Rep. Patrick Sheehan

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State to issue special registration plates designated as Sons of the American Legion plates to residents of this State who meet the eligibility requirements prescribed by the Secretary of State. Provides that the plates shall display the Sons of the American Legion logo. Provides that in all other respects, the design, color, and format of the plates shall be within the discretion of the Secretary of State.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a physical or mental disability that constitutes, in whole or in part, the basis of an application for benefits under the Downstate Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code may not be used, in whole or in part, as a cause for a municipality to discharge a police officer. Provides that, upon a chief of the police department's receipt of a certification from the board of trustees under the Downstate Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code that a police officer is no longer disabled and is able to resume the duties of his or her position, the police officer shall report to the chief of the police department. Provides that the chief of the police department shall thereupon order immediate reinstatement into active service, and the municipality shall immediately return the police officer to its payroll, in the same rank or grade held at the date he or she retired for disability under the Downstate Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the police officer shall then report to the chief of the police department. Provides that the chief of the police department shall thereupon order immediate reinstatement into active service, and the municipality shall immediately return the police officer to its payroll, in the same rank or grade held at the date he or she retired for disability under the Downstate Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code.

Amends the Grocery Initiative Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may, subject to appropriation, provide grants for equipment upgrades for farmer-owned grocery stores or markets.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 shall provide coverage for medically necessary services provided by emergency medical services providers operating under a mobile integrated health care model. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to require coverage under those provisions.

Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the school report card, provides that a school district's expenditure of Base Funding Minimum and Evidence-Based Funding received from the State in the level of specificity required by the annual spending plans required by the Evidence-Based Funding provisions. In provisions concerning Evidence-Based funding, provides that Organizational Units shall also indicate in their submission of annual spending plans which stakeholder groups the Organizational Unit engaged with to inform annual spending plans. Provides that annual spending plans shall be integrated in annual school district budgets completed pursuant to specified provisions.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the State Employees Group Insurance Program (for Illinois State Police officers), a county (for members of the sheriff's office), and a municipality (for members of the police department or fire department) shall provide coverage for joint mental health therapy services for the officer or firefighter and a spouse or partner of the officer or firefighter who resides with officer or firefighter. Specifies that the coverage shall be provided without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement, except that, for Illinois State Police officers and the spouse or partner of the officer under the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, only if all resources available to those individuals through the State of Illinois' Employee Assistance Program and any first responder mental health program available are first exhausted. Directs the joint mental health therapy services to be provided by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, a licensed clinical psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed clinical professional counselor, a licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed social worker, or a licensed professional counselor. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Effective January 1, 2025.

Amends the Illinois Freedom to Work Act. Provides any covenant not to compete or covenant not to solicit entered into after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall not be enforceable with respect to professionals licensed in this State who provide mental health services to veterans and first responders. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Requires the State Employees Group Insurance Program to provide coverage for all FDA-approved treatments or medications prescribed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease or another related dementia, as determined by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. Provides that diagnostic testing necessary for a physician to determine the appropriate use of treatments or medications shall be covered by the State Employees Group Insurance Program.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, if a municipality or county, including a home rule municipality or county, is a self-insurer for purposes of providing health insurance coverage for its employees, the insurance coverage shall include mental health counseling for any employee who is a first responder, including police and corrections officers, deputy sheriffs, firefighters, or emergency medical services personnel, without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement on the coverage provided. Specifies that this requirement does not apply to the extent such coverage would disqualify a high-deductible health plan from eligibility for a health savings account pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code. Limits home rule powers by providing that the requirement that mental health counseling be included in health insurance coverage is an exclusive power and function of the State.

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Specifies the annual reporting requirements of the Illinois Labor Relations Board and Illinois Educational and Labor Relations Board. Provides that the Board shall maintain the following schedule upon the filing of unfair labor practice charges filed under this Act: (i) complete the investigation and issue a complaint, dismissal or deferral within 30 days of the charges being filed; (ii) if a complaint is issued, a hearing shall be scheduled to begin within 30 days of its issuance; (iii) post-hearing briefs shall be issued within 30 days of the close of the hearing; and (iv) recommended decisions and orders shall be issued within 45 days of the submission of post-hearing briefs.