Rep. Amy Elik

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision concerning the contribution required to establish service credit for certain service as a teacher or administrator employed by a private school recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education, changes the amount of the interest payment required to establish that service credit from interest at the actuarially assumed rate to regular interest.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Allows a unit of local government to place a blue reflective pavement marker on any highway, street, or road to mark the location of a fire hydrant or water supply. Prohibits a unit of local government from placing a blue reflective pavement marker on a State highway unless it first obtains an encroachment permit from the Department of Transportation.

Amends the Human Trafficking Resource Center Notice Act. Requires that the Department of Transportation post a notice as required under the Act in all public restrooms of each roadside rest area.

Amends the Election Code. Prohibits a political committee from making certain expenditures to provide a defense in any criminal case or a defense in a civil case against any claims that a person has committed misconduct in his or her capacity as a public official, any claims of sexual harassment, or any claims of discrimination. Requires that a person found to have used campaign contributions in violation of the Code shall return contributions to the contributor or pay to the State if the contributor cannot be identified or reimbursed. Requires the political committee to include information on the contributions returned to the contributor or paid to the State in the committee's quarterly report to the State Board of Elections.

Amends the Counties Code. In provisions about commercial wind energy facilities and commercial solar energy facilities, removes changes made by Public Act 102-1123. Provides that any provision of a county zoning ordinance pertaining to wind farms, commercial wind energy facilities, or commercial solar energy facilities that was in effect before January 27, 2023 may continue in effect notwithstanding any changes made in Public Act 102-1123 and, if applicable, any provision of a county zoning ordinance pertaining to wind farms that was in effect before August 16, 2007 may continue in effect notwithstanding the changes made in Public Act 95-203.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Defines "wildlife rifle" as a rifle that can hold up to 3 rounds in the magazine and chamber combined. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to take deer except (i) with a shotgun, handgun, centerfire wildlife rifle (rather than single shot centerfire rifle), or muzzleloading rifle, or (ii) as provided by administrative rule, with a bow and arrow, during the open season, with certain requirements. Limits legal rifles to centerfire wildlife rifles (rather than centerfire rifles that are single shot). Prohibits deer hunting while being in possession of or in close proximity to a magazine that is capable of making a rifle hold more than 3 rounds in the magazine and chamber combined (rather than making a rifle not a single shot).

Amends the Governmental Account Audit Act. Modifies the audit procedures for governmental units under the Act for the governmental units fiscal years 2028 and after, including: (1) modifying the definitions of "audit report" and "report", and adds a definition for "annual financial report"; (2) requiring the governing body of each governmental unit to conduct an audit every 2 years (rather than annually) of the accounts of the unit to be made by an auditor or auditors, and modifying the requirements of the audits; (3) allowing an exception for a governmental unit receiving revenue of less than $1,400,000 for any fiscal year, with the amount to increase or decrease by a percentage equal to the Consumer Price Index-U as reported on January 1 of each year, to provide a 4-year audit report and annual financial report or annual financial report under specified requirements (rather than a governmental unit receiving revenue of less than $850,000 for any fiscal year providing a 4-year audit report and annual financial report or annual financial report under specified requirements); and (4) modifying the requirements for signing, copying, and filing completed reports. Amends the Township Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Instructs the Department of Public Health to require a health care practitioner who is treating a patient diagnosed with epilepsy and at elevated risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and who has primary responsibility for the treatment and care of the patient for epilepsy, other than a health care practitioner treating that patient in an emergency situation, to provide that patient with certain written information regarding sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Requires the Department to provide that written information to health care practitioners and post the information on the Department's website. Requires the Department to ensure that the information is culturally and linguistically appropriate for all recipients. Allows a local or national organization that provides education or services related to epilepsy conditions to request that the Department include on its website the organization's informational material and contact information. Requires the Department to provide guidance to health care practitioners in determining whether a patient is at elevated risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Requires the Department to adopt rules. Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Nurse Practice Act, and the Physician Assistance Practice Act to require licensees under the Acts to comply with the amendatory provisions in the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law. Provides that certain licensees under the Acts who violate the amendatory provisions shall be issued a warning by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and shall suffer no further penalty or discipline for a first offense if the violation was not committed willfully or knowingly. Provides that certain licensees under the Acts who commit a subsequent violation of the amendatory provisions shall pay a civil penalty, as determined by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, of no more than $10,000 to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for each subsequent violation. Makes other changes.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that county medical examiners and coroners are first responders for the purposes of provisions requiring a county to provide health insurance coverage for its employees who are first responders without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement.

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. In a provision requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to provide specified persons with written notification of its final determination of an abuse or neglect report, requires such written notification to the alleged perpetrator to include a detailed list of all steps of the appeal process and a detailed checklist of what must be submitted for an appeal. Requires the Department to also send to the alleged perpetrator, parents, and personal or legal guardian of the alleged child victim, either electronically or by regular U.S. mail, a copy of all information in the case obtained by the Department during its investigation that is not otherwise prohibited from disclosure under State or federal law.