Today, Governor JB Pritzker took the following bill action:  
 
Bill Number: SB 539
Description: Makes meaningful ethics reforms to restrict government officials from lobbying activities, tighten regulations on registered lobbyists and consultants, and expand economic interest disclosures. 
Action: Amendatory Veto Certification
Effective: January 1, 2022

Bill Number: SB 967
Description: Ensures Illinois continues to be a leader in our efforts to erode racial disparities in healthcare coverage and access for women and babies by allowing the state to expand its maternal and child health programs to serve pregnant and postpartum individuals determined high-risk.
Action: Amendatory Veto Certification
Effective: Immediately

Bill Number: SB 2065
Description: Waives employer charges for costs associated with the eligibility of non-instructional academic personnel from benefits paid January 3, 2021, through September 4, 2021. 
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Allison F. Richard

Legislative Consultant

Please find attached the press release announcing the fire districts that received the COVID-19 relief grant.

Press Release

 FIREFIGHTERS

The OFFICE OFTHE STATE FIRE MARSHAL adopted amendments to Policy and Procedures Manual for Fire Protection Personnel (41 IAC 141; 45 Ill Reg 3291) effective 8/31/21, updating training requirements and certification criteria for various firefighter positions, ranks and titles. Certification as a Company Fire Officer, Advanced Fire Officer, Fire Inspector I, Fire Investigator, or Arson Investigator, or in hazardous materials operations or rope operations, requires meeting or exceeding the standards set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). For Company and Advanced Fire Officers, this includes completion of 40 Phase I instructional hours (in person or online) and 80 Phase II instructional hours (must be in person). Beginning 1/1/22, recertification will be required every 4 years for 29 additional ranks/titles (previously, only Fire Investigator andArson Investigator required recertification); the rulemaking outlines the recertification process. Since 1st Notice, in response to public comment, OSFM has clarified that ranks and titles not recertified by the deadline remain valid, but not current. Level-specific certifications other than Fire Investigator andArson Investigator that require recertification before 1/1/22 will remain in effect through 12/31/25. Other changes since 1st Notice clarify the title recertification process and which “historical” titles are equivalent to current titles. Local fire departments will be affected by this rulemaking.

Questions/requests for copies: Nancy Robinson, OSFM, 1035 Stevenson Drive, Springfield IL 62703, 217/785-7629.

Please see below press release from Gov Pritzker.

Gov. Pritzker Announces First $24 Million in Back to Business Grants to Support Small Businesses

State Urges Small Businesses to Apply for $226 Million in Remaining Funds Before October 13 Deadline

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced the first grants have been awarded through the Back to Business (B2B) recovery program. To help businesses facing acute operational impacts due to COVID-19, 521 grants totaling more than $24 million have been provided to small businesses in 146 cities across the state. The first wave of funds provided through this program support an array of diverse businesses representing industries and geographies hardest hit by the pandemic, and with more than half of the grants provided to minority-owned businesses across Illinois.

Overall, the B2B program allocates $250 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars for small businesses experiencing COVID-19 losses, and grants will continue to be awarded on a rolling basis. Eligible businesses are encouraged to apply before the October 13 deadline by visiting the DCEO website.

“I am excited to announce the first $24 million in Back to Business grants – just the beginning of our efforts to distribute over $250 million to small business owners across the state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This first wave of B2B funds will help over 500 of our state’s entrepreneurs rehire staff and cover operating costs – without owing a single cent back. And as Illinois rebuilds and recovers, we will continue to step up for our small businesses. They deserve to breathe easier and dream bigger – it’s our mission to deliver the funds and resources they need to do so.”

“These grants will be the bridge to economic stability for many of these wonderful businesses that are the backbone of our state’s economy and provide jobs and a positive presence in so many communities,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton.

To help restore operational losses incurred during the pandemic, the B2B program will provide grants ranging in size from $5,000 to $150,000, commensurate with losses experienced. The administration will continue to accept applications for B2B grants through October 13, 2021.

“To help the most vulnerable small businesses in Illinois recover from the pandemic, our Back to Business (B2B) program provides grants to assist with operational costs like payroll, rent, and working capital,” said DCEO Acting Director Sylvia Garcia. “Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership – we are working to accelerate the recovery of small businesses that are the backbone of our economy and a pathway to economic opportunity for so many Illinoisans.  For any businesses out there who have yet to receive or who are still in need of assistance –the State of Illinois and our partners stand ready to help you apply for these funds before the October 13deadline – awards are being made on a rolling basis, so don’t wait, apply today.”

The first wave of funds announced today has reached businesses that are most in need of support due to the pandemic. The breakdown of the grants made thus far includes:

• 81 percent of funds provided for businesses which applied to the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program, but did not receive funding
• 71 percent to businesses in disproportionately impacted areas (DIAs), or low-income zip codes that experienced high rates of COVID-19
• 66 percent to hard-hit industries, including restaurants and taverns, hotels, arts organizations, and salons
• Funds have primarily gone to the smallest businesses

o 54 percent going to businesses with revenue under $500,000 in 2019
o 74 percent going to businesses with revenue under $1 million

Building on efforts to shape an equitable recovery, of B2B funds deployed thus far, more than half have gone to minority-owned businesses. This includes 17 percent of grants made to Black owned businesses, 12 percent to Latinx owned businesses, 21 percent to Asian American or Pacific Islander (AAPI) owned businesses, and 1.2 percent to multiracial and/or Native American owned businesses. On average, recipients of B2B grants experienced revenue declines of 39 percent last year.

To make B2B grants more accessible to the most vulnerable businesses, DCEO has invested $9 million in a comprehensive outreach model leveraging support from over 100 trusted, local organizations – “community navigators” performing outreach and technical assistance with applications. To date, DCEO and the community navigators have conducted direct outreach to more than 125,000 unique businesses and have hosted hundreds of virtual and in-person canvass events. To find a community navigator near you, please visit the DCEO website.

“My thanks to the State of Illinois for the thoughtfulness that went into the Back to Business program,” said Chris Setti, CEO, Greater Peoria EDC, a community navigator. “The experiences learned from earlier programs helped shape an opportunity that was straightforward and clear in its goals, especially in helping those who had not been helped before. The addition of a statewide network of Community Navigators helped to ensure that every business had an opportunity for help."

"As a community navigator hub organization for DCEO, our organization has leveraged partners in the area to engage hundreds/thousands of small businesses around B2B recovery grants," said Courtney Yockey, President and CEO of the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance. "We are working on behalf of our region to ensure that the most vulnerable businesses are aware of this grant opportunity, to provide them support needed to get a grant, and to further Governor Pritzker's efforts to help businesses get back on track as part of our statewide recovery."

“Thanks to support by the State of Illinois, we will use our Back 2 Business grant to help pay our staff and cover the cost of inventory and produce that’s increased significantly as a result of the pandemic,” said Ezequiel Fuente, owner of Mi Tierra Restaurant in Little Village. “Like many family owned businesses in Little Village, Mi Tierra faced hard times last year, but we have been creative in finding safe ways to continue serving our popular Mexican cuisine for the community. This grant is a lifeline and will support us as we continue to fully reopen, bring back our staff, and provide excellent service to both our regular and new customers.”   

The B2B program includes set asides for hard hit sectors, DIAs, as well as for businesses which have yet to receive small business relief - as required in statute set forth by the Illinois General Assembly. While many business types and industries may apply for B2B, businesses in the following sectors will be prioritized: restaurants and taverns, hotels, arts businesses and organizations, and more. 

“These latest grants prioritize the business sectors and communities hardest hit by the pandemic so our economic recovery can be faster and more equitable," said House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago). “I’m glad these grants are being distributed as expeditiously as possible to save jobs and revitalize the community businesses we all treasure."

“It has remained a top priority of mine to help all small businesses build back better,” said State Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “And I’m especially eager to ensure dollars reach the communities hardest hit by the pandemic. This program serves as a support system for those who’ve struggled in receiving funding assistance in the past. I hope many of you take advantage of these additional resources and I look forward to the opportunity of making our small business owners’ voices heard.”

“The pandemic has further highlighted the financial fragility of many small businesses in communities of color,” said State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago). “And I’m extremely proud of the work done by the General Assembly to restore dollars in our most vulnerable communities. The Back 2 Business Program will act as stimulus to give our businesses the resources to come back stronger and more resilient. I encourage those in need of additional assistance to take advantage of this opportunity. Please do not wait until it’s too late.”

“In the past months, I’ve had the pleasure to meet hardworking and innovative small business owners in my district that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic,” said State Representative Edgar Gonzalez (D-Chicago). “It's imperative that we continue to push for businesses in communities of color to apply for the B2B grant and provide technical assistance along the way. To my Latino community, I urge you to apply, this will help ensure our communities continue to thrive.”

Businesses with revenues of $5 million or less as well as those who did not receive an award during the BIG program also receive preference during the review period, with $25 million set aside for businesses which applied but did not receive funding through that program. Additionally, businesses located within DIAs, are being prioritized, with more than $100 million in funds set aside for these zip codes.

DCEO and its grant administrator partner, Allies for Community Business (A4CB) will make awards on a rolling basis, according to priority criteria mentioned above. To help businesses apply, A4CB has launched a new and easy-to-use customer portal, allowing applicants to track and learn updates on their application status in real-time.

“We are thankful for all of the hard work that the Governor and his team have invested thus far in designing and executing a huge, fast, and thoughtful grant program,” said Brad McConnell, CEO of Allies for Community Business. “We have much more work to do, and we look forward to serving thousands of additional small businesses throughout Illinois in the coming weeks.”

To be considered for a grant, applicants must demonstrate a reduction in revenue in 2020, compared to 2019, and annual revenues of no more than $20 million in 2019.  Businesses must also provide two bank statements, a business owner ID, and federal tax returns for 2019 and 2020.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the Pritzker administration has efficiently granted relief for businesses and communities hit hardest during the pandemic. B2B builds on the success of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) small business emergency relief program from earlier this year, which provided $290 million to more than 9,000 businesses in 98 counties statewide. The largest of its kind economic support program at the time, the BIG program also provided more than 4,000 childcare business provider grants. In total, the state’s childcare and other small business relief grants will provide more than $1.5 billion to childcare providers, bars and restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels, and other hard-hit small businesses across the state.

For more information on the B2B program, or for assistance with the application, please visit DCEO’s website.

Allison Richard

Legislative Consultant

Democrats Accepting Congressional Map Proposals Ahead of October Hearings

Democrats in the Illinois House and Senate are now accepting proposed congressional district maps from the public through their online map making portals. 

In a press release, the lawmakers said they plan to hold a series of public hearing in October to gather input on the Congressional maps. Both the House and Senate are expected to pass a new congressional map during the upcoming veto session Oct. 19-21 and Oct. 26-28. 

“It’s never been more important that every resident of Illinois has a strong voice in Congress, and that starts with ensuring everyone has a voice in the mapmaking process,” Elizabeth Hernandez (D-Cicero) chair of the House Redistricting Committee, said in a statement. “This mapmaking tool gives everyone the opportunity to share their thoughts and help us create districts that reflect our state.” 

“Now is the time for residents across Illinois to make their voices heard to ensure our state has strong representation in Washington,” Omar Aquino (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee, said in a statement. “We encourage residents to take advantage of these opportunities to directly participate in the map making process, as the best map is one that reflects the diverse voices across our state.”

Per the state’s slight population loss in the 2020 U.S. Census, Illinois will be losing one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, sending just 17 members to Congress under the redistribution of seats. 

The map making portal can be accessed at www.ilsenateredistricting.com and www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting.

IDES Launches New, Secure Login System for Unemployment Insurance

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology have launched a new login system for the state’s unemployment insurance benefit system aimed at making the login process more simple and secure. 

The new ILogin system including multi-factor authentication and identity proofing, in addition to other technology, in order to protect accounts and prevent fraud. 

“IDES is excited to integrate ILogin to its unemployment insurance benefit system and provide claimants with a more simplified, secure account,” IDES Acting Director Kristin Richards said in a statement.  

“Account and identity protection is top of mind for the Department, particularly as personal information was taken advantage of at such an unprecedented rate nationwide during the pandemic. ILogin will enhance existing protections for users and increase the Department’s ability to monitor and track fraudulent user activity within the system.”

Returning claimants will be required to complete an additional account set-up with the new system while new claimants will be required to undergo an identity-proofing process in addition to account set-up.

Total 2021 State Fair Attendance Down from 2019

More than 472,000 individuals visited the Illinois State Fair in Springfield earlier this year, falling behind the record-breaking numbers the fair pulled in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois State Fair announced Tuesday.

A record 508,900 individuals visited the 2019 fair, 7.2 percent more than this year. However, the fair’s opening weekend saw attendance increase by more than 15,000 over 2019 numbers. 

“We were happy to be able to hold the 2021 Illinois State Fair after it was canceled in 2020 and now seeing how many people came out to enjoy it with us is really special,” Illinois State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon said in a statement.  “Obviously this being the first fair after 2019’s near record setting year for attendance, the bar was set pretty high. I think being able to overcome the challenges brought on by the pandemic and safely bring back so many families to the fairgrounds is a great accomplishment.”

Next year’s Illinois State Fair will run Aug. 11-21, 2022. 

The Illinois House Thursday reached a deal with all major stakeholders and Gov. J.B. Pritzker and passed landmark energy legislation that will keep two major nuclear power generators open and set a course for a 100 percent renewable energy-powered state.

The House voted 83-33 to pass SB2408 (Harris), which is supported by environmentalists of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC), Climate Jobs Illinois (CJI) labor unions, renewable energy groups of the Path to 100 coalition, the Sierra Club, the Illinois Environmental Council, and the Governor.

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Westchester) thanked the stakeholders and members who worked on this deal and said the bill will save Illinois jobs, support a clean climate, and hold public utilities accountable.

“We're helping communities all over this state, we're helping people. That's why we're here tonight. Let's put the rhetoric aside, the politics aside. Think about the people that we all represent. That's why we're here tonight. What we have done here today is monumental. And it should be celebrated, not castigated. It's historic and it will positively impact people in each and every one of our districts,” Welch said. “Our climate cannot wait. Climate change is going to cost us more if we don't act now.”

The bill now goes back to the Senate for concurrence. In a statement, Senate President Don Harmon said the Senate will return Monday, Sept. 13 to take up the bill.

“The shared goal among the Senate, House, and Governor Pritzker has been to position Illinois as a national leader on reliable, renewable, and affordable energy policies. This proposal accomplishes that shared goal. I commend the work the House has done to build on the progress the Senate had made,” he said.

In a statement, Pritzker said he plans to sign SB2408 following its passage in the Senate.

“Today, with the House passage of SB2408, the State of Illinois is one historic step closer to reaching a 100 percent clean energy future. For many years, comprehensive energy legislation that puts consumers and the climate first has been debated while scientists around the world have sounded the alarm about the growing impacts of climate change. SB2408 puts the state on a path toward 100% clean energy and invests in training a diverse workforce for the jobs of the future. Illinois will become the best state in the nation to manufacture and drive an electric vehicle, and equity will be prioritized in every new program created. The days of utility companies writing energy legislation to pad their profits has ended because SB2408 puts consumers and climate at the forefront, prioritizes meaningful ethics and transparency reforms, and institutes key ratepayer and residential customer protections,” the governor said in a statement.

SB2408 with House Floor Amendment No. 2 & 4 includes the elimination of formula ratemaking, subsidies allowing the Exelon-owned Dresden and Byron nuclear plants to stay operational, creation of a clean energy goal of 100 percent renewable by 2050 and 50 percent by 2040, closure of all private natural gas facilities by 2045, requires Prairie State and Springfield City, Water, Light, and Power (CWLP) plants to reduce their emissions by 45 percent by 2035 and 100 percent by the end of 2045. 

It also adds empowers the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to provide better oversight of utilities in several ways. It includes multiple provisions related to ethics, ensuring that families in disadvantaged communities are not adversely impacted by the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Additionally, utilities will be required to create a chief compliance officer position that reports to the ICC.

New in this version of the energy deal are provisions specifically would allow the state to provide Prairie State and CWLP $20 million per year to help reduce their emissions to meet those goals. Also, if they miss the 45 percent reduction target by 2035, the plants will be allowed three years to hit the target or be forced to close at least one of their generators. Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Belleville) said House Amendment No. 4 allowed Prairie State and CWLP to switch their position to “neutral” on the legislation.  

In a press conference following session, Hoffman said he expects upcoming federal infrastructure language to include support for carbon capture technology that would help the plants reach their targets.

Republicans largely opposed the bill, arguing that similar legislation in the past has led to broken promises. They argued that the move away from fossil fuels in Illinois will lead to more reliance on out-of-state energy and foreign investment. They also shared concerns about grid reliability, pointing to the recent challenges faced in states like Texas and California. Several accused Democrats leaving local leaders and other stakeholders out of the negotiation process. Others said that citizens will end up footing the bill for the bill’s many reforms and generator closures. 

Several Republicans brought up the issue of eminent domain, saying that too often private, for-profit wind and solar companies are able to use the power to claim constituents’ land unfairly.

Tim Butler (R-Springfield) said that Democrats were not doing what they intend to do by passing this legislation and said that the fossil fuel plants that have gone up in the past several years are some of the cleanest in the country.

“This is not the right path forward. When you turn off these power plants in Southern Illinois and mind you, the [Midcontinent Independent System Operator], the power grid that covers most of Illinois geographically -- when you turn off these power plants, we're going to be getting power from that coal plant I saw just across the river in Indiana last week and that coal plant that I saw just across the river in Kentucky last week. 50 percent of the energy generated by MISO comes from coal. You're not doing what you think you're doing with this bill. You're putting people out of work, you're raising rates for my constituents, and you're shutting things down that shouldn’t be shut down,” Butler said.

Several Republicans voted in favor of the bill, including Reps. Tom Bennett (R-Pontiac), Tom Demmer (R-Dixon), Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee), Seth Lewis (R-Bartlett), Mark Luft (R-Pekin), Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore), Martin McLaughin (R-Lake Barrington), Tony McCombie (R-Savanna), Bradley Stephens (R-Chicago), and Keith Wheeler (R-North Aurora).

Rep. David Welter (R-Morris) also supported the bill as the Dresden nuclear power plant resides in his district. However, he said Republicans were cut out of the negotiation process and that the bill does not do enough to resolve public debts held by municipalities, the cost of which may be passed onto residents. Several Republicans said they felt “held hostage” by coupling the nuclear energy subsidies with renewable energy reforms they don’t support.

ICJC praised the bill’s passage in a statement.

“After years of hard work and community collaboration, the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition applauds this significant leap forward on climate change and nation-leading equity standard that assures every part of the state shares in the promise of the clean energy economy. This urgent, job-creating plan puts Illinois on a path to a 100% clean energy future while providing a just transition for workers and communities historically dependent on dirty fossil fuels, enacting some of the toughest utility accountability measures in the nation, and creating jobs and wealth in Illinois’ Black and Brown communities, which are often the first to suffer negative consequences of pollution but the last to reap the health and economic benefits of a clean energy future,” the Illinois Clean Job Coalition said.

ICJ issued the following statement:

“Our coalition has reviewed the proposed amendment and supports the current version of the bill. The legislation sets the strongest clean energy labor standards in the country, requiring project labor agreements on all utility-scale wind and solar projects and sets prevailing wages for non-residential projects. These provisions will raise the standard for other states seeking to enact new labor and employment policies for building and maintaining clean energy developments.

The bill will create thousands of new clean energy union jobs, expand union apprenticeships for Black and Latinx communities, increase energy efficiency for public schools and safeguard thousands of union workers at the state’s nuclear plants that currently generate the bulk of Illinois’ zero-emissions energy. These key components were our top priorities in any clean energy legislation enacted, so we are pleased with the result.”

The bill is not without its opponents. In a statement, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce said the bill would result in a massive hike for ratepayers.

“As the Illinois House of Representatives returns to Springfield today to take up a comprehensive energy proposal, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce urges legislators to oppose recently proposed language that takes an already flawed proposal – one that will dramatically increase costs and call reliability into question – but then doubles down by throwing an additional $200 million more at a ‘solution’ that solves nothing,” the chamber said.

Similarly, the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) characterized the bill as a rate hike.

“The governor and lawmakers are about to hit businesses and families in the pocketbook with the largest electric rate hike in our state’s history. At a time when our elected official should be helping our state recover from the pandemic, they are eliminating one of our key strategic advantages, which is low-cost and reliable energy,” IMA President and CEO Mark Denzler said in a statement.

The House Thursday also voted 74-41 to accept the governor’s amendatory veto to SB539 (Gillespie) the omnibus ethics bill. Republicans again opposed the bill, arguing that its reforms do not go far enough. 

Allison Richard

Legislative Consultant

A new round of proposed legislative maps have been released by the House and Senate Democrats Monday - August 30, 2021. 

The House maps can be found HERE. 

The Senate maps can be found HERE. 

Allison F. Richard

Legislative Consultant

Please see below press release from Governor Pritzker.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 26, 2021

All Illinois Residents Required to Wear Masks Indoors, Regardless of Vaccination Status 

Downstate Communities with Lower Vaccination Rates Experiencing Sharp Increase in COVID-19 Hospitalizations 

CHICAGO – As COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates across the state continue to increase, particularly in downstate communities with the lowest vaccination rates, Governor JB Pritzker and IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike today announced vaccination requirements for individuals in high risk settings. All healthcare workers, including nursing home employees, all pre-k-12 teachers and staff, as well as higher education personnel and students will now be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.  Employees in all of these settings and higher education students who are unable or unwilling to receive the vaccine will be required to get tested for COVID-19 at least once per week, and DPH and ISBE may require increased testing in certain situations. 

The Governor and Dr. Ezike also announced a statewide indoor mask mandate for all Illinois residents, regardless of vaccination status, as COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates continue to increase. The masking requirements are effective Monday, August 30th.  

The public health requirements come as regions with low vaccination rates continue to see a surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations. In IDPH region 5, Southern Illinois, with the lowest vaccination rate in the state at 44 percent, only 3% of ICU beds are available as the region experiences the highest case rate in the state. Since August 1st, local health departments across the state have reported 27 COVID-19 outbreaks at schools and currently hundreds of schools are being monitored for potential COVID-19 exposures.  

“The quick spread of this disease in Illinois and across the country is holding us all back from the post-pandemic life we so desperately want to embrace, and it’s harming the most vulnerable among us,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We are running out of time as our hospitals run out of beds. Vaccination remains our strongest tool to protect ourselves and our loved ones, to restore post-pandemic life to our communities, and most crucially, to maintain our healthcare system’s ability to care for anyone who walks through their doors in need of help – and Illinois is taking action to keep our communities safe.” 

“Unlike the wave of COVID-19 we saw earlier this Spring, we’re now seeing our hospital resources stretched thin with some areas of Illinois reduced to only a handful of available ICU beds,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “The vast majority of hospitalizations, as well as cases and deaths, are among those who are unvaccinated.  This has become a pandemic of the unvaccinated. We have safe, proven, and effective tools to turn the tide and end this pandemic.  But until more people are vaccinated, masks are the order of the day and will help us slow the spread of the virus.”  

COVID-19 Vaccination 

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pritzker administration has implemented policies and guidelines in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to slow the spread of the virus and protect the health and safety of residents. With the Delta variant causing a rapid increase in infection rates across the state and nation and downstate hospitals in Illinois approaching capacity for hospital and ICU beds, employees in high risk settings will now be required to receive the vaccine or be subject to routine testing.  Earlier this month, the administration announced that employees at all State-run congregate facilities would be required to be vaccinated. 

To lower the number of breakthrough cases that require hospital admission, the majority of whom are 65 and over or immunocompromised, all healthcare workers, including workers at public and private nursing homes, must get vaccinated. Teachers and staff at pre-k-12 schools as well as personnel and students at higher education institutions are required to receive the vaccine. Workers and students in applicable settings must receive the first dose of a two-dose vaccination series or a single-dose vaccination by September 5, 2021. Second doses of the vaccine must be received by 30 days after the first dose. 

Workers who do not receive the vaccine or those who opt out for medical reasons or based on a sincerely held religious belief must follow a routine testing schedule to detect cases early and prevent further spread. Testing will be required a minimum of once per week in schools and healthcare facilities. The frequency of testing may be required to increase in the event of positive cases. 

Healthcare, school workers, and higher education personnel and students attending in-person classes who do not provide proof of vaccination will be prevented from entering healthcare and educational facilities unless they follow the required testing protocol.  

The COVID-19 vaccine has been available for healthcare and nursing home workers since December 15, 2020, and open to teachers since January 25, 2021. To increase ease of access for all residents, the Pritzker administration established 25 mass vaccination sites across the state that were run by members of the Illinois National Guard (ILNG) who administered 1,869,755 shots to residents across the state. Additionally, teams of ILNG members supported over 800 mobile vaccination clinics across the state on top of an additional 1,705 state-supported mobile sites that focused on communities hardest hit by the pandemic, young residents, and rural communities.

The administration also launched vaccination clinics in communities experiencing high case rates. Clinics were set up in central locations within communities including schools and houses of worship and were also present at community events and, most recently, the Illinois State Fair and upcoming Du Quoin Fair.  
Building on these efforts to make access to the COVID-19 vaccine equitable and easy, the administration has offered support to every school district in the State in the form of free mobile vaccination events. So far, the administration has hosted 138 school-focused event with another 163 scheduled for the coming days and weeks. 

Mask Requirement 

To slow the spread of the highly transmissible COVID-19 Delta variant, all Illinois residents over the age of two will be required to wear a mask in all indoor settings, effective Monday, August 30th. The requirement is applicable to both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents statewide. Countless studies have demonstrated the efficacy of masks at preventing the spread of COVID-19, with the CDC identifying at least 10 that confirm the benefit of universal masking via community level analyses – including two U.S. states – in addition to observational, economic, epidemiological, and cross-sectional survey studies. A small sampling can be found below: 

•  “Community Use of Face Masks And COVID-19: Evidence From A Natural Experiment of State Mandates In The US” found an estimated overall initial daily decline in new diagnoses of 0.9% grew to 2.0% at 21 days following mandates. 
• “Trends in County-Level COVID-19 Incidence in Counties With and Without a Mask Mandate — Kansas, June 1–August 23, 2020” studied a Kansas executive order requiring mask wearing in public spaces from which county authorities could opt out. The estimated case rate per 100,000 decreased by 0.08 in counties with mask mandates but increased by .11 in those without. 
•  “Association of Country-wide Coronavirus Mortality with Demographics, Testing, Lockdowns, and Public Wearing of Masks”evaluated 169 countries on per-capita mortality on potential predictors including age, gender, obesity prevalence, temperature, urbanization, smoking, duration of the outbreak, lockdowns, viral testing, contact-tracing policies, and public mask-wearing norms and policies. Duration of mask wearing by the public was negatively associated with per-capita mortality from COVID-19. 

While face coverings are not required outdoors, masks are strongly encouraged in crowded outdoor settings like festivals and concerts as well as for activities that require close contact with people who are not vaccinated. 

These latest vaccine, testing, and mask requirements are a floor in the state’s efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Employers, schools, and other organizations can take additional health and safety steps to help bring an end to the ongoing pandemic. Governor Pritzker previously announced more stringent requirements regarding vaccination and testing for state employees at state run 24-7 congregate living facilities to protect the state’s most vulnerable residents. Leaders in the private sector are encouraged to follow suit. 

Vaccination is the key to ending the COVID-19 pandemic and returning to normal life. All Illinois residents over the age of 12 are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost and proof of immigration status is not required to receive the vaccine. To find a vaccination center near you, go to vaccines.gov.

Allison Richard

Legislative Consultant

Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently signed a series of bills dealing with education, student safety, and equity among other issues. 

On Aug. 20, Pritzker signed SB818 (Villivalam) and HB24 (West), expanding sexual health education in schools. SB818 adds new, voluntary personal health and safety education standards for grades kindergarten through 5th grade and more inclusive education for grades 6 through 12. These standards will include education on concepts like consent and self-advocacy. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will develop the standards and make them available online by Aug. 1, 2022. 

“No student should feel stigmatized or excluded in the classroom,” Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) said in a statement. “This legislation puts forth guidelines for an inclusive, culturally competent curriculum to keep students safe and healthy.”

HB24 requires sex education classes to include discussions regarding sexting, including the legal and social consequences of sharing sexually explicit content, identifying bullying and harassment because of sexting, and identifying people who can help those dealing with the consequences of sexting. 

The governor also signed HB102 (Carroll), which establishes comprehensive guidelines for schools to follow when assisting students with serious allergies. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will work along with ISBE and Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to create the Childhood Anaphylactic Policy.

“Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can include a wide range of symptoms and can start quickly causing a life-threatening emergency,” IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a statement. “Allergic reactions can be unpredictable as to when they occur, the type of symptoms, and the severity of symptoms. Because anaphylaxis can occur at any age, including children, it is important for teachers and staff in schools and day cares to know the signs of an allergic reaction and be prepared to act. IDPH will convene allergy experts and pediatricians to develop a policy to help schools and day cares protect children from severe allergic reactions.”    

On Aug. 23, Pritzker signed SB1085 (Villanueva), SB815 (Lightford), and HB3359 (Bos). SB1085, Educational Planning Services Consumer Protection Act, creates new consumer protections for prospective college students. It sets guidelines for the terms that can be included in a contract for education planning services, requires that college planning providers translate all disclosures and documents involved in the services, and prohibits providers from charging enrollment or maintenance fees. The bill is effective Jan. 1, 2022.

“The transparency created by this bill will be a breath of fresh air for people in communities who have been generationally preyed upon by unscrupulous educational planning services,” said Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago). “In the pursuit of the American dream way too many Illinoisans, especially those who are first generation Americans and from low-income communities have been sold a bill of goods that has hampered them with extraordinary amounts of debt for the rest of their lives. Illinois has become a leader in protecting our citizens from these actors and their bad practices.”

SB815 creates the Commission on Equitable Public University Funding, which will study the allocation of state funds to public universities and make recommendations to the General Assembly and publish findings by July 1, 2023. The bill is effective immediately. 

HB3359 allows a student’s personal support worker to attend classes with the student and prevents the Illinois Board of Higher Education from charger the worker tuition or fees

“Thanks to the Governor and sponsors of HB 3359, this legislation enables students with disabilities to have the support they need in the classroom and allows for an educational environment where students and adults can thrive, in a thoughtful collaborative, and truly inclusive experience,” said Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Grace Hou.

“Unfortunately, discrimination against the disabled still occurs today, which is why this legislation is so important,” Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) said in a statement. “This sad reality is personal to me as this discrimination happened to a constituent who was denied an opportunity for an education because of his disability, which requires him to have a support worker for assistance. Sadly, this young man was turned away from two local colleges because they wouldn’t allow his support worker to sit with him in class unless the support worker also paid tuition. This is just plain wrong. Discrimination has absolutely no place in our higher education system. Everyone should have the ability for continued education, regardless of their disability. This new law is one step toward pushing disability rights forward here in Illinois. I hope that now no other disabled person will suffer in a similar manner.”

HB3359 is effective immediately. 

Allison F. Richard

Legislative Consultant

55 ILCS 5 - Counties Code.

SB2278COUNTIES CD-PUBLIC SAFETY (Stadelman, S) Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county that is authorized to impose a Special County Retailers' Occupation Tax For Public Safety, Public Facilities, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, or Transportation shall establish a 7-member mental health board, which shall have the same powers and duties and be constituted in the same manner as a community mental health board established under the Community Mental Health Act. Provides that moneys from the special county retailers' occupation tax that are earmarked for mental health or substance abuse purposes shall be deposited into a special county occupation tax fund for mental health and substance abuse. Provides that that fund shall be administered by the 7-member mental health board.
Bill Version: Public Act
ILCS Section(s) Affected: 55 ILCS 5/5-1006.5; 

65 ILCS 5 - Illinois Municipal Code.

SB2150FIREFIGHTER EXAMINATION AGE (Bailey, D) Amends the Illinois Municipal Code and the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that a person 35 years of age or older who has served a municipality as a regularly enrolled volunteer, paid-on-call, or part-time firefighter is eligible to take an examination for a position as a firefighter (removing a requirement the volunteer, paid-on-call, or part-time work was 5 years immediately preceding the time that the municipality begins to use full-time firefighters to provide all or part of its fire protection service). Effective immediately.
Bill Version: Public Act
ILCS Section(s) Affected: 65 ILCS 5/10-1-7.1; 65 ILCS 5/10-2.1-6.3;

735 ILCS 5 - Code of Civil Procedure.

SB2179PERSONAL ACTIONS-ATTORNEYS (Sims, E) Amends the Limitations Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that an attorney malpractice action in which the injury did not occur until the death of the person for whom the professional services were rendered may not be commenced in any event more than 6 years after the date the professional services were performed. Provides, with exceptions, that the changes apply to every cause of action, regardless of the date that the cause of action accrues.
Bill Version: Public Act
ILCS Section(s) Affected: 735 ILCS 5/13-214.3; 

740 ILCS 110 - Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act.

SB1970ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH INFO (Fine, L) Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act. Provides for the limited disclosure of protected mental health information of a recipient who is an inpatient of a mental health facility related to an individual's involvement with the recipient's mental health care or payment related to the recipient's mental health care. Provides eligibility factors for an individual seeking the disclosure of the information. Provides that whenever the disclosure of information is made without consent, the recipient shall be provided with written disclosure and afforded an opportunity to designate an agent or an attorney-in-fact, and documentation of the disclosure or use shall be noted in the recipient's record. Provides that once the recipient regains the capacity for informed consent, the provisions no longer apply and any allowance for the exchange of information between individuals and the medical personnel is terminated. Restricts an individual who receives information from redisclosing the information except under limited circumstances. Provides that any person who knowingly and willfully violates the provisions is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that nothing in the new provisions shall be interpreted to allow a disclosure that is otherwise prohibited under any other State law or any federal law concerning informed consent.

Bill Version: Public Act
ILCS Section(s) Affected: 740 ILCS 110/5.5 new; 

Allison Richard

Legislative Consultant