Rep. Rita Mayfield

Maddy summaryHB 5666 allocates $400,000 from the state's General Revenue Fund to the Courts Commission to cover its regular and unexpected expenses. This funding becomes available on July 1, 2024, and is intended to support the commission's operational needs. The bill does not create new programs or change court procedures; it simply provides financial resources to an existing state body.

Appropriates the amount of $2,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority for the purpose of making a grant to Legacy Reentry Foundation to be used for services, including transitional housing assistance, violence prevention efforts, youth mentorship programs, substance abuse treatment, reentry services, cultural training, and vocational training, including administrative costs associated with those services. Effective July 1, 2024.

Appropriates $9,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for continued funding to the Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. Effective July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 681 is a technical amendment to the Criminal Code that updates the short title of a specific section. This change does not alter any criminal laws or affect the behavior of individuals. The bill involves only a clerical adjustment to the document's naming convention rather than introducing new rules or penalties.

Amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983. Creates the Diversity and Inclusion in Business Organizations Leadership Task Force within the Office of the Secretary of State. Provides that the purpose of the Task Force is to identify ways to increase diversity in business organization leadership and to make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly to achieve that goal. Provides that the Task Force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2026. Sets forth provisions concerning duties, membership, and administrative support. Repeals the provision that creates the Task Force and dissolves the Task Force on January 1, 2027. Effective immediately.

Amends the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Act. Removes provisions concerning geographic regional hubs established by the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, and member institutions. Removes references to the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development. In provisions concerning the membership of the advisory committee to the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity, provides that specified appointments made by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development shall instead be made by the Department of Human Services. Provides that all appointed positions on the advisory committee shall have their term length chosen by agreement among the co-chairpersons of the advisory committee. Provides that the advisory committee shall meet at least twice a year (instead of quarterly). Makes changes regarding what information shall be reported. Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall implement and administer an early childhood educator scholarship program, to be known as the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program. Provides that under the Program, the Commission shall annually award scholarships to early childhood education students enrolled in the institutions of higher education participating in the Consortium. Provides for rulemaking and consultation. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to provide for emergency rulemaking for the Program. Effective immediately.

Creates the Firefighter Paid Family Leave Act. Provides that a firefighter shall receive 6 weeks of paid family leave that may be used: (1) for the birth of a child in order to care for the child; (2) to care for a newly adopted child under 18 years of age, a newly placed foster child under 18 years of age, or a newly adopted or placed foster child older than 18 years of age if the child is incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability; and (3) to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Provides that the paid family leave requirements shall be provided to a firefighter regardless of the employer's leave policies and shall be provided to a firefighter who has been employed by the employer for at least one year. Provides that a firefighter may voluntarily waive his or her right to paid family leave. Provides that the Department of Labor may adopt any rules necessary to implement the Act.

Amends the Highway Advertising Control Act of 1971. Defines "sign" as any outdoor sign, display, device, notice, figure painting, drawing, message, placard, poster, billboard, or other thing, which is operated or owned by a person or entity where any person or entity is paying or earning remuneration directly or indirectly for (i) the existence or placement of the outdoor sign or (ii) the placement of the message on the outdoor sign (rather than any outdoor sign which is designated, intended, or used to advertise or inform, and of which any part of the existing or intended advertising or informative content) is capable of being visible from any place on the main-traveled way of any portion of any Interstate or primary highway and which is within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of such highway. Provides that for purposes of the definition of "erect", attaching a vinyl substrate medium to a sign structure or wall surface shall constitute normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure. Defines "remuneration". Removes the definitions of "on premise sign", "off premise sign", and "real estate sign". Removes language providing that registration must be made of each sign and shall be accompanied by a registration fee of $5. Removes provisions concerning directional and other official signs, real estate signs, on premise signs, off premise signs, and signs affixed by public utilities. Makes corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the odor of burnt or raw cannabis in a motor vehicle by itself shall not constitute probable cause for the search of a motor vehicle or person.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Early Childhood Education Act to establish a framework for early childhood education in Illinois. A specific provision within the legislation ensures that the rights, benefits, and employment status of state employees and their agencies remain unchanged by the new act. It explicitly states that the law does not affect existing personnel codes, labor relations, collective bargaining agreements, or pension plans. The bill was signed into law and became effective on June 25, 2024, with some provisions taking effect on July 1, 2026.