Rep. Jonathan Carroll

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. In provisions regarding safety education, provides that allergen safety for students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 shall be included in the definition of "safety instruction". Provides that the allergen safety instruction shall include instruction on recognizing signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis; steps to take to prevent exposure to allergens, and safe emergency epinephrine administration.

Creates the Firefighter Training Leave of Absence Act. Defines terms. Provides that a State employee shall be granted leave from his or her State employment for firefighter training as follows: (1) on one occasion, for up to 200 hours, to participate in training necessary to obtain Basic Operations Firefighter certification from the State Fire Marshal while attending a State Fire Marshal-approved fire academy; and (2) special or advanced training annually, not to exceed 80 hours, after obtaining Basic Operations Firefighter certification from the State Fire Marshal for courses that will lead to additional certification by the State Fire Marshal. Provides that, during leaves for basic, special, or advanced training, the State employee shall continue to receive his or her regular compensation as a State employee, but, if the State employee receives compensation for basic, special, or advanced training, the State employee shall receive his or her regular compensation as a State employee minus the amount of his or her compensation for basic, special, or advanced training. Provides that a State employee who wishes to obtain a leave of absence under this Act shall request in advance for the leave of absence and may take the leave of absence only after obtaining approval from the State employee's agency.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, it is unlawful for any person to allow any member of the public to come into direct contact with a bear or nonhuman primate. Provides exemptions. Provides that a violation is a Class B misdemeanor. Provides that any law enforcement officer or peace officer employed by the State or by any county or municipality within the State may enforce these provisions. Provides that the Attorney General or a State's Attorney of the county in which a violation of these provisions occurred, may bring an action in the name of the People of the State of Illinois to enforce these provisions, and may bring an action for an injunction to restrain any actual or threatened violation. Contains a severability provision.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that the judge shall enter an order permitting prosecution under the criminal laws of Illinois unless the judge makes a finding based on clear and convincing evidence that the minor would be amenable to the care, treatment, and training programs available through the facilities of the juvenile court based on an evaluation of: (1) any involvement of the minor in the child welfare system, (2) whether there is evidence the minor was subjected to outside pressure, including peer pressure, familial pressure, or negative influences, and (3) the minor's degree of participation and specific role in the offense. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that when a person commits an offense and the person is under 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the offense, the court, at the sentencing hearing shall consider the following additional factors in mitigation in determining the appropriate sentence: (1) the person's family, home environment, educational and social background, including any history of domestic or sexual violence or sexual exploitation; (2) childhood trauma, including adverse childhood experiences, the person's involvement in the child welfare system; (3) involvement of the person in the community; (4) if a comprehensive mental health evaluation of the person was conducted by a qualified mental health professional; and (5) the outcome of the evaluation. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the individual against whom the person is convicted of committing the offense previously committed certain human trafficking or sex crimes against the person within 3 years before the offense in which the person was convicted, the court may, in its discretion: (1) transfer the person to juvenile court for sentencing under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987; (2) depart from any mandatory minimum sentence, maximum sentence, or sentencing enhancement; or (3) suspend any portion of an otherwise applicable sentence.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that if the county jail located in the county where the committed person was residing immediately before his or her conviction for the offense for which he or she is serving sentence in the Department of Corrections has a reentry program for committed persons, the Department may transfer the custody of the committed person to the sheriff of the county where the reentry program is located for up to 12 months before the committed person's release date for participation in the reentry program.

Amends the Housing Authorities Act. Requires every housing authority organized under the Act to collect data on (i) the number of vacant rental units within each housing project operated by the housing authority and (ii) information on whether each waiting list maintained by the housing authority is open or closed. Requires the information to be reported to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority and compiled and reported to the General Assembly annually by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Provides that unless required by federal law, a housing authority shall not consider certain information when determining eligibility for federally assisted housing, including convictions occurring more than 180 days prior to the date the applicant's application for housing is reviewed for acceptance. Defines "federally assisted housing" to mean any housing units or subsidized housing programs funded in whole or in part by the federal government including all properties owned or financed by a housing authority, or a subsidiary or partnership in which the housing authority is a member.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department to develop a mobile application that provides motorists with updated traffic conditions.

Amends the Accident and Health Insurance Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 may not deny coverage for medically necessary reconstructive services that are intended to restore physical appearance. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that medically necessary reconstructive services that are intended to restore physical appearance shall be covered under the medical assistance program for persons who are otherwise eligible for medical assistance.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that, as part of transition planning, a school district shall provide a student and the parent or guardian of the student (instead of just the student) with information about the district's career and technical education opportunities. Provides that a student and the parent or guardian of the student shall be provided with information about dual credit courses offered by the school district. Provides that if the student is enrolled in a dual credit course for dual credit or for high school credit only, the student's participation in the course shall be included as part of the student's transition Individualized Education Program activities. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Library System Act. Provides that it is the policy of the State to encourage the improvement of free public libraries and to encourage cooperation among all types of libraries in promoting the sharing of library resources, including digital resources, and to encourage and protect the freedom of public libraries and library systems to acquire materials without external limitation and to be protected against attempts to ban, remove, or otherwise restrict access to books or other materials. Provides that the State Librarian shall prescribe rules concerning the development of a written policy declaring the inherent authority of the public library or library system to prohibit the practice of banning specific books or resources. Provides that, in order to be eligible for State grants, a public library or library system shall develop a written policy prohibiting the practice of banning books within the public library or library system. Makes other changes.