Rep. Carol Ammons

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall cooperate with the Department of Transportation to promote public awareness regarding the national human trafficking hotline. Provides that this includes, but is not limited to, displaying public awareness signs in high risk areas, such as, but not limited to, truck stops, bus stations, train stations, airports, and rest stops.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is an affirmative defense to a charge of prostitution that the accused engaged in or performed prostitution as a result of being a victim of involuntary servitude or trafficking in persons as defined in the Code, or was a victim of trafficking as defined in the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in prosecutions for prostitution, when the accused intends to raise at trial the affirmative defense of being a victim of involuntary servitude or trafficking in persons as defined in the Code, or was a victim of trafficking as defined in the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and has reason to believe that the evidence presented in asserting that defense may jeopardize the safety of the accused, courtroom personnel, or others impacted by human trafficking, the accused may file under seal a motion for an in camera hearing to review the accused's safety concerns. Upon receipt of the motion and notice to the parties, the court shall conduct an in camera hearing, with counsel present, limited to review of potential safety concerns. Provides that the court shall not consider the merits of the affirmative defense during the in camera review. Provides that if the court finds that the assertion of an affirmative defense by the accused in open court could jeopardize the safety of the accused, court personnel, or other persons, the court may clear the courtroom with the agreement of the accused, order additional in camera hearings, seal the records, prohibit court personnel from disclosing the proceedings without prior court approval, or take any other appropriate measure that in the court's discretion will enhance the safety of the proceedings and ensure the accused a full and fair opportunity to assert his or her affirmative defense. Provides that statements made by the accused during the in camera hearing to review safety concerns shall not be admissible against the accused for the crimes charged. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Universities Civil Service Act. In provisions concerning appointments and promotions, changes references from the Director of the University Civil Service Merit Board to the Executive Director of the University Civil Service Merit Board. Provides that if a position needs to be filled, the Executive Director shall certify to the employer the names and addresses of the persons with the 3 highest scores on the appropriate register (instead of the names and addresses of the 3 persons standing highest on the appropriate register); makes related changes. Provides that if a superior position in the promotional line is to be filled, the Executive Director shall certify to the employer, in the order of their seniority, the names and addresses of the persons with the 3 highest scores on the appropriate promotional register (instead of the names and addresses of the 3 persons standing highest upon the appropriate promotional register). Removes language that provides that sex shall be disregarded except when the nature of the position requires otherwise.

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning the registration and recognition of non-public elementary and secondary schools, (i) changes a statutory reference, (ii) makes changes concerning the release of criminal history record information concerning an applicant for employment, (iii) requires a student teacher, prior to the commencement of any student teaching experience (or required internship) in a school, to authorize a fingerprint-based criminal history records check, and (iv) requires a school to perform a check of the Statewide Sex Offender Database and of the Statewide Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database for each student teacher. In provisions concerning criminal history records checks and checks of the Statewide Sex Offender Database and Statewide Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database for applicants for employment with a school district, (i) requires the Department of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to furnish records of convictions forever and hereinafter (until expunged), (ii) makes changes concerning the release of confidential information concerning criminal convictions, (iii) provides that information obtained by a school district within the last year with respect to employees of persons or firms holding contracts with the school district must be made available to a requesting school or school district (instead of to a requesting school, school district, community college district, or private school), and (iv) makes changes concerning checks for student teachers.

Mourns the death of Ravonte Leshoure-Baker of Champaign.

Mourns the death of WCIA-TV co-anchor Dave Benton.

Thanks the United States Environmental Protection Agency for classifying the Mahomet Aquifer as a Sole Source Aquifer and applauds the agency's efforts to protect vital sources of water for Illinois residents.

Urges the United States Environmental Protection Agency to classify the Mahomet Aquifer as a Sole Source Aquifer in order protect the residents of east-central Illinois and ensure they have clean drinking water for future generations.

Congratulates the Morning Star Freewill Baptist Church in Urbana on its 104th anniversary.

Commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Selma voting rights movement.