Amends the Attorney Act. Deletes language providing that no person shall be entitled to receive a license to practice law unless the person is a citizen of the United States or unless the person has made a declaration of intention to become a citizen or unless, having made such declaration of intention, he or she has filed a petition for naturalization within thirty days after becoming eligible to do so and until he shall have obtained a certificate of good moral character from a circuit court. Provides instead that no person shall be prohibited from receiving a license solely because he or she is not a citizen of the United States. Provides that the Illinois Supreme Court may grant a license to a person who, in addition to fulfilling the requirements to practice law within this State, satisfies the following requirements: (1) the United States Department of Homeland Security has approved the person's request for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals; (2) the person's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals has not expired or has been properly renewed; and (3) the person has a current and valid employment authorization document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. Provides that the provisions concerning the issuance of a license to a person granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a state law for purposes of the federal statute governing the eligibility of nonresident aliens for state and local public benefits. Requests that the Illinois Supreme Court promulgate any orders or rules necessary to implement the amendatory Act.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Department of Children and Family Services shall establish a child protection training academy for child protective investigators and supervisors employed by the Department or its contractors, and for other State and county employees, judges, court personnel, service providers, mental health professionals, law enforcement, foster parents, and other appropriate individuals and entities that are involved in providing child welfare services and that work directly with abused or neglected children. Provides that the training efforts of the academy shall include, but shall not be limited to, establishing: (i) training curricula on recognizing and responding to cases of child abuse or neglect; (ii) laboratory training facilities that include mock houses, mock medical facilities, mock courtrooms, and mock forensic interview rooms that allow for simulated, interactive, and intensive training; and (iii) minimum standards of competence that a person shall be required to demonstrate prior to receiving certification from the academy. Provides that by January 1, 2016, the Department shall adopt rules for the administration of the child protection training academy that not only establish statewide competence, assessment, and training standards for persons providing child welfare services, but that also ensure that persons who provide child welfare services have the knowledge, skills, professionalism, and abilities to make decisions that keep children safe and secure. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Adds the subjects of consumer debt, higher education student loans, and identity-theft security to the list of subjects that are required to be included in the financial literacy component of consumer education. Effective July 1, 2015.
Creates the Caregiver Advise, Record, and Enable Act. Provides that after a patient is admitted as an inpatient into a hospital and before the patient is discharged or transferred, the hospital shall provide the patient or the patient's legal representative with an opportunity to designate a caregiver. Provides that the hospital shall document the patient's designation of a caregiver. Requires the hospital to notify the patient's designated caregiver prior to the patient's discharge or transfer, unless the patient indicates that he or she does not want the designated caregiver to be notified. Requires the hospital to consult with the designated caregiver and issue a discharge plan that contains certain information. Provides that the hospital issuing the discharge plan shall make an effort to provide or arrange for the designated caregiver to receive instructions in the after-care assistance tasks described in the discharge plan. Provides that the Act shall not be construed to interfere with the rights of an agent operating under a valid health care directive and shall not be construed to create a private right of action against certain individuals and entities. Contains other provisions. Effective 180 days after becoming law.
Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall assess high school students using a college and career ready determination that shall be accepted by this State's public institutions of higher education for the purpose of student application or admissions consideration.
Amends the Property Fire Loss Act. Allows the Fire Marshal and the Department of Insurance to prohibit the release of certain information to insurance companies if it would endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel or any other person. Makes technical changes.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval if required, a household that includes an elderly, blind, or disabled person shall be considered categorically eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the gross income of such household is at or below 200% of the nonfarm income poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2); and a household that does not include an elderly, blind, or disabled person shall be considered categorically eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the gross income of such household is at or below 165% of those nonfarm income poverty guidelines. Effective January 1, 2016.
Amends the State Treasurer Act. Creates the "Achieving a Better Life Experience" or "ABLE" account program to encourage and assist individuals and families in saving private funds for the purpose of supporting persons with disabilities in endeavors to maintain health, independence, and quality of life, and to provide secure funding for disability-related expenses on behalf of designated beneficiaries with disabilities that will supplement, but not supplant, benefits provided through private insurance, federal and State medical and disability insurance, the beneficiary's employment, and other sources. Provides that the State Treasurer shall be primarily responsible for the plan but shall work with the Illinois State Board of Investment. Sets forth the requirements of the plan. Requires the State Treasurer to adopt rules to implement the program. Defines required terms.
Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Authorizes the Secretary of State, in addition to county clerks, to institute an Internet-based system for the filing of statements of economic interests. Provides that all Internet-based systems for the filing of statements of economic interests shall set forth and provide a means of generating a printable receipt page acknowledging filing. Makes other changes to be consistent with the requirements of the amendatory Act. Effective July 1, 2015.
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is an affirmative defense to a charge of prostitution that the accused engaged in or performed prostitution as a result of being a victim of involuntary servitude or trafficking in persons as defined in the Code, or was a victim of trafficking as defined in the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in prosecutions for prostitution, when the accused intends to raise at trial the affirmative defense of being a victim of involuntary servitude or trafficking in persons as defined in the Code, or was a victim of trafficking as defined in the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and has reason to believe that the evidence presented in asserting that defense may jeopardize the safety of the accused, courtroom personnel, or others impacted by human trafficking, the accused may file under seal a motion for an in camera hearing to review the accused's safety concerns. Upon receipt of the motion and notice to the parties, the court shall conduct an in camera hearing, with counsel present, limited to review of potential safety concerns. Provides that the court shall not consider the merits of the affirmative defense during the in camera review. Provides that if the court finds that the assertion of an affirmative defense by the accused in open court could jeopardize the safety of the accused, court personnel, or other persons, the court may clear the courtroom with the agreement of the accused, order additional in camera hearings, seal the records, prohibit court personnel from disclosing the proceedings without prior court approval, or take any other appropriate measure that in the court's discretion will enhance the safety of the proceedings and ensure the accused a full and fair opportunity to assert his or her affirmative defense. Provides that statements made by the accused during the in camera hearing to review safety concerns shall not be admissible against the accused for the crimes charged. Effective immediately.