Rep. Brad Stephens

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Creates the Commission on Dependency and Addiction. Provides that the purpose of the Commission shall be to study fiscal matters regarding appropriating money across statewide programs aimed at tackling substance dependency and addiction. Provides that the Commission shall consist of members appointed by the Department of Human Services. Provides that the Department shall provide administrative assistance and necessary staff support services.

Amends the School Code. Provides that the dyslexia handbook developed by the State Board of Education shall include guidelines on the administration of a universal screener and dyslexia screening, the interpretation of data from these screeners, and the resulting appropriate instruction within a multi-tiered system of support framework. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt any rules necessary to ensure that a student will be screened for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener. Sets forth which students are required to be screened. Provides that no later than January 1, 2024, the State Board of Education shall employ at least 5 dyslexia specialists or dyslexia therapists with a minimum of 5 years of field experience in screening, identifying, and treating dyslexia and related disorders. Provides that beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, each school district must screen students in grades kindergarten through 2 for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener approved by the State Board of Education. Provides that if a student is determined to be either at risk or at some risk for dyslexia after the universal screener has been administered, the school district must administer a dyslexia screening of the student. Provides that if a student's dyslexia screening indicates that the student has characteristics of dyslexia, the dyslexia intervention services provided to the student must utilize a structured literacy approach as outlined in the State Board of Education's handbook. Makes other changes.

Amends the Balanced Budget Note Act. Specifies that the Pension Stabilization Fund is a general fund for purposes of identifying supplemental appropriation bills. Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that the monthly reports on State liabilities submitted to the Comptroller by the Department on Aging, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Central Management Services, and the Department of Revenue shall also include certain supplemental information. Amends the Budget Stabilization Act. Modifies provisions placing limits on amounts that may be appropriated, transferred, or diverted by the General Assembly from general funds. Modifies provisions concerning requirements for and transfers into the Budget Stabilization Fund and the Pension Stabilization Fund based on the State's accounts payable. Makes changes to the definition of "estimated general funds revenues". Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Creates the Opioid Crisis Committee. Provides that the purpose of the Commission shall be to study the opioid crisis across the nation and the State. Provides that the Commission shall develop strategies and policies to reduce the number of overdoses and deaths due to opioids in the State. Provides that the Commission shall ensure that any policy developed will be equitably accessible across historically marginalized groups and in both rural and urban areas. Provides that the Commission shall consist of members appointed by the Department of Human Services. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall provide administrative assistance and necessary staff support services. Provides that the Commission shall issue a report on the findings and strategies developed by the Commission to the General Assembly and the Governor. Provides that the Commission shall be dissolved upon delivery of the report. Repeals the provisions on January 1, 2027.

Congratulates the Knights of Columbus Police Council #12173 and all of its members on 25 years of outstanding community service as an organization.

Honors the life of Brother Konrad Diebold, FSC, and his contributions to education and the institutions where he served in his esteemed career, including answering the call to service one last time in the final days of his life.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the Governor shall annually designate, by official proclamation, the third Friday in March as Robotics Day to encourage students and school districts to engage in robotics-based activities and to engage students with the study of mathematics and science.

Recognizes the approaching 75th anniversary of the Village of Norridge and congratulates all residents and village officials on this momentous occasion of over half a century of incorporation.

Amends the Chicago Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Removes a birthdate restriction on eligibility at age 55 for a 3% automatic annual increase in retirement annuity that is not subject to a maximum increase of 30%. Makes a related change. Specifies the timing of an initial increase in retirement annuity for persons who have not received the initial increase before January 1, 2023. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the General Assembly Operations Act. Provides that no person may serve more than 10 consecutive years in any of the following leadership roles: Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and Minority Leader of the Senate. Provides that the limitations imposed by the amendatory Act apply to service beginning on and after the second Wednesday in January of 2025.