Rep. Travis Weaver

Maddy summaryHB 798 is a technical amendment to the Agency Energy Efficiency Act that updates the official short title of a specific section within the law. This change does not alter any existing policies, funding, or operational requirements for state agencies or the public. The bill's sole purpose is to correct the naming convention for clarity in the legislative text.

Amends the Secretary of State Act. Provides that the Office of the Secretary of State shall install and maintain electronic monitoring devices at each entrance to the State Capitol Complex and shall install and maintain safety call boxes around the State Capitol Complex. Provides that any video or audio recording created or maintained under the provision is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Defines terms. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to make a conforming change.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article and the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Removes a provision requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to cover kidney transplantation services for noncitizens under the medical assistance program. Removes provisions permitting the Department to provide medical services to noncitizens 42 years of age and older. Removes a provision requiring the Department to cover immunosuppressive drugs and related services associated with post kidney transplant management for noncitizens. Removes provisions concerning the adoption of emergency rules and other matters regarding medical coverage or services for noncitizens.

Amends the University of Illinois Act. In provisions concerning scholarships for the children of veterans, provides that an honorary scholarship may also be given to the children of persons who served at any time during the invasion of Panama between December 20, 1989 and January 31, 1990.

Commends Elizabeth Austin, Collen Kahl, and the members of the Pekin Community High School's Student Council Executive Board for their exemplary leadership and advocacy in advancing the proposal to establish a state color for Illinois. Encourages the Illinois State Board of Education's Student Advisory Council to consider researching the state's symbols to provide recommendations on a state color as part of its 2024/2025 project agenda. States the importance of ensuring an inclusive and participatory decision-making process by urging the Illinois State Board of Education's Student Advisory Council to actively engage students from diverse backgrounds and regions of the state when developing a recommendation for a state color. Emphasizes the necessity of transparency and urges the Illinois State Board of Education's Student Advisory Council to seek public input from Illinoisans at every stage. Commits to considering the Illinois State Board of Education's Student Advisory Council's recommendation for a state color and pledges to further collaborate with relevant stakeholders to establish it and later promote its recognition and significance across Illinois. Encourages the Illinois State Board of Education's Student Advisory Council to update the Illinois State Legislature on the development of a recommendation for a state color, including insights gained from student engagement activities and any lessons they learned as part of the process.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of Route 31 in Batavia as the "SSG Robert D. Herreid Memorial Highway" to honor Staff Sergeant Robert Dale Herreid, a U.S. Army soldier who died in Vietnam in 1968. The legislation requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to install signs marking the road with this new name and to send copies of the resolution to the soldier's family and local officials. It does not change any laws or funding but serves as a formal tribute to Herreid's service and sacrifice by renaming a local roadway in his memory.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Route 25 in Aurora, running from Sullivan Road to Ashland Avenue, as the "SFC Ogden N. Thompson Memorial Highway" to honor a local soldier. The legislation directly affects the Illinois Department of Transportation, which is asked to install signs or plaques at appropriate locations to display the new name. It also requires that copies of the resolution be given to the family of the late Sergeant First Class Ogden N. Thompson, the Aurora Mayor, and the Secretary of Transportation. The bill serves as a commemorative measure recognizing Thompson's service and presumed death during the Korean War.

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Knight-Silas Act. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that aggravated battery, other than by the discharge of a firearm, includes a battery committed by a person who, at the time of the commission of the offense, is 21 years of age or older and the battery was committed upon an individual whom the person committing the offense knows to be a person working under the Adult Protective Services Program or an Ombudsman under the State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program of the Department on Aging, or a Department of Children and Family Services employee: (1) performing his or her official duties; (2) battered to prevent performance of his or her official duties; or (3) battered in retaliation for performing his or her official duties. Provides that a violation is a Class 2 felony, except if the battery causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to an individual, a violation is a Class 1 felony. Defines "Department of Children and Family Services employee" and "ombudsman".

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Knight-Silas Act. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits aggravated battery when, in committing a battery, other than by the discharge of a firearm, he or she: (1) knowingly causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to an individual whom the person knows to be a Department of Children and Family Services employee; and (2) is, at the time of the commission of the offense, 21 years of age or older and causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to an individual whom the person knows to be a Department of Children and Family Services employee: (i) performing his or her official duties; (ii) battered to prevent performance of his or her official duties; or (iii) battered in retaliation for performing his or her official duties. Provides that "Department of Children and Family Services employee" includes any (i) Department case worker or (ii) investigator employed by an agency or organization providing social work, case work, or investigative services under a contract with or a grant from the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that a violation is a Class 2 felony. Provides that if the battery causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to the employee, the penalty is a Class 1 felony.

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Creates within the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board a Recruitment Division. Provides that the Division shall establish a Back the Badge program, which shall establish recruitment plans for law enforcement agencies. Provides that the Division shall determine and prioritize specific characteristics that a law enforcement agency and community desire in their police officers. Provides that the Division shall cooperate with law enforcement agencies to determine a strategy to hire and retain sworn police officers who are diverse and reflective of the community and the priorities of the law enforcement agencies.