Rep. Suzanne Ness

Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Ratifies and approves the Nurse Licensure Compact, which allows for the issuance of multistate licenses that allow nurses to practice in their home state and other compact states. Provides that the Compact does not supersede existing State labor laws. Provides that the State may not share with or disclose to the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators or any other state any of the contents of a nationwide criminal history records check conducted for the purpose of multistate licensure under the Nurse Licensure Compact. Provides that an employer who employs nurses, as defined in the Article, shall provide the nurses under its employment with the opportunity to obtain the required continuing education hours. Requires that nurses subject to the Nurse Licensure Compact complete 20 hours of approved continuing education per every 2-year license renewal cycle. Provides that the Nurse Licensure Compact does not apply to an advanced practice registered nurse. Adds provisions concerning employer attestations.

Creates the Tracking Infectious Cases Knowledgeably Act. Provides that the Act may be referred to as the TICK Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall adopt rules no later than January 1, 2026, requiring medical reporters to report cases of alpha-gal syndrome and Lyme disease to the local health department and the Department of Public Health on the date of the diagnosis under the Control of Communicable Diseases Code. Provides that the rules shall dictate that the Department of Public Health shall track cases of alpha-gal syndrome and Lyme disease statewide and within counties and shall publish the results of the tracking of cases of alpha-gal syndrome and Lyme disease publicly on the Department's website in a timely manner. Provides that any case of alpha-gal syndrome or Lyme disease present in an Illinois resident that has been diagnosed by a medical professional shall be reported to, and tracked by, the Department, independent from or concurrent with reporting and tracking by the federal government. Defines terms. Makes findings. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Code or any rule adopted under the Code, a nonresident who is employed as a public safety worker may operate in this State an authorized emergency vehicle if the nonresident possesses the license class required by the nonresident's state of residence to operate similar equipment and the nonresident has completed the Fire Service Vehicle Operator program of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that no person shall conduct a carbon sequestration activity within a sequestration facility that overlies, underlies, or passes through a sole-source aquifer. Specifies that this provisions does not deprive the Environmental Protection Agency of the authority to deny a carbon sequestration permit. Defines "sole-source aquifer".

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall create a professional development course that addresses racial disparities in maternal health treatment and the impact of racial disparities on non-Hispanic Black and American Indian women. Provides that the course shall have a length of at least one hour. Requires the course to include education on (i) current statistics about pregnancy-related death for all racial and ethnic groups, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (ii) potential risk factors associated with women that are a part of a marginalized racial or ethnic group that has increased maternal mortality rates, and (iii) medical care plans and programs that have been demonstrated to successfully decrease maternal mortality rates and complications before and after pregnancy. Provides that the Department shall require health care professionals to complete the professional development course.

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Requires the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to develop a course and certification program for certified therapy dog teams consisting of officers employing the use of therapy dogs in relation to crisis and emergency response.

Amends the Eminent Domain Act. Provides that quick-take proceedings may be used for a period of one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act by the Kane County Division of Transportation for the purpose of intersection realignment and separation improvement.. Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission Act. Establishes the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission. Provides that the purpose of the Commission shall be to explore, research, and commemorate the journeys of freedom seekers and the sites and landmarks in the State that became the networks of the Underground Railroad. Provides that the Commission shall implement educational, landmark preservation, and grant programs. Sets forth provisions concerning membership; terms; compensation; administrative support; and staff. Provides that the Commission shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act, the Conveyances Act, the Joint Tenancy Act, and the Rights of Married Persons Act. Inserts gender neutral descriptions showing marital status.

Amends the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. Provides that penalty fees collected for violating the Act and application fees for permits shall be deposited into the Water Resources Fund (rather than the State Boating Act Fund).