Rep. Michael Kelly

Amends the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Agriculture upon request (previously in cooperation) with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall provide consulting service and standards. Repeals the Displaced Homemakers Assistance Act, the Energy Policy and Planning Act, the Community Health Worker Advisory Board Act, the Electronic Health Records Taskforce Act, and the Des Plaines and Illinois Rivers Act. Makes changes in various Acts in provisions concerning funds; mandates; reports; and task forces. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Creates an exemption for property that is sold to an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States who presents valid military identification and purchases the property using a form of payment where the federal government is the payor.

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that the definition of "public works" includes power washing projects in which steam or pressurized water, with or without added abrasives or chemicals, is used to remove paint or other coatings, oils or grease, corrosion, or debris from a surface or to prepare a surface for a coating.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that an individual who is not a citizen but is legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law is authorized to apply for the position of police officer, subject to all requirements and limitations, other than citizenship, to which other applicants are subject. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Creates under the authority of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator, appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of 4 years. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall receive a salary as provided by law and is eligible for reappointment. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall be responsible for implementing a program of mental health support and education for law enforcement officers. Establishes qualifications for the Coordinator. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall report to the Board on the development and implementation of programs and training for law enforcement officers and shall advise the Board and receive advice from the Board on direction and training needs for law enforcement agencies that vary in size, location, and demographics.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, unless some other speed restriction is established under the Code, the maximum speed limit on a highway with a designated bicycle lane is 25 miles per hour.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. In the statute concerning abuse or criminal neglect of a long term care facility resident, changes references to "an elderly person's or person with a disability's life" to references to "a resident's life". In the statute concerning financial exploitation of an elderly person or a person with a disability, provides that a person who violates the provisions is guilty of a Class 1 felony if the elderly person is 70 years of age or older (instead of "over 70 years of age") and the value of the property is $15,000 or more.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow for the issuance of decals by the Department of Public Health for autism awareness license plate decals. Provides for the original and renewal fees and fee distribution for Universal special license plates with autism awareness decals issued by the Department.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging and the Illinois Public Aid Code by changing all references to the Illinois State Police Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to the Office of the Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Amends the Illinois False Claims Act. Removes references to the Illinois State Police from the definition of "investigator". Provides that the Attorney General (rather than the Attorney General or the Illinois State Police) shall diligently investigate a civil violation for false claims under the Act. Provides that the Attorney General may issue subpoenas under the Act (rather than the Attorney General may delegate the authority to issue subpoenas under the Act to the Department of State Police). In provisions concerning the State Whistleblower Reward and Protection Fund, provides that for all cases settled on or after October 1, 2023, one-third of the monies shall be paid to the Attorney General Whistleblower Reward and Protection Fund. Provides that the remaining two-thirds of the monies in the Fund shall be used for payment of awards to Qui Tam plaintiffs and as otherwise specified in this Act, with any remainder to the General Revenue Fund. Provides that the Attorney General shall direct the State Treasurer to make disbursement of funds. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the provision requiring the driver of a vehicle approaching a traffic-control signal on which no signal light facing such vehicle is illuminated to stop before entering the intersection does not apply to the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian hybrid beacon. Defines "pedestrian hybrid beacon" as a traffic-control device used to warn and control traffic, at locations that are otherwise without a traffic-control signal, to assist pedestrians in crossing a street or highway at a marked crosswalk.