Rep. Kelly Cassidy

Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Minors and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Persons under 21 Years of Age and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products Act. Raises the age for whom tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and alternative nicotine products may be sold from at least 18 years of age to at least 21 years of age. Eliminates the penalty for possession of a cigar, cigarette, smokeless tobacco, or tobacco in any of its forms by persons under 18 years of age. Defines "electronic cigarette". Repeals the Smokeless Tobacco Limitation Act. Amends various other Acts to make conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Election Code. Requires that the trustees for the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District be elected at consolidated elections. Provides that where a nomination for election is to be made for a trustee of the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District, then the petition shall be filed in the office of the county clerk not more than 113 nor less than 106 days prior to the date of the primary. Amends the Sanitary District Act of 1917. Provides that the board of trustees of the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District shall be elected (rather than appointed) beginning with the 2019 election. Sets forth requirements concerning the number of trustees to be elected and length of terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that an approved waiver from or modification to a physical education mandate may remain in effect for a period not to exceed 2 school years (rather than 5 school years like other mandate waivers) and may be renewed no more than 2 times upon application by an eligible applicant. Provides that an approved waiver from or modification to a physical education mandate may be changed within the 2-year period by the school board or regional superintendent of schools, whichever is applicable, following the procedure set forth in the Code for the initial waiver or modification request. Provides that a school board may determine the schedule or frequency of physical education courses, provided that an elementary school pupil engage in a course of physical education for a minimum of 150 minutes per week and a high school pupil engage in a course of physical education for a minimum of 225 minutes per week (rather than engaging in a course of physical education for a minimum of 3 days per 5-day week). Effective July 1, 2018.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2019, in fixing the salaries of teachers, a school board shall pay those who serve on a full-time basis a rate not less than $40,000 per year. Removes a provision providing for a periodic teacher salary increase schedule. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall allow an applicant to provide his or her individual taxpayer identification number as an alternative to provide a social security number when applying for a license. Provides that no applicant shall be denied a license solely based on his or her immigration status or citizenship status. Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. Removes language providing that an applicant for a registered pharmacist license shall provide evidence indicating that he or she is a United States citizen or legally admitted alien.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. In provisions concerning change of name, provides that a person interested in the matter shall make known any objection to the granting of the petition for change of name by filing a written objection stating the reasons for the objection with the court at least 2 court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and by appearing in court at the hearing to show cause why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Provides that if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition. Deletes language restricting or prohibiting the filing of a petition for change of name by persons convicted of certain crimes. Provides instead that if the petitioner has been convicted of identity theft, aggravated identity theft, felony or misdemeanor criminal sexual abuse when the victim of the offense at the time of its commission is under 18 years of age, felony or misdemeanor sexual exploitation of a child, felony or misdemeanor indecent solicitation of a child, felony or misdemeanor indecent solicitation of an adult, or any other offense for which a person is required to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act in this State or any other state, and the petitioner has not been pardoned, the clerk shall notify the Illinois State Police so that they may have the opportunity to file a timely objection to the petition for change of name. Provides that the court may waive specified publication requirements and order that the record of the proceeding be designated confidential if the court finds good cause for entering such an order, including evidence that publication or availability of a record of the proceeding will place the petitioner or another individual in physical danger and evidence that the petitioner or another individual has been the victim of stalking or assaultive behavior.