Rep. Katie Stuart

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes sheriff's law enforcement employee (SLEP) status for a person who is not eligible to participate in a downstate firefighter fund and is employed on a full-time basis by a participating municipality to perform duties as a paramedic, emergency medical technician (EMT), emergency medical technician-intermediate (EMT-I), or advanced emergency medical technician (A-EMT); but only if the governing authority of that municipality has approved sheriff's law enforcement employee status for such employees by adoption of an affirmative resolution. Provides that the resolution must specify that SLEP status shall be applicable to such employment occurring on or after the adoption of the resolution and that the resolution shall be irrevocable. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Congratulates Caspar Dowdy on being named Illinois Journalist of the Year.

Congratulates Jon Wagner on the occasion of his retirement from Edwardsville High School athletics.

Congratulates McKenzie Pratt on her accomplishments in her high school wrestling career.

Mourns the death of Frank Nunez of Crystal Lake.

Creates the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Act. Requires the Department of Employment Security to establish and administer a Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program that provides family and medical leave insurance benefits to eligible employees. Sets forth eligibility requirements for benefits under the Act. Contains provisions concerning disqualification from benefits; premium payments; the amount and duration of benefits; the recovery of erroneous payments; hearings; defaulted premium payments; elective coverage; employment protection; coordination of family and medical leave; defined terms; and other matters. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Account Fund. Provides phase-in periods for the collection of money and making of claims for benefits under the Act. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987. Changes the definition of "physician assistant", "physician assistant practice", "board", and "collaborating physician". Removes the definition of "disciplinary board" and changes references from the "disciplinary board" to the Illinois State Medical Board throughout the Act. Provides that a physician assistant shall be deemed by law to possess the ability to prescribe, dispense, order, administer, and procure drugs and medical devices without delegation of such authority by a physician. Provides that such ability shall include prescribing of Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances. Provides that to prescribe Schedule II, III, IV, or V controlled substances under the Act, a physician assistant shall obtain a mid-level practitioner controlled substances licenses. Provides that when a written collaboration agreement is required under the Act, delegation of prescriptive authority by a physician is not required. Provides that a physician assistant who files with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation a notarized attestation of completion of at least 250 hours of continuing education or training and at least 2,000 hours of clinical experience after first attaining national certification shall not require a written collaborative agreement. Provides the specified scope of practice of a physician assistant with optimal practice authority. Provides that a physician assistant shall be able to hold more than one professional position. Makes changes in provisions concerning the physician assistant title, collaboration requirements, and the written collaborative agreement. Makes other changes and corresponding changes to the Act and to the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.

Declares the week of March 12 through March 18, 2023 as Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. Declares March 18, 2023 as Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Day. Encourages municipalities, media organizations, and residents to participate in Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and Day. Recognizes those living with MS, their families, and the healthcare professionals and medical researchers who provide assistance to those affected by MS.

Congratulates Debbie Ming-Mendoza on her retirement as Madison County Clerk and wishes her and her family a happy retirement full of joy.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for taxpayers who are caregivers of a veteran with a disability. Provides that the credit shall be in an amount equal to 5% of the costs incurred in caring for the veteran, not to exceed $1,000 in credits in any taxable year. Effective immediately.