Rep. Travis Weaver

Amends the School Code. Provides that subject to the availability of local resources, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, each public middle school, junior high school, and high school shall establish a junior color guard program to promote the value of and honor military personnel. Provides that the junior color guard shall be used at school events, including interscholastic athletic events and other events in which the presenting of the colors is requested. Provides that each school shall allow the junior color guard to participate in community events in which the presenting of the colors may be requested. Provides that each school may work with a civic organization or association to provide adequate training to the members of the junior color guard on the execution of their duties.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that, should provisions regarding manufacture, possession, delivery, sale, and purchase of assault weapons, .50 caliber rifles, and .50 caliber cartridges be found to be unconstitutional by a court with all appeals exhausted or expired, the Illinois State Police shall immediately and permanently destroy or have destroyed each endorsement affidavit and all information collected from the endorsement affidavit in possession of the Illinois State Police and any law enforcement agency.

Creates the Pregnancy Expenses Act. Provides that the other party to a pregnancy or the other intended parent has a duty to pay 50% of the pregnant person's pregnancy expenses. Allows an action seeking the payment of pregnancy expenses to be brought during or after the pregnancy. Provides that only the pregnant person or the pregnant person's legally authorized designee in the event of death or incapacitation of the pregnant person may bring an action seeking the payment of pregnancy expenses. Allows the court to order the other party to the pregnancy or other intended parent to pay more than 50% of the pregnancy expenses. Makes a conforming change in the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015. Effective immediately.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Authorizes the issuance of short-term substitute teaching licenses to applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an unaccredited institution of higher education. Effective immediately.

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".

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Authorizes the issuance of a college-level endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations if an applicant (i) holds at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, (ii) possesses an educational background that allows the applicant to teach college-level coursework in either a bachelor's degree or master's degree granting program, and (iii) has passed a content area test in the subject to be taught by the applicant. Provides that the endorsement is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of being issued and may be renewed. Effective immediately.

Amends the Child Labor Law. Provides that a minor 14 or 15 years of age may work at an otherwise prohibited workplace if none of the minor's job duties: (1) require any education, formal training, certification, or license; (2) involve the use of any equipment or machinery that poses a substantial risk of causing any serious bodily injury or death; (3) involve the use of or proximity to hazardous materials; or (4) require the minor to work hours past curfew. Provides that every employer of minors between the ages of 14 and 16 years shall record the name of the parent or guardian who gives the minor permission to work. Provides that any employer, upon termination of the employment of a minor, shall immediately send by certified mail notification to the parent or guardian on record that the minor's employment has been terminated. Defines terms.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Repeals the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 on January 1, 2029 (rather than January 1, 2024). Amends the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004. Adds provisions concerning an email address of record and for electronic delivery of certain notices to an email address of records. Provides for instances in which telehealth may be used. Provides that a veterinarian shall not substitute telehealth, teleadvice, telemedicine, or teletriage when a physical examination is warranted or necessary for an accurate diagnosis of any medical condition or creation of an appropriate treatment plan. Makes changes to provisions concerning: application for licensure; reports; procedures for refusal to license or issue certificate; and hearing officers, reports, and review. Removes provisions concerning: refusing to issue or renew, or revoking, suspending, placing on probation, reprimanding, or taking other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action for a conviction by any court of competent jurisdiction, either within or outside this State, of any violation of any law governing the practice of veterinary medicine; and certifying exhibits without cost. Repeals a provision requiring the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to maintain a roster. Makes corresponding and other changes. Provisions amending the Regulatory Sunset Act are effective immediately.

Amends the Chicago Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, in those cases where the injury or death for which a disability or death benefit is payable was caused under circumstances creating a legal liability on the part of some person or entity to pay damages to the policeman, then legal proceedings may be taken against such other person or entity to recover damages notwithstanding the Fund's payment of or liability to pay disability or death benefits. Provides that the Fund may intervene in any action brought by the disabled policeman or his or her personal representative. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish 3 advanced manufacturing training programs. Provides that the advanced manufacturing programs shall expand opportunities for skills training, boost retention of manufacturers, and attract investment by manufacturing companies. Sets forth the purposes for which grant moneys may be used.