Urges support for the Family Roots Genealogy Pilot Program as it provides African American descendants of enslaved individuals the opportunity to trace their roots back to their ancestral homelands, to reconnect with their ancestral heritage, and to promote their well-being.
Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits a forest preserve district from prohibiting persons from carrying a firearm into any botanic garden, campground, aquatic center, grounds of an aquatic center, boat launch, boating center, athletic venue, picnic grove, nature center, grounds of a nature center, pavilion, grounds of a pavilion, golf course, parking lot, driving range, adventure course, grounds of an adventure course, zipline building, grounds of a zipline, equestrian center, grounds of an equestrian center, exercise venue, grounds of an exercise venue, any Illinois nature preserve, land and water reserve, or any public or private gathering or special event conducted on property that requires the issuance of a permit. Defines "grounds".
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person operating a bicycle may slow to a reasonable speed of 15 miles per hour or less, or a speed limit specified by the municipality or unit of local government, without making a complete stop at intersection or stop sign, if the bicycle operator yields the right-of-way to any traffic or pedestrian in or approaching the intersection. Provides that a person operating a bicycle who approaches an illuminated red traffic-control device must first stop at the intersection and yield to all other traffic and pedestrians and then, when safe to do so, may proceed straight or make a right turn through the intersection or, subject to specified conditions, make a left turn onto a one-way street only.
Amends the Election Code. Repeals provisions that prohibit a person that is serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution from voting until his or her release from confinement. Further amends the Election Code and amends the Unified Code of Corrections making conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2024.
Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that vegetation within the first 8 feet adjacent to the surface of a highway or road, or to the shoulder if there is one, may be mowed at any time, but not to a height of less than 4 inches. Provides that other vegetation within a right-of-way may be mowed up to 2 times between October 15 and April 1 and up to 2 times between July 1 and July 20, but not to a height of less than 12 inches. Provides that mowing at other times or at lower heights is not allowed unless authorized for necessary safety reasons: (i) by rule of the Department of Transportation; or (ii) after consultation with the Department and if not less restrictive than or in conflict with Department rules, by ordinance of the county, township, or road district having jurisdiction. Provides that the Department may also adopt rules: (i) for noxious weed control that causes minimal disruption of habitat; and (ii) that set conditions to allow for mowing, burning, or tilling to prepare the land for the establishment of a habitat consisting of native, low-maintenance, and permanent vegetative cover or for prairie vegetation management. Provides that weed control under the Code and under the Illinois Noxious Weed Law must be accomplished in compliance with the new provisions. Provides that a violation is a petty offense for the first offense and a Class B misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense. Provides that, if an offense is not prosecuted by the State's Attorney, the Attorney General, or a special prosecutor appointed by the Attorney General, may bring the prosecution. Makes a corresponding change in the Illinois Noxious Weed Law. Effective immediately.
Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Provides that a certified registered nurse anesthetist providing anesthesia services outside the hospital, ambulatory surgical treatment center, or hospital affiliate shall enter into a written collaborative agreement with a physician, podiatric physician, or dentist. Removes provisions providing that a certified registered nurse anesthetist, an anesthesiologist, a physician, a dentist, or a podiatric physician must participate through discussion of an agreement with the anesthesia plan and remain physically present and available on the premises during the delivery of anesthesia services. Makes corresponding changes in the Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center Act and the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Effective immediately.
Amends the Electric Vehicle Rebate Act. Defines "electric bicycle" and "nonattainment area". Provides that, beginning July 1, 2024, and continuing as long as funds are available, a person may apply for a rebate following the purchase of an electric bicycle in the State. Provides for a schedule of rebates awarded. Provides for a secondary schedule of rebates awarded for individuals who can provide proof of eligibility for the Food Assistance for Women, Infants, and Children, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance, or otherwise make less than 300% of the federal poverty limit. Provides that a community shall be prioritized for the electric bicycle rebate program if the community is within a nonattainment area. Provides that the incentive for a rebate for an electric bicycle shall be available at the point of sale in order to maximize the impact for low-income and mid-income communities. Provides that a business in a nonattainment area shall register with the Department of Revenue to directly receive rebates for the business' sales with the retailer collecting specified information.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires a contractor or person employed to deliver goods from a store or restaurant through a third-party delivery service to use a non-carbon emitting mode of transportation while making such deliveries. Provides that a contractor or person who fails to comply with the provisions may be subject to a fine of $250 or suspension of the contractor's or person's driving privileges. Restricts the provisions to counties with a population of 3,000,000 or more. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers.
Creates the Home Modification Program Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to establish a home modification funding system that is streamlined, effective, and administered by experts within the disability community. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall establish a Home Modification Program to provide financial assistance to persons with disabilities for home modification projects. Requires the Department to designate a statewide association that represents centers for independent living to serve as the lead agency to administer the program. Requires the Department to provide funding for the Program. Requires the lead agency to distribute any moneys it receives from the Department to the State's 22 centers for independent living, covering all 102 counties. Provides that the lead agency shall ensure that each center for independent living has access to at least $105,000 to use for home modification projects, with the excess funds subject to reallocation during the 4th fiscal quarter of each year. Contains provisions concerning eligibility requirements for applicants under the Program; the lead agency's establishment of a Home Modification Subcommittee to provide additional oversight of the home modification projects; and an administrative fee to the lead agency.
Creates the Paraprofessional Fast Track to Teaching Degree Pilot Program Act. Makes findings. Provides that the Paraprofessional Fast Track to Teaching Degree Pilot Program is created for a 2-year degree pathway by which paraprofessional educators may enroll to achieve the education requirements to attain a professional educator license in this State, which shall comply with the standards of the State Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education. Provides that, subject to appropriation, beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year or, if funds are not appropriated for the Program that academic year, beginning with the academic year in which funds are appropriated for the Program, the State Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education shall coordinate with each other to assign a qualified individual to serve as a Program director to develop the curriculum for the Program. Provides that one public elementary or public secondary school and one public university in this State shall be chosen to develop a program for transitioning paraprofessionals to teachers. Includes the core components of the Program. Provides that the State Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education must submit a report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Legislative Reference Bureau detailing the impact of the Program and then the Program is dissolved and the Act is repealed. Effective immediately.
