Rep. Tom Weber

Condemns the violent behavior of the pro-Hamas protestors and encourages university officials to take immediate action against them. Urges the General Assembly to propose legislation that would withhold public funding from institutions of higher education that negotiate with anti-Semitic groups and for Governor JB Pritzker to sign that legislation into law.

Amends the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Provides that a private entity that, in more than one instance, collects, captures, purchases, receives through trade, or otherwise obtains the same biometric identifier or biometric information from the same person using the same method of collection in violation of the Act has committed a single violation for which the aggrieved person is entitled to, at most, one recovery. Provides that a private entity that, in more than one instance, discloses, rediscloses, or otherwise disseminates the same biometric identifier or biometric information from the same person to the same recipient using the same method of collection in violation of the Act has committed a single violation for which the aggrieved person is entitled to, at most, one recovery regardless of the number of times the private entity disclosed, redisclosed, or otherwise disseminated the same biometric identifier or biometric information of the same person to the same recipient. Establishes that any violations of the Act by an Internet dating service shall be enforced exclusively by the Attorney General. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to apply to an Internet dating service, or a provider acting on its behalf, while engaged in the collection, capture, processing, possession, retention, disclosure, redisclosure, or dissemination of biometric information or biometric identifiers for a safety purpose. Sets forth an exemption for Internet dating services. Defines terms.

Amends the Governmental Account Audit Act. In provisions requiring an annual audit by a governmental unit to be performed of all the accounts and funds of the governmental unit, provides that township accounts and funds audited under the provisions do not include road district accounts or funds. In provisions relating to the type of audit report a governmental unit must provide based upon whether the unit has revenue of less or more than $850,000, provides that township revenue shall be calculated exclusive of road district funds. Effective immediately.

Commends Deputy John Forlenza and Police K9 Dax for their honorable service and dedication to their community, the State as a whole, and the nation.

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. In a provision requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to allow law enforcement personnel to concurrently investigate with the Department reports of suspected child abuse or neglect, provides that the Department's completed investigative report shall be shared with the office of the State's Attorney of the involved county, if requested, to the extent such disclosure is permitted by current law and regulation, and subject to any and all existing and applicable requirements to maintain the information shared as confidential. Provides that nothing prohibits the office of the State's Attorney of the involved county from concurrently conducting an additional, independent investigation of the same incidents and allegations investigated by the Department. Provides that at the commencement of the State's Attorney's independent investigation, the State's Attorney, in his or her official capacity as a mandated reporter, shall notify the Department of the independent investigation by making a report by telephone to the Department's central register on the single, State-wide, toll-free telephone number established under the Act. Provides that upon completion of the independent investigation, the State's Attorney shall share his or her findings and determinations with the Department.

Amends the Illinois Public Demonstrations Law. Replaces all references to the principal law enforcement officer for the area with references to the sheriff of the county where the march, assembly, meeting, parade, or gathering on roadways originates. Provides that a person who blocks an exceptionally busy public right-of-way for any period of not less than 5 minutes in a manner that prevents, or would prevent, the free passage of a peace officer, a firefighter, or an emergency medical services personnel responder, irrespective of the time of day or notice provided, commits a Class 4 felony. Provides that no act of notification to law enforcement is a defense to the Class 4 felony. Provides that no act or circumstance of scheduling or time is a defense to the Class 4 felony. Provides that if permission is requested from the sheriff of the county where the march, assembly, meeting, parade, or gathering on roadways originates under, it is the responsibility of the sheriff, not the requester, to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions as necessary. Preempts the concurrent exercise of home rule. Defines "exceptionally busy public right of way". Makes findings. Effective immediately.

Amends the Foster Parent Law. Provides that foster parents have a right to receive an initial payment of $480 per child to be made within 24 hours of a permanent placement. Provides that if the final monthly payment for a child amounts to $480 or more, the amount of $480 shall be deducted from the final monthly payment. Provides that if the final monthly payment amounts to less than $480, the final monthly payment shall not be made.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that evidence of a defendant's voluntary intoxication is not admissible for the purpose of negating the defendant's mens rea, nor shall any such argument to the trier of fact be permitted. Provides that if evidence of the defendant's intoxication, either voluntary or involuntary, is admitted, the trier of fact shall be instructed that voluntary intoxication is not a defense to the crime charged.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision concerning suspensions of retirement annuities during employment with a participating employer, provides that an annuitant receiving a sheriff's law enforcement employee annuity shall be considered a participating employee if the annuitant returns to work as a school security guard employed by a participating employer and works more than 999 hours annually. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Schedules Xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance.