Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning contractual continued service in school districts other than the Chicago school district, adds an exception to the probationary period of 4 consecutive school terms for a teacher who is first employed as a full-time teacher by a school district on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act but who, prior to employment with the district, already entered upon contractual continued service in another school district, in which case the probationary period is 2 consecutive school terms. Makes a similar change with respect to a teacher employed in a program of a special education joint agreement. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
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Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Eliminates the authority of the Director of Corrections to award up to 180 days of additional good conduct credit for meritorious service in specific instances as the Director deems proper. Effective immediately.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 in relation to child pornography. Provides that a person also commits the offense of child pornography when he or she knowingly films, videotapes, photographs, or otherwise depicts or portrays by means of any similar visual medium or reproduction or depicts by computer any actual or simulated act of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, criminal sexual abuse, or aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving any child whom he or she knows or reasonably should know to be under the age of 18 or any severely or profoundly mentally retarded person, or knowingly possesses such film, videotape, photograph, or other depiction by computer. Provides that a violation is a Class X felony for which the defendant shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 9 years and not more than 40 years.
Amends the Department of Insurance Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that if the federal government enacts or implements any provision that would require states to operate a health insurance exchange that includes a public or state-run plan or if the federal government operates a nationally based health insurance exchange with a public plan option and a mechanism exists for individual states to opt out of the public option, then the State shall exercise the right to opt out of such a public plan. Provides that the provisions concerning public health insurance opt out shall apply only to public plans authorized after January 1, 2010 and shall not apply to plans previously operated under Title XVIII or Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that an individual shall not be deemed unavailable for work because the individual is pursuing an online course of instruction offered by a public or private school via the Internet that requires neither presence at a campus nor adherence to a schedule of classes at particular dates and times.
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall prescribe rules and regulations for revoking good conduct credit awarded for meritorious service. Effective immediately.
Creates the Music Therapist License Act. Starting six months after the effective date of the Act, prohibits any person from practicing music therapy or presenting himself or herself as a music therapist in the State, unless he or she is licensed under the Act, falls within one of its enumerated exemptions, or has been issued a temporary permit. Establishes the Illinois Music Therapy Licensure Board. Requires the Department to authorize credentialing examinations through the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). Sets qualifications for licensure as a music therapist. Provides that a music therapy student or music therapy intern who practices music therapy must register with the Department and provide certain information. Provides for licensure without examination for a music therapist who is licensed in another state that has provisions at least as restrictive as the provisions of the Act or meets the requirements as a Board Certified Music Therapist established by the CBMT. Provides that persons who hold certain credentials as a music therapist shall be issued a license without meeting the examination or re-certification requirements if he or she submits a signed sworn statement that he or she shall become certified with the CBMT prior to the end of his or her first licensing cycle. Provides for the expiration, renewal, and restoration of music therapy licenses. Creates a continuing education requirement. Establishes grounds for disciplining a licensed therapist. Establishes limits on the use of advertising. Specifies criminal and civil penalties for violations. Limits the power of home rule units. Effective immediately.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for the purposes of the definition of 33 1/3%, the fair cash value of property is determined by the lesser of: (1) the Department of Revenue's sales ratio studies for the 3 most recent years preceding the assessment year; or (2) the valuation of the property in the prior year (under the current law, the fair cash value is based on the sales ratio studies).
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that if the defendant discloses that he or she may rely upon the testimony of a mental health expert in mitigation during a death penalty hearing, the Court shall, on motion of the State, order the defendant to submit to examination by at least one clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, to be named by the prosecuting attorney. Provides that all mental health interviews of the defendant shall be visually electronically recorded in their entirety. Provides that the visual electronic recordings of the defendant shall be made available to the defense. Provides that all interviews of defendants conducted by mental health professionals for the purpose of rendering or supporting an expert opinion or diagnosis to be offered in a criminal prosecution shall be visually electronically recorded in their entirety. Provides that the trial court, consistent with Illinois Supreme Court Rules and Illinois law, shall issue protective orders limiting the distribution, use, and retention of all visual electronic recordings. Effective immediately.
Amends the Ticket Sale and Resale Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning service charges.