Rep. Cyril Nichols

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district shall (rather than may) employ a sufficient number of school counselors to maintain a (rather than the national and State recommended) student-counselor ratio of 250 to one. Provides that school districts shall require school counselors to meet with their assigned students at least once each month. Makes related changes.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer an Inform House Grant Program to provide grants to community-based organizations that provide rehabilitative and educational services to youth involved in the criminal justice system and that have the accommodations to provide the following residential and academic services: (1) single occupancy rooms that are equipped with a private bathroom, bed, dresser, closet, window, and door without a lock; (2) a weekly meal plan consisting of 3 nutritionally balanced meals a day with a plant-based option; and (3) on-site educational programs and tutoring to assist youth in meeting the State criteria for high school graduation or for earning a high school equivalency certificate. Provides that the educational programs must include aptitude assessments to determine a youth's academic competency levels with follow-up course work that is tailored to the youth's specific academic needs. Requires the educational programs to also sufficiently prepare youth for postsecondary education by providing high-quality instruction in the following subject areas: (i) reading comprehension; (ii) writing and composition; (iii) mathematics; and (iv) any other subject areas to help youth eliminate any educational gaps or deficiencies. Permits the Department to award up to $5,000,000 in grant money to qualifying community-based organizations and to adopt any rules necessary to implement the program.

Amends the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act. Requires that at least 20% (currently, 10%) of food and food products purchased by State-funded entities be local farm or food products. Provides that of the 20% of local farm or food products required to be purchased by State agencies and State-funded entities under the Act, at least 10% of the local farm or food products shall be purchased from minority-owned food producers. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that naprapathic services shall be covered under the medical assistance program. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to apply for any federal waiver or State Plan amendment, if required, to implement the amendatory Act. Grants the Department rulemaking authority. Provides that implementation of the amendatory Act is contingent on federal approval.

Amends the Industrial Hemp Act. Sets forth provisions concerning hemp extract for human consumption. Provides that hemp extract distributed or sold in violation of the provisions shall be considered adulterated or misbranded. Provides that each establishment distributing products consisting of or containing hemp extract intended for human consumption must be permitted as a hemp food establishment by the Department of Agriculture. Provides that hemp or hemp extract intended for ingestion must be manufactured by an approved source. Provides that hemp or hemp extract intended for inhalation must be manufactured by a source permitted to manufacture hemp or hemp extract intended for inhalation. Provides that hemp extract intended for human consumption may not be manufactured, processed, packaged, held, prepared, or sold under specified provisions. Provides that hemp extract intended for human consumption shall not contain a total delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration that exceeds 0.3%. Provides that products intended for human consumption shall be considered adulterated if contaminants are detected at levels greater than the limits listed in the provisions. Sets forth limits concerning contaminants prohibited in hemp cultivation or processing; residual solvent limits for ingestion or inhalation; metals limits; biological limits for ingestion or inhalation; mycotoxin limits; total combined yeast and mold limit; and cannabinoid limits. Sets forth provisions concerning hemp extracts labeling, disposal, and age limits. Provides that hemp or hemp extract products that do not meet the requirements of the provisions may not be sold in the State. Provides that violations of the provisions shall result in the imposition of stop-sale or stop-use orders, an administrative fine of up to $5,000 per violation, permit suspension, permit revocation, or any combination of those penalties. Provides that the sale of hemp extract intended for inhalation to persons under the age of 21 shall result in an administrative fine of $5,000 per occurrence. Defines terms. Makes other changes.

Declares June 4, 2023 as Cancer Survivors Day in the State of Illinois in order to recognize and celebrate the valuable, dynamic population of cancer survivors in Illinois.

Declares April 26, 2023 as Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta Day at the Illinois State Capitol. Commends the efforts of the members of Zeta Phi Beta and Phi Beta Sigma for their commitment to community service and recognizes their collective contributions to making their communities a better place to live, play, and work.

Declares March 14, 2023 as "Equal Pay Day". Encourages the citizens of this State to learn about the pay gap that women experience in society and to learn about these various dates that bring attention to the pay gap that specific groups experience.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to annually review and update the underlying data for, and use of, indicators used to determine whether a community is designated as an environmental justice community and to establish a process by which communities not designated as environmental justice communities may petition for such a designation. Provides that an applicant for a permit for the construction of a new source that will become a major source subject to the Clean Air Act Permit Program to be located in an environmental justice community or a new source that has or will require a federally enforceable State operating permit and that will be located in an environmental justice community must conduct a public meeting prior to submission of the permit application and must submit with the permit application an environmental justice assessment identifying the potential environmental and health impacts to the area associated with the proposed project. Provides requirements for the environmental justice assessment. Provides that a supplemental fee of $100,000 for each construction permit application shall be assessed if the construction permit application is subject to the requirements regarding the construction of a new source located in an environmental justice community. Contains provisions regarding public participation requirements for permitting transactions in an environmental justice community. Provides that, if the Agency grants a permit to construct, modify, or operate a facility that emits air pollutants and is classified as a minor source, a third party may petition the Pollution Control Board for a hearing to contest the issuance of the permit. Contains provisions regarding environmental justice grievances. Defines terms. Contains other provisions.

Mourns the death of Chicago police officer Aréanah Preston.