Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock

Amends the Dual Credit Quality Act. Makes changes concerning high school and community college partnership agreements, the Dual Credit Committee, instructor and other standards for dual credit courses, and the data in reports made by institutions of higher learning. Provides that a Dual Credit Instructor Endorsement Framework shall be developed through a committee involving collaboration between the Illinois Community College Board and the State Board of Education by December 31, 2024. Sets forth the membership of the committee. Provides that the Framework shall establish criteria for evaluating instructors on the basis of academic credentials, progress toward academic credentials, equivalent experience, or some combination of these. Sets forth what the criteria shall include and what the Framework may do. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Reenacts a provision concerning the Veterans' Service-Related Ailments Task Force repealed by Public Act 102-417. Changes the name of the Veterans' Service-Related Ailments Task Force to the Veterans' Services Task Force. Changes the frequency of Task Force meetings to at least twice a year and at any other times the Task Force deems necessary. Requires the Task Force to submit its report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2025. Repeals the provisions creating the Task Force on December 31, 2026. Effective immediately.

Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Directs the Secretary of State to grant a waiver of the lobbyist registration fee for any not-for-profit entity with an annual budget of less than $5,000,000 that is classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including a waiver for any lobbyist that exclusively lobbies on behalf of such an entity.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no group policy of accident and health insurance providing coverage for more than 25 employees that provides pregnancy related benefits may be issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 2025 unless the policy contains coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Requires such coverage to include procedures necessary to screen or diagnose a fertilized egg before implantation. Provides that coverage for in vitro fertilization, gamete intrafallopian tube transfer, or zygote intrafallopian tube transfer shall be required only if the procedures: (1) are considered medically appropriate based on clinical guidelines or standards developed by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology; and (2) are performed at medical facilities or clinics that conform to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines for in vitro fertilization or the American Society for Reproductive Medicine minimum standards for practices offering assisted reproductive technologies. Makes changes in the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to provide that infertility insurance must be included in health insurance coverage for employees. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board shall require each school to notify students and the students' parents or guardians twice each year on how to access any mental health services offered in school or in the community where the school is located.

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall provide stipends for teachers who participate in externships with a manufacturing company in the State.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Route 31 in Aurora as the "PFC Wayne W. Hill Jr. Memorial Highway" to honor a local soldier who died as a prisoner of war during the Korean War. The legislation requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to install signs and plaques along the road to mark the new name. Copies of the resolution will be given to the soldier's family, the city mayor, and the state transportation secretary. The measure is a commemorative action that does not alter traffic laws or funding but serves to recognize the service of PFC Hill.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Route 59 in West Chicago, Illinois, as the "SFC Theodore A. Katsoolias Memorial Highway" to honor a U.S. Army soldier who went missing during the Korean War. The legislation requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to install signs identifying the road with this new name and to present copies of the resolution to the soldier's family and local officials. By naming the highway after Sergeant First Class Katsoolias, the bill formally recognizes his service and sacrifice while creating a permanent public tribute in his hometown.

Creates the Family Amusement Wagering Prohibition Act. Prohibits a family amusement establishment from facilitating wagering on amusement games. Prohibits a family amusement establishment from engaging in advertising that promotes wagering on amusement games. Provides that nothing in the Act shall prohibit a family amusement establishment from offering: (1) an amusement game that entitles or enables a single player to receive a coupon or a point that may only be redeemed onsite for merchandise and the coupon or point has no value other than for redemption onsite for merchandise; or (2) an amusement game that allows a single player to manipulate a claw or similar device within an enclosure that entitles or enables a person to receive merchandise directly from the amusement game. Defines terms. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits gambling, and is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, when he or she knowingly facilitates wagering on amusement games or knowingly engages in advertising that promotes wagering on amusement games in violation of the Family Amusement Wagering Prohibition Act.

Declares June 9, 2024 as Race Amity Day. Invites communities across the United States of America to join in introspection and reflection on the beauty and richness of the diverse peoples of this great nation while reaching out with a spirit of amity toward one another on Race Amity Day.