Rep. Jay Hoffman

Amends the Counties Code. In a provision concerning the development of scope and performance criteria for design-build projects, deletes a provision that requires the county to develop preliminary design plans. Specifies that a design-build entity shall not be disqualified solely due to having previously been awarded a project or projects under any applicable public procurement statute of the State. Provides that, if a county receives one Phase I response, nothing prohibits the county from proceeding with a Phase II evaluation of the single respondent, if the county, in its discretion, finds proceeding to be in its best interest. Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. In a provision concerning the development of scope and performance criteria for design-build projects, deletes a provision that requires the municipality to develop preliminary design plans. Specifies that a design-build entity shall not be disqualified solely due to having previously been awarded a project or projects under any applicable public procurement statute of the State. Provides that, if a municipality receives one response to Phase I, nothing shall prohibit the municipality from proceeding with a Phase II evaluation of the single respondent, if the municipality, in its discretion, finds proceeding to be in its best interest. Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that the Act's competitive bidding provisions do not prohibit a fire protection district from entering into design-build contracts.

Amends the School Code. With respect to prerequisites to receiving a high school diploma, provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, agricultural education, agricultural business, or any other course that relates to agriculture satisfies the vocational education requirement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act. Provides that a participating employee or part-time employee (rather than an employee) may use up to 10 days of leave in any 12-month period to serve as an organ donor. Provides that, for a part-time employee using leave to serve as an organ donor, the employer shall calculate the daily average pay the part-time employee received during his or her previous 2 months of employment and compensate the part-time employee in the amount of the daily average pay for the leave days used.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Changes the repeal date of the Professional Geologist Licensing Act from January 1, 2026 to January 1, 2031. Adds provisions concerning the applicant's or licensee's address of record and email address of record; the inclusions of the applicant's Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number on an application; and placing a license on inactive status. Makes changes in provisions concerning exemptions; restrictions and limitations; powers and duties of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; the Board of Licensing for Professional Geologists; applications for original license; examinations; qualifications for licensure; endorsement; expiration and renewal of license; returned checks and fines; disciplinary actions; injunctive actions; investigations; findings and recommendations by the Board; rehearings; appointments of hearing officers; surrender of license; violations; and confidentiality. Makes other changes. Provisions amending the Regulatory Sunset Act are effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall include in its handbook regarding dyslexia guidelines on the administration of universal screeners for a risk of reading difficulties and secondary reviews, the interpretation of data from these screeners and reviews, and the resulting appropriate intervention within a multi-tiered system of support framework. Requires the State Board to adopt any rules necessary to ensure that a student will be screened for a risk of reading difficulties using a universal screener. Provides that a student shall be screened: (1) if the student is enrolled in a public school in any of grades kindergarten through 3; (2) if the student is in any of grades kindergarten through 3, transfers to a new public school, and has not been screened twice previously during the school year; (3) if the student is in grade 4 or higher and the student's teacher, parent, or guardian requests that the student be screened for a risk of reading difficulties using a universal screener; or (4) if the student is from another state and enrolls for the first time in any of grades kindergarten through 3 in a school district in the State. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each school district must screen students, no less than twice each school year, in grades kindergarten through 3 for a risk of reading difficulties using a universal screener approved by the State Board. Provides for intervention. Requires a report to the State Board. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Flag Display Act. Permits the United States national flag to be displayed on the grounds of a courthouse (rather than only on the top of a courthouse).

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides for the recovery of benefits awarded to individuals who are determined to not be eligible for those benefits, plus any penalties and interest, in accordance with specified provisions of the Act. Provides that the Director of Employment Security is authorized to cooperate with and enter into appropriate agreements with the State Treasurer for the recovery of unclaimed property held by the State Treasurer in the name of an individual who received benefits that the individual was determined to not be eligible to receive or in the name of an employer who owes contributions, interest, or penalties under the Act. Authorizes the Director to directly request and accept the return of funds from a debit card issuer for any debit card account that received benefits under specified circumstances. Makes other changes.

Amends the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act. Authorizes an authorized representative to sign the disclosure required under the Act before any contract relating to the ownership or use of real property is entered into by the State or a unit of local government disclosing the interest of an owner or beneficiary in the real property. Authorizes disclosure by providing a copy of a proxy statement or other official corporate document filed with the federal Securities Exchange Commission or similar federal regulatory body within the previous calendar year disclosing the overall ownership of the limited liability company, corporation, or general partnership. Removes the requirement for additional disclosure for contracts for the ownership or use of real property for highway purposes by the Department of Transportation for any entity that is wholly or partially owned by another entity. Amends the Eminent Domain Act. Allows a party authorized to take property to file a complaint in circuit court if the owner is unable or unwilling to provide documentation required by the acquiring party to obtain sufficient title to the property, consummate the transaction, or comply with all legal requirements for the transaction. Eliminates the requirement that the Illinois Department of Transportation obtain Illinois Commerce Commission approval before bringing an action to acquire property needed for highway projects owned by utilities and railroads. Allows notice to property owners to be sent by entities other than the United States Postal Service if a company provides the same function as certified mail with return receipt. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 2139 amends the Fair and Exposition Authority Reconstruction Act. It makes a technical change to a section within that act, specifically concerning its short title.

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that the definition of "public works" includes all federal construction projects administered or controlled by a public body if the prevailing rate of wages is equal to or greater than the prevailing wage determination by the United States Secretary of Labor for the same locality for the same type of construction used to classify the federal construction project. Makes a conforming change. Effective July 1, 2025.