Rep. Maurice West

Amends the School Breakfast and Lunch Program Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, for State Fiscal Year 2024 only and in addition to other amounts provided for school breakfast and lunch programs, the State Board of Education shall provide supplemental nutrition aid to participants in the national school breakfast and lunch programs. Provides that a participant's supplemental nutrition aid shall equal the participant's State Fiscal Year 2023 actual expenditures for providing school breakfast and lunch programs, minus the participant's State Fiscal Year 2023 State reimbursement, minus the participant's State Fiscal Year 2023 federal contribution. Repeals these provisions on January 1, 2026. Effective immediately.

Amends the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012. In provisions regarding institution and program approval criteria, provides that a part of the criteria for approval is fair and equitable reimbursement in the case of an unfair or deceptive practice finding. Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. In provisions concerning the monetary award program, sets forth provisions concerning an institution that received monetary award program funds at a time the institution was using unfair or deceptive practices, including refunding State funds to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and awarding grants to students who attended that institution. Amends the State Finance Act to create the MAP Refund Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately.

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that an animal control facility shall not charge an adoption fee for a dog or cat if the person adopting the dog or cat presents to the animal control facility a current and valid driver's license, Illinois Identification Card, or Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card with the word "veteran" printed on its face. Provides that an animal control facility may limit the number of dogs or cats adopted from that animal control facility pursuant to this Section to one dog or cat each 6-month period.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the date of the general election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November in even years (rather than November 8, 2022) shall be a State holiday known as General Election Day and shall be observed throughout the State. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code, School Code, and State Universities Civil Service Act making conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. With regard to the Minority Teachers of Illinois scholarship program, the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program, and special education teacher scholarships, provides that if a recipient of one of those scholarships who is in a repayment plan with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission subsequently teaches at a school meeting certain descriptions under those scholarship programs, the Commission may reduce the amount owed by the recipient in proportion to the amount of the teaching obligation completed. Effective immediately.

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an insurer that provides coverage for medically necessary epinephrine injectors shall limit the total amount that an insured is required to pay for a twin-pack of medically necessary epinephrine injectors at an amount not to exceed $60, regardless of the type of epinephrine injector. Provides that nothing in the provisions prevents an insurer from reducing an insured's cost sharing by an amount greater than the specified amount. Provides that the Department of Insurance may adopt rules as necessary to implement and administer the provisions.

Amends the Degradable Plastic Act. Provides that, on or before July 1, 2025, each State agency shall establish and implement a plan to reduce the quantity of single-use plastics used or purchased by that State agency by 50% on or before 2031 and by 75% on or before 2036. Exempts specified single-use plastics from the provisions. Provides that on or before May 1, 2026, and on or before May 1 of each year thereafter, each State agency shall deliver to the Department of Central Management Services a status report on its single-use plastics reduction efforts. Requires the Department to compile a report with specified information and submit it to the General Assembly and the public. Provides that each State agency must post specified information on its website. Exempts State agencies that ban their own use or purchase of single-use plastics from the requirements. Defines "single-use plastic" and "State agency". Contains other provisions.

Amends the School Code to create the Rural Education Advisory Council. Provides that the purpose of the council is to exchange thoughtful dialogue concerning the needs, challenges, and opportunities of rural districts and to provide policy recommendations to the State. Sets forth the functions and membership of the council. Contains provisions concerning expenses, meetings, and administrative support.

Creates the Child Extended Bereavement Leave Act. Provides that the Act may be referred to as Zachary's Parent Protection Act. Provides that an employee of a large employer that employs 250 or more full-time employees is entitled to use a maximum of 12 weeks of unpaid leave if the employee experiences the loss of a child by suicide or homicide. Provides that an employee of a small employer that employs at least 50 but fewer than 250 full-time employees is entitled to use a maximum of 6 weeks of unpaid leave if the employee experiences the loss of a child by suicide or homicide. Provides that leave may be taken in a single continuous period or intermittently in increments of no less than 4 hours, but leave must be completed within one year after the employee notifies the employer of the loss. Permits an employer to require reasonable advance notice of the employee's intention to leave and reasonable documentation. Provides that an employee who takes leave under the Act is entitled to be restored to the position of employment held by the employee when the leave commenced or to be restored to an equivalent position. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to entitle any restored employee the accrual of any seniority or employment benefits during any period of leave. Provides that the Act does not extend the maximum period of leave to which an employee is entitled under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 or under any other paid or unpaid leave provided under federal, State or local law, a collective bargaining agreement, or an employment benefits program or plan. Prohibits an employer from taking any adverse action against an employee who exercises his or her rights under the Act. Requires the Department of Labor to enforce the Act. Provides that a person who uses leave under either the Child Bereavement Leave Act or the Child Extended Bereavement Leave Act may not take leave under the other Act, and amends the Child Bereavement Leave Act accordingly.

Amends the Human Skeletal Remains Protection Act. Changes references from "Indian" to "Native American" and "Historic Preservation Agency" to "Department of Natural Resources". Provides that the Director of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the Illinois State Museum, may create a cemetery on existing State lands for the reburial of repatriated Native American remains and materials. Provides that the cemetery shall not be used by the public and shall be protected by the State of Illinois. Provides that the Director of Natural Resources shall cooperate with the State Archaeologist and the Illinois State Museum to coordinate reinterment in the cemetery.