Urges the federal government to allocate more funding toward finding a cure for Lyme disease. Declares May 2023 as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in the State of Illinois.
Declares May 3, 2023 as "Illinois Bacon Day".
Creates the Recruiting & Retaining Public Employee Firefighters and Paramedics Task Force to study the recruitment and retainment of firefighters and paramedics throughout the State and suggest possible policies and legislation to aid local governments.
Urges the Illinois Department of Transportation and the High Speed Railroad Commission to move expeditiously in preparing a Statewide Integrated Network Plan, including the identification of desired service points and key transfer stations, the construction of a theoretical rail and bus schedule with timed transfers, the creation of a ridership and revenue model for the desired network, the estimation of needed infrastructure investments, and the development of a phased implementation plan.
Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that the State shall not expend or invest any public funds in any organization, nonprofit organization, religious organization, or any other entity that performs conversion therapy. Provides that any public funds owed by the State to an organization performing conversion therapy shall be withheld from such organization, and any contract between the State and that organization shall be void.
Declares April 28, 2023 as Workers Memorial Day in the State of Illinois. Recognizes the need to support stronger workplace safety and health laws in the State and country. Urges the Illinois Congressional Delegation and President Joe Biden to continue to revise, revamp, and strengthen federal workplace safety laws and to properly fund OSHA programs and staff. Offers sympathy and understanding to workers who have been injured on the job and their families.
Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that fines and fees deposited into the Wildlife and Fish Fund may be used to increase public safety through grants to not-for-profit entities for tick research, education, and evaluation. Effective immediately.
Creates the Megaproject Sports and Entertainment Facility Admission Tax Act. Imposes a tax of $3 for each individual admitted to a sports and entertainment facility located on megaproject property. Contains provisions concerning the distribution of the proceeds of the tax. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that certain property may be certified by the Department of Revenue as containing a megaproject. Provides that a "megaproject" is a project with respect to which a company makes a specified investment during a specified investment period. Provides that the Department of Revenue may issue a megaproject certificate only for a megaproject in the Village of Arlington Heights. Provides that the megaproject property is eligible for an assessment freeze. Provides that megaproject property may be granted an abatement. Provides that a company that operates a megaproject shall enter into an agreement with the municipality in which the project is located to make certain special payments. Creates the Arlington Megaproject Oversight Board. Provides that the incentive agreement must be approved by resolution of the Arlington Megaproject Oversight Board. Amends the State Finance Act making conforming changes. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that qualified tangible personal property used in the construction or operation of a megaproject is exempt from the taxes imposed under those Acts. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act, and the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that certain tax proceeds from megaproject property shall be deposited into the Arlington Megaproject Infrastructure Fund. Makes other changes. Effective June 1, 2023.
Urges Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to make a formal request to the National Surface Transportation Board to compel the Iowa Interstate Railroad to enter into an agreement on the Quad Cities passenger rail project.
Creates the Literary and Justice for All Act. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt and make available to school districts a rubric by which districts may evaluate curricula and select and implement evidence-based, culturally inclusive core reading instruction programs, a template to develop literacy plans, and guidance on evidence-based practices. Requires the State Board to develop training opportunities in teaching reading and a comprehensive literacy plan for this State. Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program, the requirements to receive a Professional Educator License, taking a test in reading foundations for certain licensure, and the requirements for educators trained in other states or counties. Effective immediately.
