Rep. Gregg Johnson

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. In provisions concerning deceptive practices targeting veterans and military members, changes the definition of "veteran or military benefits services" to any services offered or provided to a veteran, military member, or family member who is entitled to receive benefits under federal, State, or local law, policy, or practice as a result of, at least in part, qualifying military service. Adds a veterans services disclosure to be made by any person providing veteran or military benefits services. Makes it an unlawful practice for any person providing veteran or military benefits services to fail at the outset of the business relationship to clearly provide, both orally and in writing, veterans services disclosures when veteran or military benefits services are provided in exchange for any financial compensation, benefit, or thing of value. Makes other changes.

Amends the Coal Mining Act. Provides for State mine rescue stations that are maintained by the Department of Natural Resources for the sole purpose of responding to and preparing for emergencies in the coal mines of Illinois. Provides that recovery operations that are intended solely for the purpose of securing property are not covered under a provision concerning State mine rescue services. Provides that additional mine rescue services for the purpose of securing property are the responsibility of the operator of the property. Provides that mine rescue teams shall be based out of each State mine rescue station to serve the Illinois coal industry as either a primary or secondary responder. Provides that every coal producing mine in the State must assign its mine rescue team or mine complex rescue team to a State mine rescue station and must compensate these employees at their regular rate of pay. Provides that the Mining Board shall establish training requirements for mine rescue teams and mine complex rescue teams. Provides that coal producing mines that maintain a mine rescue station are exempt from providing a mine rescue team or mine complex rescue team to serve the State mine rescue station if certain conditions are met. Sets forth provisions concerning the Department providing suitably located sites for State mine rescue stations; supervision of State mine rescue operations; definitions; and mine rescue teams.

Amends the Education for Homeless Children Act. Requires the Office of the Coordinator for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth to create the School District Homeless Student Identification Performance Assessment and submit the Assessment to the State Board of Education for a school district with an enrollment greater than 100 students. Sets forth what information shall be included in the Assessment. Amends the School Code to provide that the information in the Assessment shall be included in the school report card. Further amends the Education for Homeless Children Act. In provisions concerning the Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program, provides that when awarding competitive grants under the Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program, grants shall be made to applicant school districts based on the percentage of students experiencing homelessness in the applicant school district in accordance with the Program (instead of to applicant school districts in accordance with the Program). Removes specified provisions concerning what factors the State Board of Education may use in awarding grants. Specifies other activities eligible for assistance. Provides that the State Board of Education may use up to 25% (instead 5%) of the funds appropriated for the purposes of the Program for administrative costs. Makes other changes.

Amends the Statute on Statutes. Provides that whenever there is a reference in any Act to "armed forces", "armed forces of the United States", "U.S. Armed Forces", "United States Armed Forces", or "uniformed services", these terms shall be construed to include the United States Space Force. Amends the Flag Display Act, the Secretary of State Merit Employment Code, the Veterans Preference Act, the Veterans Burial Places Act, and various other Acts. In all occurrences of the definition for "armed forces of the United States" and "member of the Armed Services or Reserve Forces of the United States" expands the list of armed forces branches to include the Space Force. Makes conforming changes in the definition of "veteran" under the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law, in the definition of "military service" under the Illinois Pension Code, and in a provision under the Veterans Burial Places Act that lists the various military branches that make up the Reserve Officers Training Corps. Makes other conforming changes.

Amends the Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act. Provides that the information regarding loans shall be provided to borrowers and cosigners (instead of just borrowers). Sets forth provisions for cosigner disclosure and notice, cosigner release, cosigner rights, what happens in the event of the bankruptcy or death of a cosigner, the total and permanent disability of a borrower or cosigner, refinancing, and modified or flexible repayment plans. Effective immediately.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Requires the governing board of each public university and community college district to pay employees and contractors their daily, regular rate of pay and benefits if a campus is closed due to a city, county, or State declaration of a winter weather emergency.

Amends the Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Act. Provides that "fire sprinkler inspector" means an individual who is qualified to perform routine inspection or testing of fire sprinkler systems and who is exclusively employed by a single fire sprinkler contractor (instead of employed or contracted by a fire sprinkler contractor). Provides that any individual who performs routine inspection or testing of any fire sprinkler system under the Act shall be exclusively employed by a single licensed fire sprinkler contractor (instead of be employed by a licensed fire sprinkler contractor) and meet certain minimum qualifications.

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual plan of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act must provide coverage for wigs or other scalp prostheses worn for hair loss caused by alopecia, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment for cancer or other conditions. Makes a conforming change in the Health Maintenance Organization Act and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Worker Freedom of Speech Act. Provides that an employer or the employer's agent, representative, or designee may not discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize, threaten to discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize, or take any adverse employment action against an employee: (1) because the employee declines to attend or participate in an employer-sponsored meeting or declines to receive or listen to communications from the employer or the agent, representative, or designee of the employer if the meeting or communication is to communicate the opinion of the employer about religious or political matters; (2) as a means of inducing an employee to attend or participate in meetings or receive or listen to communications; or (3) because the employee, or a person acting on behalf of the employee, makes a good faith report, orally or in writing, of a violation or a suspected violation of the Act. Provides for a private right of action to enforce the provisions of the Act. Sets forth the duties and powers of the Department of Labor under the Act. Provides that, within 30 days after the effective date of the Act, an employer shall post and keep posted a notice of employee rights under the Act where employee notices are customarily placed. Provides for exceptions under the Act.

Amends the Personnel Code. Provides, in provisions concerning a trainee program for persons with a disability, that "disability" includes a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder by a medical professional. Effective immediately.