Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that, as used in a provision of the Code that establishes procurement goals for veteran-owned small businesses, the term "small business" means a business that has annual gross sales of less than $150,000,000 (rather than less than $75,000,000) as evidenced by the federal income tax return of the business.
Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the month of April of each year is designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month to be observed throughout the State to promote the awareness and prevention of child abuse in the State.
Declares April of 2023 as "Prescribed Burning Awareness Month" in the State of Illinois.
Amends the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Provides that a local government may submit a request to the Grant Accountability and Transparency Unit to be exempt from certain audit requirements if the local government is unable to meet the audit requirements due to circumstances beyond the local government's control, including, but not limited to, a natural disaster in which financial records of the local government are destroyed or alleged employee misconduct involving the destruction or withholding of financial records. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a driver of a commercial motor vehicle who hauls harvest goods for a farm is waived from the requirements of provisions concerning a requirement for a commercial driver's license or a commercial learner's permit when the driver: (1) is the owner or an employee of the farm hauling the harvest goods; and (2) is within a 150-mile radius of the farm hauling the harvest goods. Provides that an individual who operates a commercial driver's license for farm vehicles shall be exempt from new testing requirements if the farm vehicle is used in the State and is used for agricultural purposes.
Declares November 18, 2023 as "A Christmas Story Family Day".
Declares March 29, 2023 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in the State of Illinois.
Reaffirms commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister-state ties between the State of Illinois and Taiwan, R.O.C. Reaffirms support for the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and supports Illinois businesses to refer to Taiwan, R.O.C. as Taiwan. Endorses Taiwan's efforts to secure the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA), and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) with the United States and reiterates support for a closer economic and trade partnership between the State of Illinois and Taiwan. Expresses continued support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations that impact the health, safety, and well-being of the people of Taiwan and supports Taiwan's aspiration to make more contributions in international societies.
Amends the School Code. Provides that the dyslexia handbook developed by the State Board of Education shall include guidelines on the administration of a universal screener and dyslexia screening, the interpretation of data from these screeners, and the resulting appropriate instruction within a multi-tiered system of support framework. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt any rules necessary to ensure that a student will be screened for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener. Sets forth which students are required to be screened. Provides that no later than January 1, 2024, the State Board of Education shall 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. Provides that beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, each school district must screen students in grades kindergarten through 2 for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener approved by the State Board of Education. Provides that if a student is determined to be either at risk or at some risk for dyslexia after the universal screener has been administered, the school district must administer a dyslexia screening of the student. Provides that if a student's dyslexia screening indicates that the student has characteristics of dyslexia, the dyslexia intervention services provided to the student must utilize a structured literacy approach as outlined in the State Board of Education's handbook. Makes other changes.
Amends the Illinois Commercial Feed Act of 1961. Provides that pet food and specialty pet food are misbranded if the label fails to disclose whether the pet food contains a major food allergen. Defines "major food allergen" as milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, and food ingredients that contain protein derived from those foods.
