Rep. David Friess

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the offense of unlawful possession of weapons in relation to knowingly possessing any device or attachment of any kind designed, used, or intended for use in silencing the report of any firearm does not apply to or affect persons licensed under federal law to distribute at wholesale any device or attachment of any kind designed, used, or intended for use in silencing the report of any firearm, firearms, or ammunition for those firearms equipped with those devices, and actually engaged in the business of distributing at wholesale those devices, firearms, or ammunition, but only with respect to activities that are within the lawful scope of that business, such as the distribution, transportation, or demonstration of those devices, firearms, or ammunition to qualified end users. Defines "distributing at wholesale". Provides that the exemption does not authorize the general private possession of any device or attachment of any kind designed, used, or intended for use in silencing the report of any firearm, but only such possession and activities as are within the lawful scope of a licensed wholesale distribution business. Provides that during transportation, these devices shall be detached from any weapon or not immediately accessible. Effective immediately.

Creates the Definitions of Sex-Based Terms Act. Defines, for purposes of State statutes and administrative rules, the meaning of the following terms: "boy", "father", "female", "girl", "male", "man", "mother", "sex", and "woman".

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that any member of the General Assembly, person whose appointment to office is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, or head of a department, commission, board, division, bureau, authority, or other administrative unit within the government of this State who takes office on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act shall not, within a 3-year period immediately following termination of that person's most recent term of office, register as a lobbyist and engage in lobbying with members of the General Assembly. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Schedules xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance. Provides that notwithstanding the scheduling of xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance, xylazine shall not be considered a controlled substance when: (1) used by licensed Illinois veterinarians dispensing or prescribing for, or administering to, a nonhuman species of a drug containing xylazine that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; (2) used by licensed Illinois veterinarians dispensing or prescribing for, or administering to, a nonhuman species that is permissible under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; (3) manufactured, distributed, or used as an active pharmaceutical ingredient for manufacturing an animal drug approved under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; (4) used by a licensed certified euthanasia technician employed by a certified euthanasia agency; or (5) used by a wildlife biologist engaged in legal or authorized fieldwork under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for each individual who (i) serves as a first responder for at least 10 months during the taxable year and (ii) incurs unreimbursed qualified wellness expenses during the taxable year. Provides that the amount of the credit is equal to 50% of the unreimbursed qualified wellness expenses incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year, up to a maximum of $250 per eligible taxpayer. Sets forth limitations on the aggregate amount of credits that may be awarded under the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall establish the Returning Police Officers Loan Repayment Assistance Program to assist police officers who have left law enforcement with repayment of student loans and in order to help place officers into areas of the State that are the most under-staffed and in need of additional officers. Sets forth qualifications for applicants. Provides that each award under the Program shall be equal to $6,000 per year (i) for up to 5 years or (ii) until the applicant's student loans are paid off, whichever is sooner. Provides that an applicant has one year from the date that the first student loan assistance payment is received to begin work in a shortage area. Provides that applicants currently working in shortage areas are eligible for the Program, but those who left law enforcement due to reasons other than retirement or a permanent disability shall be given priority for the Program. Provides for rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to set, by rule, the maximum amount of classes a teaching assistant may teach without a professor, instructor, or teacher present.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 concerning the Interference With Penal Institution Article of the Code. Provides that in addition to any other penalty provided by law, an additional one year of imprisonment shall be added to the sentence of a person who commits bringing contraband into a penal institution or unauthorized bringing or delivery of contraband into a penal institution by an employee by using an unmanned aerial vehicle. Provides that a person who knowingly and intentionally operates an unmanned aerial vehicle below the navigable airspace overlying a State penal institution is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that this provision does not apply to an employee who operates the unmanned aerial vehicle within the scope of his or her employment, or a person who receives prior permission from the penal institution to operate the unmanned aerial vehicle. Provides that a person who knowingly and intentionally captures images or data of a State penal institution through the operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle is guilty of a Class 4 felony. Provides that this provision does not apply to an employee who captures images or data of a State penal institution through the operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle within the scope of his or her employment, or a person who receives prior permission from the penal institution to capture images or data of a State penal institution through the operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle. Defines "State penal institution" and "unmanned aerial vehicle".

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall approve a course for school safety officers (a retired law enforcement officer who has been hired by a school district to perform security services). Sets forth training and certification requirements. Provides that an applicant for employment as a school safety officer must authorize an investigation to determine if the applicant has been convicted of any criminal offense that disqualifies the person as a school safety officer. Amends the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act. Exempts school safety officers from the Act if a school board does not require officer-worn body cameras. Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, a school may employ a school safety officer. Requires a school safety officer applicant to provide the school district a certificate of completion or approved waiver issued by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board. Provides that a school safety officer shall wear a uniform that clearly identifies the officer as a school safety officer. Provides that a school safety officer may detain a person when the officer has reasonable suspicion to believe that an offense, other than an ordinance violation, is being committed. Provides that a school safety officer may carry a firearm as long as the officer is certified under specified provisions of the Peace Officer and Probation Officer Firearm Training Act. Adds references to school safety officers throughout the Code. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that that the provisions concerning the unlawful use of weapons as those provisions pertain to firearms do not apply to or affect the carrying or possession of firearms by a qualified current or retired law enforcement officer qualified under the laws of the State or under the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act in specified properties, including schools. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a foreign language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets specified requirements. Provides that the foreign language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until June 30 following the fifth anniversary of the endorsement's issuance. Provides that an individual who holds a valid foreign language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may teach a course on the foreign language for which the foreign language endorsement is issued. Provides that an individual who holds a valid foreign language endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations but does not hold a bachelor's degree and who is 25 years of age or older may substitute teach in foreign language classrooms. Effective July 1, 2025.