Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the conviction of certain offenses as grounds for disqualification for licensure or suspension or revocation of a license, includes the sex offense of abuse by an educator or authority figure under the definition of "sex or other offense". Amends the Sex Offenses Article of Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits abuse by an educator or authority figure if that person holds a position of trust, authority, or supervision in relation to a student in a school, the student is at least 18 years of age, the person is at least 4 years older than the student, and the person either (1) commits an act of sexual conduct with the student or (2) commits an act of sexual penetration with the student. Provides that abuse by an educator or authority figure involving sexual conduct is a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense or if there is more than one victim. Provides that abuse by an educator or authority figure involving sexual penetration is a Class 4 felony for the first offense and a Class 3 felony for a second or subsequent offense or if there is more than one victim. Provides that consent of the victim is not a defense to abuse by an educator or authority figure.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits the offense of trafficking in persons when the person knowingly: (1) maintains by any means, or attempts to recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide, obtain, advertise or maintain by any means, another person, intending or knowing that the person will be subjected to prostitution or a commercial sex act; or (2) recruits, entices, harbors, transports, provides, obtains, advertises, or maintains by any means, or attempts to recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide, obtain, advertise or maintain by any means, another person, intending or knowing that the person will be subjected to prostitution or a commercial sex act as a result of coercion. Provides that in determining sentences for human trafficking within statutory maximums, the sentencing court may provide for substantially increased sentences in cases involving more than 5 (rather than 10) victims. Changes the name of the offense of promoting prostitution to promoting or facilitating prostitution. Provides that a person commits the offense if the person: (1) owns, manages, or operates an interactive computer service or conspires or attempts to do so, with the intent to promote or facilitate the prostitution of another person; or (2) owns, manages, or operates an interactive computer service or conspires or attempts to do so, with the intent to promote or facilitate the prostitution of another person; and (A) promotes or facilitates the prostitution of 5 or more persons; or (B) acts in reckless disregard of the fact that such conduct contributed to sex trafficking in violation of the trafficking in persons law. Defines "interactive computer service". Amends various other Acts to make conforming changes.

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning sexual misconduct in schools, provides that guidelines established for certain situations and all available methods for how to report staff-student boundary violations within a school and to external agencies must be posted on the website, if any, of each school district, charter school, or nonpublic school and must be included in any staff, student, or parent handbook provided by the school district, charter school, or nonpublic school. In provisions concerning an employment history review, provides that a job applicant shall provide the name, address, telephone number, and other relevant contact information of the applicant's current employer only if the applicant has direct contact with children or students at the applicant's current employer. Provides that for a substitute employee licensed by the State Board of Education and seeking employment in more than one school district, the employment history review shall be conducted by the regional office of education or intermediate service center in which the school districts are located. Provides for when this review is required and how the review remains valid, and provides for immunity for regional offices of education and intermediate service centers.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates a senior citizens homestead school levy exemption for property that is improved with a permanent structure that is occupied as a primary residence by an applicant who (i) is 65 years of age or older during the taxable year, (ii) has a household income that does not exceed the maximum income limitation, (iii) is liable for paying real property taxes on the property, and (iv) is an owner of record of the property or has a legal or equitable interest in the property as evidenced by a written instrument, if no individual residing at the real property is or will be enrolled in a public school. Effective immediately.

Amends the Legislative Commission Reorganization Act of 1984. Provides that the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shall create a Veteran Internship Pilot Program for the purpose of providing internships for honorably discharged veterans to participate in the General Assembly's legislative staff internship program. Provides that, subject to appropriation, beginning on July 1, 2024, the Commission shall implement the pilot program. Provides that the Commission shall operate the pilot program for a 2-year period. Provides that, at the end of that 2-year period, the Commission shall evaluate the pilot program and submit a report to the General Assembly with its findings. Provides that the Commission shall establish qualifications for participation in the pilot program, including that a participant must be honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces and have completed at least 60 hours of college credit. Repeals the provisions on January 1, 2027. Effective immediately.

Commends Deputy John Forlenza and Police K9 Dax for their honorable service and dedication to their community, the State as a whole, and the nation.

Amends the Illinois Public Demonstrations Law. Replaces all references to the principal law enforcement officer for the area with references to the sheriff of the county where the march, assembly, meeting, parade, or gathering on roadways originates. Provides that a person who blocks an exceptionally busy public right-of-way for any period of not less than 5 minutes in a manner that prevents, or would prevent, the free passage of a peace officer, a firefighter, or an emergency medical services personnel responder, irrespective of the time of day or notice provided, commits a Class 4 felony. Provides that no act of notification to law enforcement is a defense to the Class 4 felony. Provides that no act or circumstance of scheduling or time is a defense to the Class 4 felony. Provides that if permission is requested from the sheriff of the county where the march, assembly, meeting, parade, or gathering on roadways originates under, it is the responsibility of the sheriff, not the requester, to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions as necessary. Preempts the concurrent exercise of home rule. Defines "exceptionally busy public right of way". Makes findings. Effective immediately.

Amends the Foster Parent Law. Provides that foster parents have a right to receive an initial payment of $480 per child to be made within 24 hours of a permanent placement. Provides that if the final monthly payment for a child amounts to $480 or more, the amount of $480 shall be deducted from the final monthly payment. Provides that if the final monthly payment amounts to less than $480, the final monthly payment shall not be made.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits sexual assault by deception if the person commits an act of sexual penetration and the victim submits under the belief that the person committing the act is someone known to the victim other than the accused, and this belief is induced by pretense or concealment by the accused with the intent to induce that belief. Sexual assault by deception is a Class 3 felony.

Amends the Line of Duty Compensation Act. Expands the definition of "law enforcement officer" or "officer" to include any person working as a volunteer for the State or a local governmental entity in some position involving the enforcement of the law and protection of the public interest at the risk of that person's life, including, but not limited to, volunteers assisting with parking and traffic.