Rep. Chris Welch

Amends the School Code. Provides that the Illinois Community College Board shall establish alternative methods of credentialing for the issuance of high school equivalency certification throughout the State. Allows the Board to offer the credentialing on or after January 1, 2018 based on high school credit, post-secondary credit, foreign diplomas, and completion of a competency-based program as approved by the Board. Makes technical and conforming changes.

Amends the Gubernatorial Boards and Commissions Act. Provides that the Governor's Office of Boards and Commissions database shall include an application data field where an applicant may optionally disclose his or her sexual orientation for reporting purposes in applying for appointment to a board or commission. Provides that certain demographic composition information required to be reported to the General Assembly by the Governor shall also include the voluntarily and publicly disclosed sexual orientation of appointees and applicants for appointment by the Governor. Defines "sexual orientation".

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Provides that the Department of Children and Family Services may implement a "differential response program" (rather than providing that beginning January 1, 2010, the Department may implement a 5-year demonstration of a "differential response program"). Removes a requirement that the Department arrange for an independent evaluation of the "differential response program" to determine whether it is meeting specified goals. Removes language providing that the demonstration shall become a permanent program on July 1, 2016, upon completion of the demonstration project period.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that the Executive Ethics Commission may (rather than shall) appoint procurement compliance monitors. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Exempts certain contracts from the Code. Requires certain contracts concerning trade shows to be published in the Illinois Procurement Bulletin. Exempts certain processes used by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Re-enacts and makes changes to provisions concerning higher education and artistic and musical services procurement. Requires all State agencies to respond promptly in writing to the Procurement Policy Board. Provides that State purchasing officers owe a fiduciary duty to the State. Removes various duties of the procurement compliance monitors. Makes changes to provisions concerning multiple awards and bidding processes. Allows for the use of a pool of competitively-selected vendors. Creates certain provisions concerning best value procurement. Allows departments and institutions to purchase and equip off-road construction equipment utilizing the best value procurement process. Increases the limit of small purchases from $10,000 to $100,000. Allows a chief procurement officer to provide a bidder or offeror 5 days to comply with certain provisions of the Code concerning certification and registration with the State Board of Elections. Makes changes to provisions concerning prohibited bidders and reporting. Repeals provisions of the Code concerning exceptions to the Code and procurement communications reporting requirements. Makes other changes. Amends the Small Business Contracts Act, Governmental Joint Purchasing Act, and Illinois Human Rights Act to make other changes. Effective July 1, 2017, but this Act does not take effect at all unless Senate Bills 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 of the 100th General Assembly become law.

Amends the Data Security on State Computers Act. Requires State employees to annually undergo training by the Department of Innovation and Technology concerning cybersecurity. Allows the Department to make the training an online course. Requires the training to include detecting phishing scams, preventing spyware infections and identity theft, and preventing and responding to data breaches. Allows the Department to adopt rules to implement the program.

Recognizes the Village of La Grange Park on the 125th anniversary of its founding.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Deletes a provision that requires Department of Juvenile Justice personnel who are hired by the Department and who participate or assist in the rehabilitative and vocational training of delinquent youths, supervise the daily activities involving direct and continuing responsibility for the youth's security, welfare and development, or participate in the personal rehabilitation of delinquent youth by training, supervising, and assisting lower level personnel who perform these duties to have a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in criminal justice, education, psychology, social work, or a closely related social science or other bachelor's or advanced degree with at least 2 years' experience in the field of juvenile matters. Requires those persons to only have any bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited college or university. Provides that the Department shall, by regular (rather than certified) mail and telephone or electronic message, notify the parent, guardian, or nearest relative of any person committed to the Department of his or her physical location and any change of his or her physical location. Amends the Illinois Pension Code to make conforming changes.

Recognizes the Village of La Grange Park on the 125th anniversary of its founding.

Urges President Trump and the United States Congress to permanently reauthorize the Perkins Loan Program.

Urges the creation of an environmental justice agenda.