Congratulates Marty Hickman on the occasion of his retirement as Executive Director of the Illinois High School Association.
Congratulates Richard F. Wilson on his retirement as President of Illinois Wesleyan University.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a public utility that provides both water and wastewater service may request in a general rate proceeding that the Commission allocate a portion of the public utility's water service revenue requirement for recovery through wastewater base rates or allocate a portion of the public utility's wastewater revenue requirement for recovery through water base rates, and, if requested, the Commission may approve the allocation if it can be shown to be in the public interest.
Recognizes the 150th anniversary of the First United Methodist Church of Normal.
Commends the national and Illinois chapters of the League of Women Voters on its 95 years of service to the voters of the nation and State and congratulates the McLean County League of Women Voters for its past achievements and ongoing work to educate and advocate.
Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Creates the Military Prior Learning Assessment Task Force within the Board of Higher Education to study and make recommendations on how to best effectuate the recognition of military learning for academic credit, industry-recognized credentials, and college degrees through the use of the Prior Learning Assessment. Sets forth the membership of the task force and what the task force's study must include. Requires the task force to report its findings and recommendations on or before December 1, 2016. Repeals these provisions on December 1, 2017. Effective immediately.
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that any blood, buccal, or tissue specimen collected by a coroner or medical examiner from a body of a decedent whose death is found to be due to a homicide are to be dried or frozen. Provides that the specimens collected shall be delivered to the police agency responsible for investigating the homicide as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days after collection of the specimen. Provides that the police agency must submit the specimens to a National DNA Index System (NDIS) participating laboratory for testing as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days after the police agency receives the specimens. Provides that the NDIS participating laboratory shall provide the testing results to the Department of State Police.
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. In provision regarding refund of costs, fines, or fees upon reversal of conviction on a finding of actual innocence, the refund shall be determined by the judge and paid by the clerk of the court based upon the availability of funds in the subject fund account.
Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of State Police shall develop a coordinated program for a statewide emergency alert system when a person 21 years old or older who is believed to have Alzheimer's disease or related dementias is reported missing. Provides that the system shall be referred to as the Silver Alert system and shall include, but is not limited to, an electronic message sent to all law enforcement agencies; use of the emergency alert system; the use of electronic billboards and message signs in coordination with the Illinois Department of Transportation if a vehicle is involved; posting of the Silver Alert message on Illinois Lottery terminals; the designation by the Department of a contact name and toll-free telephone number for tips and information; blast email and fax messages to media outlets; activation of a local reverse 911 systems to all businesses and residents if the person is on foot. Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall coordinate with the Department of State Police in the use of electronic message signs on roads and highways to immediately provide critical information to the public concerning missing persons with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. Amends the Missing Persons Identification Act to make conforming changes.
Amends the Vital Records Act. Provides that a funeral director may arrange for the transport of a dead body to a location outside of Illinois for a period not to exceed 36 hours for the purpose of organ donation, tissue harvesting, or autopsy. Provides that the funeral director is not required to obtain a permit for transportation from the Department of Public Health or local health department prior to transporting the body; rather, the funeral director shall complete and transport with the body documentation as required by the Department of Public Health. Provides that the funeral director shall provide a copy of the documentation to the medical examiner or coroner having jurisdiction over the body, and that the documentation shall serve as notice that the body is being transported outside of Illinois for a period not to exceed 36 hours. Directs the Department of Public Health to adopt rules to implement the new provisions. Provides that the new provisions apply only if the dead body is to be returned to Illinois prior to disposition.
