Rep. Dee Avelar

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act to allow the Department of Children and Family Services to use a "differential response program" for handling child abuse and neglect reports. Under this new system, the department can choose between conducting a full investigation or a less intrusive "family assessment" for reports that do not involve substantial child endangerment. A family assessment focuses on evaluating family strengths and needs to determine if services are required, rather than fact-gathering to prove abuse occurred. If a report initially assigned for investigation is later deemed to require only a family assessment, the department must document the reason for this change and notify law enforcement if they are jointly involved. Additionally, the bill requires an independent evaluation of the program for its first three years to ensure it meets its goals.

Amends the Delinquent Minors Article of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Adds a Part concerning Fitness to Stand Trial. Specifies the unfitness standard for a child. Sets forth procedures to raise the issue of the unfitness of a child. Specifies the burden of proof and a presumption. Provides requirements for a fitness evaluation and hearing to determine the fitness of a child. Provides the requirements for the services to attain fitness, the period to obtain fitness, initial and subsequent progress reports, periodic hearings, and in-court assistance to render a child fit. Specifies time credit and sentencing guidelines for a child who attains fitness. Provides for the legal disposition of a child if fitness cannot be attained. Contains other provisions. Effective July 1, 2023.

Creates the Safe Gun Storage Act. Provides that a firearm owner shall not store or keep any firearm in any premises where the firearm owner knows or reasonably should know a minor without the lawful permission of the minor's parent, guardian, or person having charge of the minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person is likely to gain access to the firearm unless the firearm is secured in a locked container, properly engaged so as to render the firearm inaccessible or unusable to any person other than the owner or other lawfully authorized user. Provides that if the firearm is carried by or under the control of the owner or other lawfully authorized user, then the firearm is deemed lawfully stored or kept. Provides that a violation of the Act is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500, except (i) if any person knows or reasonably should know that a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person is likely to gain access to a firearm belonging to or under the control of that person, and a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person obtains the firearm, the civil penalty shall not exceed $1,000 and (ii) if a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person obtains a firearm and uses it to injure or cause the death of a person or uses the firearm in connection with a crime, the civil penalty shall not exceed $10,000. Provides that the court may order a person who is found in violation of the Act may be ordered by the court to perform community service or pay restitution in lieu of the civil penalties imposed under this Section if good cause is shown. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to preclude civil liabilities for violations of the Act. Provides that a violation of the Act is prima facie evidence of negligence per se in any civil proceeding if a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person obtains a firearm and causes personal injury to the death of oneself or another or uses the firearm in the commission of a crime. Provides that an action to collect a civil penalty under the Act may be brought by the Attorney General or the State's Attorney of the county in which the violation occurred. Provides that any money received from the collection of a civil penalty under the Act shall be deposited in the Mental Health Fund. Defines terms. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to make conforming changes.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution honors the life and career of former Illinois State Representative Brent Hassert, who passed away in August 2024. The document outlines his background, including his work in landscaping and service on the Will County Board, before detailing his 16 years in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1992 to 2008. It highlights his legislative contributions, such as helping to restructure the state's electricity industry, shaping laws for riverboat casinos, and overseeing administrative rules. The resolution concludes by formally expressing the legislature's condolences and directing a copy of the document to Hassert's wife, Lee Ann Goodson.

Congratulates the Naperville Fire Department on its 150 years of service. Commends all individuals who have served and are currently serving the Naperville Fire Department for their commitment to the safety of their community and the residents of the City of Naperville. Honors all firefighters who have perished in the line of service to the Naperville Fire Department, recognizing their ultimate sacrifice while protecting their community.

Amends the Firearms Restraining Order Act to include in the definition of "petitioner" an intimate partner. Amends the Protective Orders Article of the Code of Criminal Procedures of 1963 and the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Provides that, if the petitioner seeks a court order prohibiting the respondent from possessing firearms, firearm ammunition, and firearm parts that could be assembled to make an operable firearm, the court shall immediately issue a search warrant directing seizure of firearms at the time an ex parte or final order of protection is issued, if the court finds, based upon sworn testimony, that: (1) probable cause exists that the respondent possesses firearms, ammunition, or firearm parts that could be assembled to make an operable firearm; (2) probable cause exists to believe that the respondent poses a danger of causing personal injury to the petitioner or child and that the danger is imminent and present; and (3) probable cause exists that firearms, ammunition, or firearm parts that could be assembled to make an operable firearm are located at the residence, vehicle, or other property of the respondent. Provides that a finding of probable cause for a warrant upon oral testimony may be based on the same kind of evidence as is sufficient for a warrant upon affidavit. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a memorial resolution honoring William Noel "Billy" Lawless, a Chicago restaurateur and former Irish emigrant senator who passed away in November 2024. It formally records the Illinois House of Representatives' sadness over his death and extends condolences to his family and friends. The document outlines his life story, including his work in the restaurant industry and his advocacy for immigrant rights, but it does not create new laws or policies. Instead, it serves as an official expression of sympathy and a tribute to his contributions to Irish and American communities.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the Internet-based system for determining the validity of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card shall include a written notice, in both English and Spanish, of a firearm owner's obligation to report to local law enforcement any lost or stolen firearm within 48 hours after the owner first discovers the loss or theft. Provides that upon the issuance and each renewal of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card, the Illinois State Police shall advise the applicant or holder in writing, in both English and Spanish, of his or her obligation to report to local law enforcement any lost or stolen firearm within 48 hours after he or she first discovers the loss or theft. Provides that a person is deemed to have discovered that a firearm was lost or stolen only when the person has received evidence indicating that a loss or theft has occurred. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that if a person who possesses a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card and who possesses or acquires a firearm thereafter loses the firearm, or if the firearm is stolen from the person, the person must report the loss or theft of any such firearm to the local law enforcement agency within 48 (rather than 72) hours after obtaining knowledge of the loss or theft. Provides that for a second or subsequent offense of failure to report the loss or theft of a firearm to the local law enforcement agency within 48 hours of the discovery of such loss or theft shall result in revocation of the person's Firearm Owner's Identification Card. Changes the elements of the offenses of firearms trafficking, possession of a stolen firearm, and aggravated possession of a stolen firearm. Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act and the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act to make conforming changes. Contains a severability provision.

Creates the Securing All Futures through Equitable Reinvestment (SAFER) Communities and Small Business Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer a SAFER Communities Wage Subsidy Pilot Program. Provides that the wage subsidy shall apply to no more than 6,000 participants. Requires the Department to maintain a database of all participants for the duration of the incentive period. Provides that individuals seeking to participate in the pilot program shall register with the Department on or after January 1, 2024. Requires the Department to verify individuals' eligibility to participate in the pilot program by checking their employment and felony conviction history. Contains provisions concerning certificates of eligibility for wage subsidies under the pilot program; the monetary amount of monthly wage subsidy payments awarded under the pilot program; certain conditions program participants must satisfy to receive monthly wage subsidy payments; the maximum amount of wage subsidies allowed under the pilot program; promotion efforts for the pilot program conducted by the Department of Corrections; and other matters. Requires the Department to establish a Returning Citizen and Small Business Grant Program. Sets forth requirements a small business must meet to be eligible for a grant under the program. Provides that an eligible small business shall be awarded grants in the amount of $2,500 per new qualifying returning citizen hired. Limits the total annual amount in grants an eligible small business may receive under the grant program. Contains provisions concerning data collection and reporting requirements for the Secretary of Human Services. Provides that implementation of the Act is subject to appropriation. Permits the Department of Human Services to use State or federal funding to administer the SAFER Communities Wage Subsidy Pilot Program and the Returning Citizen and Small Business Grant Program. Grants rulemaking authority to the Department of Human Services and the Department of Corrections. Provides that the Act is repealed on December 31, 2029. Effective immediately.

Creates the Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act. Provides that all employees shall be entitled to use a maximum of 10 days of unpaid neonatal intensive care leave while a child of the employee is a patient in a neonatal intensive care unit. Provides that an employer shall not require that an employee use leave the employee is entitled to under the Family Medical Leave Act instead of leave the employee is entitled to under the Act. Sets forth provisions concerning unlawful employer practices; Department of Labor responsibilities; and enforcement. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Fund.