Rep. Jay Hoffman

Maddy summaryHB 303 is a technical amendment to the College and Career Success for All Students Act that updates the short title of a specific section within the law. This change does not alter any existing policies, funding, or programs but simply corrects the official name used to reference the legislation. The bill affects only the legal text of the act and has no direct impact on students, schools, or other stakeholders. It is currently in the legislative process and has not yet been enacted into law.

Amends the Mechanics Lien Act. Requires a sub-contractor, or party furnishing labor, materials, fixtures, apparatus, machinery, or services, to cause a notice of his or her claim and the amount due or to become due to the owner of record or the owner of record's agent or architect, or the superintendent having charge of the building or improvement, and, to the lending agency, if known. Requires the written notice to be sent by: (i) registered or certified mail, with return receipt requested; (ii) a nationally recognized delivery company with tracking service; or (iii) personal service. Provides that notice is considered served at the time the written notice is placed with the delivery service or in the mail.

Amends the Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act. Provides that an 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.

Amends the Public Contract Fraud Act. Provides that the Attorney General need not approve the title for lands needed for public works or improvements if the consideration paid does not exceed $25,000 (currently, $10,000). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that nothing in specified provisions concerning prohibited bidders shall prohibit a person or business from submitting an unsolicited proposal under the Public-Private Partnership for Transportation Act.

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Provides that, beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act, Assistant State's Attorneys, Assistant Public Defenders, and Assistant Appellate Defenders are not managerial employees for purposes of the Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Firefighter Paid Family Leave Act. Provides that a firefighter shall receive 6 weeks of paid family leave that may be used: (1) for the birth of a child in order to care for the child; (2) to care for a newly adopted child under 18 years of age, a newly placed foster child under 18 years of age, or a newly adopted or placed foster child older than 18 years of age if the child is incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability; and (3) to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Provides that the paid family leave requirements shall be provided to a firefighter regardless of the employer's leave policies and shall be provided to a firefighter who has been employed by the employer for at least one year. Provides that a firefighter may voluntarily waive his or her right to paid family leave. Provides that the Department of Labor may adopt any rules necessary to implement the Act.

Amends the Highway Advertising Control Act of 1971. Defines "sign" as any outdoor sign, display, device, notice, figure painting, drawing, message, placard, poster, billboard, or other thing, which is operated or owned by a person or entity where any person or entity is paying or earning remuneration directly or indirectly for (i) the existence or placement of the outdoor sign or (ii) the placement of the message on the outdoor sign (rather than any outdoor sign which is designated, intended, or used to advertise or inform, and of which any part of the existing or intended advertising or informative content) is capable of being visible from any place on the main-traveled way of any portion of any Interstate or primary highway and which is within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of such highway. Provides that for purposes of the definition of "erect", attaching a vinyl substrate medium to a sign structure or wall surface shall constitute normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure. Defines "remuneration". Removes the definitions of "on premise sign", "off premise sign", and "real estate sign". Removes language providing that registration must be made of each sign and shall be accompanied by a registration fee of $5. Removes provisions concerning directional and other official signs, real estate signs, on premise signs, off premise signs, and signs affixed by public utilities. Makes corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Early Childhood Education Act to establish a framework for early childhood education in Illinois. A specific provision within the legislation ensures that the rights, benefits, and employment status of state employees and their agencies remain unchanged by the new act. It explicitly states that the law does not affect existing personnel codes, labor relations, collective bargaining agreements, or pension plans. The bill was signed into law and became effective on June 25, 2024, with some provisions taking effect on July 1, 2026.

Amends the Department of Labor Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Manufacturing Mentorship Program to be administered by the Department of Labor for the purpose of exposing minors who are 17 years of age to manufacturing occupations in the State through temporary employment with an employer. Provides for educational and training requirements that an employer must satisfy to ensure the safety of minors. Provides that the Director of Labor, in consultation with employers, shall adopt rules specifying a list of the tools that a minor who is employed under the program may operate during the minor's employment in a manufacturing occupation. Amends the Child Labor Law. Provides that nothing in the Act applies to the employment of a minor, 17 years of age, in a manufacturing occupation under the Manufacturing Mentorship Program. Effective July 1, 2024.