Rep. Blaine Wilhour

Creates the Paraprofessional Fast Track to Teaching Degree Pilot Program Act. Makes findings. Provides that the Paraprofessional Fast Track to Teaching Degree Pilot Program is created for a 2-year degree pathway by which paraprofessional educators may enroll to achieve the education requirements to attain a professional educator license in this State, which shall comply with the standards of the State Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education. Provides that, subject to appropriation, beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year or, if funds are not appropriated for the Program that academic year, beginning with the academic year in which funds are appropriated for the Program, the State Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education shall coordinate with each other to assign a qualified individual to serve as a Program director to develop the curriculum for the Program. Provides that one public elementary or public secondary school and one public university in this State shall be chosen to develop a program for transitioning paraprofessionals to teachers. Includes the core components of the Program. Provides that the State Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education must submit a report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Legislative Reference Bureau detailing the impact of the Program and then the Program is dissolved and the Act is repealed. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of the Act, or of any licensing act under the purview of the Division of Professional Regulation of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the application fee for renewal of a license issued by the Division shall be no higher than one-half of the application fee for initial issuance of the same license class at the time of license renewal.

Amends the Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act, the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act, the Dietitian Nutritionist Practice Act, the Massage Licensing Act, the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act, the Pharmacy Practice Act, the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004, the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985, and the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004. Provides the maximum fees for original licensure and renewal of licensure for professions licensed under the Acts. Provides that the total fees required by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to enter a profession shall not exceed double the original license fee.

Amends the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Defines "eligible Tier 2 member" as a member who first became a member under a retirement system or pension fund established under the Code on or after January 1, 2011 and whose service under the applicable Article is not eligible for Social Security coverage. Defines "hypothetical Social Security benefit" as the value of the Social Security benefit an eligible Tier 2 member would receive if the eligible Tier 2 member's service had been eligible for Social Security coverage. Provides that if an eligible Tier 2 member would receive a pension benefit that is less than the eligible Tier 2 member's hypothetical Social Security benefit, then the eligible Tier 2 member's pension benefit shall be increased to the amount of the hypothetical Social Security benefit plus $1. Provides that the determination shall be made on an annual basis, and the amount of the pension benefit shall be adjusted annually. In the State Employees, State Universities, and Downstate Teachers Articles, provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State.

Congratulates the Kaskaskia College Blue Angels Softball Team on their success in winning the 2023 NJCAA Region XXIV championship, and commends them for all their hard work on and off the field

Amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. In provisions requiring each food service establishment to be under the operational supervision of a certified food service sanitation manager in accordance with rules adopted under the Act, provides that "operational supervision" means oversight of a food service establishment by a food service sanitation manager with or without the physical presence of the food service sanitation manager at the food service establishment.

Creates the Classification by Biological Sex Act. Sets forth findings. Provides that any public school or school district and any State, local agency, department or office that collects vital statistics for the purpose of complying with antidiscrimination laws or for the purpose of gathering accurate public health, crime, economic, or other data shall classify each individual who is part of the collected data set as either male or female at birth. Amends the Statute on Statutes. Sets forth the meaning of the following terms as used in any statute or any rule or regulation: a person's sex; female and male; woman and girl; man and boy; and mother and father.

Amends the House Rules of the 103rd General Assembly. Provides that a Representative may access the House Chamber at any time on a session day and during the normal business hours of the office of the Clerk of the House on any other day.

Condemns the attacks on the State of Israel and its people and strongly implores the government of Israel to bring the terrorist organization, Hamas, to an end. Reaffirms Illinois' support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel. Recognizes Israel's right to act decisively and unilaterally in self-defense to protect its citizens. Expresses Illinois' support for Israel's right to pursue without interference or condemnation the elimination of Hamas until Hamas is permanently neutralized and public safety is assured. Conveys Illinois' most heartfelt condolences to all Israeli victims as well as their families and communities. Calls upon Illinois law enforcement to remain vigilant in protecting Israeli Americans, Jewish Americans, and all supporters of Israel from acts of crime and unlawful discrimination that tend to manifest at such times. Encourages all other American states to likewise condemn Hamas as well as any official body that refuses to recognize Israel's right to act decisively in self-defense to protect its citizens. Calls upon the United States to provide assistance to support Israel in its defense against Hamas and all other terrorist organizations that threaten its sovereignty.

Congratulates the Salem Community High School (SCHS) bowling team on winning the 2023-24 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Championship.