Rep. Larry Walsh

Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act. In provisions requiring the Department of Human Services to establish a public education program regarding gambling disorders, requires the program to (i) promote public awareness to create a gambling informed State regarding the impact of gambling disorders on individuals, families, and communities and the stigma that surrounds gambling disorders and (ii) use screening, crisis intervention, treatment, public awareness, prevention, in-service training, and other innovative means to decrease the incidents of suicide attempts related to a gambling disorder or gambling issues. Requires the Department to determine a statement regarding obtaining assistance with a gambling disorder, which each licensed gambling establishment owner shall post and each master sports wagering licensee shall include on the master sports wagering licensee's portal, Internet website, or computer or mobile application. Permits the Department: to provide advice to State and local officials on gambling disorders; to support gambling disorder prevention, recognition, treatment, and recovery projects; to collaborate with other community-based organizations, substance use disorder treatment centers, or other health care providers engaged in treating individuals who are experiencing gambling disorder; and to perform other actions. Permits the Department to award grants to create or support local gambling prevention, recognition, and response projects. Makes other changes.

Authorizes the Director of Corrections to execute and deliver a quit claim deed for specified real property located in Will County to the City of Crest Hill upon the payment of $1, subject to specified conditions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency may require an RA for a site to make an advance partial payment of $2,500 (rather than an advance partial payment not exceeding $5,000 or one-half the total anticipated costs of the Agency, whichever sum is less). Makes changes concerning the persons who must review and approve site remediation plans. Allows reviews undertaken by the Agency or a RELPEG to be completed and the decisions communicated to the RA within 90 days after the request for review or approval if 2 or more plans or reports are submitted concurrently. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision, the Agency is not required to take action on any submission from or on behalf of an RA if the RA has failed to pay all fees due. Requires any deadline for Agency action on such a submission to be tolled until the fees are paid in full. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Provides that the projects under the Illinois Solar for All Program shall be subject to the prevailing wage requirements included in the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that the Illinois Power Agency shall require verification that all construction performed on the project is performed by workers receiving an amount for that work equal to or greater than the general prevailing rate, as that term is defined in the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that all projects, with the exception of residential houses and houses of worship, shall be classified as public works similar to the applicable projects falling under the Adjustable Block program are classified.

Amends the Timber Buyers Licensing Act. Provides that every application for licensure under the Act shall include a list of all employees of the timber buyer that are or will be engaged by the timber buyer as an agent, cutter, or transporter. Provides that all timber buyers and employees must be 18 years of age or older. Provides that every person licensed as a timber buyer shall file with the Department of Natural Resources a certificate of liability insurance (rather than a performance bond). Provides that the liability insurance shall be in the principal amount of $1,000,000. Provides that an application for a resident license to operate as a timber buyer, or a renewal thereof, shall be accompanied by a non-refundable filing fee of $125 (rather than $25). Provides the application for a non-resident license to operate as a timber buyer, or renewal thereof, shall be accompanied by a non-refundable filing fee of $300. Provides that property seized or forfeited is subject to reporting under the Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act. Makes changes to provisions concerning: what is unlawful and a violation of the Act; license, issuance, validity, and renewal; records and inspection; reporting a harvest fee; administrative rule; penalties and fines; and license revocation. Makes changes to the definitions. Makes other and corresponding changes in the Act and in the Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act.

Creates the Firefighter Training Leave of Absence Act. Defines terms. Provides that a State employee shall be granted leave from his or her State employment for firefighter training as follows: (1) on one occasion, for up to 200 hours, to participate in training necessary to obtain Basic Operations Firefighter certification from the State Fire Marshal while attending a State Fire Marshal-approved fire academy; and (2) special or advanced training annually, not to exceed 80 hours, after obtaining Basic Operations Firefighter certification from the State Fire Marshal for courses that will lead to additional certification by the State Fire Marshal. Provides that, during leaves for basic, special, or advanced training, the State employee shall continue to receive his or her regular compensation as a State employee, but, if the State employee receives compensation for basic, special, or advanced training, the State employee shall receive his or her regular compensation as a State employee minus the amount of his or her compensation for basic, special, or advanced training. Provides that a State employee who wishes to obtain a leave of absence under this Act shall request in advance for the leave of absence and may take the leave of absence only after obtaining approval from the State employee's agency.

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that before land is designated as a Conservation Opportunity Area, the Department of Natural Resources shall hold 2 public hearings on the proposed designation and provide notification by certified mail to landowners affected by the designation. Defines "Conservation Opportunity Area".

Amends Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes the testing requirement for motorcycle operators who are under the age of 18.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that any person hired by the Department of Natural Resources for a sworn law enforcement position or position that has arrest authority must at the time of hire, be not less than 20 years of age and have successfully completed an associate's degree or 60 credit hours at an accredited college or university. Provides that any person so hired shall not have power of arrest, nor shall he or she be permitted to carry firearms, until he or she reaches 21 years of age (rather than at the time of hire, the person must be not less than 21 years of age, or 20 years of age and have successfully completed an associate's degree or 60 credit hours at an accredited college or university, and any person hired after successful completion of an associate's degree or 60 credit hours at an accredited college or university shall not have power of arrest, nor shall he or she be permitted to carry firearms, until he or she reaches 21 years of age). Effective immediately.