Rep. Rita Mayfield

Urges support of the Family First Prevention Services Act.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, an applicant seeking a Professional Educator License or an Educator License with Stipulations who holds a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education is not required to pass a test of basic skills to be issued that license. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Declares September 7, 2019 as Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Appreciation Day in Illinois.

Urges President Trump and the United States Congress to continue to work to find a solution to the problems created by the Windfall Elimination Provision.

Urges the creation of an environmental justice agenda.

Recognizes World Preeclampsia Day. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to World Preeclampsia Day. Inserts clause declaring May 22, 2019 as Preeclampsia Day in Illinois.

Amends the School Code. Requires the instruction on character education to include the teaching of respect toward a person's race or ethnicity or gender. With regard to the State Board of Education's school report card, requires data collected on curriculum information to include information on a school's instruction on character education.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that a neglected minor includes any minor under the age of 12 (rather than 14) years whose parent or other person responsible for the minor's welfare leaves the minor without supervision for an unreasonable period of time without regard for the mental or physical health, safety, or welfare of that minor. Provides that neglect does not include permitting a child, whose basic needs are met and who is of sufficient age and maturity to avoid harm or unreasonable risk of harm, to engage in independent activities, including: (1) traveling to and from school, including by walking, running, or bicycling; (2) traveling to and from nearby commercial or recreational activities; (3) engaging in outdoor play; (4) remaining in a vehicle unattended, except as otherwise provided by law; (5) remaining at home unattended; or (6) engaging in a similar independent activity. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits child abandonment when he or she, as a parent, guardian, or other person having physical custody or control of a child, without regard for the mental or physical health, safety, or welfare of that child, knowingly leaves that child who is under the age of 12 (rather than 13) without supervision by a responsible person over the age of 14 for a period of 24 hours or more.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a chairman of a county board who is chosen by the board may be removed, with or without cause, upon a motion adopted by an affirmative vote of four-fifths of the board. Provides that upon adoption of a motion to remove the chairman: (i) the chairman position becomes vacant the and former chairman's compensation shall be prorated to the date the motion was approved; (ii) the vice-chairman immediately assumes the duties of chairman without chairman compensation; and (iii) a new chairman shall be elected at the next regularly scheduled county board meeting. Further provides that a chairman removed maintains his or her status as a member of the county board. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Defines "computer science education". Requires the State Board of Education to establish an Office of Computer Science Education and to select an Executive Director for that Office. Requires the Executive Director to work with a team of professionals assigned to the Office and with a variety of stakeholder groups toward ensuring that every student in kindergarten through grade 12 in this State is afforded an equal and equitable opportunity to obtain a world-class computer science education. Provides that from the amounts appropriated for its annual budget, the State Board must provide funding for computer science education that must be used exclusively for teacher salaries, ongoing professional development for teachers, and technology needed specifically for facilitating computer science education. With regard to the State Board's school report cards, provides that the curriculum information data must include data on computer science courses, which must be disaggregated by every student subgroup identity recognized by the State Board, including race, gender identity, and free or reduced-price lunch program eligibility. Requires the report cards to also include data on the amount of money allocated annually for computer science education. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/1-3 105 ILCS 5/2-3.47 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Subject to appropriation or private donations, requires the State Board of Education to make available to school districts grants to support computer science education; defines "computer science education". Requires a school district to use grant funds for educator salaries, professional development for educators, and the equipment needed to facilitate computer science education. Provides that the State Board shall prioritize the distribution of grants to Organizational Units assigned to Tier 1 or Tier 2 under the evidence-based funding formula. With regard to the State Board's school report cards, provides that the curriculum information data must include data on computer science courses. Effective immediately.