Rep. Maurice West

Creates the Level Playing Field Act. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall annually review, for each college and university in Illinois, the latest available data on instructional spending from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and evaluate and determine whether each college or university meets a minimum instructional spending requirement, deeming each institution either in "Good Standing", "Under Review", or "Failing". Provides that an institution that, by a specified metric, spends less on instruction than 33% of the amount of revenue it receives in tuition and fees shall be declared "Under Review". Provides that a college or university that does not meet a minimum instructional spending requirement and is in the category of "Under Review" must report specified information to the Board within 6 months of the finding. Provides for actions to be taken by the Board based on its determination with respect to the college or university. Provides that an institution that fails to submit a corrective action plan within 6 months of a finding of "Under Review" or that remains "Under Review" for 2 consecutive years shall be deemed "Failing" until the Board determines, through the annual review process, that it is in "Good Standing". Provides that institutions that have been declared "Failing" shall be ineligible for State funding, including participation in the monetary award program for all new applicants, and these institutions must publish on their websites and in a manner that reaches all current, future, and prospective students their "Failing" status. Provides that the Board shall adopt rules necessary to implement the Act.

Creates the Infrastructure Delivery and Program Transparency Act. Provides for the creation of an Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator within the Office of the Secretary of Transportation to administer the Rebuild Illinois Program. Provides that the Office of the Secretary of Transportation shall develop a publicly available project information website that includes detailed information about each infrastructure project. Provides that the Coordinator shall track and make publicly available a master program, budget, and construction schedule and program metrics. Provides that after a review of the program metrics, the Coordinator shall implement improvements to the Rebuild Illinois Program in accordance with the established overall program budget and project schedule. Provides that the Department of Transportation and the Coordinator shall implement certain initiatives to assist the Department with meeting program goals.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a credit for taxpayers that make an eligible donation to a certified home improvement provider in an amount equal to 75% of the amount donated to that certified home improvement provider. Provides that a certified home improvement provider is a local agency, community organization, or community development corporation that (i) specializes in the area of housing improvement, (ii) targets underserved communities that meet the definition of a qualified census tract under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code, and (iii) has been approved to issue certificates of receipt for credits by the Illinois Housing Development Authority. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Defines "no-knock search warrant" or "dynamic entry warrant". Provides that a peace officer or other public officer or employee shall not seek or execute a no-knock search warrant or dynamic entry warrant and a court shall not issue such a warrant. Provides that a peace officer or other public officer or employee who violates this provision is guilty of official misconduct. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides for dyslexia screening guidelines and rules. Requires the State Board of Education to employ at least 5 dyslexia specialists or dyslexia therapists with a minimum of 5 years of field experience in screening, identifying, and treating dyslexia and related disorders to provide technical assistance and training. Provides that, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, each school district must screen students in grades kindergarten through second (and in higher grades under certain circumstances) for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener approved by the State Board. Sets forth what the screening must include. Provides for additional screening for a student who is determined to be at risk, or at some risk, for dyslexia to determine if a student has the characteristics of dyslexia. Requires the use of a multi-tiered system of support framework if screening indicates that a student has some risk factors for dyslexia or has the characteristics of dyslexia. Sets forth provisions concerning exceptions to screening, dyslexia intervention services, and reporting. Effective July 1, 2022.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that to provide for the safety of mental health care patients and staff members, no fewer than 2 registered nurses and no fewer than 2 mental health technicians shall be assigned to any unit at any time in the following State-operated hospitals: (1) the Alton Mental Health Center, at Alton; (2) the Chicago-Read Mental Health Center, at Chicago; (3) the Clyde L. Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center, at Anna; (4) the Elgin Mental Health Center, at Elgin; (5) the John J. Madden Mental Health Center, at Chicago; and (6) the Andrew McFarland Mental Health Center, at Springfield. Provides that if a registered nurse or mental health technician is assigned to 2 or more units, the calculation of the number of registered nurses or mental health technicians who are assigned to a unit shall be calculated for each registered nurse or mental health technician as one divided by the number of units to which the registered nurse or mental health technician is assigned. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that no fee shall be required if the records sought to be expunged or sealed were arrests resulting in release without charging or arrests or charges not initiated by arrest resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or conviction when the conviction was reversed or vacated, except for the expungement or sealing of certain records of minor traffic violations. Eliminates the county fee waiver pilot program that was only applicable in counties of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants that was set to expire on January 1, 2022.

Amends the General Assembly Operations Act. Provides that no person may serve more than 10 consecutive years in any of the following leadership roles: Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and Minority Leader of the Senate. Provides that the limitations imposed by the amendatory Act apply to service beginning on and after the second Wednesday in January of 2023.

Amends the Downstate Police and Downstate Firefighter Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the annual employer contribution shall include an amount sufficient to bring the total assets of the pension fund up to 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the pension fund by the end of municipal fiscal year 2050 (instead of 2040). Makes a conforming change. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Provides that individuals under the age of 18 (instead of 16) may fish with sport fishing devices without being required to have a license. Effective immediately.