: Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, Gaming Board, Racing Board, Department of Lottery, Property Tax Appeal Board, Prisoner Review Board
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Gaming Committee | 8:30 a.m., Room 212
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Local Government Committee | 9:15 a.m., Room 409
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Government Reform Committee | 2 p.m., Room 400
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Financial Institutions Committee | 2 p.m., Room 409
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Executive Committee | 3 p.m., Room 212
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate State Government Committee | 3 p.m., Room 409
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee | 3 p.m., Room 400
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Revenue Committee | 4:30 p.m., Room 212
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Insurance Committee | 4:30 p.m., Room 400
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

Committee schedule for Thursday, March 15

• Senate Agriculture Committee | 8:30 a.m., Room 409
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Appropriations II Committee | 9 a.m., Room 212
  Subject matter regarding FY 19 budget request for the following agencies: Southern Illinois University, Chicago State University, the Illinois Math and Science Academy, Governor’s State University and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Commerce and Economic Development Committee | 9 a.m., Room 400
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

•  Senate Telecommunications and Information Technology Committee | 11 a.m., Room 212
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Environment and Conservation Committee | 11 a.m., Room 409
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee | 11 a.m., Room 400
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

Dear Friends,

I am proud to tell you that hospitals that serve Medicaid patients would continue to benefit from federal funding under a measure I sponsored that passed the Senate last week. I have been working with my colleagues for several months to develop a new Medicaid Hospital Assessment that is fair to patients and hospitals.

The Medicaid Hospital Assessment Program was designed to leverage federal matching funds to cover the cost of services provided to Medicaid patients in private Illinois hospitals. In total, the program distributes $3.5 billion in funding. Hospitals are not reimbursed for the full cost of treating Medicaid patients and rely on these payments to help some of the neediest Illinoisans.

Currently, hospitals receive a flat payment based on a variety of factors, such as the number of Medicaid patients they serve. The new program would use more recent patient data and phase in a claims-based payment model over the next six years. Under a claims-based model, money would be tied to the patient.

The legislation also includes additional funding for Safety-Net and Critical Access hospitals. These organizations play a vital role in our communities, and many treat a higher percentage of Medicaid patients. Additionally, the legislation includes funding to support hospitals that are transforming to serve their community. Examples of these transformations include adding dialysis centers, long-term care facilities and other creative ways to profitably use space within hospitals.

Nearly half of the annual Medicaid payment funds are set to expire under Illinois statute on June 30, 2018. The assessment laid out in Senate Bill 1773 requires state and federal approval before it can take effect. This legislation is currently on the governor’s desk. I urge the governor and the federal government to review this proposal immediately so that service to patients in Illinois will not be disrupted.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 773-769-1717 or reach out online with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Senator Heather Steans
7th District – Illinois

Gun legislation advances

I co-sponsored legislation to require anyone in the business of selling, leasing or otherwise transferring firearms to be licensed. The Gun Dealer Licensing Act passed the Senate last April and passed the House last week.

This legislation is intended to hold corrupt gun dealers accountable and curb illegal trafficking of firearms in communities. Nearly 20 percent of all guns recovered from crime scenes in Chicago between 2009 and 2013 were sold by just three of the state’s 2,400 gun dealers. Currently there is no licensing requirement at the state level for firearms.

I also supported legislation to allow a family member or a law enforcement officer to petition the court if an individual poses an immediate threat of causing personal injury to themselves or another by having access to firearms. Under the Lethal Violence Protection Act, courts could require a person to temporarily turn over any firearms in their possession. Family members are often the first to notice if a person is exhibiting violent behavior.

Petition delivery

Thank you for participating in my petition for the governor to drop his appeal and allow patients with intractable pain to access medical marijuana. Last week, Representative Cassidy and I delivered nearly 5,000 petitions to the governor’s office. This would not have been possible without your support. Please see the video below for a recap of our petition delivery.

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter

I recently started a Facebook and Twitter account to provide more frequent updates about my legislation, events in the district and developing issues within Illinois government. Follow me @SenatorSteans and like my Facebook page for news on what’s happening in District 7.