Rep. Rick Ryan

Creates the Operating Room Patient Safety Act. Provides that each surgical technologist hired or contracted by a health care facility on or after January 1, 2027 shall meet specified educational, certification, or experiential requirements. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits an individual from performing surgical technology services if the individual is acting within the scope of the individual's license or registration or is a student or intern under the direct supervision of a licensed health care provider.

Declares May 23, 2026 as Italian Beef Day in the State of Illinois. Commends this iconic sandwich as a proud symbol of the State's culinary heritage, immigrant history, and community spirit. Extends thanks to the families and proprietors of Italian beef establishments across the State of Illinois in recognition of their enduring contributions to this shared heritage. Affirms commitment to honoring the cultural and economic contributions of the restaurants, food vendors, and hardworking Illinoisans who have kept this tradition alive for generations. Extends sincere congratulations and gratitude to the creators, cast, and crew of The Bear for their extraordinary portrayal of Chicago's Italian beef culture, for shining a national and international spotlight on the State of Illinois, and for inspiring pride in the State's rich culinary and cultural identity.

Amends the Common Interest Community Association Act. Requires a common interest association to conduct and update a reserve study every 5 years. "Reserve study" means an analysis of the reserves required for future major maintenance, repairs, and replacements of the common elements. Grants a 5-year window for an association to conduct a reserve study or update a current study. Requires a reserve study to be made available to any prospective purchaser of a unit upon request for a resale of any unit in the community. Exempts an association with 15 or fewer units but still requires the board to comply with the budgeting and reserve requirements elsewhere in the Act. Amends the Condominium Property Act to make similar changes.

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that, for purposes of the Act, the term "public works" also includes all private projects that are located in a tax increment financing district and paid for wholly or in part out of public funds, unless the total cost of the project is less than $25,000 or the project is performed in a designated historic district requiring specialty contractors because of that designation.

Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Requires hospitals licensed under the Act to employ and schedule enough hospital workers to provide quality patient care and ensure patient safety. Establishes requirements concerning the reporting of staffing metrics for hospitals and the Department of Public Health. Sets forth provisions concerning competency validation credentials for each hospital worker hired; assignment despite objection forms and procedures; and an assignment despite objection resolution process. Provides that a hospital may not assign a certified nursing assistant or patient care technician to more than 7 patients at a time during a day or evening shift or more than 11 patients at a time during a night shift. Sets forth provisions concerning direct-care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and deviations from the ratio; complaint procedures; the Department's duties concerning complaints; meal and rest periods; investigations for violating staffing requirements; penalties and violations; recordkeeping requirements of a hospital; and rulemaking by the Department.

Declares June 2026 as Fallen First Responders Month in the State of Illinois in honor of all the firefighters, paramedics, and law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Encourages citizens to observe this designation with appropriate ceremonies, memorial services, moments of silence, educational programs, and acts of community service to honor the legacy of our fallen heroes. Expresses deep gratitude to the families of the fallen and pledges continued support to the men and women who serve and protect our communities each day.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Allows the board of trustees of a community college district to establish and offer a baccalaureate degree program and confer a bachelor's degree if specified conditions are met. Requires the board of trustees to demonstrate that the community college district has the expertise, the resources, and sufficient student demand to offer a baccalaureate degree. Sets forth the application requirements. Prohibits a community college district from using semester credit hours generated in a baccalaureate degree program for certain grants. Sets forth limitations on community college districts for establishing baccalaureate programs. Requires a community college district that offers a baccalaureate degree program to submit an annual report to the Illinois Community College Board. Requires the Illinois Community College Board and the Board of Higher Education to conduct a statewide evaluation of all baccalaureate degree programs established under the amendatory Act and report the results of the evaluation on or before 5 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act, in addition to being made publicly available online. Effective immediately.

Declares August 27, 2026 as Hero Day in Illinois to recognize the bravery, dedication, and sacrifices of the first responders who gave their lives in the line of duty and to honor and support the families that they leave behind. Commends the 100 Club of Illinois on its 60th anniversary and recognizes its extraordinary contributions to first responders and their families across the State of Illinois.

Amends the State Employee Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a member who is eligible to receive an alternative retirement annuity may elect to receive an estimated payment that shall commence no later than 30 days after the later of either the member's last day of employment or 30 days after the member files for the retirement benefit with the System. Provides that the estimated payment shall be the best estimate by the System of the total monthly amount due to the member based on the information that the System possesses at the time of the estimate. Provides that if the amount of the estimate is greater or less than the actual amount of the monthly annuity, the System shall pay or recover the difference within 6 months after the start of the monthly annuity. Excludes a benefit increase resulting from the amendatory Act from the definition of "new benefit increase". Effective immediately.

Congratulates the Worth Park District Board of Commissioners on their historic, collective achievement in attaining Master Board Member status in the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) Board Member Development Program. Commends the board members for their tireless service to the residents of the Worth Park District and their commitment to public service and professional development.