Rep. Chris Miller

Amends the School Code. Requires a school board to ensure parents and guardians of pupils enrolled in the school district are free to petition the school board and provide public comment at all public and regularly scheduled meetings, have access to certain information, are well-informed on specified subject matters, and have the right to meet with a pupil's teacher at least twice per school year. Requires a school board to ensure curriculum and learning materials are posted on the school district's Internet website. Effective immediately.

Amends the Flag Display Act. Prohibits State institutions, including public school buildings, from displaying any flags other than the national flag of the United States or the flag of the State of Illinois.

Creates the Gender in Sports Act. Provides that a student-athlete may participate in an intercollegiate athletics program at a postsecondary educational institution that allows only a single gender to participate in that program only if the gender of the student-athlete is the same gender as the single gender designation for that program.

Creates the Education Savings Account Act. Requires the State Board of Education to create the Education Savings Account Program. Provides that a parent of an eligible student (defined as any elementary or secondary student who was eligible to attend a public school in this State in the preceding semester or is starting school in this State for the first time and who is a member of a household whose total annual income does not exceed an amount equal to 2.5 times the income standard used to qualify for a free or reduced-price lunch under the national free or reduced-price lunch program) shall qualify for the State Board to make a grant to his or her child's Education Savings Account by signing an agreement. Requires the State Board to deposit into an Education Savings Account some or all of the State aid under the State aid formula provisions of the School Code that would otherwise have been provided to the resident school district for the eligible student had the student enrolled in the resident school district. Provides that parents participating in the Program shall agree to use the funds deposited in their eligible students' accounts for certain qualifying expenses to educate the eligible student. Sets forth provisions concerning the calculation of grant amounts and other basic elements of the Program, administration of the Program, accountability standards for participating schools, and the responsibilities of the State Board and resident school districts.

Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning e-learning days, provides that a school or school district that offers e-learning days may not use any real property owned or leased by a school or school district to house migrants while students are not present at a school. Provides that a school or school district may not utilize an e-learning day to house migrants on any real property owned or leased by the school or school district due to a mandate by a unit of local government that the school or school district house migrants on any real property owned or leased by the school or school district.

Amends the General Assembly Organization Act. Provides that any amendment to a bill that is introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate must be germane to the title of the introduced bill. Provides that any amendment that is not germane to the title of the introduced bill shall not be considered for adoption by the house of the General Assembly in which the amendment is offered for consideration. Provides that any member of the house of the General Assembly in which the amendment is offered for consideration may object to the introduction of the amendment as not being germane to the title of the introduced bill. Provides that if such an objection is made, the question of germaneness shall be presented to the respective house for consideration. Provides that if at least a majority of the members voting on the question determine that the amendment is germane to the title of the introduced bill, then the amendment may be considered by that house. Provides that if less than a majority of the members voting on the question determine that the amendment is germane to the title of the bill, the amendment shall not be considered by that house.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding House resolution (HR 95), not a bill with enforceable policy. It states that Illinois House members commit to not voting for any tax increases to balance the state's budget for the 104th General Assembly. The resolution cites concerns about existing tax hikes (like corporate loss extensions and high gas taxes) and warns against proposed tax plans for pension funding, but it does not change any tax laws or directly affect residents. As a procedural statement, it has no legal effect on current or future tax policy.

Creates the Gun-Free Zone Liability Act. Provides that the State is liable for harm or damage suffered by a concealed carry licensee or any individual otherwise legally entitled to carry a firearm if the harm or damage occurs in a gun-free zone, as defined by State law, and the harm or damage could have been reasonably avoided if the individual had been allowed to carry his or her concealed firearm in that gun-free zone. Provides that liability includes, but is not limited to, medical expenses, compensation for pain and suffering, loss of income, property damage, and wrongful death claims brought by the victim's estate. Provides that the plaintiff must establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the harm or damage suffered could have been reasonably avoided or mitigated if the plaintiff had been permitted to carry a concealed firearm, and that the plaintiff is otherwise in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations regarding firearm possession and use. Provides exceptions. Provides that any individual who is harmed, if the harm or damage occurred in a gun-free zone, may bring a civil action against the State of Illinois in the circuit court of the county of the plaintiff's residence. Provides that if the plaintiff prevails, he or she is entitled to full compensatory damages, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees, and any other relief the court deems just and equitable. Contains a severability provision. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Urges the federal government to uphold its duty to create regulations that promote both the environment as well as the agricultural industry by completing a study determining the effectiveness of the diesel exhaust fluid mandate and to determine if any lower cost alternatives could provide further reductions.

Directs the Auditor General pursuant to Section 3-2 of the Illinois State Auditing Act to conduct a forensic audit of all State spending, hiring, procurement, and contracts awarded from January 1, 2022 to January 1, 2024.