* HB1342 is in the House for concurrence on two amendments…

The Illinois Senate just voted 50-5 to approve a bill that will allow public transit agencies to suspend problematic riders if the rider "commits or provides a reasonable apprehension of assault, battery, sexual assault, or violations of public indecency."

— TinaSfon (@TinaSfon) May 17, 2023

One-pager…

House Bill 1342 is a comprehensive public transit measure that includes the following proposals:

- Would allow public transit agencies to suspend problematic riders provided the rider commits or provides a reasonable apprehension of assault, battery, sexual assault, or violations of public indecency.

- Would provide that after July 1, 2026 CTA, PACE, and METRA should only purchase buses that are zero-emission.

- Would create a program requiring RTA to distribute 25,000 pre-loaded $20 fare cards to domestic violence providers to assist victims and their dependents.

- Would require the CTA to work the City of Chicago to provide rides to participants in the One Summer Chicago program.

- Would require the RTA to publish a report on all reduced fare and free ride programs as well as estimated cost of various expansion of those programs.

- The study would include looking into the impact and feasibility of providing year- round reduced or free transit fares, including to veterans, returning residents, students and youth, and people who experience low-income.

- RTA would also be required to issue reports monthly on staffing levels, scheduled and delivered services, and safety on the system – including the number of incidents of crime.

* Sen. Robert Martwick…

Legislation passed by State Senator Robert Martwick will secure the finances of the Cook County Pension Fund and protect taxpayers.

“Thanks to the incredible dedication and fiscal discipline implemented by President Toni Preckwinkle and her administration, the Cook County Pension Fund is one of the few pension systems in the state whose fund balance has improved over the course of the last decade,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “This measure ensures that retirees will receive the benefits they have earned and protects taxpayers from future property tax increases by codifying these fiscally responsible practices.”

The measure makes various changes to the Cook County Pension Fund, most notably requiring an actuarially determined contribution and adjusting benefits to ensure compliance with the social security safe-harbor provision.

Martwick’s measure would require the CCPF to retain an actuary in good standing who would create an annual report to ensure the Fund is properly funded. […]

House Bill 2352 passed in the Senate Friday.

* Background is here. Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter and AARP Illinois…

We oppose Senate Amendment #3 to HB2450 because it unilaterally reduces critical dementia training for physicians and healthcare providers. Two years ago, alongside allied legislators, the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter negotiated with the Illinois State Medical Society to add critical dementia training for healthcare professionals.

Our organizations learned of this new amendment that cuts in half the frequency of dementia training without ever allowing us a seat at the table.

To be clear – our organizations strongly support the addition of cultural competency continuing education for healthcare providers – but this must not come at the expense of weakening training of healthcare professionals on how to serve best those who are our most vulnerable citizens of Illinois.

The Alzheimer’s Association and AARP are disappointed with this new measure but will continue working on solutions to safeguard critical dementia training in Illinois.

* WLDS…

A bi-partisan group of State Senators are calling on a bill to be voted on this week that would hope to increase safety in public schools.

Senate Bill 2577 would allow a public school to obtain crisis response mapping data and provide copies of the crisis response mapping data to appropriate local, county, State, and federal first responders for use in response to emergencies. The bill also would require the State Board of Education to provide grants to schools to cover the costs of obtaining the crisis response mapping data.

Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell joined the senators at the Capitol on Thursday explaining the importance for first responders to know where to respond in a school building should a crisis arise: “There’s no doubt that access to standardized maps at all of our schools across the county and across Illinois would be extremely beneficial. It would help save time and potentially lives depending upon the emergency. When there is an emergency call especially when there is a threat of any kind at a school, multiple agencies are going to respond. Even if one of those responding agencies is familiar with the school, the other police and fire departments that respond may not be. If we have standardized maps that are available and in the hands of the schools, our dispatchers, and on all of our platforms; we’ll be able to react much quicker to mitigate the threat.” […]

The bill is being co-sponsored by both Jil Tracy and Steve McClure. The first reading of the legislation came last Tuesday and still awaits a full vote.

* Sen. Laura Fine…

State Senator Laura Fine, chair of the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, is leading a measure to ensure Illinoisans can have annual mental health wellness visits covered under their insurance at no additional cost.

“Just as people need yearly physical checkups to make sure their health is in order, people need annual checkups for their mental health,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Covering these annual visits will encourage people to seek necessary treatment for their mental health.”

House Bill 2847 would require health insurance plans under the Insurance Code, State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, and the School Code to cover annual mental health checkups and wellness visits starting in 2025. It also encourages the Illinois Department of Public Health to engage in an educational campaign to bring awareness to the public regarding mental health and wellness. These initiatives will continue to normalize prioritizing and treating mental health concerns, leading to greater well-being throughout the state. […]

House Bill 2847 passed the Senate on Thursday.

* Rep. Mary Beth Canty…

Grocery stores located in food deserts would be eligible for grants from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity under legislation passed by state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights.

“Poor access to affordable, healthy foods contributes to poor nutrition and perpetuates health disparities, leading to higher rates of obesity and other chronic ailments. Food deserts are primarily found in Black and brown communities and low-income communities, perpetuating a cycle of poor health outcomes for our most vulnerable residents,” Canty said. “Incentivizing grocery store development in food deserts helps to prevent chronic illness and combat the negative health outcomes associated with food insecurity, especially for low-income and historically marginalized communities.”

Food deserts are geographic areas where residents have few to no convenient options for secur­ing afford­able and healthy foods — especially fresh fruits and vegetables. Senate Bill 850 requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, subject to appropriation, to provide grants and other forms of financial assistance to privately-owned grocery stores, co-operatives, non-for-profit grocery stores, and grocery stores owned by a unit of local government, school district, or community college district located in or to be located in a food desert. The bill also provides for a study of food insecurity in urban and rural food deserts.

“Food deserts touch every area of the state, including rural, urban, and suburban areas. Everyone, no matter their race, background, financial circumstance, or zip code deserves access to nutritious food,” Canty said. “I am grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for passing this important legislation, and I urge the Governor to sign the bill and reduce food insecurity across the state.”

Senate Bill 850 passed the House with bipartisan support.

* Sen. Linda Holmes…

Many homeowners have something lurking in their basement or garage that could be disposed of, but there hasn’t been a means to get rid of it safely: unused household paint. Legislation sponsored by State Senator Linda Holmes that would establish a program to dispose of household paint passed the Senate on Friday.

The Paint Stewardship Act in Senate Bill 836 creates a means for consumers to dispose of household paint in Illinois. No state resources are in place today to deal with this waste. Under this law, manufacturers of architectural paint will create and submit a plan to the Illinois EPA to establish the program. […]

Under this program, manufacturers will pay a fee to the Illinois EPA to set up a paint collection site, service or event, which will allow residents to drop off unused paint to specified locations free of charge. Those collection sites or events will be within a 15-mile radius for 90% of Illinois residents. […]

Similar programs in other states with paint stewardship laws include California, Minnesota, Colorado and New York. They have collected 62.6 million gallons of paint.

Senate Bill 836 passed the Senate today.