Rep. Katie Stuart

Amends the School Code. Requires a non-public school to perform a check of the Statewide Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database (in addition to the Statewide Sex Offender Database) of applicants and once every 5 years and persons employed by the school to determine whether the applicant has been adjudicated a sex offender, of a sex offense, or of a murder or other violent crime against youth. Extends the grants for preschool educational programs 2028-2029 school year (rather than the 2023-2024 school year). Provides that a school district may adopt a policy to waive tuition costs for a non-resident pupil if the pupil is a child of a district employee. Provides that, until June 30, 2028 (rather than June 30, 2023), applicants may apply to the State Board of Education for issuance of a 5-year Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. Makes conforming changes. Modifies the Alternative Educator Licensure Program by removing the requirement for a second year of residency (changing to only if recommended by the principal and program coordinator). Provides that, if the residency period is to be less than 2-years in length, the partner school districts must provide assurances that the district will provide intensive mentoring and supports through at least the end of the second full year of teaching for educators who completed the Program in less than 2 years. Effective immediately.

Amends the Officers and Employees Article of the Counties Code. Decreases the minimum number of inhabitants that must reside in a county for the county to be required to create the office of county auditor from 75,000 inhabitants to 70,000 inhabitants.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program, provides that the annual incentive shall be $2,250 (instead of $1,500) and that 45 hours of mentoring shall be required (instead of 30). Provides that funds may also be used for professional development training provided by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or the National Board Resource Center. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Adds language to provide that if a resident of a community college district wants to attend the community college maintained by the district of his or her residence, but the student wants to enroll in a program that is not offered by that community college and the community college does not have a contractual agreement for such a program, then the student may attend any recognized public community college in any other district and shall pay tuition and fees at the rate of the sending college. Sets forth provisions concerning financial assistance; a program directory; programmatic differences; application; enrollment; completion of coursework; records and transcripts; the provision of services; athletic and other eligibility; and State grants. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Requires hospitals licensed under the Act to provide information and instructional materials regarding the option to voluntarily donate milk to nonprofit milk banks that are accredited by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. Provides that the information and instructional materials shall be provided to the parents of each newborn upon discharge from the hospital after the newborn's birth. Contains other provisions.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the issuance of Lyme disease research decals by the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that $10 of each original issuance and $23 of each renewal shall be deposited into the Tick Research, Education, and Evaluation Fund, and that $15 of each original issuance and $2 of each renewal shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Provides that money in the Tick Research, Education, and Evaluation Fund shall be paid as grants to the Illinois Lyme Association. Makes a corresponding change in the State Finance Act.

Amends the Township Code. Provides that a township's board may either expend funds directly or may enter into any cooperative agreement or contract with specified entities to provide its residents with health services, including mental, behavioral, eye, dental, or other healthcare. Provides that the township board may approve the application of a different, publicly available, professional or academically recognized standard of need in determining eligibility for subsidized day care. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that persons shall not be determined ineligible for case assistance under the General Assistance Article of the Code based upon a conviction for any drug-related felony under State or federal law. In provisions concerning the General Assistance program, permits a local government unit to provide assistance to households under its General Assistance program following a disaster proclamation issued by the Governor if the local governmental unit is within the area designated under the proclamation. Provides that a local governmental unit may provide assistance under its General Assistance program under a service that complies with specified provisions of the Township Code. Provides that before a local government provides assistance, the board of the local government shall approve the expenditures of such assistance.

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that student profile information collected by a specified assessment shall be made available to the State's public institutions of higher education in a timely manner. Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning access to high school campuses, provides that State institutions of higher education shall be granted access to high school campuses. Makes conforming changes. Provides that by January 1, 2024, student directory information shall be made electronically accessible through a secure centralized data system for official recruiting representatives of the armed forces of Illinois and the United States, and State public institutions of higher education.

Amends the Public University Uniform Admission Pilot Program Act. Provides that, beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year, each institution shall create a 4-year uniform admission system pilot program to admit community college transfer students for each semester of the pilot program. Exempts a university that already has a uniform admission policy for transfer students equal to or less restrictive than that prescribed in the amendatory Act. Sets forth minimum requirements for guaranteeing admission. Provides that institutions may establish or implement less restrictive uniform admission transfer policies.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program, provides that in addition to other monetary assistance and incentives, if adequate funds are available, retention bonuses of $4,000 per year for 2 consecutive years shall be awarded to National Board certified teachers employed in hard-to-staff schools. This bonus shall be distributed to the respective school district or directly to the qualified educators. Provides that the State Board of Education's annual budget shall set out a separate line item for the appropriation of this bonus.