Rep. Blaine Wilhour

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade beginning with the 2028-2029 school year must successfully complete either 2 years of foreign language courses or at least 2 years of career-focused coursework that has been authorized by the State Board of Education as meeting the requirements for a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act (rather than requiring the successful completion of 2 years of foreign language courses). Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Provides that a public university may not require State public high school graduates, as a condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign language courses unless the university permits, as an alternative to completion of a foreign language course, attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. In a provision concerning the prosecution of a person for an offense of criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, aggravated battery, or aggravated domestic battery, deletes a provision which states that there is a rebuttable presumption that the testimony of a victim who is a child under 13 years of age shall occur outside the courtroom and the child's testimony shall be shown in the courtroom by means of a closed circuit television. Deletes that this presumption may be overcome if the defendant can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the child victim will not suffer severe emotional distress. Provides that, if the court denies the State's request for the child victim's testimony to be taken outside the courtroom, the court shall toll the speedy trial requirements for 30 days to allow the State to present the motion to the court again before trial requesting the child's testimony to be taken outside the courtroom by means of a closed circuit television.

Amends the Volunteer Emergency Worker Job Protection Act. Provides that employment protections for volunteer emergency workers apply to volunteer emergency workers participating in required training, including a prohibition on termination and penalizing (rather than only termination). Provides that the employer may not require the employee to take vacation time or other compensatory time in order to respond to an emergency or participate in training. Provides that the Act does not apply to any employer that is a municipality with a population of 15,000 or more (currently 7,500 or more). Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that any athletic team or sport that is under the jurisdiction of an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and student must be expressly designated as (i) a male athletic team or sport, (ii) a female athletic team or sport, or (iii) a coeducational athletic team or sport. Provides that an athletic team or sport designated as being female is available only to participants who are female, based on their biological sex. Requires a school district or nonpublic school to obtain a written statement signed by a student's parent or guardian or the student verifying the student's age, biological sex, and that the student has not taken performance enhancing drugs; provides for a penalty for false or misleading statements. Prohibits a governmental entity or an association or entity that provides for interscholastic athletics or athletic competition among schools and students from entertaining a complaint, opening an investigation, or taking any other adverse action against a school district or nonpublic school for maintaining athletic teams or sports in accordance with these provisions.

Recognizes the current impact and potential for future growth of the off-highway vehicle tourism industry in State of Illinois. Encourages all stakeholders and state agencies to continue fostering the growth of the off-highway vehicle tourism industry by working together to develop new opportunities for the enjoyment of off-highway vehicles in Illinois.

Expresses gratitude to Larry Gies and to Beth Gies for their acts of profound generosity to the University of Illinois System. Expresses continuing and undiminished gratitude to those who have fallen in service to the United States of America, this gratitude being symbolized by the recognition of those from the University of Illinois who served and died in World War I and subsequent conflicts. Expresses the belief that on October 28, 1924, the University of Illinois made a solemn pledge at the dedication ceremony of Memorial Stadium to those whose names are inscribed on its columns, a pledge that should not be altered for the sake of obtaining funding from alumni or any other entity. Calls upon the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, and Larry and Beth Gies to agree that an alternate means of acknowledging their gift is appropriate. Urges that the name of the structure standing between First and Fourth Streets on the campus of the University of Illinois be permanently restored to "Memorial Stadium".

Declares June 2026 as Illinois Fallen Heroes Month in the State of Illinois to honor the service and sacrifice of fallen heroes across our State. Encourages citizens, schools, businesses, veterans' organizations, and government entities across the State to observe Illinois Fallen Heroes Month through ceremonies, tributes, and acts of remembrance that honor the legacy and sacrifice of those who gave their lives for our nation. Affirms that these observances serve as a solemn counterpart to Illinois Military Appreciation Month, ensuring that we both honor those who continue to serve our communities and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the Fayette Avenue overpass at the intersection of Interstates 57 and 70 in Effingham as the "Sgt. Timothy Sayne Memorial Overpass." It honors Sergeant Timothy Sayne, a local resident who served in the U.S. Army and was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2011. The legislation requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to install signs or plaques at the site to officially mark the overpass with this new name. Copies of the resolution will be provided to Sergeant Sayne's family and the state transportation department to formalize the memorial.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the Fourth Street Interstate 57 and 70 overpass in Effingham as the "Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher Donaldson Memorial Overpass" to honor a local resident who served in the U.S. Army. The legislation requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to install signs at the site to display the new name and to present copies of the resolution to the soldier's family, the mayor of Effingham, and the state transportation secretary. It directly affects the naming of a specific public infrastructure project in Effingham and involves the state transportation department in implementing the commemorative signage.

Congratulates the Franklin Park Middle School boys track and field team, the Bobcats, on winning the 2026 Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association (SIJHSAA) Class L State Championship.