Rep. Mary Flowers

Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that notwithstanding current law, objections to a petition to expunge or seal must be filed within 15 days in cases in which a petitioner has met all of eligibility requirements under the Act and has demonstrated employment. Provides that a hearing on the basis of an objection for such an eligible petitioner shall be held within 15 days. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for taxpayers who have an approved NFPA 13D residential fire sprinkler system installed in a new or existing residential dwelling in the State during the taxable year. Provides that the credit shall be in an amount equal to 50% of the total cost of the installation but not to exceed $10,000 per taxpayer in any taxable year. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for levy years 2024 through 2034, the term "taxing district" means all taxing districts in the State, including home rule units. Provides that, for levy years 2024 through 2034, the extension limitation is 0% or the rate of increase approved by the voters. Limits home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Eliminates the repeal date of the statute creating the First Time Weapon Offender Program. Effective immediately.

Honors and thanks State Representative Frances Ann Hurley for her years of dedicated service. Wishes her the best on her future success.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall provide educational programs in each of its institutions and facilities for all committed persons. Provides that the Department must allow into each institution and facility of the Department teachers who hold Professional Educator Licenses issued by the State Superintendent of Education under the School Code to teach committed persons. Provides that the Department shall provide vocational training for committed persons in each institution and facility of the Department. Provides that each institution and facility of the Department of Juvenile Justice shall provide educational and vocational training for all persons committed to the Department. Effective immediately.

Creates the Maternal Child Behavioral Health Care Pilot Program Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that beginning October 1, 2023 (rather than October 1, 2018), the Department of Human Services shall increase TANF grant amounts in effect on September 30, 2023 (rather than September 30, 2018) to at least 50% (rather than 30%) of the most recent United States Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines for each family size. Provides that beginning October 1, 2024 (rather than October 1, 2019), and each October 1 thereafter, the maximum benefit levels shall be annually adjusted to remain equal to at least 50% (rather than 30%) of the most recent poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for each family size. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Prohibits the State Board of Education from developing, purchasing, or requiring a school district to administer, develop, or purchase a standardized assessment for students enrolled or preparing to enroll in prekindergarten through grade 2, other than for diagnostic purposes. Prohibits the State Board of Education from providing funding for any standardized assessment of students enrolled or preparing to enroll in prekindergarten through grade 2. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Changes references from "diagnostic purposes" to "diagnostic and screening purposes". Adds bilingual education, dyslexia services, or other related educational services to the definition of "diagnostic and screening purposes". Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/2-3.64a-15 new Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/34-8.1 from Ch. 122, par. 34-8.1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning the Chicago Board of Education's requirements and criteria for the position of principal of an attendance center. Provides that if the requirements and criteria result or may result in the exclusion of otherwise qualified and licensed candidates from being eligible for selection to serve as a principal, then the Board shall maintain a public database that includes the names of all of the candidates who are eligible to be selected as a principal and who do not choose to not have their name included in the database. Requires the Board to establish a grievance and hearing procedure for those candidates the general superintendent has deemed ineligible to serve as a principal. Makes changes concerning the use of performance evaluations in determining that a principal is no longer eligible to seek a principal position at an attendance center. Effective immediately.

Amends the Court of Claims Act. Deletes language regarding the amount a court shall award to a person for time unjustly served in prison when the person imprisoned received a pardon on the ground of innocence of the crime for which he or she was imprisoned or he or she received a certificate of innocence. Provides instead that the court shall award $50,000 per year during which the person was wrongfully imprisoned and shall prorate that amount for a fraction of a year that the person was wrongfully imprisoned, including the number of years the person was awaiting trial. Provides that the court shall award attorney's fees in an amount not to exceed 25% of the award granted. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act apply to all claims pending or filed on or after the effective date. Effective immediately.