Rep. Dave Severin

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that, at least 120 days prior to making any changes to the health benefits for TRS benefit recipients, the Department of Central Management Services shall post those changes on its website and shall submit the planned changes to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. Provides that at least 120 days prior to making any changes to funding for the Teacher Health Insurance Security Fund, the Department shall post those changes on its website and shall submit the planned changes to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that any person convicted of a first offense of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer is guilty of a Class 2 felony (instead of a Class 4 felony). Provides that any person convicted of a second or subsequent offense of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer is guilty of a Class 1 felony (instead of a Class 3 felony).

Amends the School Code. By December 31, 2023, requires the State Board of Education to create a Parent Advisory Committee for the purpose of reviewing and making recommendations to the State Board with respect to the State Board's process of adopting new teaching or learning standards. Requires the State Board to review and consider the recommendations made by the committee prior to adopting a proposed teaching or learning standard, but does not require the State Board to accept any of the recommendations. Sets forth the membership of the committee; requires all committee members to be the parent of a student enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school in this State. Provides that members shall serve without compensation. Sets forth provisions concerning vacancies on the committee and committee meetings. Requires the State Board to provide administrative support to the committee. In provisions concerning school boards, requires a school board to adopt a policy to ensure that the parent or guardian of a student is provided with an opportunity to review the curricula and learning material used in the student's classroom at any point during the school year if the parent or guardian requests to review the curricula and learning material. Requires the policy to be published in the student handbook and on the school district's Internet website if one is maintained. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, in consultation with education stakeholders, the State Board of Education shall develop a comprehensive literacy plan for the State that, at a minimum, addresses specified areas. Provides that the State Board shall develop and adopt a comprehensive literacy plan for the State on or before January 31, 2024. Provides that the State Board shall adopt rules necessary to implement the provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall establish and maintain a Temporary Teacher Apprenticeship Program to assist qualified participants in acquiring a Professional Educator License. Provides that the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may establish and adopt any rules necessary to implement this program, including the standards that a qualified participant must meet to receive a Professional Educator License. Sets forth the requirements to complete the program. Provides that upon completing the requirements of the program, a qualified participant is eligible for a Professional Educator License. Makes related changes. 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 immediately following 5 years of the endorsement being issued and may be renewed. 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 may substitute teach in foreign language classrooms. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that through June 30, 2026 (instead of June 30, 2023), an annuitant may accept employment as a teacher without impairing his or her retirement status if that employment is not within the school year during which service was terminated and does not exceed 120 paid days or 600 paid hours in each school year. Deletes language concerning an additional 20 days or 100 paid hours that an annuitant may accept employment as a teacher without impairing his or her retirement status for the period between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. Effective immediately.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Allows approved providers of professional development activities to make available professional development opportunities that provide educators with training on reading and literacy instruction.

Amends the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Provides that the Governor's Office of Management and Budget shall adopt rules pertaining to expedient and efficient processing of grants awarded to public safety agencies though the State's awarding agencies, including those awards provided through the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board. Provides that the rules pertaining to the issuance of awards to public safety agencies shall include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) in accordance with the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act, continued uniform administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for State and federal pass-through awards to non-federal public safety entities; (2) an application process for public safety agencies that proceeds to process applicants, upon the receipt of their application on a first-come, first-serve basis; and (3) an award process that proceeds on a chronological case-by-case basis where a public safety agency's award is processed with no delay upon that agency's completion of all requirements, including the application process, reporting requirements, monitoring, and all other considerations and regulations as required under the Act. Provides that the Grant Accountability and Transparency Unit and the Office of the State Comptroller shall consider and determine revised factors when determining permanent or temporary cease payments, the garnishment of funds, or any other action by a State agency to hinder receipt of an award by a public safety agency recipient or subrecipient. Provides that those factors shall be disseminated to all State agencies that award grants to public safety agencies. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall adopt rules to establish an annual basic training program schedule that provides for the monthly enrollment of recruits into basic training schools. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 concerning a defendant's commitment for mental health treatment. Provides that if the Department of Human Services does not provide placement within the 20 days of transmittal from the circuit court clerk, the Department shall provide payment to the sheriff, as prescribed by the sheriff, including, but not limited to, housing and mental health services for each day after 20 days have passed from the time the defendant was first placed in the sheriff's custody. Provides that the sheriff shall not be held liable for any issues encountered after the 20th day the defendant remains in his or her care. Deletes provision that Department shall admit the defendant to a secure facility within 60 days of the transmittal of the court's placement order, unless the Department can demonstrate good faith efforts at placement and a lack of bed and placement availability. Deletes if placement cannot be made within 60 days of the transmittal of the court's placement order and the Department has demonstrated good faith efforts at placement and a lack of bed and placement availability, the Department shall provide an update to the ordering court every 30 days until the defendant is placed.