Rep. Amy Elik

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual plan of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act must provide coverage for wigs or other scalp prostheses worn for hair loss caused by alopecia, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment for cancer or other conditions. Makes a conforming change in the Health Maintenance Organization Act and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow tow trucks to use red, blue, and white oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights while operators are performing official duties. The change directly affects tow truck companies and drivers who need these lights to warn other motorists of hazardous conditions or stationary vehicles. By updating the list of vehicles authorized to use such lighting, the legislation clarifies that tow trucks now have the same visual signaling rights as other emergency vehicles. This update does not alter existing penalties for drivers who fail to yield to emergency vehicles or change the rules for which specific colors can be used, as those provisions remain unchanged.

Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that specified accumulation of funds by a board of trustees of a fire protection district may occur in the district's corporate fund or other district fund. Provides that the board of trustees of a fire protection district may accumulate funds for the purposes of emergency medical services, technical rescue, and other services performed by the fire district and for the purposes of providing employees other post-employment benefits.

Amends the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985. Provides that a licensed cosmetology teacher who submits to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation an application for licensure as a barber teacher must meet all requirements of the Act for licensure as a barber teacher, except that an applicant who has at least 3 years of experience as a licensed cosmetology teacher shall be given credit for hours of instruction completed for his or her cosmetology teacher license in subjects that are common to both barbering and cosmetology in the supplemental barber course. Provides that a licensed barber teacher who submits to the Department an application for licensure as a cosmetology teacher must meet all requirements of the Act for licensure as a cosmetology teacher, except that an applicant who has at least 3 years of experience as a licensed barber teacher shall be given credit for hours of instruction completed for his or her barber teacher license in subjects that are common to both barbering and cosmetology in the supplemental cosmetology course. Provides that a licensed esthetician teacher or licensed nail technician teacher who submits to the Department an application for licensure as a cosmetology teacher must meet all requirements of the Act for licensure as a cosmetology teacher, except that an applicant who has at least 3 years of experience as an esthetician teacher or licensed nail technician teacher shall be given credit for hours of instruction completed for his or her esthetician teacher or nail technician teacher license in subjects that are common to both esthetics or nail technology and cosmetology. Provides that the Department shall provide for the implementation of these provisions by rule.

Amends the School Safety Drill Act. Provides that, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, a school district shall develop a cardiac emergency response plan that addresses the appropriate use of school personnel to respond to incidents involving an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while at a school or at a school-sponsored activity or event. Provides that a principal or other person having administrative control over the school must ensure that the plan is (1) available to the school community on the school's Internet website and in a paper form at various locations at the school, and (2) distributed to all coaches and other athletic staff members at each school, all persons responsible for executing the plan in the event of a cardiac emergency, all healthcare professionals that provide medical services during a school-sponsored activity or event, and to other appropriate school staff, as determined by the principal or other person having administrative control over the school. Specifies what a cardiac emergency response plan shall include. Provides that a school district shall provide all members of a cardiac emergency response team with the training necessary to implement a cardiac emergency response plan. Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act to make related changes. Effective July 1, 2024.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that home-delivered meals provided to Medicare or Medicaid recipients when payment is made by an intermediary pursuant to a government contract are exempt from taxation under the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall compile, on an annual basis, a list of the most in-demand jobs in this State, along with the starting salary, the median salary, and the typical education level for those jobs. Provides that the Board shall make the list available to the public on its Internet website. Effective July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that expresses the belief that Illinois should not change its tax laws to include retirement income. It directly affects retirees by stating support for keeping their pension and social security earnings free from state income tax. The resolution argues that taxing these funds would hurt people on fixed incomes and discourage them from living in the state. It does not create new laws or change any tax rates but serves only to formally record the House's position on this issue.

Declares March 12, 2024 as Pay Equity Day in the State of Illinois. Encourages the citizens of this State to learn about the pay gap that women experience in society and to learn about these various dates that bring attention to the pay gap that specific groups experience.

Declares the month of May 2024 as ALS Awareness Month in the State of Illinois. Urges all Americans to join in supporting ALS research, advocating for increased funding, and standing in solidarity with those affected by this relentless disease.