Dear Friends,

The General Assembly has just 16 days left until the constitutional deadline for action. That’s 16 more days for legislation and budget packages to pass both the House and the Senate. The deadline for legislation to pass during the regular session is May 31.

I am diligently working with my colleagues on a solution to end the budget impasse. I am optimistic that we will reach a compromise that Republicans in the Senate can agree to. Ultimately the question, though, is if the governor can agree to it.

I will keep you updated as we continue to work through budget negotiations. As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 773-769-1717 or reach out online with any questions or concerns. Lastly, if someone forwarded this message to you and you’d like to sign up for this list, click here.

Sincerely,

Senator Heather A. Steans
7th District – Illinois

Noteworthy legislation in committee this week

• Day laborers – HB 690 makes changes to the Day and Temporary Labor Services Act, such as requiring temporary labor service agencies to provide a notice to workers of what type of equipment, protective clothing and training are required for a task, to prevent current abuses. (Martinez)

• Veteran-owned businesses – SB 1620 centralizes the classification of veterans owned small businesses. Currently, veteran business owners must go through a number of processes (sometimes at the state, county and municipal level) to be certified bid on small business contracts. (Hastings)

• Short-term rental properties – SB 1735 creates standards for short-term vacation and rental properties, such as HomeAway, and bars local governments from prohibiting or otherwise regulating short-term rental properties except in circumstances to safeguard public health and welfare. (Munoz)

• Paid sick leave – HB 2771 requires employers with more than one employee provide up to five paid sick time days per year. (Hutchinson)

• Performance evaluation – SB 449 requires the Illinois State Board of Education to convene a Performance Evaluation Advisory Council to advise on the ongoing implementation of teacher and principal evaluations. (Lightford)

• Homeless students – HB 261 Allows school districts to provide housing assistance to homeless students or students at risk of becoming homeless. (Bennett)

• Mental illness training – HB 2545 requires school personnel who work with pupils in K-12 be trained once every two years to identify the warning signs of mental illness and suicidal behavior in youth. (Weaver)

• College savings – HB 3691 creates the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program under the control of the State Treasurer. Starting in 2018, every child born in Illinois will have a 529 college savings account opened in their name and seeded with a $50 investment. The first $150 will be matched at a one-to-one ratio for families with low and moderate incomes. (Lightford)

• Arbitration for long-term care facilities – HB 238 prohibits a long-term care facility from entering into a pre-dispute agreement for binding arbitration with a resident, consumer or their representative. (Aquino)

• Animal rights – HB 2810 prevents returning animals used for fighting purposes to their initial owner. (Manar)

Committee schedule, Monday, May 15

All committees are in the Capitol unless otherwise stated

• 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, Tuesday, May 16

• Senate Education Committee
  9 a.m., Room 212
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
  9 a.m., Room 409
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

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

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

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

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

Committee schedule, Wednesday, May 17

• Senate Appropriations I Committee
  8:30 a.m., Room 400

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

• Senate Labor Committee
  10:45 a.m., Room 212
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

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

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

Committee schedule, Thursday, May 18

• Senate Appropriations II Committee
  9 a.m., Room 212

• 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 Energy and Public Utilities Committee
  11 a.m., Room 212
  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 Subcommittee on State Designations
  2 p.m., Room 409
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

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

• Senate State Government Committee
  2:30 p.m., Room 409
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee
  2:30 p.m., Room 400
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Criminal Law Committee
  4 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 409
  To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

Dear Friends,

Today the Senate Human Services Committee will hear testimony on House Bill 40, which protects access to safe abortions in the event that Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. I am sponsoring this legislation because I think it is paramount that we protect a woman’s right to choose and that we ensure that Illinois will be a state where women can safely exercise this right, regardless of what happens at the federal level. I encourage you to submit a witness slip on this legislation, and if you live outside my district, to call your State Senator and let them know your opinion on this bill.

This Friday is the deadline for substantive House bills to move out of committee. As such, there are quite a few pieces of legislation scheduled to be heard in committee this week. So much so, that some committees are meeting twice. Many bills that just passed the House will be heard in the Senate for the first time this week. Please see the list below, which includes legislation that I both support and oppose. If you have questions on my position on any of these pieces of legislation, please feel free to contact my office.

For directions on how to submit a witness slip to show your support or opposition to a particular bill, click here. Witness slips are a vital piece of the legislative process. Before a bill is heard in committee, the chairperson will read who has submitted witness slips and whether they support or oppose the bill. This helps inform me and other legislators as to where Illinoisans and organizations stand, allowing us to make informed decisions when voting. Witness slips are a great and relatively quick way to make your voice heard in state government.

Please note that if a bill is reassigned to a new committee and is scheduled for a hearing, previous witness slips will not be announced. Each witness slip is tied to that specific committee hearing. If a bill will be heard again, please submit a new witness slip for the new corresponding committee.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 773-769-1717 or reach out online with any questions or concerns. Lastly, if someone forwarded this message to you and you’d like to sign up for this list, click here.

Sincerely,

Senator Heather Steans
7th District – Illinois

Noteworthy legislation in committee this week

Business, Commerce and Workers’ Rights Issues

• Veteran-owned businesses – SB 1620 centralizes the classification of veterans owned small businesses. Currently, veteran business owners must go through a number of processes (sometimes at the state, county and municipal level) to be certified bid on small business contracts. (Hastings)

• Family leave – SB 1721 allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of family leave following the birth or adoption of a child, placement of a foster child, or to care for a seriously ill family member. (Biss)

• Salary history – HB 2462 prohibits employers from asking job applicants about their salary history in an effort to curb wage inequality. (Biss)

• Small business loans – HB 2698 creates the Small Business Credit Initiative Fund that would make loans and investments to Illinois businesses. (Hutchinson)

Criminal Law and Public Safety Issues

• First-time gun offenders – SB 592 creates the Unlawful Possession of Firearms Diversion Program, which is designed to provide treatment rather than incarceration for first-time gun offenders who suffer from PTSD. (Raoul)

• Use of suppressors – SB 50 allows the use of suppressors while hunting. (Haine)

• Sentencing – HB 1804 allows someone charged with a criminal offense to file a petition for resentencing if the penalty for that offense has since been reduced or changed. (Hutchinson)

• Hate crimes – HB 3711 expands the Class 4 felony offense of "hate crime" to add intimidation, stalking, cyberstalking and transmission of obscene messages. (Aquino)

• Hate crimes – HB 2390 expands the definition of hate crime to include crimes committed on the grounds of a religious facility. Removes the restitution cap and allows courts to impose a fine based on the severity of the damages. (Steans)

• Mental health awareness – HB 375 requires the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to create a course on awareness of mental health issues including recognizing mental crises which require an immediate response. (Steans)

• Career skills in prisons – HB 698 creates a five-year pilot program to teach career skills to prisoners. (Aquino)

• Sealable offenses – HB 2373 expands sealing eligibility to allow all felony arrests, not otherwise prohibited by law, to be sealed. Convictions that require registration as a sex offender, for arson, or violent offenders may not be sealed until the petitioner is no longer required to be registered. (Harmon)

Education Issues

• Social workers in schools – HB 826 allows school districts to employ enough social workers to reach a 250 to 1 ratio. (Koehler)

• Test scores – HB 2378 removes the requirement that test scores be entered on student transcripts. This would allow local school districts to determine whether to enter SAT or ACT scores on student transcripts automatically, at the request of parents or not at all. (Jones)

• Racial bias in schools – HB 3869 requires school personnel to complete in-service training to develop cultural competency and reduce implicit racial bias. (Hunter)

• Guaranteed funding for the U of I – SB 222 requires the University of Illinois to meet certain benchmarks in attendance, retention and performance in return for guaranteed funding for the next five years. (Cunningham)

• Removal of board officers – SB 1945 establishes a process for removing and replacing elected university and community college boards. (Tracy)

• College savings – HB 3691 creates the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program under the control of the State Treasurer. Starting in 2018, every child born in Illinois will have a 529 college savings account opened in their name and seeded with a $50 investment. The first $150 will be matched at a one-to-one ratio for families with low and moderate incomes. (Lightford)

• Criminal history during admission – HB 3142 states that public colleges and universities may not consider an applicant’s criminal history during the admission process except as required by federal or state law regarding medical school applicants. After admission, a college may reveal criminal history for purposes of offering counseling. (McGuire)

Environmental Issues

• Coal-fired power plants – HB 3656 creates the Flue Gas Desulfurization Task Force, which would study the cost and benefits of adding new stacks at coal-fired power plants. This could lead to the use of more Illinois-mined coal. (Manar)

• Lead removal – SB 1774 creates the second phase of the Comprehensive Lead, Education, Reduction, and Window Replacement Program to replace lead-based windows in low-income homes and apartments built before 1978. (Harmon)

Human Service and Public Health Issues

• Safe abortion access - HB 40 removes the trigger provision from Illinois law that would reinstate previous state policy banning abortion in the event Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. (Steans)

• HIV testing – HB 2800 increases HIV testing among at-risk pregnant women by adding a third trimester HIV test in addition to the current first trimester HIV test. (Trotter)

• Bedbug disclosure – HB 369 creates the Bedbugs Disclosure to Employees Act requiring employers to notify employees if the presence of bedbugs has been determined at a place of employment. (Martinez)

• Prescription costs – SB 73 requires insurers to provide notice of a drug cost increase to pharmacies 30 days before it takes effect. (Silverstein)

• Prescription monitoring – HB 2708 allows certain DHS officials to access prescription monitoring database to assist the department with investigations of child abuse and neglect. (Aquino)

• Child support – HB 2812 requires cell phone companies to provide location information of noncustodial parents and presumed fathers to DHFS for enforcing child support obligations. (Harmon)

• Child Care Assistance Program – HB 3213 expands eligibility to the Child Care Assistance Program to include families taking part in education and training programs. (Hutchinson)

• Arbitration for long-term care facilities – HB 238 prohibits a long-term care facility from entering into a pre-dispute agreement for binding arbitration with a resident, consumer or their representative. (Aquino)

Revenue and Tax Issues

• Local government reduction – SB 2199 reduces the amount transferred from the General Revenue Fund to the Local Government Tax Fund by 25 percent. (McCarter)

Committee schedule, Tuesday, May 9

All committees are in the Capitol unless otherwise stated

• Senate Appropriations II Committee subject matter hearing on the FY18 budget request for the Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, IMSA, Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Council, Illinois Comptroller, and Illinois Toll Highway Authority
9 a.m., Room 212

• Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
2:30 p.m., Room 409
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Public Health Committee
2:30 p.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Education Committee
2:30 p.m., Room 212
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Judiciary Committee
3:45 p.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Higher Education Committee
3:45 p.m., Room 212
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Human Services Committee
3:45 p.m., Room 409
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Transportation Committee
5:15 p.m., Room 212
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Criminal Law Committee
5:15 p.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

Committee schedule, Wednesday, May 10

• Senate Appropriations I Committee subject matter hearing on the FY18 budget request for the Department of Revenue, Illinois Gaming Board, Illinois Racing Board, Illinois Lottery, Property Tax Appeal Board, Independent Tax Tribunal, and Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability 8:30 a.m., Room 400

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

• Senate Executive Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform subject matter hearing on compassionate use of medical cannabis pilot program and opiate crisis
9:30 a.m., Room 212

• Senate Special Committee on Oversight of Medicaid Managed Care
10 a.m., Room 409
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

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

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

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

• Senate Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee
2:30 p.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate State Government Committee
2:30 pm., Room 409
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Executive Committee
2:30 pm., Room 212
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

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

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

Committee schedule, Thursday, May 11

• Senate Agriculture Committee
8:15 a.m., Room 409
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Appropriations II Committee subject matter hearing on the FY18 budget request for Legislative Commissions, IDOT, the Capitol Development Board, the Court of Claims, the Secretary of State, and Legislative Ethics Commission/Legislative Inspector General
9 a.m., Room 212

• 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 Environment and Conservation Committee
11 a.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee
11 a.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 Executive Committee
2 p.m., Room 212
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 Human Services Committee
3:30 p.m., Room 409
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Judiciary Committee
3:30 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.

Listen to a committee live

To listen to a hearing live, click here and select the room the committee you’re interested in is meeting. The committee schedule is subject to change and some committees may be canceled throughout the week. Committees may be delayed if previous events in the day run longer than initially scheduled. The Senate Democrats tweet committees, including when they begin and end. Follow them at @ILSenDems.

Dear Friends,

Last week was filled with budget negotiations and the passage of several important pieces of legislation, such as Automatic Voter Registration and the Trust Act. 

Budget Negotiations
I continue to believe the best available option to solve the budget impasse is the Grand Bargain being negotiated in the Senate. The Grand Bargain is a dozen budget and reform proposals covering everything from appropriations to reducing the number of local government units to raising revenue and changing our government pension and worker's compensation systems. As the Chair of the Appropriations I Committee, I have been meeting with Senate Republicans and Governor Rauner’s staff to discuss current budget proposals and to see what compromises can be made. We have been having genuine discussions about spending cuts and additional revenue that I hope will lead to a budget that is balanced into the future and can bring much needed fiscal stability to the state.

Automatic Voter Registration may soon be a reality in Illinois
Last week the Illinois State Senate once again passed automatic voter registration, this time with a unanimous vote. I co-sponsored this legislation, which is estimated to provide access to the ballot to approximately two million eligible voters and update the addresses of 700,000 voters.

Senator Manar, the bill’s sponsor, worked with the opposition to address concerns from the governor’s office, the Secretary of State’s Office and the State Board of Elections.

The legislation will now be considered by the House. If passed, it will bring automatic voter registration to Illinois by July 1, 2018. Seven other states have approved automatic voter registration.

Effort to build trust between immigrants and police

Immigrants are an integral part of the fabric of our state, and we need to protect their place within our communities. Immigrants shouldn’t have to fear arrest when going to the hospital or picking their children up from school. I was proud to co-sponsor the Illinois Trust Act, under which law enforcement will not be able to detain, search or arrest an individual based solely on their citizenship or immigration status.

This legislation prohibits law enforcement agencies from using state and local law resources to enforce or comply with federal civil immigration detainers and administrative warrants. It will encourage immigrants to speak up and to work with police officers when crimes do occur.

Additionally, the Illinois Trust Act prohibits law enforcement agencies from using state resources to create discriminatory federal registries based on race, national origin, religion or other protected classes. It also establishes safe zones at schools, medical facilities and properties operated by the Illinois Secretary of State, where federal immigration enforcement would not be admitted without a valid criminal warrant.

Raising personal needs allowance for the developmentally disabled
Residents living in facilities that support the developmentally disabled receive a personal needs allowance that is used to pay for items such as clothes and hygiene products. Currently, individuals receive either $30 or $50 per month depending on in what type of facility they reside. The federal minimum for a personal needs allowance was set at $30 in 1987.

I sponsored legislation to raise the personal needs allowance to $60 per month for individuals in all applicable facilities. The purpose of this legislation is to help individuals with developmental disabilities live a more comfortable life. I believe that as a governing body, it is our responsibility to support all Illinoisans, but especially the most vulnerable.

This bill, SB 1353, passed the Senate and moves to the House for further consideration.

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

Budget tip line

The Illinois Senate continues working on a bipartisan balanced budget, but Governor Rauner's cabinet members have yet to identify any budget cuts and can't find any fraud, waste or abuse in state government spending.

Recent budget hearings have revealed millions of dollars in Rauner administration executive bonuses, secretive lease deals and fast-tracked patronage hiring. We know Illinoisans have a lot of questions for Governor Rauner and his administration, and as your State Senator, I want to help you get your questions answered.

Click here to submit your ideas.

CTA’s Transit Oriented Development Study for the Red and Purple Modernization Program public meeting

The CTA is conducting a development-focused study concurrent with the Red and Purple Modernization transit construction project. The purpose of this study is to encourage community-supported redevelopment strategies for the land impacted by the Red and Purple Modernization transit construction project.

CTA will hold a public meeting as an opportunity for residents to learn more about the study and provide feedback on the plan. Please see the details are below.

Lawrence to Bryn Mawr Study Area
May 11, 2017
6:00–8:00 p.m.
Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway, 60660

For questions and additional information, click here.

Dear Friends,

As we quickly approach the end of the legislative session, fewer and fewer bills will be heard in committee. At this point in the legislative process, legislation is being amended and bills will increasingly be read a third and final time before being voted on. The Senate has started to hear testimony on bills that have passed the House and will continue to do so over the coming weeks.

Please note that if a bill is reassigned to a new committee and is scheduled for a hearing, previous witness slips will not be announced. Each witness slip is tied to that specific committee hearing. If a bill will be heard again, please submit a new witness slip for the new corresponding committee. For directions on how to submit a witness slip, click here.

In addition to a list of noteworthy legislation below, I wanted to invite you to participate in an online forum to collect questions about the budget for senators to pose to the governor’s top budget appointees this week.

Like many of you, I am frustrated with the ongoing budget impasse. While I’ve been working with my colleagues in the Senate to find a bipartisan approach to balancing the budget, we’ve also been asking the governor’s agency heads what budget cuts they could offer and to identify waste, fraud and abuse in our government. So far, they’ve been unable to do so.

Now it’s your turn to ask the questions.

Recent budget hearings revealed millions of dollars in Rauner administration executive bonuses, secretive lease deals and fast-tracked patronage hiring. We know Illinoisans have a lot of questions for Governor Rauner and his administration, and as your state senator, I want to help you get your questions answered.

Do you have a question about the Rauner administration’s budget priorities? Submit your question anonymously here and committee members might ask it in an upcoming Senate budget hearing.

Together, we can make our government more transparent and get to the bottom of inefficiencies and mismanagement. Again, click here to submit your question.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 773-769-1717 or reach out online with any questions or concerns. Lastly, if someone forwarded this message to you and you’d like to sign up for this list, click here.

Sincerely,

Senator Heather Steans
7th District – Illinois

Noteworthy legislation in committee this week

Criminal Law and Public Safety

• Use of suppressors – SB 50 allows the use of suppressors while hunting. (Haine)

• Juvenile records – SB 2021 creates a procedure for nonviolent crimes to be expunged from juvenile records. (Hastings)

• Release after a DUI – SB 2185 states that anyone under 21 arrested for a DUI can only be released into the custody of a responsible adult. (Manar)

• Sentencing – HB 1804 allows someone charged with a criminal offense to file a petition for resentencing if the penalty for that offense has since been reduced or changed. (Hutchinson)

• Protection orders – HB 3718 consolidates provisions regarding obtaining and issuing orders of protection and no contact orders. This bill creates a criminal offense for the violation of no contact orders and allows the State’s Attorney to petition for protective orders on behalf of the victim. (Bush)

• Gay panic defense – SB 1761 states that sexual orientation cannot be considered a mitigating factor and does not constitute serious provocation in murder cases. (Biss)

Education issues

• Lottery Funds – HB 213 states that State Lottery Funds that are transferred to the Common School Fund won’t supplement or replace any other money due to be transferred to the Common School Fund. (Lightford)

• School salaries – HB 425 changes the salaries of chief administrative officers and their appointed assistants at suburban Cook County intermediate service centers to be uniform with those of the Regional Offices of Education. (Lightford)

• Social workers in schools – HB 826 allows school districts to employ enough social workers to reach a 250 to 1 ratio. (Koehler)

• Test scores – HB 2378 removes the requirement that test scores be entered on student transcripts. This would allow local school districts to determine whether to enter SAT or ACT scores on student transcripts automatically, at the request of parents or not at all. (Jones)

• Due process – HB 2618 sets guidelines for parents or guardians to request a due process hearing from a school district regarding special education services when mediation is not used to resolve a disagreement. (Harmon)

• Guaranteed funding for the U of I – SB 222 requires the University of Illinois to meet certain benchmarks in attendance, retention and performance in return for guaranteed funding for the next five years. (Cunningham)

• Removal of board officers – SB 1945 establishes a process for removing and replacing elected university and community college boards. (Tracy)

• Criminal history during admission – HB 3142 states that public colleges and universities may not consider an applicant’s criminal history during the admission process except as required by federal or state law regarding medical school applicants. After admission, a college may reveal criminal history for purposes of offering counseling. (McGuire)

Elections

• Automatic voter registration – SB 1933 establishes automatic voter registration in Illinois by July 1, 2018. (Manar)

Family Issues

• Homeless minors – HB 3212 allows homeless minors between the ages of 16 and 18 to live in transitional housing without being partially emancipated by a court of law. (Trotter)

Human Service and Public Health Issues

• Social Service Contracts – HB 3110 creates the Social Services Contract Notice Act, which allows a State agency or authorized social service provider to terminate, suspend, or reduce the contract for any reason upon 30 days prior written notice to the other party. (Steans)

• Food stamps for college students – HB 3211 requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to identify college students who are potentially eligible to receive food stamp benefits and work to increase available information to students who may be eligible. (Morrison)

• Child Care Assistance Program – HB 3213 expands eligibility to the Child Care Assistance Program to include families taking part in education and training programs. (Hutchinson)

• Prescription costs – SB 73 requires insurers to provide notice of a drug cost increase to pharmacies 30 days before it takes effect. (Silverstein)

Insurance Issues

• Car insurance – SB 1706 prohibits automobile insurers in Illinois from using a consumer’s credit score to determine auto insurance premiums. (Collins)

Labor Issues

• Family leave – SB 1721 allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of family leave following the birth or adoption of a child, placement of a foster child, or to care for a seriously ill family member. (Biss)

• Small business grant – HB 736 creates a small business grant program that will provide money to low-income individuals on public aid who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs. (Hunter)

Committee schedule, Tuesday, May 2

All committees are in the Capitol unless otherwise stated

• Senate Appropriations I Committee subject matter hearing on the FY18 budget request for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Budget Request
9 a.m., Room 212

• Senate Education Committee
2:30 p.m., Room 212
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
2:30 p.m., Room 409
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Public Health Committee
2:45 p.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Higher Education Committee
3:45 p.m., Room 212
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Human Services Committee
3:45 p.m., Room 409
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Judiciary Committee
3:45 p.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Transportation Committee
5:15 p.m., Room 212
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

• Senate Criminal Law Committee
5:15 p.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

Committee schedule, Wednesday, May 3

• Senate Appropriations I Committee subject matter hearing on the FY18 budget request for IDFPR, DCFS, TRS and IDOC
8:30 a.m., Room 400

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

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

• Senate Government Reform Committee
11 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 Special Committee on Oversight of Medicaid Managed Care
3:30 pm., 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, Thursday, May 4

• 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 subject matter hearing on the FY18 budget requests for the IEPA, IPA, and ICC
9 a.m., Room 212
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 Info Technology Subcommittee on Cyber Security
10:30 a.m., Room 400
To see submitted witness slips for this committee and submit your own, click here.

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

Listen to a committee live

To listen to a hearing live, click here and select the room the committee you’re interested in is meeting. The committee schedule is subject to change and some committees may be cancelled throughout the week. Committees may be delayed if previous events in the day run longer than initially scheduled. The Senate Democrats tweet committees, including when they begin and end. Follow them at @ILSenDems.