Rep. Norine Hammond

Amends the Downstate Teachers Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision that requires an employer to make an additional contribution to the System for certain salary increases greater than 3%, excludes salary increases resulting from overload work or a promotion if certain requirements are met, from duties as a coach or advisor to an extracurricular activity, from the teacher earning additional higher education credits or a degree, or from substitute teaching. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that all police dogs used by State and local law enforcement agencies for drug enforcement purposes under the Cannabis Control Act, the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, and the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act shall be trained by programs that meet the minimum certification requirements set by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, except for those certification requirements for drug enforcement purposes under the Cannabis Control Act or any drug enforcement purpose with respect to cannabis on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act if and only if recreational use of cannabis is enacted. Makes technical changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to receive the approval of the General Assembly prior to applying for any waiver to reduce or eliminate the State's responsibility to provide emergency or non-emergency ambulance services to Medicaid beneficiaries. Effective immediately.

Amends the Jury Act. Provides that a circuit court shall develop a policy for allowing prospective jurors who are older than a certain age to be permanently excused from jury duty. Provides that a circuit court, when determining the age at which a prospective juror may be excused based on age, shall consider the following: the age at which jury duty may become difficult for a significant number of jurors; and the jury pool available for that circuit court. Provides that a prospective juror meeting the age requirement may apply for the exemption based on a self-assessment of his or her physical limitations and mobility issues. Provides that the county board, jury administrator, or jury commissioner shall permanently exclude the prospective juror from all current and subsequent jury lists.

Amends the Court of Claims Act. Provides that for a claim against the State for damages in cases sounding in tort, if a like cause of action would lie against a private person or corporation in a civil suit, and all like claims sounds in tort against certain entities, all awards shall be paid from the funds appropriated by the General Assembly for the purpose of paying the awards and not by the entity against whom the case is brought.

Honors all women residing in skilled nursing facilities in Illinois for their lifelong service to their families and communities.

Amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. Requires all food service establishments using latex gloves in handling or preparing food to display an allergenic notice.

States opposition to any measure that would allow the creation of a graduated income tax on Illinois residents.

Appoints Carol M. Pope as Legislative Inspector General for a term from March 1, 2019 through June 30, 2023.

Commemorates the 100th anniversary of the ratification by the State of Illinois of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States on June 10, 2019.