Rep. Kelly Cassidy

Amends the Chicago Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, in those cases where the injury or death for which a disability or death benefit is payable was caused under circumstances creating a legal liability on the part of some person or entity to pay damages to the policeman, then legal proceedings may be taken against such other person or entity to recover damages notwithstanding the Fund's payment of or liability to pay disability or death benefits. Provides that the Fund may intervene in any action brought by the disabled policeman or his or her personal representative. Effective immediately.

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. With respect to safety education instruction for students enrolled in prekindergarten through grade 6, adds water safety that incorporates the water safety instructional materials and resources developed by the American Red Cross and the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project or by a district-approved source. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that all decisions regarding the treatment of patients experiencing pain, including chronic pain, shall be made by the prescriber. Provides that ordering, prescribing, dispensing, administering, or paying for controlled substances, including opioids, shall not in any way be predetermined by specific morphine milligram equivalent guidelines. Provides that, before the Department of Human Services releases confidential information from the central repository, the applicant, in addition to other requirements of the Act, must demonstrate in writing to the Department that the applicant has a valid court order or subpoena for the release of the confidential information requested.

Amends the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Provides that if a respondent to an order of protection is subject to remedies prohibiting firearm possession, the order of protection shall also include an order to surrender firearms. Sets forth requirements for the surrendering of any firearm and law enforcement agencies providing statements of receipt of firearms. Provides that the failure to surrender any firearm within 24 hours to the appropriate law enforcement agency under an order to surrender firearms shall constitute contempt of court for the violation of the terms of the order of protection. Requires the Supreme Court to adopt a form for an order to surrender firearms and update any existing forms for an order of protection. Makes corresponding changes in the Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963.

Amends the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning creation of the Board.

Amends the Firearms Restraining Order Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Legislative Employee Labor Relations Act. Authorizes legislative employees to bargain collectively through the representatives of their choosing on questions of wages, hours, and other conditions of employment. Specifies that the General Assembly is not required to bargain on specified matters of inherent managerial policy. Establishes the Office of State Legislative Labor Relations. Directs the Office of State Legislative Labor Relations to manage the interests of the General Assembly in collective bargaining with legislative employees. Grants the State Panel of the Illinois Labor Relations Board jurisdiction over collective bargaining matters between employee organizations and the General Assembly of the State of Illinois. Contains additional provisions concerning the following topics: the duty to bargain collectively; fair-share agreements; grievance procedures; election and recognition of labor organizations as exclusive representatives; unfair labor practices; mediation; fact-finding; exhaustion of nonjudicial remedies; strikes during session periods; and multiyear collective bargaining agreements. Specifies that the Open Meetings Act does not apply to collective bargaining negotiations and grievance arbitration proceedings under the Act. Sets forth definitions. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012, the State Lawsuit Immunity Act, and the Workplace Violence Prevention Act to make conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2026.

Creates the Office of Language Equity and Access Act. Provides that the Office of Language Equity and Access is created in the Governor's Office of New Americans to ensure equitable and meaningful access to State information, services, programs, and activities for persons who have limited English proficiency. Provides that the Director of the Office shall work with State agencies and use available resources within the Office of New Americans and Office of Equity to ensure that, among other things, each State agency takes reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access to services, programs, and activities by persons with limited English proficiency. Provides that the Office shall have a full-time Director who is bilingual and has experience in serving immigrant populations. Describes the duties and responsibilities of the Director. Provides that there shall be a bilingual employment plan, which would require designations of positions as bilingual and result in the hiring of qualified personnel who are bilingual. Provides that the Director shall comply with specified requirements concerning the need for interpreters and translators. Provides that the Director shall develop a template and mechanism for collecting, storing, and analyzing language access plans.

Recognizes and celebrates the birthdate of the late Gene "Coach Ping" Pingatore on October 25, 2023. Remembers the legacy he created and the many lives he touched during his lifetime.