Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that Grand Jury proceedings involving the investigation of the excessive use of force by a peace officer and the discharge of a firearm by a peace officer that result in death or any bodily harm are open to the public. Defines "excessive use of force" and "peace officer". Effective immediately.
Amends the Local Government Property Transfer Act. Makes a technical change in the definitions Section of the Act.
Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that a small business subcontractor may enter into an agreement with the Department of Transportation to receive direct payments from the Department on a construction project. Amends the State Prompt Payment Act. Provides that if a contractor is assessed liquidated damages from the State, the contractor is still responsible to each subcontractor under subcontracts. Provides that contractors are responsible for reasonable attorney fees if an administrative law judge finds in favor of the subcontractor. Provides that when a State official or agency responsible for administering a contract submits a voucher to the Comptroller for payment to a small business subcontractor who enters into a contract, that State official or agency shall make available electronically the voucher information. Provides that if a contractor with the Department or a small business subcontractor claims that additional payment is due under the terms of the contract, and the Department of Transportation has not agreed that payment is due, the contractor or subcontractor desiring to pursue additional compensation shall file a claim according to the requirements and procedures specified by the Department. Provides that if the claim, after consideration by the Department, is found to have merit, the Department will make an equitable adjustment.
Amends the School Code. Requires every public elementary school that maintains grade 7 or 8 to include in its curriculum a separate one-semester civics course of study with the goal of helping young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives. Sets forth the focuses of the course content. Provides that this course of study shall be taken in both the 7th and 8th grade, completion of which shall be a prerequisite to receiving an elementary school diploma. Permits the State Board of Education to prepare and make available to school boards instructional materials that may be used as guidelines for the development of the course of study.
Amends the Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Replaces language prohibiting a health care employer to hire, employ, or retain any individual in a position with duties involving direct care for clients if the individual is convicted of committing specified offenses with language that allows health care employers to hire, employ, or retain any individual in a position involving direct care for clients, patients, or residents, or access to the living quarters or the financial, medical, or personal records of residents, who has been convicted of committing or attempting to commit specified offenses after specified time periods or within the time periods with a waiver under the Act. Adds 5 members to the Health Care Worker Task Force. Requires the Task Force to issue recommendations to the Department of Public Health, including (i) examining whether the relevant rules must be amended to reflect changes in Illinois law, (ii) determining whether the waiver procedures are effective, and (iii) connecting people with criminal records to employment with work in the health care industry. Requires the Department of Public Health to issue a report regarding waivers. Makes other changes. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that evidence that an employee (1) has been granted a waiver or similar relief pursuant to the Health Care Worker Background Check Act or (2) has been convicted of a disqualifying offense is not admissible for the purpose of proving that an employer was negligent or otherwise liable for hiring the employee if the employee has received a waiver or has otherwise been determined eligible for hire pursuant to the Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Requires a nursing home to place electronic monitoring devices throughout the facility in areas including specified common areas and residents' rooms. Allows residents to opt out of electronic monitoring in their rooms. Sets forth requirements concerning recordings. Provides that intentionally hampering, obstructing, tampering with, or destroying an electronic monitoring device installed in a facility is a Class A misdemeanor for which a $5,000 fine may be imposed. Provides for access to real-time and recorded files. Allows for the admission of recordings into evidence. Contains provisions concerning civil liability; reimbursement of facilities for expenses incurred in installing electronic monitoring systems; the authority of the Department of Public Health to deny, suspend, or refuse to renew a facility's license; the adoption of rules by the Department; and other matters. Effective immediately.
Amends the Personnel Code. Defines "State agency" and "State employee". Makes changes concerning the membership of the Interagency Committee on Employees with Disabilities. Provides the purposes and functions of the Committee. Effective immediately.
Amends the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Minors and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products, Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Persons under 21 Years of Age and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products Act. Raises the age for whom tobacco products and electronic cigarettes may be sold to and possessed by from at least 18 years of age to at least 21 years of age. Defines "electronic cigarette". Repeals provisions concerning alternative nicotine products. Amends various other Acts to make conforming changes.
Amends the State Finance Act and the School Code. Creates the Roundtable on Educational Opportunity and Development. Contains provisions concerning the members of the Roundtable, meetings of the Roundtable, administrative support to the Roundtable, and annual reports to the General Assembly. Provides that the Roundtable shall study ways to expand educational opportunities and develop sources of private funding for students in primary and secondary education in the areas of (i) developing a business ethics curriculum, (ii) promoting and funding the arts, (iii) establishing and funding global travel programs, and (iv) funding trips to museums. Requires the Roundtable to study ways to secure private donations and public funding in order to help expand opportunities for students and implement Roundtable recommendations. Provides that funding for programs recommended by the Roundtable must prioritize low-income students. Requires the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Roundtable, to provide administrative support to all school districts and their students wishing to utilize these opportunities. Creates the Educational Opportunity and Development Fund as a special fund in the State treasury to accept private donations and public funding. Provides that all money in the Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the State Board of Education for the purposes of implementing the priorities and recommendations of the Roundtable. Effective immediately.
Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department shall establish and implement a Veterans' Economic Center pilot program for the purposes of assisting veterans in finding employment and addressing the problem of veteran homelessness. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may enter into new Agreements under the Act until December 31, 2020 (currently, December 31, 2016). Provides that a taxpayer who receives a credit under this Act for a taxable year ending on or before December 31, 2019 pursuant an Agreement entered into on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act may apply only 98% of that credit amount against his or her State income tax liability in any taxable year. Provides that the remaining 2% of the total credit amount awarded shall be transferred from the General Revenue Fund into the Veterans' Economic Center Fund. Provides that moneys in the Veterans' Economic Center Fund shall be used by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to administer the Veterans' Economic Center pilot program. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Veterans' Economic Center Fund. Effective immediately.
