Rep. Joyce Mason

Congratulates Beryl Washington on her retirement from Warren Township High School.

Recognizes Black History Month as an important time to celebrate the remarkable contributions of all Black women in the United States. Acknowledges the continuing struggles within African American communities, especially those of Black women, and encourages Governor Pritzker to address the ongoing issues affecting those communities.

Declares March 3, 2022 as Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Day in the State of Illinois and the month of March 2022 as Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Expresses support for legislation to reduce Triple Negative Breast Cancer disparities in early detection and survival by improving education and awareness through health promotion initiatives targeting underserved communities disproportionately impacted, by ensuring equitable access and affordability of breast cancer screening, genetic counselling, and diagnostic testing, by promoting cultural sensitivity and workforce diversity policies in health care provider training, and by guaranteeing timely patient access to clinically appropriate treatment options identified in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines.

Directs the Auditor General to conduct a performance audit of the State's response to the management of the COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans' Home. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Removes one of the items that the performance audit was to investigate.

Urges legislators to support and promote the 2022-2027 Illinois Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan for the benefit of citizens throughout the state.

Declares November 8 to November 12, 2021 as School Psychology Awareness Week in the State of Illinois. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Changes the date for School Psychology Awareness Week.

Congratulates the Antioch Vikings Football and Cheer on the organization's 50th anniversary. Recognizes the men and women who started and have continued to nurture the Antioch Vikings Football and Cheer program, from the founders to every past and present board member, president, coach, volunteer, player, and cheerleader. Further wishes the organization continued success.

Mourns the death of Charles "Hank" Salemi of Libertyville.

Amends the Veterans Preference Act. Provides that veterans shall be preferred for appointment to and employment with the Illinois Department of Transportation for the positions of snow removal operator and winter salaried highway maintainer under the Department's Winter Seasonal Employment Program.

Amends the Veterans' Employment Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. House Committee Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 330 ILCS 25/1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 2805/39 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to create a Veterans' Accountability Unit (Unit) which shall receive complaints and recommendations from: (i) veterans and other Illinois residents who seek services from the Department; (ii) residents of Veterans' Homes, their families, and visitors; (iii) vendors and contractors of the Department; and (iv) staff of the Department. Requires the Governor to appoint for a 4-year term, with Senate confirmation, the Director of the Unit. Provides that the Director shall ensure that the Unit maintains regular office hours and establishes both a toll-free helpline and a dedicated electronic mail address for the purpose of accepting complaints, information, and recommendations. Provides that the Unit shall function independently of the Department. Contains provisions concerning salaries and benefits for the Unit's staff and Director; and staff access to any information, documents, and personnel of the Department that is needed to perform the duties of the Unit. Requires the Unit to ensure all complaints, allegations, or incidents of possible misconduct or violations of rules, procedures, or laws by any employee, service provider, or contractor of the Department are reported to the Office of the Governor's Executive Inspector General. Requires the Office of the Governor's Executive Inspector General to determine whether to investigate a complaint or make a referral to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Requires the Unit to create annual reports that include a summary of the complaints received and actions taken in response. Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act shall limit any investigations by the Department of Veterans' Affairs that may otherwise be required by law. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 330 ILCS 25/1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 2805/39 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill but replaces all references to "Office of the Governor's Executive Inspector General" with "Office of Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor."