Rep. Dee Avelar

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that the operating procedures of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board may provide for the inclusion of nonvoting, ex officio members on the Board. With respect to a for-profit or not-for-profit entity being recognized as an educator preparation institution, provides that any for-profit or not-for-profit entity with a presence in this State must also be approved by the Board of Higher Education or the Illinois Community College Board (instead of providing that any for-profit or not-for-profit entity must also be approved by the Board of Higher Education).

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, moneys in the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund may not be appropriated, assigned, or transferred to another State fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act for a person to advertise, display, or offer a price for goods or services that does not include all mandatory fees and charges other than: (1) taxes or fees imposed by a unit of government on the transaction; and (2) postage or carriage charges that will be reasonably and actually incurred to ship the physical goods to the consumer. Provides that specified transactions are excluded from the provision.

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for local health protection grants for health protection programs. Effective July 1, 2024.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning surplus line insurance, changes the definition of "home state". Amends the Farm Mutual Insurance Company Act of 1986. Sets forth provisions concerning farm mutual insurance company investments in home office real estate. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Act on Aging. Provides that all records containing resident, participant, and complainant information collected by the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program are confidential and shall not be disclosed outside of the program without a lawful subpoena or the permission of the State Ombudsman. Permits the State Ombudsman, at his or her discretion, to disclose resident or participant information if it is in the best interest of the resident or participant. Requires the Department on Aging to establish procedures for the disclosure of program records by the State Ombudsman. Provides that the procedures shall prohibit disclosure of a resident's identity in case records unless the resident gives consent.

Amends the Energy Assistance Act. Removes the January 1, 2025 repealer date for the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Changes the names of the offenses of unlawful use of weapons, unlawful use of weapons by felons or persons in the custody of the Department of Corrections facilities, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, being an armed habitual criminal, unlawful use of firearm projectiles, and unlawful use of a firearm in the shape of a wireless telephone to unlawful possession of weapons, unlawful possession of weapons by felons or persons in the custody of the Department of Corrections facilities, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, persistent unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of firearm projectiles, and unlawful possession of a firearm in the shape of a wireless telephone. Provides that if any person before the effective date of the amendatory Act has been arrested, charged, prosecuted, convicted, or sentenced for unlawful use of weapons, unlawful use or possession of weapons by felons or persons in the custody of the Department of Corrections facilities, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, being an armed habitual criminal, unlawful use of firearm projectiles, or unlawful use of a firearm in the shape of a wireless telephone, the changes of the names and the defendants to unlawful possession of weapons, unlawful possession of weapons by felons or persons in the custody of the Department of Corrections facilities, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, persistent unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of firearm projectiles, and unlawful possession of a firearm in the shape of a wireless telephone, shall retroactively be made in any criminal background records maintained by the Illinois State Police, law enforcement agencies, clerks of the circuit court, and any other State agencies providing criminal background information to the public under specified timelines. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2025.

Amends the Right of Publicity Act. Grants additional enforcement rights and remedies to recording artists. Provides for the liability of any person who materially contributes to, induces, or otherwise facilitates a violation of a specified provision of the Act by another party after having reason to know that the other party is in violation. Defines "artificial intelligence" and "generative artificial intelligence". Changes the definition of "commercial purpose" and "identity".

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that every youth in care must have a Haircare Plan included in their case plan unless the youth explicitly indicates to the youth's caseworker that a Haircare Plan is not needed due to the youth's ability to maintain haircare without assistance. Provides that a caseworker or placement plan specialist must develop the Haircare Plan in consultation with the youth and parents. Provides that at a minimum, the Haircare Plan must address: (1) necessary haircare steps to be taken to preserve the youth's desired connection to their race, culture, gender, religion, and identity; (2) the desires of the youth as it pertains to the youth's hair; (3) the guidance and desires of the youth's parents, unless the parents cannot be contacted; and (4) steps to be taken specific to the youth's hair during emergency situations, including, but not limited to, lice infestations and scalp rashes and infections. Provides that by June 1, 2025, the Department of Children and Family Services must develop training for caregivers on how to provide culturally competent haircare. Provides that each time a youth is placed with a caregiver, the caregiver must sign a declaration stating that the caregiver has reviewed the training materials and will follow the Haircare Plan for the youth. Requires each Department office location to provide a list of affordable, accessible, and culturally competent haircare providers and resources in each of the Department's geographic regions. Requires the Department to adopt rules, by June 1, 2025, to facilitate the implementation of Haircare Plans.