Rep. Blaine Wilhour

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. In a provision concerning emergency powers, provides that the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation has the power to issue licenses, including temporary licenses, to health care professionals on an expedited basis in accordance with the rules adopted by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for expedited licensure.

Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, beginning with the budget prepared for fiscal year 2025, the rate of growth of general funds appropriations shall not exceed the rate of growth of the Illinois median household income. Defines "rate of growth of the Illinois median household income".

Amends the Medical Assistance Article and the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Removes a provision requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to cover kidney transplantation services for noncitizens under the medical assistance program. Removes provisions permitting the Department to provide medical services to noncitizens 42 years of age and older. Removes a provision requiring the Department to cover immunosuppressive drugs and related services associated with post kidney transplant management for noncitizens. Removes provisions concerning the adoption of emergency rules and other matters regarding medical coverage or services for noncitizens.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates June 6-7, 2024, as Eternal Heroes Memorial Days in Illinois to honor the memory of five Illinois soldiers who fought during the D-Day invasion. It specifically recognizes the "Raveno Boys" - Thomas Cahill Jr., Clifford Emerick, John Powers, Joseph Powers, and Louis Venditti - who were among the paratroopers that helped defend Marmion Farm in 1944. The resolution serves as a formal declaration of remembrance and directs that a copy of the document be presented to the Eternal Heroes Memorial in Ravenoville, France.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the section of U.S. Route 50 passing through Odin, Illinois, as the "Lance Cpl. Nicholas Brian Kleiboeker Highway" to honor a local Marine who died in service. The legislation requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to install appropriate signs or plaques at suitable locations to mark the new name. Copies of the resolution will be presented to the Kleiboeker family, the mayor of Odin, and the Secretary of Transportation. This measure serves as a commemorative gesture rather than altering traffic laws or funding allocations.

Urges OSHA and the federal government to not implement new fire protection standards that will place a financial burden on public safety. Urges OSHA and the federal government to conduct further analysis on the proposed changes to minimize the financial burden on small-entity volunteer fire departments.

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Knight-Silas Act. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that aggravated battery, other than by the discharge of a firearm, includes a battery committed by a person who, at the time of the commission of the offense, is 21 years of age or older and the battery was committed upon an individual whom the person committing the offense knows to be a person working under the Adult Protective Services Program or an Ombudsman under the State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program of the Department on Aging, or a Department of Children and Family Services employee: (1) performing his or her official duties; (2) battered to prevent performance of his or her official duties; or (3) battered in retaliation for performing his or her official duties. Provides that a violation is a Class 2 felony, except if the battery causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to an individual, a violation is a Class 1 felony. Defines "Department of Children and Family Services employee" and "ombudsman".

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Knight-Silas Act. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits aggravated battery when, in committing a battery, other than by the discharge of a firearm, he or she: (1) knowingly causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to an individual whom the person knows to be a Department of Children and Family Services employee; and (2) is, at the time of the commission of the offense, 21 years of age or older and causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to an individual whom the person knows to be a Department of Children and Family Services employee: (i) performing his or her official duties; (ii) battered to prevent performance of his or her official duties; or (iii) battered in retaliation for performing his or her official duties. Provides that "Department of Children and Family Services employee" includes any (i) Department case worker or (ii) investigator employed by an agency or organization providing social work, case work, or investigative services under a contract with or a grant from the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that a violation is a Class 2 felony. Provides that if the battery causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to the employee, the penalty is a Class 1 felony.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the conviction of certain offenses as grounds for disqualification for licensure or suspension or revocation of a license, includes the sex offense of abuse by an educator or authority figure under the definition of "sex or other offense". Amends the Sex Offenses Article of Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits abuse by an educator or authority figure if that person holds a position of trust, authority, or supervision in relation to a student in a school, the student is at least 18 years of age, the person is at least 4 years older than the student, and the person either (1) commits an act of sexual conduct with the student or (2) commits an act of sexual penetration with the student. Provides that abuse by an educator or authority figure involving sexual conduct is a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense or if there is more than one victim. Provides that abuse by an educator or authority figure involving sexual penetration is a Class 4 felony for the first offense and a Class 3 felony for a second or subsequent offense or if there is more than one victim. Provides that consent of the victim is not a defense to abuse by an educator or authority figure.

Commends Ayla Brookman and London Robbers for their bravery and quick thinking in reporting a fire on April 7, 2024. Thanks them on behalf of the citizens of Salem, the Salem City Council, and the State of Illinois.