Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Allows the Illinois Commerce Commission to deny a license for an agent, broker, or consultant engaged in the procurement or sale of retail electricity supply for third parties if the Commission determines the applicant has failed to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the necessary competence or is unlikely to fulfill the applicant's ongoing obligations as an agent, broker, or consultant. Provides that violations of the provisions related to the licensure of agents, brokers, and consultants engaged in the procurement or sale of retail electricity supply for third parties shall be as follows: (1) for a first violation, the Commission may, in addition or as an alternative to the suspension of a license, impose a fine up to $5,000 per violation; (2) for a second violation within a 5-year period, the Commission may (rather than shall) suspend the license of the person or entity for a period of not less than 6 months and, in addition or as an alternative, impose a fine up to $10,000 per violation; and (3) for a third or subsequent violation within a 5-year period, the Commission may (rather than shall) suspend the license of the disciplined person or entity for a period of not less than 2 years and, in addition or as an alternative, impose a fine up to $20,000 per violation.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the School Code's construction.

Creates the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program Act. Creates the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program within the Illinois State Police to provide a stable funding source for the veterinary care for retired police dogs. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall contract with a not-for-profit corporation organized under Article 2 of the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986 to administer and manage the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall select the not-for-profit corporation through a competitive grant award process. Establishes criteria for the selection of the not-for-profit corporation. Provides that from appropriations made by the General Assembly to the Illinois State Police for implementation of the Act, the Illinois State Police shall make grants to the not-for-profit corporation contracted by the Illinois State Police to be the disbursing authority for the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program. Provides that these funds must be disbursed to the former handler or the adopter of a retired police dog that served for 5 years or more as a police dog upon receipt specified verification. Provides that annual disbursements to a former handler or an adopter to reimburse him or her for the cost of the retired police dog's veterinary care may not exceed $1,500 per dog. Provides that a former handler or an adopter of a retired police dog may not accumulate unused funds from a current year for use in a future year. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall pay to the not-for-profit corporation, and the not-for-profit corporation may use, up to 10% of appropriated funds for its administrative expenses, including salaries and benefits. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall adopt rules to implement the Act.

Creates the Underground Carbon Dioxide Storage Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Recognizes the late Leticia "Letty" Lozano on the impact her advocacy made on the vocation of Paraprofessionals and School-Related Personnel (PSRPs) in the State of Illinois and her dedication to Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Repeals the Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984 on January 1, 2029 (rather than January 1, 2024). Amends the Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984. Provides that all applicants and registrants shall: (1) provide a valid address and email address to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which shall serve as the address of record and email address of record, respectively, at the time of application for registration or renewal of a registration; and (2) inform the Department of any change of address of record or email address of record within 14 days after such change either through the Department's website or by contacting the Department's licensure maintenance unit. Provides that every application for an original licensee under this Act shall include the applicant's Social Security Number or individual taxpayer identification number. Provides that the report of findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations of the Board shall be the basis for the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation's (rather than the Department's) action regarding a certificate. Provides that within 20 days after service of a notice of report of refusal to issue or renew, the respondent may present to the Secretary (rather than to the Department) a motion in writing for a rehearing. Removes a provision providing that exhibits shall be certified without cost. Repeals a provision concerning a roster. Makes corresponding and other changes. Provisions amending the Regulatory Sunset Act are 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.

Recognizes the week of November 13-19, 2023 as National Apprenticeship Week.

Amends the Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act. Provides that unless otherwise required by State or federal law, an employer shall not voluntarily enroll in the E-Verify program or a similar Electronic Employment Verification System. Provides that if an employer is required to participate in the E-Verify program or a similar Electronic Employment Verification System and receives notification from the Social Security Administration of a discrepancy between an employee's name or social security number and the Social Security Administration's records, an employer must provide the employee with specified information or grant the employee no less than 30 days of unpaid leave to correct any verification discrepancy. Provides for additional rights and protections granted to an employee following the notification from the Social Security Administration of a discrepancy. Makes corresponding changes.

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.