Rep. Brad Fritts

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Knight-Silas Act. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits aggravated battery when, in committing a battery, other than by the discharge of a firearm, he or she: (1) knowingly causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to an individual whom the person knows to be a Department of Children and Family Services employee; and (2) is, at the time of the commission of the offense, 21 years of age or older and causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to an individual whom the person knows to be a Department of Children and Family Services employee: (i) performing his or her official duties; (ii) battered to prevent performance of his or her official duties; or (iii) battered in retaliation for performing his or her official duties. Provides that "Department of Children and Family Services employee" includes any (i) Department caseworker or (ii) investigator employed by an agency or organization providing social work, case work, or investigative services under a contract with or a grant from the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that a violation is a Class 2 felony. Provides that if the battery causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to the employee, the penalty is a Class 1 felony.

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Knight-Silas Act. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that aggravated battery, other than by the discharge of a firearm, includes a battery committed by a person who, at the time of the commission of the offense, is 21 years of age or older and the battery was committed upon an individual whom the person committing the offense knows to be a person working under the Adult Protective Services Program or an Ombudsman under the State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program of the Department on Aging, or a Department of Children and Family Services employee: (1) performing his or her official duties; (2) battered to prevent performance of his or her official duties; or (3) battered in retaliation for performing his or her official duties. Provides that a violation is a Class 2 felony, except if the battery causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to an individual, a violation is a Class 1 felony. Defines "Department of Children and Family Services employee" and "ombudsman".

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Changes the age at which a person may possess and consume alcoholic liquor to the age of 18 (instead of 21) so long as a parent or guardian is present, including at licensed establishments. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Video Gaming Act and the Innkeeper Protection Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall approve a course for school safety officers (a retired law enforcement officer who has been hired by a school district to perform security services). Sets forth training and certification requirements. Provides that an applicant for employment as a school safety officer must authorize an investigation to determine if the applicant has been convicted of any criminal offense that disqualifies the person as a school safety officer. Amends the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act. Exempts school safety officers from the Act if a school board does not require officer-worn body cameras. Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, a school may employ a school safety officer. Requires a school safety officer applicant to provide the school district a certificate of completion or approved waiver issued by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board. Provides that a school safety officer shall wear a uniform that clearly identifies the officer as a school safety officer. Provides that a school safety officer may detain a person when the officer has reasonable suspicion to believe that an offense, other than an ordinance violation, is being committed. Provides that a school safety officer may carry a firearm as long as the officer is certified under specified provisions of the Peace Officer and Probation Officer Firearm Training Act. Adds references to school safety officers throughout the Code. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that that the provisions concerning the unlawful use of weapons as those provisions pertain to firearms do not apply to or affect the carrying or possession of firearms by a qualified current or retired law enforcement officer qualified under the laws of the State or under the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act in specified properties, including schools. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. In provisions requiring the Secretary of State to immediately revoke the license, permit, or driving privileges of a driver upon receiving a report of the driver's conviction of certain offenses regulating the movement of traffic when that offense was the proximate cause of the death of a person, provides that the Secretary is not required to immediately revoke the license, permit, or driving privileges of the driver if the circuit court in which the conviction was entered makes a finding that the driver's retention of a license, a permit, or driving privileges does not endanger the public.

Creates the Tribal Law Enforcement Borders Act. Provides that law enforcement officers of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation may exercise the powers and authority of law enforcement officers anywhere on property owned, occupied, or operated by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation or at the site of a function sponsored by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and other specified areas. Provides that law enforcement officers employed by a Native American Indian Tribe may exercise the powers and authority of law enforcement officers anywhere within the exterior limits of the reservation of the tribe employing the tribal law enforcement officer if the Native American Indian Tribe maintains in force a valid and binding agreement with an insurance carrier to provide liability insurance coverage for damages arising from the acts, errors, or omissions of the tribal law enforcement agency or officer and other specified omissions. Provides that the tribe shall waive its sovereign immunity solely to the extent necessary to permit recovery under the liability insurance, but not to exceed the policy limits. Sets forth provisions concerning county law enforcement borders, municipal law enforcement border, and the powers of all law enforcement officers. Makes other changes.

Amends Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation to create a 5-year pilot program to reimburse farmers to leave a row of corn as snow fences. Requires the Department to establish rules and procedures. Provides that the Department shall pay the landowner or farmer based on its assumed yield, and the price per bushel shall be determined using the statewide average cash prince on August 1 each year plus $2 per bushel.

Creates the Potawatomi Land Transfer Task Force Act to ensure the rights of the Illinois citizens living on the land transferred to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe are protected. Provides that the Task Force shall determine the agreements that need to be made and the provisions of those agreements that are necessary to ensure the continuation of services for the Illinois citizens residing on the land that is to become a Native American reservation. Requires 40 specified members from various local governmental authorities to be appointed by the Director of Natural Resources on or before January 1, 2026. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to provide administrative support. Requires the Task Force to submit a comprehensive report to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe and the Department of Natural Resources on or before December 31, 2030. Provides that the specified land transfer shall not be made until the Task Force has completed its final report and its recommendations are adopted by both the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe and the State of Illinois in an official land management agreement pursuant to the State Parks Act. Dissolves the Task Force upon completion of the specified land transfer or if the land transfer is rescinded or overturned. Effective immediately, except that specified provisions take effect upon becoming law or on the date Senate Bill 867 of the 103rd General Assembly takes effect, whichever is later.

Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Provides that any appointments to the Chicago Board of Education made by the Mayor of the City of Chicago shall be made with the advice and consent of the Chicago City Council. Effective immediately.

Creates the Local Government Elected Official Recall Act. Provides that local officeholders who were elected during a general or consolidated election may be recalled under the Act. Establishes petition requirements for recall elections. Limits home rule powers.