Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates an advisory council on pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome to advise the Director of Public Health on research, diagnosis, treatment, and education relating to the disorder and syndrome. Sets forth the membership of the council. Designates the Director of Public Health, or his or her designee, as chair of the council. Requires the council, by January 1, 2017 and annually thereafter, to issue a report to the General Assembly with recommendations concerning practice guidelines, mechanisms to increase clinical awareness, outreach to educators and parents, and development of a network of volunteer experts on pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Expands the definition of "sexual abuse" to include (i) an employee's actions that result in the sending or showing of sexually explicit images to an individual via computer, cellular phone, electronic mail, portable electronic device, or other media with or without contact with the individual or (ii) an employee's posting of sexually explicit images of an individual online or elsewhere whether or not there is contact with the individual. Defines "sexually explicit images" to include, but not be limited to, any material which depicts nudity, sexual conduct, or sado-masochistic abuse, or which contains explicit and detailed verbal descriptions or narrative accounts of sexual excitement, sexual conduct, or sado-masochistic abuse.
Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of State Police shall develop a coordinated program for a statewide emergency alert system when a person 21 years old or older who is believed to have Alzheimer's disease or related dementias is reported missing. Provides that the system shall be referred to as the Silver Alert system and shall include, but is not limited to, an electronic message sent to all law enforcement agencies; use of the emergency alert system; the use of electronic billboards and message signs in coordination with the Illinois Department of Transportation if a vehicle is involved; posting of the Silver Alert message on Illinois Lottery terminals; the designation by the Department of a contact name and toll-free telephone number for tips and information; blast email and fax messages to media outlets; activation of a local reverse 911 systems to all businesses and residents if the person is on foot. Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall coordinate with the Department of State Police in the use of electronic message signs on roads and highways to immediately provide critical information to the public concerning missing persons with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. Amends the Missing Persons Identification Act to make conforming changes.
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is an affirmative defense to a charge of prostitution that the accused engaged in or performed prostitution as a result of being a victim of involuntary servitude or trafficking in persons as defined in the Code, or was a victim of trafficking as defined in the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in prosecutions for prostitution, when the accused intends to raise at trial the affirmative defense of being a victim of involuntary servitude or trafficking in persons as defined in the Code, or was a victim of trafficking as defined in the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and has reason to believe that the evidence presented in asserting that defense may jeopardize the safety of the accused, courtroom personnel, or others impacted by human trafficking, the accused may file under seal a motion for an in camera hearing to review the accused's safety concerns. Upon receipt of the motion and notice to the parties, the court shall conduct an in camera hearing, with counsel present, limited to review of potential safety concerns. Provides that the court shall not consider the merits of the affirmative defense during the in camera review. Provides that if the court finds that the assertion of an affirmative defense by the accused in open court could jeopardize the safety of the accused, court personnel, or other persons, the court may clear the courtroom with the agreement of the accused, order additional in camera hearings, seal the records, prohibit court personnel from disclosing the proceedings without prior court approval, or take any other appropriate measure that in the court's discretion will enhance the safety of the proceedings and ensure the accused a full and fair opportunity to assert his or her affirmative defense. Provides that statements made by the accused during the in camera hearing to review safety concerns shall not be admissible against the accused for the crimes charged. Effective immediately.
Mourns the death of former Hinsdale Police Chief James A. Eccardt.
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in a prosecution of criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse, or aggravated criminal sexual abuse, the court may set any conditions it finds just and appropriate on the taking of testimony of a victim who is a child under the age of 18 years or a moderately, severely, or profoundly intellectually disabled person or a person affected by a developmental disability, including the use of a service or therapy animal that has been evaluated and registered according to national standards, in any proceeding involving that offense. Provides that when deciding whether to permit the child or person to testify with the assistance of a registered service or therapy animal, the court shall take into consideration the age of the child or the person, the interests of the child or the person, the rights of the parties to the litigation, and any other relevant factor that would facilitate the testimony by the child or the person.
Congratulates Sister Michelle Germanson on the 50th anniversary of her taking her first vows as a Sinsinawa Dominican.
Amends the Environmental Barriers Act. Provides that the Capital Development Board shall adopt and publish the updated Illinois Accessibility Code by January 1, 2017 (currently, January 1, 2016). Provides that the Board shall update its accessibility standards beginning on January 1, 2017 (currently, January 1, 2016) if the ADA Standards for Accessible Design are updated by that time. Effective immediately.
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county may accumulate an amount not to exceed 3% of the equalized assessed value of property subject to taxation by the county (rather than 5% of the amount appropriated to the county's general corporate or operating fund) in its County Capital Improvement, Repair, or Replacement Fund.
Amends the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987. Provides that the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation shall conduct an examination of each licensee that engages in brokering and lending activities, the scope of which shall address the delinquency rate of the licensee's loan portfolio. Provides that licenses shall be renewed every year using the common renewal date of the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry as adopted by the Director of the Division of Banking of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides that properly completed renewal application forms and filing fees must be received by the Secretary 30 (rather than 60) days prior to the license expiration (rather than renewal) date to be timely received. Removes a provision providing that a license which was not renewed within one year of becoming inactive shall expire. Provides that the Secretary may share with the Residential Mortgage Board non-confidential delinquency rate related information, including any public disciplinary orders against licensees that result from the delinquency rate related examination findings. Removes a provision requiring the publication of a specified notice in the Illinois Register. Makes other changes in provisions concerning licensee names and the application process.