Rep. Joyce Mason

Creates the Literary and Justice for All Act. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt and make available to school districts a rubric by which districts may evaluate curricula and select and implement evidence-based, culturally inclusive core reading instruction programs, a template to develop literacy plans, and guidance on evidence-based practices. Requires the State Board to develop training opportunities in teaching reading and a comprehensive literacy plan for this State. Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program, the requirements to receive a Professional Educator License, taking a test in reading foundations for certain licensure, and the requirements for educators trained in other states or counties. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, all internships for school social workers must be paid internships. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall award competitive grants on an annual basis to school districts to assist in the funding of these paid internships. Provides that the State Board of Education shall annually disseminate a request for applications to the grant program. Provides that higher priority shall be given to schools that demonstrate a shortage of school social workers, which is determined by the average ratio of school social workers to students in the target school district over the preceding 3 school years. Provides that the State Board of Education shall produce an annual report on the program. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Board of Higher Education shall award competitive grants on an annual basis to colleges and universities in this State to fund field placements for social workers. Provides that, subject to appropriation, colleges and universities shall annually disseminate a request for applications from students under the grant program. Provides that colleges and universities, upon receiving funding, shall provide applications to students eligible for this funding. Provides that a college or university shall give priority to applicants who are members of a racial minority. Provides that each college or university that receives funds shall provide an annual report to the Board of Higher Education, and the Board of Higher Education shall post those reports on the Board's website. Effective immediately.

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that the definition of "dog dealer" does not include a person who sells dogs at retail to the public. Provides that a person who sells dogs at retail to the public, shall not be considered an animal shelter under the Act. Defines "at retail to the public". Provides that the Illinois Department of Agriculture may refuse to issue or renew or may suspend or revoke a license for operating without a proper license under the Act.

Creates the Educational Credit for Election Judges Act. Provides that each institution of higher education shall adopt a policy regarding its awarding of academic credit for election judges. Provides that the policy shall apply to any individual who has been an election judge while enrolled in the institution of higher education. Provides that each institution of higher education shall submit its policy for awarding academic credit for election judges to the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board, if applicable, before June 30, 2024 and before June 30 of every other year thereafter. Amends the Election Code. Provides that if an election judge receives academic credit, the judge may not be compensated under the Election Code.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the month of April of each year is designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month to be observed throughout the State to promote the awareness and prevention of child abuse in the State.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. In the Sex Offenses Article of the Code, defines "coercive control" as direct or implied threat of danger, or retribution sufficient to coerce a reasonable person of ordinary susceptibilities to perform an act that otherwise would not have been performed, or acquiesce in an act to which one otherwise would not have submitted. Provides that a person commits criminal sexual assault if that person commits an act of sexual penetration and uses coercive control. Provides that a person commits criminal sexual abuse if that person commits an act of sexual conduct by the use of coercive control.

Mourns the death of Richard R. "Rick" Payne.

Appropriates $5,500,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the State Board of Education for YouthBuild Illinois. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall develop an automated filing process to allow individuals who are eligible for the federal and State earned income tax credit but who earn less than the federal income tax filing thresholds to easily claim their State earned income tax credit with support from the Department of Human Services, the Department of Employment Security, and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Effective immediately.

Amends the Labor Dispute Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.