Rep. Marcus Evans

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services, in coordination with specified entities, to develop and process a standardized survey to gather feedback from children who are aging out of foster care and from children who have transitioned out of the foster care system. Provides that the survey shall include requests for information regarding the children's experience with and opinion of State foster care services, the children's recommendations for improvement of such services, the amount of time the children spent in the foster care system, and any other information deemed relevant by the Department. Provides that after the survey is created the Department shall circulate the survey to all youth participating in transitional living programs, independent living programs, or Youth in College and to all youth receiving scholarships or tuition waivers under the DCFS Scholarship Program. Requires the Department to conduct the survey every 5 years and to submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly at the completion of each survey. Provides that the first report shall be submitted no later than December 1, 2021 and shall provide a detailed review of the survey results. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 505/39.3 Further amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to place a locked suggestion box in each group home, shelter, and transitional living arrangement that accepts youth in care for placement by the Department. Requires the Department to submit a report to the General Assembly each year outlining the issues and concerns submitted to the locked suggestion box and the solution to each issue and concern.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a certificate of good conduct may be granted to relieve an eligible offender of any employment, occupational licensing, or housing bar (rather than just an employment bar). House Committee Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill. Provides that a certificate of good conduct does not limit any employer, landlord, judicial proceeding, administrative, licensing, or other body, board, or authority from accessing criminal background information; nor does it hide, alter, or expunge the record. Provides that the existence of a certificate of good conduct does not preclude a landlord or an administrative, licensing, or other body, board, or authority from retaining full discretion to grant or deny the application for housing or licensure.

Amends the Personnel Code. Provides that the Department of Central Management Services is not required to verify positions within the Department of Juvenile Justice requiring licensure by the State Board of Education under the School Code. Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Makes a technical change concerning the sealing of records. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that if a minor committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice and who resides in the State is charged under the criminal laws of this State, the criminal laws of any other state, or the federal jurisdiction with similar penalties with an offense that could result in a sentence of imprisonment within the Department of Corrections, another state's department of corrections, or the federal Bureau of Prisons, the commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice and all rights and duties created by that commitment are automatically suspended pending final disposition of the criminal charge. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Juvenile Justice shall include in its report to the Governor and General Assembly staff-to-youth ratios in accordance with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act definitions. Makes other changes. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that the Department of Central Management Services is not required to verify the license, endorsement, or both, of individuals seeking positions within the Department of Juvenile Justice requiring licensure by the State Board of Education. Provides that if, while on aftercare release, a minor committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice who resides in the State is charged under the criminal laws of this State, the criminal laws of any other state, or federal law with an offense that could result in a sentence of imprisonment within the Department of Corrections, the penal system of any state, or the federal Bureau of Prisons, the commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice and all rights and duties created by that commitment are automatically suspended pending final disposition of the criminal charge. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "mobile carrying device". Provides that a mobile carrying device may be operated on a sidewalk or crosswalk so long as it is operated in accordance with local ordinances, a personal property owner is actively monitoring its operation and navigation, and it is equipped with a braking system that enables it to perform a controlled stop. Prohibits a personal property owner operating a mobile carrying device from failing to comply with traffic or pedestrian control devices and signals, unreasonably interfering with pedestrians or traffic, transporting hazardous materials, or operating on a street or highway other than in a crosswalk. Provides that a mobile carrying device has the rights and obligations applicable to a pedestrian in the same circumstances, except that it shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on a sidewalk or crosswalk. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 625 ILCS 5/1-144.02 new 625 ILCS 5/11-208 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-208 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes. Defines "mobile carrying device operator". Specifies that a "mobile carrying device" is primarily designed to remain within 10 (instead of 25) feet of the personal property owner. Provides that a local authority may reasonably regulate the operation of mobile carrying devices in its jurisdiction. Provides that an operator of a mobile carrying device (rather than the device itself) has the rights and obligations applicable to a pedestrian in the same circumstances and shall ensure that a mobile carrying device shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on a sidewalk or crosswalk. Provides that a personal property owner may not use a mobile carrying device to transport a person. Provides that a mobile carrying device operator who is not a natural person shall register with the Secretary of State. Provides that no contract seeking to exempt a mobile carrying device operator from liability for injury, loss, or death caused by a mobile carrying device shall be valid, and that contractual provisions limiting the choice of venue or forum, shortening the statute of limitations, shifting the risk to the user, limiting the availability of class actions, or obtaining judicial remedies shall be invalid and unenforceable. Effective immediately.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that the court has jurisdiction to make the findings necessary to enable a minor who has been adjudicated a ward of the court to petition the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for classification as a special immigrant juvenile under federal law. Provides that if a motion requests findings regarding Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and the evidence, which may consist solely of, but is not limited to, a declaration of the minor, supports the findings, the court shall issue an order that includes the following findings: (1) the minor is declared a dependent of the court or the minor is legally committed to, or placed under the custody of, a State agency or department, or an individual or entity appointed by the court; (2) that reunification of the minor with one or both of the minor's parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or other similar basis; and (3) that it is not in the best interest of the minor to be returned to the minor's or parent's previous country of nationality or last habitual residence. Makes other changes. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 750 ILCS 5/603.11 new 750 ILCS 46/613.5 new 750 ILCS 50/17.01 new 750 ILCS 60/214.5 new 755 ILCS 5/11-5.5 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill. Deletes language providing that the special immigrant minor provisions of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 do not apply to a minor who applies for special immigrant minor status solely for the purpose of qualifying for financial assistance for himself or herself or for his or her parents, guardian, or custodian. Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, Illinois Parentage Act of 2015, the Adoption Act, and the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that a court of the State that is competent to petitions under those Acts has jurisdiction to make the findings necessary to enable a child, who is the subject of the action, to petition the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for classification as a Special Immigrant Juvenile under federal law. Provides that if a motion requests findings regarding Special Immigrant Juvenile Status under federal law, and the evidence, which may consist solely of, but is not limited to, a declaration by the child, supports the findings, the court shall issue an order with certain specifications. Makes other changes.

Amends the Wrongful Tree Cutting Act. Changes the definition of "stumpage". Defines "protected land" and "qualified professional forester or ecological restoration professional". Provides that any party found to have intentionally cut or knowingly caused to be cut any standing timber or tree, other than a tree or woody plant referenced in the Illinois Exotic Weed Act, on protected land, and the party did not have the legal right to so cut or cause to be cut, must pay the person or entity that owns or holds a conservation right to the land 3 times stumpage value plus remediation costs. Provides that nothing in the Act limits the rights of a party to pursue causes of action under other laws, including any available common law remedies for damages. Limits the relief available under the Act. Provides that the court shall allow a plaintiff who prevails to recover the cost of expenses incurred. Makes changes in provisions concerning appraisals and findings of value and expenses. Adds provisions concerning: remediation plans; court-ordered determinations of costs; assistance by the Department of Natural Resources; and use of awards under the Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a Restaurant Meals Program to permit individuals who are elderly, persons with a disability, and homeless individuals to redeem their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits at private establishments that contract with the Department to offer meals for eligible SNAP recipients at concessional prices. Requires the Restaurant Meals Program to be operational no later than January 1, 2020. Requires the Department to adopt rules. Effective immediately.

Creates the Youth Homelessness Prevention Subcommittee Act. Requires the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Youth to create the Youth Homelessness Prevention Subcommittee to drive the State's strategic vision for preventing homelessness among youth leaving State systems of care. Sets forth the Subcommittee's duties including: (1) reviewing the discharge planning, services plans, and discharge procedures for youth leaving the custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Human Services' Division of Mental Health, and the Department of Corrections to determine whether such discharge planning and procedures ensure housing stability for youth leaving State systems of care; and (2) collecting data on the housing stability of youth for one year after they are released from State custody or guardianship. Provides that the Subcommittee shall include specified members, including: (i) one representative from the Governor's office; (ii) 4 representatives from agencies serving homeless youth; and (iii) 4 youth who have a lived experience with homelessness. Contains provisions concerning a quorum, administrative support, subcommittee meetings, and reporting requirements.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that neither the Department of Corrections nor the Department of Juvenile Justice may require a committed person or person committed to any facility operated by the Department of Juvenile Justice to pay any co-payment for receiving medical or dental services.

Amends the School Code and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Provides that, on and after September 1, 2019, all teacher evaluation ratings on record as "excellent", "proficient", or "needs improvement" are considered "effective" and all teacher evaluation ratings on record as "unsatisfactory" are considered "ineffective" for the purposes of the Employment of Teachers Article. Makes other changes concerning the waiver or modification of mandates; school report cards; license suspension or revocation; contractual continued service; removal or dismissal of teachers; an optional alternative evaluative dismissal process; evaluation plans; a local appeal process for ineffective ratings; rules; the appointment and promotion of teachers in Chicago; alternative procedures for teacher evaluation, remediation, and removal in Chicago; and the Open Meetings Act. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/2-3.25g from Ch. 122, par. 2-3.25g 105 ILCS 5/10-17a from Ch. 122, par. 10-17a 105 ILCS 5/21B-75 105 ILCS 5/24-9.5 new 105 ILCS 5/24-11 from Ch. 122, par. 24-11 105 ILCS 5/24-12 from Ch. 122, par. 24-12 105 ILCS 5/24-16.5 105 ILCS 5/24A-4 from Ch. 122, par. 24A-4 105 ILCS 5/24A-5 from Ch. 122, par. 24A-5 105 ILCS 5/24A-5.5 new 105 ILCS 5/24A-7 from Ch. 122, par. 24A-7 105 ILCS 5/34-84 from Ch. 122, par. 34-84 105 ILCS 5/34-85c 115 ILCS 5/18 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/34-18 from Ch. 122, par. 34-18 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code to provide that the governing bodies of contract schools are subject to the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act.