Rep. Wayne Rosenthal

Amends the Illinois State Police Act. Provides that the collegiate educational requirements for being appointed an Illinois State Police officer are met if the person: (1) has been honorably discharged by the United States Armed Forces and has been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), or Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, in addition to other specified medals; or (2) is an active member of the Illinois National Guard or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces and who has been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), or Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, in addition to other specified medals, as a result of honorable service during deployment on active duty. Provides that the collegiate educational requirements are satisfied by having at least 3 years of full active and continuous United States Armed Forces (rather than military) duty, which shall also include a period of active duty with the State of Illinois under Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code pursuant to an order of the President or the Governor of the State of Illinois, and receiving an honorable discharge before hiring.

Amends provisions of the Lyme Disease Prevention and Protection Act concerning the Lyme Disease Task Force. Provides that one veterinarian appointed to the Task Force by the Director of Public Health must be a practicing Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Adds one medical entomologist appointed by the Director of Public Health to the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to meet not less than 4 (rather than 2) times each year.

Amends the Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Act. Provides that a pharmacist may sell fentanyl test strips over-the-counter to the public to test for the presence of fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, or a drug adulterant within a controlled substance. Provides that a county health department may distribute fentanyl test strips at the county health department facility for no fee. Amends the Drug Paraphernalia Control Act. Provides that "drug paraphernalia" does not include equipment, products, or materials to analyze or test for the presence of fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, or a drug adulterant within a controlled substance.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the issuance of the Thank a Line Worker license plate decal by the Illinois Department of Education. Creates the Thank a Line Worker Scholarship Fund. Provides that $10 of each original issuance and $23 of each renewal shall be deposited into the Thank a Line Worker Scholarship Fund, and that $15 of each original issuance and $2 of each renewal shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Provides that money in the Thank a line Worker Scholarship Fund shall be paid as grants in support of scholarship for students studying electrical distribution at an Illinois college or university. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act.

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, by no later than June 30, 2024, the State Board of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Department of Central Management Services, the Department of Insurance, and the Illinois Community College Board, shall establish a system providing liability insurance to cover (i) public high school students and community college students participating in a career development experience or apprenticeship program and (ii) public school teachers and community college faculty participating in an externship program. Provides that the liability insurance program shall be implemented by fiscal year 2025. Provides that the State Board of Education, in consultation with those other agencies, may direct the program to cover specific occupational areas.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Creates an exemption for property that is sold to an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States who presents valid military identification and purchases the property using a form of payment where the federal government is the payor.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that any person convicted of violating provisions related to approaching, overtaking, or passing a school bus, or similar provisions of a local ordinance, shall be subject to a mandatory fine of $500 (rather than $300) for a first violation. Provides that a person who observes a violation related to approaching, overtaking, or passing a school bus or making contact with a stopped school bus may file a written or oral complaint with the county sheriff's office, and at the sheriff's discretion, the report may be transferred to the Illinois State Police or municipal police department. Requires the report to be investigated by a peace officer, and the investigating officer to contact the reporting party within 30 days to provide an update on the status or outcome of the investigation. Requires that no later than July 1, 2024, a school bus must be equipped with an extended stop arm that partially obstructs the roadway if the school bus has a route that includes a bus stop which requires a school child to cross a roadway. Establishes that each extended stop arm must be equipped with additional flashing red lights. Provides that the side extension arm must be capable of extending up to 72 inches, measured from the side of the bus to the furthest part of the extension arm, and at a height not less than 36 inches from the ground. Provides that the rear extension arm must meet the same specification as the side extension arm, except that it may not extend more than 32 inches from the side of the school bus. Prohibits a driver of a motor vehicle from making contact with any portion of a stopped school bus or with a school child within 30 feet of the school bus, and the violation of such is a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of not more than $500. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Creates under the authority of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator, appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of 4 years. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall receive a salary as provided by law and is eligible for reappointment. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall be responsible for implementing a program of mental health support and education for law enforcement officers. Establishes qualifications for the Coordinator. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall report to the Board on the development and implementation of programs and training for law enforcement officers and shall advise the Board and receive advice from the Board on direction and training needs for law enforcement agencies that vary in size, location, and demographics.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, unless some other speed restriction is established under the Code, the maximum speed limit on a highway with a designated bicycle lane is 25 miles per hour.