Declares March 3 through March 9, 2024 as Illinois Soil Health Week in the State of Illinois. Encourages the celebration of Soil Health Week and its related activities to increase the awareness of Illinois farmers, eaters, and those involved in agribusiness of the importance of the air and water quality environment for all citizens of this State.
Recognizes Joliet Junior College on the successful implementation of its 12x12x12 dual credit program. Commends the community college for continuing to inspire learning, transform lives, and strengthen communities. Encourages community colleges to pursue and implement similar dual credit programs of their own.
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.
Declares December 26, 2023 and December 26, 2024 as Cold War Veterans Recognition Day in honor of the contributions and sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces during the Cold War.
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.
Declares the week of May 5-11, 2024 as Youth Apprenticeship Week. Encourages business leaders, educators, families, and young people to learn more about the opportunities that youth apprenticeship programs provide and to encourage the development and expansion of youth apprenticeship programs in 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.
Amends the Foster Parent Law. Provides that foster parents have a right to receive an initial payment of $480 per child to be made within 24 hours of a permanent placement. Provides that if the final monthly payment for a child amounts to $480 or more, the amount of $480 shall be deducted from the final monthly payment. Provides that if the final monthly payment amounts to less than $480, the final monthly payment shall not be made.
