Rep. Cyril Nichols

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, to encourage youth voter participation, each high school in the State shall hold at least 2 nonpartisan voter registration days per year: (i) one nonpartisan voter registration day shall be held on the second Tuesday in October or the first day thereafter that school is in session; and (ii) the other shall be held on the second Tuesday in February or the first day thereafter that school is in session.

Appropriates $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the State Board of Education for a $1,000,000 grant to the Chicago Board of Education each year for 5 years, subject to reappropriation by the General Assembly, for the Department of JROTC Leadership to update classroom equipment, purchase drum and bugle instruments, support a training facility, establish weekend training retreats, purchase uniforms and uniform accessories, provide drone and simulator training, support retired veteran staffing assistants, and host an end-of-the-year graduation banquet. Effective July 1, 2024.

Recognizes Stephon Howze on the occasion of his placing as a finalist and the runner-up in the kindergarten spelling bee at Ball Charter School in Springfield. Wishes him continued success in his future endeavors.

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.

Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Provides that within 90 days after the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew Areas have been designated by the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew Program Board, the Board chair shall appoint 8 public officials of municipal or county (rather than municipal) geographic jurisdictions in the State that include a Restore, Reinvest, and Renew Area to the Board.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, the assessment list may be posted on the chief county assessment officer's website.

Amends the Local Volunteer Board Member Removal Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Access to Affordable Insulin Act. Sets forth provisions concerning an insulin urgent-need program. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall establish procedures and applications for the insulin urgent-need program. Sets forth provisions concerning insulin urgent-need program exceptions, eligibility, forms, applications, claims and reimbursement, copayments, information sheets, and navigators. Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning cost sharing in prescription insulin drugs, provides that an insurer that provides coverage for prescription insulin drugs under the terms of a health coverage plan the insurer offers shall limit the total amount that an insured is required to pay for a 30-day supply of covered prescription insulin drugs at an amount not to exceed $35 (rather than $100). Effective immediately.

Amends the Missing Persons Identification Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

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