Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that no nurse may be required to work mandated overtime, except in the case of an unforeseen emergent circumstance when such overtime is only required as a last resort. Defines "mandated overtime", "nurse", and "unforeseen emergent circumstance". Provides that if a nurse is mandated to work up to 12 consecutive hours, the nurse must be allowed at least 8 consecutive hours of off-duty time immediately following the completion of a shift. Prohibits a facility from disciplining, discharging, or taking any other adverse employment action against a nurse solely because the nurse refused to work mandated overtime. Establishes procedures for filing a complaint with the Department of Public Health alleging a violation of the prohibition on mandated overtime and the burden of proof for determining whether a violation occurred. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the valuation of commercial or industrial property that has been rebuilt following a tornado disaster, provides for a partial reduction in equalized assessed value if the square footage of the rebuilt structure exceeds 110% of the square footage of the original structure (currently, property is not entitled to a reduction if the square footage of the rebuilt structure exceeds 110% of the square footage of the original structure). Effective immediately.
Amends the Riverboat Gambling Act. Includes land-based gambling in the Act. Defines "land-based gambling" and "land-based gambling facility". Changes the short title of the Act to the Riverboat and Land-based Gambling Act. Makes other changes.
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the court shall impose an extended term sentence when a defendant is convicted of first degree murder, second degree murder, or involuntary manslaughter in which the victim of any of these offenses was a person under 18 years of age and the death of the victim resulted from child abuse. Provides that before the imposition of an extended term sentence under this provision, the State's Attorney shall present evidence to the court at the sentencing hearing of the defendant describing the facts in the case. Provides that if the court finds that the death of the person under 18 years of age was the result of child abuse, the court shall impose an extended term sentence upon the defendant. Provides that if the court does not make such finding, the court shall impose any other sentence for the offense as prescribed in the Code.
Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Makes changes concerning a provisional in-state educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations, a career and technical educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations, a provisional career and technical educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations, a Substitute Teaching License, a teacher leader endorsement on a Professional Educator License, educator testing, the minimum requirements for educators trained in other states or countries, fees for Substitute Teaching Licenses, and requirements for licensees retiring during a renewal cycle.
Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules for its FY 16 ordinary and contingent expenses.
Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation to the State Board of Education, there is created an agriculture education teacher grant program to fund personal services costs for agriculture education teachers in school districts. Provides that a school district may apply for a grant to fund 50% of the personal services cost for an agriculture education teacher; however, a school district that is creating a new agriculture education program may apply for a grant to fund 100% of an agriculture teacher's personal services cost in the first and second year of the new agriculture education program and 80% of an agriculture teacher's personal services cost in the third and fourth years of the new agriculture education program. Allows a school district to apply for a grant for more than one teacher. Sets forth the duties of the State Board. Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act with respect to teacher shortage scholarships. Specifies that agricultural education is a course of study included in the definition of "areas of identified staff shortages".
Amends the State Finance Act, the Board of Higher Education Act, and the Public Community College Act. Provides for the Board of Higher Education's master plan for community colleges to be made in cooperation with the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB). Provides that community college performance metrics must be adopted by the ICCB by rule. Removes the need for approval from the Board of Higher Education or for ICCB approval with respect to certain community college provisions. Removes provisions requiring uniform financial accounting and reporting standards and principles for community colleges and requiring the ICCB to file copies of uniform financial statements from audit reports with the Board of Higher Education. Requires a community college district to report administrator and faculty salaries and benefits to the ICCB instead of the Board of Higher Education. Repeals Sections concerning a State university and college information system, an annual community college education study and report, the Academic Improvement Trust Fund for Community College Foundations, adverse court decision grants, State Community College District No. 601, and a mobile response workforce training pilot program. Effective July 1, 2016.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a Section concerning the valuation of vegetative filter strips is repealed on December 31, 2026 (instead of December 31, 2016).
Congratulates Dr. Alice Marie Jacobs on the occasion of her retirement as President of Danville Area Community College.