Rep. Jed Davis

Creates the Online Degree Pathway Pilot Program Act. Establishes the Online Degree Pathway Pilot Program to provide a single, unified, online bachelor's degree program culminating in a degree conferred by a participating university. Provides that application for admission to the Pathway Program shall begin on March 15, 2027 for the 2027-2028 academic year. Provides that the University of Illinois shall serve as the primary degree-granting institution for the Pathway Program. Provides that a student enrolled in any of grades 9 through 12 in a public or nonpublic school is eligible to enroll in dual enrollment courses at any public community college. Provides that credit earned under the Pathway Program or through dual enrollment shall transfer automatically and apply fully toward a bachelor's degree curriculum. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall develop statewide articulation maps ensuring full alignment among community college courses and university upper-division courses. Prohibits a public university or State agency from circumventing or attempting to circumvent the Act through certain actions. Requires the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board to jointly submit an annual report to the General Assembly. Grants joint rulemaking authority to the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board. Repeals the Act 5 years after the effective date of the Act. Contains a severability clause, and makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Public Safety Career Pathways Act. Requires a participating public or nonpublic high school or school district to provide access to at least one Pipeline Program in a public safety field. Allows an individual 18 years of age or older to participate in a Fire and Emergency Medical Services Pathway. Provides that a law enforcement agency may establish a Cadet Program for individuals 18 to 20 years of age interested in pursuing sworn law enforcement employment. Provides that a Pipeline Program may also include training or supervised experience leading to certain other careers. Requires the State Board of Education to develop a model memorandum of understanding for institutions and local public safety partners. Requires a local public safety partner participating in a Pipeline Program to maintain all insurance required under State law. Provides that participation in a Pipeline Program does not create civil liability for a local public safety partner beyond its statutory duties, as long as the local public safety partner acts in good faith and complies with safety requirements. Provides that compensation for a Pipeline Program participant is optional and may be determined by the local public safety partner. Allows the State Board to provide tuition assistance to eligible participants in certified fire services, emergency medical services, or law enforcement preparatory programs. Requires a local public safety partner to comply with all safety requirements applicable to minors and trainees. Sets forth provisions concerning employee status, background checks, reporting, and rulemaking. Repeals the Act 5 years after the effective date. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a certificate of error may be issued at any time if the error relates to the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities and veterans of World War II. Effective immediately.

Creates the College Meal Plan Medical Exemption Act. Allows a student to submit to a postsecondary institution a medical exemption statement from a medical provider indicating that the student has a medical condition, allergy, dietary restriction, or other health-related need inconsistent with participation in a mandatory meal plan. Sets forth provisions concerning the submission of the medical exemption. Provides that a student who submits a medical exemption may not be charged any portion of a mandatory meal plan. Prohibits an institution from imposing other requirements, charges, or fees. Allows the student to voluntarily purchase an optional meal plan if offered by the institution. Sets forth certain housing protections, and prohibits certain institutional practices. Requires each institution to publish its medical exemption process prominently on its website; sets forth what information must be published. Provides for refunds and penalties for violations of the Act. Allows the Board of Higher Education to adopt rules. Contains a severability clause. Effective June 1, 2027.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that medical appliances are exempt from the taxes imposed under those Acts. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to establish the School Resource Officer Grant Program to fund salaries and any other costs associated with the hiring of an active or a retired law enforcement officer as a school resource officer. In a provision concerning school resource officers, provides that a school or school district that hires an active or a retired law enforcement officer as a school resource officer shall be reimbursed for salary and additional costs through the School Resource Officer Grant Program.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that certain materials furnished to a common interest community association pursuant to a contract entered into with the highway commissioner of a road district are exempt from the taxes imposed under those Acts.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Includes in the offense of mob action (1) the knowing or reckless steering of a motor vehicle so that it makes a controlled skid sideways through a turn with the front wheels pointed in a direction opposite to that of the turn if the activity results in the use of force or violence disturbing the public peace and (2) the knowing or reckless act of street racing if the activity results in the use of force or violence disturbing the public peace. Defines "street racing". Provides that the penalty for these offenses is a Class 4 felony.

Amends the Municipal Code and the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that no person under the age of 18 (rather than 21) shall be eligible for employment as a firefighter.

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Changes the child support formula for shared physical care. Provides that if each parent exercises 3,504 hours or more (now, 146 or more overnights) per year with the child, the basic child support obligation is multiplied by 1.5 to calculate the shared care child support obligation.