Legislative Summary: Faith and Democracy
HB 7, Revisions in Illinois Campaign Finance — Sets limits on cash contributions to political candidates from individuals and party leaders. However, falls far short of genuine reform by setting limits that are too high, allowing unlimited ‘in-kind’ contributions, extending the time period in which contributions can be accumulated, and creating numerous new fund-raising committees.
Last Action: 5/31/2009, Awaiting Governor’s signature; PCG and other reform groups are urging Governor Quinn to veto or significantly amend the bill.
Sponsors: Rep. Madigan, Franks, Chapa LaVia; Sen. Harmon, Noland, Martinez, Hutchinson, Schoenberg
Legislative Summary: Faith and Economic Justice
HB 2383, TANF Access — Amends the Public Aid Code, extending accessibility to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) by making all families living below 50% FPL eligible ($11, 025 or below for a family of 4) for the program. An 80% federal match from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will fund the additional cost.
Last Action: 6/12/2009, Awaiting Governor’s Signature.
Sponsors: Rep. Burns, Colvin, Currie, Bradley, Coulson; Sen. Raoul, Collins, Steans, Crotty, Delgado.
HB 2382, TANF Increase — Increases the TANF grant by 15% ($64 more per month for a family of 3), providing more cash for basic necessities for Illinois families living in deep poverty. An 80% federal match from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is available for the increased cost.
Last Action: 4/3/2009, Re-referred to House Rules Committee.
Sponsors: Rep. Burns, Currie, Bradley, Graham, Hernandez.
SB 1435, Payday Loan Reform — Amends the Consumer Installment Loan Act by proposing to cap interest rates on loans of up to $4,000 at 99%, limit payments to 20% of a borrower’s monthly income, require lenders to verify borrowers’ ability to pay and effectively ban huge “balloon” payments at the end of the loan term. This would close the loophole in the Payday Loan Reform Act.
Last Action: 5/31/09, Re-referred to House Rules Committee.
Sponsors: Sen. Lightford, Collins, Schoenberg; Rep. Hamos, Gordon, Coulson, Bellock, Smith.
Legislative Summary: Faith and Public Education
HB 174, Education and Fiscal Responsibility Act — Raises approximately $7 billion in new revenues by increasing personal income tax and extending sales tax to non-essential services, while ensuring property tax relief and tax credits for low-income families. Bill reduces funding discrepancies between public school districts by increasing general state aide.
Last Action: 5/30/2009, Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 2, 3, 4, 5.
Sponsors: Rep. Miller, Fritchey, Colvin, Davis; Sen. Cullerton, Meeks, Collina, Raoul, Lightford.
Legislative Summary: Faith and Health Care
HB 2354, Reproductive Health and Access Act — Provides that the State or any other government unit shall not deny/interfere with an individual’s right to use/refuse contraception, right to bear a child, right to terminate a pregnancy, or require any individual to terminate a pregnancy without that individual’s consent.
Last Action: 4/3/2009, House Re-referred to Rules Committee.
Sponsors: Rep. Currie, Mulligan, Jakobsson, Coulson, Feigenholtz.
SB 1381, Medical Marijuana — Creates the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, providing that when a person has been diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition, that person may possess a small amount of cannabis plants to provide relief from acute pain.
Last Action: 5/29/2009, Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd reading in House.
Sponsors: Sen. Haine, Martinez, Schoenberg, Trotter, Raoul; Rep. Lang, Saviano, Fritchey, Yarbrough.
HB 3923, Health Insurance Consumer Protection Act — Creates the Individual Market Fairness Reform Law, which requires that at least 75% of premiums paid by consumers be used solely for medical services, and simplifies the application process for small businesses and families.
Last Action: 3/30/2009, placed on Calendar of Concurrence Senate Amendments.
Sponsors: Rep. Harris, Flowers, May, Lang, Hamos; Sen. Steans, Crotty, Noland, Hunger, Delgado.
Legislative Summary: Faith and Criminal Justice
SB 1289, Illinois Crime Reduction Act — Calls upon state and local agencies to direct their resources toward practices which have proved effective in reducing recidivism and in easing ex-offender reintegration into society — including the creation of a statewide Risk Assessment instrument and an Adult Redeploy Program.
Last Action: 6/26/2009, Awaiting Governor’s signature.
Sponsors: Sen. Raoul, Wilhelmi, Steans; Rep. Burns, Durkin, Turner, Connelly, Davis
HB 2474, Task force — Creates the Task Force on Inventorying Employment Restrictions Act, which would review the policies/practices that restrict employment of persons with a criminal record. Those findings and recommendations will be reported to the Governor and General Assembly.
Last Action: 6/19/2009, Awaiting Governor’s signature.
Sponsors: Rep. Howard, Jefferson, Davis, Soto, Graham; Sen. Raoul, Harmon, Lightford
SB 1050, Certificate of Relief — Expands Certificates of Relief from Disability and Certificates of Good Conduct, lifting the legal restrictions that bar ex-offenders from seeking employment, thereby promoting employment for the rehabilitated and enhancing public safety.
Last Action: 6/30/2009, Awaiting Governor’s signature.
Sponsors: Sen. Raoul, Hunter; Rep. Currie.
Legislative Summary: Faith and Environment
HB 422, Clean Cars Act — Proposes a new motor vehicle emission standard, requiring that cars/light duty trucks, beginning in the year 2012, meet the requirements of the Illinois Clean Vehicles Program (which incorporates emission standards of the California Low Emission Vehicle Program) to produce cars with fewer emissions of smog-forming pollutants and green house gases.
Last Action: 5/13/2009, Re-referred to Rules Committee.
Sponsors: Rep. May, Madigan, Fortner, Froehlich, Feigenholtz.
HB 3987, Building Codes Bill — Amends the Energy Efficient Commercial Building Act so that it applies to all buildings. This would require residential buildings, as well as commercial buildings, to conserve more energy by being in compliance with the Internal Energy Conservation Code.
Last Action: 6/29/2009, Awaiting Governor’s signature.
Sponsors: Rep. Hamos, Holbrook, Rose, Burns, Reboletti; Sen. Harmon, Koehler, Righter, Collins, Garrett.
HB 3668, Cap & Trade — Creates the Global Warming Response Act to establish a market-based cap and invest program by Jan. 1, 2012 that would limit the emissions of greenhouse gases. This would help address both the short term and long term goals of reducing global warming pollutants in Illinois.
Last Action: 4/3/2009, Re-referred to Rules Committee.
Sponsors: Rep. Nekritz, Feigenholtz, Ford, Osterman.
SB 1918, Nat’l Gas Efficiency — Amends the Public Utilities Act, modernizing energy policy in Illinois by helping low-income and senior households manage their utility bills, and establishing an energy efficiency program for natural gas utilities (designed to reduce natural gas usage by 7% by 2020).
Last Action: 6/29/2009, Awaiting Governor’s signature.
Sponsors: Sen. Lightford, Delgado, Collins, Risinger; Rep. Flider, Colvin, Black, Osterman, Crespo.
