Amends the Domestic Stock Company Division Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning plan of division approval, provides that any decision by the Director of Insurance on whether or not to hold a public hearing on either a plan of division or an amended plan of division may be made independently by the Director. Provides that if a dividing company amends its plan of division at any time before the plan of division becomes effective, then the dividing company shall file the amended plan of division for approval by the Director. Provides that if a hearing is conducted on the amended plan of division after the Director has approved a previous plan of division, then the hearing shall not be considered a rehearing. Provides that the fee assessed for filing a plan of division shall not apply to the filing of an amended plan of division. In provisions concerning certificates of division, provides that if the dividing company files an amended plan of division with the Director after a certificate of division has been filed for a previous plan, then the dividing company shall file a certificate of stay with the recorder. Provides that the certificate of stay shall identify the certificate of division being stayed and the date on which the amended plan of division was filed with the Director. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice under the Act to knowingly mail or send a postcard or letter to a recipient in the State if the postcard or letter does not disclose or disclaim any and all affiliations or lack thereof. Provides that all disclosures and disclaimers appearing on a postcard or letter must be conspicuously located at the top of the postcard or letter, be easily readable in clear and unambiguous language, and be printed in at least 14-point bold-face font in a black-outlined box. Prohibits mail that requests that the recipient contact the sender by mail, telephone, email, website, or other prescribed means without specified disclosure requirements. Makes other changes.
Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that during the period between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2026, an annuitant may accept employment as a teacher without impairing his or her retirement status if that employment is not within the school year during which service was terminated and does not exceed 150 paid days or 750 paid hours in each school year. Provides that beginning July 1, 2026 (instead of July 1, 2023), an annuitant may accept employment as a teacher without impairing his or her retirement status if that employment is not within the school year during which service was terminated and does not exceed 100 paid days or 500 paid hours in each school year. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code to provide that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 shall provide coverage for compression sleeves. Makes conforming changes in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code.
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to propose and the Pollution Control Board to adopt rules defining what microplastics are for purposes of regulating their presence in drinking water. Directs the Agency to propose and the Board to adopt rules establishing a standard methodology to be used in the testing of drinking water for microplastics, requirements for testing drinking water for microplastics, and standards for the accreditation by the Agency of qualified laboratories to analyze drinking water for microplastics. Provides that the Agency, if it deems doing so is appropriate, is to consider issuing a notification level to aid consumers in the interpretation of the results of drinking water testing.
Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education, beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year and continuing for not less than 2 years, to make available to public institutions of higher education a model program of study, for credit, that incorporates the training and experience necessary to serve as a direct support professional. Requires the Board, by July 1, 2024, to submit recommendations developed in consultation with stakeholders, including, but not limited to, organizations representing community-based providers serving children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and elementary and secondary education practitioners, including, but not limited to, teachers, administrators, special education directors, and regional superintendents of schools, to the Department of Human Services for the training that would be required in order to complete the model program of study.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that every insurer that amends, delivers, issues, or renews a group or individual policy or certificate of disability insurance or disability income insurance shall ensure parity for the payment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions. Changes the definition of "treatment limitation" to include benefit payments under disability insurance or disability income insurance.
Amends the Health Care Professional Credentials Data Collection Act. Provides that "recredentialing" and "single credentialing cycle" must be undertaken for a period not to exceed 3 years (rather than once every 2 years).
Creates the Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force Act. Creates the Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall develop a statewide plan to connect existing local projects and new projects to create a cohesive statewide history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois while creating new educational and tourism opportunities for the State. Establishes the membership of the Task Force. Provides that the members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall provide administrative and technical support to the Task Force. Provides that all members of the Task Force shall be appointed within 30 days after the effective date of the Act. Provides that the Task Force shall review available research, existing infrastructure and projects, best practices, and effective interventions to formulate recommendations. Provides that the Task Force shall prepare a report detailing the Task Force's findings and recommendations and needed resources. Provides that the Task Force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before July 1, 2024. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved, and the Act is repealed, on January 1, 2025.
Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Requires the Department of Transportation, local authorities, or any responsible entity to erect and maintain hazard bars for all viaducts and underpasses with a clearance of less than 15 feet. Provides that the hazard bar shall hang at the same clearance level as the viaduct or underpass and at least 500 feet in front of the viaduct or underpass to alert motorists.
Amends the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act. In provisions concerning penalties for late payment or nonpayment of tax, removes references to an amended return. Provides that a liability resulting from a federal change that is reported and paid no later than the due date for filing the federal change amended return shall be deemed to have been paid on or before the due date prescribed for payment.
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. In provisions relating to bullying prevention and the definition of "policy on bullying", provides that bullying shall also include bullying based on physical appearance, socioeconomic status, academic status, pregnancy, parenting status, homelessness. Provides that a bullying prevention policy must include procedures for informing parents or guardians of all students involved in the alleged incident of bullying within 24 hours after the school's administration is made aware of the incident (instead of procedures for promptly informing parents or guardians of all students involved in the alleged incident of bullying). Provides that the bullying prevention policy shall also require all individual instances of bullying, as well as all threats, suggestions, or instances of self-harm to be reported to the parents or legal guardians of those involved under the guidelines provided. Provides that the State Board of Education shall develop a template for a model bullying prevention policy. Provides that schools shall develop the bullying prevention policy for the school based on the model provided by the State Board of Education. Provides that school districts shall collect, maintain, and submit to the State Board of Education non-identifiable data regarding allegations and instances of bullying within the school district. Provides that upon the request of a parent or legal guardian of a child enrolled in a school district within the State, the State Board of Education must provide non-identifiable data of the number of bullying allegations and incidents in a given year at the school district to the requesting parent or legal guardian. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Makes other changes.
