Rep. Travis Weaver

Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code. Provides that, beginning with the budget prepared for Fiscal Year 2027, the rate of growth of appropriations from the State general funds over the preceding fiscal year appropriations from the State general funds shall not exceed the rate of growth of the Illinois economy. Provides that the rate of growth of the Illinois economy is the compound annual growth rate of the gross domestic product in the State over the preceding 10 calendar years, calculated using data reported by the United States Bureau of Economic Analysis or its successor agency before December 31 immediately preceding the beginning of the applicable fiscal year.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that any person, other than the person for whom a Schedule II controlled substance is prescribed, who receives the prescribed Schedule II controlled substance at a pharmacy shall provide: (1) identifying information of the person for whom the controlled substance is prescribed; and (2) photo identification given to the pharmacy, which shall keep a photo copy in the file of the person for whom the controlled substance is prescribed for a period of 90 days.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Requires a person who obtains a Deer Hunting Permit or set of permits or tags, that, in sum, is for the harvesting of 2 or more deer by that person, to harvest at least one antlerless deer out of the 2 or more deer harvested, if any deer are harvested. Makes technical changes.

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to provide an applicant for licensure with an asynchronous education or training option instead of the current course of education or training requirements under each licensing Act administered by the Department. Provides that the asynchronous education option may be completed online. Provides that the provisions concerning an asynchronous education option shall not interfere with the provided time frame to complete the education or training requirements under any licensing Act administered by the Department. Provides that the Department may adopt rules for the implementation of the asynchronous education option provisions.

Creates the Professional Licensure Apprenticeship Recognition Act. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall grant a license to any applicant who has: (1) completed a qualifying licensure apprenticeship program; (2) passed any examination required by the applicable licensing Act; (3) paid any applicable fees; and (4) met any other criteria unrelated to training and education requirements under the licensing Act. Sets forth provisions concerning the denial of an apprenticeship program, the determination of a passing score on a licensing examination, and licensing fees. Provides that the Department may work with relevant agencies, including the State Board of Education, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Department of Employment Security, to ensure that licensure apprenticeship programs that qualify under the Act are available and known to secondary and postsecondary students. Provides that the Department may consider licensure apprenticeship programs for professions that do not have a corresponding licensing Act as a path to licensure if, in the discretion of the Department, apprenticeship is appropriate. Provides that the Department shall not exempt a license obtained pursuant to the Act from any continuing training or education requirements required for license holders under the licensing Act to maintain or renew an existing license. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall approve a course for school safety officers (a retired law enforcement officer who has been hired by a school district to perform security services). Sets forth training and certification requirements. Provides that an applicant for employment as a school safety officer must authorize an investigation to determine if the applicant has been convicted of any criminal offense that disqualifies the person as a school safety officer. Amends the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act. Exempts school safety officers from the Act if a school board does not require officer-worn body cameras. Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, a school may employ a school safety officer. Requires a school safety officer applicant to provide the school district a certificate of completion or approved waiver issued by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board. Provides that a school safety officer shall wear a uniform that clearly identifies the officer as a school safety officer. Provides that a school safety officer may detain a person when the officer has reasonable suspicion to believe that an offense, other than an ordinance violation, is being committed. Provides that a school safety officer may carry a firearm as long as the officer is certified under specified provisions of the Peace Officer and Probation Officer Firearm Training Act. Adds references to school safety officers throughout the Code. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that that the provisions concerning the unlawful use of weapons as those provisions pertain to firearms do not apply to or affect the carrying or possession of firearms by a qualified current or retired law enforcement officer qualified under the laws of the State or under the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act in specified properties, including schools. Effective immediately.

Creates the Curriculum Transparency Act. Requires each school that is operated by a school district or as a public charter school to disclose, not more than 10 days after the first use, on a publicly accessible portion of the school's website or the school district's website: (1) the procedures or processes in effect for the school principal or other staff to document, review, or approve lesson plans or the learning materials and activities used for student instruction at the school; (2) a listing of the teacher and staff training materials and activities used at the school in the current school year; and (3) a listing of the learning materials and activities used for student instruction at the school in the current school year. Provides that neither the State Board of Education nor the school district's school board or public charter school's governing body nor any staff acting in the course of their official duties shall purchase or contract for copyrighted learning materials to be used for student instruction at a school, unless provision is made to allow the parents and guardians of enrolled students to review the materials within 10 school days after the submission of a written request to the school. Sets forth ways a party may enforce the Act. Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code to make a related change.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Repeals the definition of "single shot". Provides that the term "wildlife rifle" means a rifle that can hold up to 3 rounds in the magazine and chamber combined. Replaces references to single shot rifles with references to wildlife rifles. Provides that it is unlawful to possess or to be in close proximity to a rifle that is not a centerfire wildlife rifle while deer hunting. Deletes language providing that it is unlawful while deer hunting to possess or be in close proximity to a rifle that is not centerfire or to be in possession of or in close proximity to a magazine that is capable of making a rifle not a single shot.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of coercing an abortion. Provides that a person commits the offense when the person uses force, intimidation, coercive control, threat of force, threat of deprivation of food and shelter, or financial assistance in order to compel a woman to undergo an abortion against her will. Provides that coercing an abortion may occur regardless of whether an abortion procedure has been attempted or completed. Provides that coercing an abortion is a Class 3 felony. Defines "abortion" and "coercive control".

Creates the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act. Creates the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Fund as a special fund in the State treasury for the purpose of holding bitcoin as a financial asset. Provides that the State Treasurer may accept gifts, grants, and donations of bitcoin from Illinois residents and governmental entities for deposit into the Fund. Provides that the State Treasurer shall hold all bitcoin deposited into the Fund for a duration of at least 5 years from the date that the bitcoin enters the State's custody. Allows the State Treasurer, after this period, to transfer, sell, appropriate, or convert to another cryptocurrency any bitcoin in the Fund. Adds provisions concerning the management and security of the Fund; reporting requirements; and voluntary donations of bitcoin by Illinois residents. Provides that the State Treasurer may adopt rules necessary to administer the Act. Effective immediately.