Rep. Sharon Chung

Creates the Endow Illinois Tax Credit Act. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall award income tax credits to taxpayers who provide an endowment gift to a permanent endowment fund during the taxable year and receive a certificate of receipt for that gift. Provides that the credit is equal to 25% of the endowment gift. Contains provisions setting forth maximum credit amounts. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to require an addition modification equal to the amount of any federal deduction claimed for an endowment gift for which a taxpayer receives a credit under the Endow Illinois Tax Credit Act. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that, beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year, the Department of Human Services shall establish and administer the Behavioral Health Scholarship Program for the purpose of incentivizing students to pursue degrees in a behavioral health discipline. Provides that the Department shall award financial assistance in the form of a scholarship to cover the cost of tuition, university fees, and books each year for a maximum of 4 years at a participating university if the applicant meets certain conditions. Sets forth rules, regulations, and other requirements for the Program. Provides that the Department shall establish the Employment Funding Grant Program to provide grants to qualified individuals who work for a community not-for-profit behavioral health agency or a federally qualified health center. Defines who is a qualified individual. Sets forth rules, regulations, and other requirements for the Program. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Behavioral Health Education Program Fund. Makes other changes.

Amends the Downstate Police and Downstate Firefighter Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Establishes a presumption that a firefighter or police officer who becomes disabled as a result of exposure to and contraction of COVID-19 was injured in the line of duty and is entitled to receive a duty disability benefit under the applicable Article of the Code. Specifies that the changes made by the amendatory Act apply retroactively to March 9, 2020, and any police officer or firefighter who has been previously denied a duty disability benefit that would otherwise be entitled to a duty disability benefit under the amendatory Act shall be entitled to a retroactive duty disability benefit. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Universities Civil Service Act. Provides that nothing in the Act or any rules adopted under the Act prevents the parties to a collective bargaining agreement subject to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act from agreeing to a provision that enhances employee rights.

States that Illinois is poised to play a leading role in the Research and Development programs created through the CHIPS and Science Act and is the state best suited to serve as the location for the headquarters of the newly-created National Semiconductor Technology Center of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Urges that adjuncts/non-tenure/part-time instructors in institutions of higher education be treated with the same respect, recognition, value, and standards as full-time instructors. Affirms these professionals have the same credentials as the full-time instructors and are being underpaid to do the same job. Pledges to seek solutions that include, but are not limited to, legislated salary parity, mandated access to health benefits, and full and fair pension reporting and accountability for all part-time/contingent/adjunct Illinois public teachers, librarians, counselors, and educational support personnel.

Urges the Illinois Supreme Court and relevant authorities to require, as a consistent part of continuing education, LGBTQ+ and HIV cultural competency education for all attorneys, judges, and courtroom staff in the State of Illinois.

Amends the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. Provides that all State agencies engaged in any development within a special flood hazard area shall comply with all requirements of applicable federal and State law. Requires additional specified requirements to apply to State agencies engaged in any development within a special flood hazard area. Provides the Department of Natural Resources shall adopt an administrative rule setting forth a program to ensure certain requirements via the issuance of permits prior to any State agency development within a special flood hazard area. Provides that grants or loans administered by State agencies for financing development within special flood hazard area shall inform participants in their programs of the existence and location of special flood hazard areas and of any State or local floodplain requirements that are in effect in such areas. Requires State agencies that are responsible for regulating or permitting development within special flood hazard areas to inform participants in their programs of the existence and location of special flood hazard areas and of any State or local floodplain requirements that are in effect in such areas. Requires State agencies that are engaged in planning programs or programs for the promotion of development to inform participants in their programs of the existence and location of special flood hazard areas and of any State or local floodplain requirements that are in effect in such areas. Requires the Department to provide available flood hazard information to assist State agencies in complying with the established requirements.

Declares March 12, 2024 as "Equal Pay Day". Encourages the citizens of this State to learn about the pay gap that women experience in society and to learn about these various dates that bring attention to the pay gap that specific groups experience.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Board of Higher Education shall create a student teaching stipend program to reduce financial barriers into the teaching profession and increase the quality of the student teaching experience in order to better prepare teaching candidates for the classroom and increase teacher retention. Provides that to participate in the stipend program, an eligible student must be placed as a student teacher. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of all eligible students who qualify for the stipend program by July 1. Provides that all eligible students shall be enrolled in the stipend program. Provides that subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each eligible student a stipend of up to $10,000 for one academic semester, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. Sets forth provisions concerning funding if the amount appropriated for the program is insufficient to fund all eligible students. Provides that subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each eligible cooperating teacher a stipend of up to $1,500 per academic semester, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. Provides that a cooperating teacher may receive professional development hours for completing cooperating teacher training that counts toward the cooperating teacher's license renewal or Gateways credential. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student or an eligible teacher from participating in the program or receiving a stipend from the program. Provides that, subject to available appropriations, the Board of Higher Education, in collaboration with the State Board of Education shall report about and evaluate the program to the Governor and General Assembly on or before June 30, 2028 and each June 30 thereafter. Provides for rulemaking.