Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that an applicant that meets all other requirements to receive an endorsement in early childhood education is not required to pass a content area test in early childhood education. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Repeals a Section providing authority to use automated traffic law enforcement systems at intersections in which cameras are used to photograph or video record a motor vehicle's failure to stop and yield as required by traffic control signals. Imposes limits on the power of local governments to use automated speed enforcement systems to provide recorded images of a motor vehicle for the purpose of recording its speed. Denies home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement from the State. Makes other changes.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Deletes language providing that the school zone speed limit applies only when when school children are present and so close thereto that a potential hazard exists because of the close proximity of the motorized traffic. Changes the time at which a school day ends from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Amends the Notice By Publication Act. Provides that whenever a governmental unit, community college district, or school district is required to provide notice by publication in a newspaper by law, order of court, or contract, the governmental unit, community college district, or school district may publish the notice on an official government website instead of in a newspaper. Provides conditions concerning the availability and format of the notice webpage. Repeals a Section concerning the placement of published notices on a statewide website and makes corresponding changes throughout the Act and in the Newspaper Legal Notice Act. Effective immediately.
Creates the COVID-19 Religious Exemption Act. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person, public or private institution, or public official to discriminate against any person in any manner because of such person's refusal to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination contrary to his or her belief. Requires all health care facilities to adopt written access to care and information protocols that are designed to ensure that belief-based objections do not cause impairment of patients' health and that explain how belief-based objections will be addressed in a timely manner to facilitate patient care. Provides that it is unlawful for any public or private employer, entity, agency, institution, official, or person to deny admission because of, to place any reference in its application form concerning, to orally question about, to impose any burdens in terms or conditions of employment on, or to otherwise discriminate against, any applicant, in terms of employment, admission to or participation in any programs for which the applicant is eligible, or to discriminate in relation thereto, in any other manner, on account of the applicant's refusal to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination that is against the applicant's beliefs. Provides that it is unlawful for any public official, guardian, agency, institution, or entity to deny any form of aid, assistance, or benefits, or to condition the reception in any way of any form of aid, assistance, or benefits, or in any other manner to coerce, disqualify, or discriminate against any person, otherwise entitled to such aid, assistance, or benefits, because that person refuses to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination contrary to the person's belief. Allows any person injured by any public or private person, association, agency, entity, or corporation by reason of any action prohibited by the Act to bring an action. Provides that a person who brings an action shall recover threefold the actual damages, the costs of the action, and reasonable attorney's fees, but in no case shall recovery for each violation be less than $2,500 plus costs of the action and reasonable attorney's fees. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Invest in Kids Act. Provides that the Invest in Kids credit applies permanently (currently, the credit applies for taxable years ending before January 1, 2023). Effective immediately.
Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in conjunction with the Department of Human Services and the State Board of Education, shall establish and administer the Illinois In-Person Learning for All Benefit Program to provide reimbursement to parents and guardians to cover the costs of allowable expenses related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Provides that under the Program, an eligible parent or guardian may receive, per child, the lesser of $10,000 or the resident school district's per capita tuition rate. Provides that a parent or guardian may permanently enroll his or her child in a different educational setting and receive reimbursement. Provides Program eligibility requirements. Provides that the Department may use funds appropriated from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide benefits under the Program. Provides for the adoption of rules. Defines terms. Effective immediately.
Amends the Sex Offender Community Notification Law. Provides that a sex offender's residence and place of employment shall be entered into the Statewide Sex Offender Database. Provides that the Illinois State Police must make the information contained in the Statewide Sex Offender Database searchable via a mapping system which identifies registered sex offenders living or working (rather than just living) within 5 miles of an identified address.
Creates the Illinois Safe Sidewalks and Roadways Act. Makes it unlawful for a person to panhandle after sunset or before sunrise. Makes it unlawful for a person to panhandle when the person solicited is in any of the following places: (1) at any bus stop or train stop; (2) in any public transportation vehicle or facility; (3) in any vehicle on the street; or (4) on private property, unless the panhandler has permission from the owner or occupant. Makes it unlawful for any person to panhandle in any of the following manners: (1) by coming within 3 feet of the person solicited, until that person has indicated that he or she wishes to make a donation; (2) by blocking the path of the person solicited along a sidewalk or street; (3) by following a person who walks away from the panhandler; (4) by using profane or abusive language, either during the solicitation or following a refusal; (5) by panhandling in a group of 2 or more persons; or (6) by any statement, gesture, or other communication which a reasonable person in the situation of the person solicited would perceive to be a threat. Makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly make any false or misleading representation in the course of soliciting a donation. Provides that any person who commits a first or second violation of the Act is guilty of a petty offense and shall for a first violation be fined $100 and for a second violation be fined $500. Provides that a third or subsequent violation is a Class C misdemeanor. Defines "panhandle". Contains a severability provision. Effective immediately.
Amends the Invest in Kids Act. Provides that non-public pre-kindergarten schools are considered qualified schools. Provides that contributions made by individuals may be directed to a particular subset of schools or a particular school. Allows qualified schools to set a maximum scholarship amount, which may not exceed the necessary costs and fees for attendance at the qualified school. Effective immediately.
