Rep. Steve Reick

Amends the Landscape Architecture Registration Act. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may adopt rules of continuing education for persons registered under the Act. Provides that the Department shall consider the recommendations of the Registered Landscape Architecture Registration Board in establishing the guidelines for the continuing education requirements. Provides that these requirements apply to any person seeking renewal or restoration under provisions concerning registration, renewal, and restoration of the Act.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in the case of a deficiency judgment, if the owner of the property at the time of the tax sale can be located after a reasonably diligent search by the clerk of the court, then net income shall be returned to that person. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that Constitution Day (September 17) shall also be a commemorative holiday. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a member may establish optional credit for up to 2 years of service as a teacher or administrator employed by a private school recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education, provided that the teacher (i) was certified under the law governing the certification of teachers at the time the service was rendered, (ii) applies in writing on or before June 30, 2028 (instead of June 30, 2023), (iii) supplies satisfactory evidence of the employment, (iv) completes at least 10 years of contributing service as a teacher, and (v) pays the required contribution. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires every driver who applies for employment with a transportation provider under contract with the Department of Children and Family Services to have his or her fingerprints submitted to the Illinois State Police in an electronic format that complies with the form and manner for requesting and furnishing criminal history record information as prescribed by the Illinois State Police. Provides that such fingerprints shall be transmitted through a live scan fingerprint vendor licensed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and shall be checked against the fingerprint records filed in the Illinois State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history records databases, including, but not limited to, civil, criminal, and latent fingerprint databases. Requires the Illinois State Police to charge a fee for conducting the criminal history records check that does not exceed the actual cost of the records check. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall furnish, pursuant to positive identification, records of Illinois convictions and shall forward the national criminal history record information to the Department of Children and Family Services. Requires every driver to submit, as a condition of employment, a signed written statement certifying that he or she has consented to and completed a fingerprint-based criminal history records check in accordance with the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to increase by 5% reimbursement rates for speech therapy services, physical therapy services, and occupational therapy services beginning July 1, 2023. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that the Department of Children and Family Services shall initialize, but not complete, the move of Family First functions, carried under the Act and the federal Family First Prevention Services Act (Title IV-E of the federal Social Security Act) from the Department of Children and Family Services to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that final approval for placement of a child with a prospective foster or adoptive parent shall not be granted if a criminal records background check reveals the prospective foster or adoptive parent has a felony conviction for human trafficking or sex trafficking. Effective immediately.

Recognizes Loyola University Chicago, the only Jesuit Catholic University in the State of Illinois.

Urges the National Baseball Hall of Fame Golden Days Era committee to vote to enshrine Walter William "Billy" Pierce in his rightful place as a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Resolves that Billy Pierce is deserving of the honor and recognition that accrues to those whose names are called to membership in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Recognizes Billy Pierce on his accomplishments and accolades achieved throughout his life.