Rep. Gregg Johnson

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that an individual shall be ineligible for benefits for a period totaling and not to exceed 2 weeks (rather than an individual shall be ineligible for benefits for any week) with respect to which it is found that his total or partial unemployment is due to a stoppage of work which exists because of a labor dispute at the factory, establishment, or other premises at which he is or was last employed. Provides that, after the 2-week period, the individual will be eligible for benefits.

Amends the School Code. Requires each school district that offers one or more courses in health education to pupils in middle school or high school to include in those courses instruction in mental health. Sets forth the required instruction topics and materials. Provides that a pupil receiving instruction under in mental health shall not be required to disclose the pupil's confidential health or mental health information at any time in the course of receiving the instruction.

Amends the State Universities Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a Tier 2 member who has at least 20 years of service in this system as a police officer or firefighter is entitled to a retirement annuity upon written application on or after the attainment of age 55 (instead of age 60) if a specified rule is applicable to the participant. Provides that the changes apply retroactively to January 1, 2011. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase".

Maddy summaryHB 4171 amends the Sports Wagering Act to remove the ability of local governments, known as home rule units, to regulate, license, or tax sports wagering activities within their jurisdictions. This means that local municipalities can no longer impose their own rules or fees on sports betting operations. The bill centralizes the authority over sports wagering at the state level. It is effective immediately upon becoming law.

Amends the School Code. In provisions requiring access to a high school campus and student directory information to the official recruiting representatives of the armed forces of Illinois and the United States, deletes language that provides that a school board is not required to give greater notice regarding the right of access to recruiting representatives than is given to other persons and groups. Provides instead that a school board shall invite official recruiting representatives of the armed forces of Illinois and the United States to hold a recruitment event on the high school campus at least once per school year.

Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Provides that the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security may make grants for the purpose of promoting public safety radio interoperability if the use of the funds is consistent with standards set forth by the Illinois Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee under Section 10 of the Illinois State Police Radio Act and may adopt such rules as necessary to implement these grants. Provides that in awarding grants for the purpose of promoting public safety radio interoperability, priority shall be given first to public safety agencies with jurisdiction in areas without land mobile radio communication interoperability in counties with a population under 75,000. Provides that only public safety agencies using technology that is P25 CAP-verified (Project 25 Compliance Assessment Program) and complies with the current version of the SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency Communications Grants issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) shall be eligible for grants.

Creates the Standardized Protections for Residential Tenants Act. Prohibits a landlord, lessor, sub-lessor, or grantor from requiring a deposit or advance that exceeds the amount of one month's rent, unless the deposit or advance is for a seasonal use dwelling unit or unless the deposit or advance is for an owner-occupied cooperative apartment. Prohibits a landlord, lessor, sub-lessor, or grantor from charging an application fee that exceeds $20. Allows a fee for a background check or credit check of $20 or the actual cost, whichever is less. Exempts entrance fees charged licensed continuing care retirement communities, licensed assisted living providers, licensed adult care facilities, senior residential communities, or not-for-profit independent retirement communities that offer personal emergency response, housekeeping, transportation, and meals to their residents. Prohibits any payment, fee, or charge for the late payment of rent unless the payment of rent has not been made within 5 days of the date it was due, and the payment, fee, or charge does not exceed $50 or 5% of the monthly rent, whichever is less; provided a cooperative housing corporation shall be permitted to charge a tenant or lessee that is a dwelling unit owner or shareholder of such cooperative housing corporation a fee of up to 8% of the monthly maintenance fee for the late payment of the monthly maintenance fee if the proprietary lease or occupancy agreement provides for such a fee. Voids any agreement by a lessee or tenant of a dwelling waiving or modifying the rights in the Act. Authorizes the Attorney General to enforce the Act and adopt rules to implement and administer the Act. Provides that a violation of the Act is a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act. Preempts home rule.

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, the State Board of Education shall award competitive grants on an annual basis to school districts and other educational units that have school social work interns to assist those school districts and other educational units in the funding of school social work internships approved by the interns' educator preparation programs by providing stipends. Sets forth the stipend amount. Provides that the State Board of Education shall annually disseminate to school districts and other educational units that have school social work interns a request for applications for grants. Provides that grant applications shall be accepted on an annual basis. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish procedures for submitting requests for stipends and issuing funds to approved applicants. Provides for prioritizing grants if an appropriation is insufficient to fund all applications for grants. Provides that for any school year in which grants are awarded, the State Board of Education shall produce a report on the awarding of grants, in cooperation with the school districts and educational units that are awarded grants. Sets forth requirements for the report. Provides that the report shall be posted on the State Board of Education's Internet website each school year in which grants are awarded. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall establish and administer a grant program to support the field placement of social workers. Provides that the Board shall distribute the funds appropriated for this purpose in the form of grants to public or nonpublic institutions of higher education to expand opportunities for students who are intending to become social workers and to assist students in pursuing social-work related field placements, internships, and other work opportunities. Sets forth other requirements concerning the operation of the grant program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that a public institution of higher education shall permit a student who is subject to a disciplinary proceeding to be assisted by an advocate of the student's choosing or, upon request, by an advocate provided by the public institution of higher education. Requires any written notice initiating a disciplinary proceeding to include a clear and conspicuous statement informing the student of the student's right to be assisted by an advocate. Provides that if a student does not have an advocate, the public institution of higher education shall make a reasonable effort to provide the student with access to an advocate. Provides that an advocate participating in a disciplinary proceeding shall receive training on the public institution of higher education's disciplinary procedures. Allows an advocate, with the consent of the student, to receive communications regarding the status of the disciplinary proceeding concurrently with the student and participate in meetings or hearings related to the disciplinary proceeding in a supportive capacity. Sets forth limitations. Allows the Board of Higher Education to adopt any rules necessary to implement the provisions.

Creates the Veterans' Dependents and Spouses College Tuition Waiver Act. Provides that an applicant is eligible for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at a public institution of higher education if the applicant is a spouse or dependent of an eligible veteran, is enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the public institution of higher education, and meets residency and enrollment requirements established by rule. Provides that the waiver applies only to tuition and mandatory fees and does not include room, board, books, supplies, or other nonmandatory expenses. Sets forth the length of the waiver. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall administer the waivers created by the Act. Provides that the Act's benefits shall be applied after federal educational benefits have been applied, unless otherwise provided by rule. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits an applicant from receiving federal educational benefits, as long as there is no duplication of State-funded tuition assistance. Allows the Commission to adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer the Act. Effective July 1, 2026.