Rep. Randy Frese

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the provision requiring the Department of Human Services to develop a training program for authorized direct care staff to administer medications under the supervision and monitoring of a registered professional nurse applies to (i) all residential (rather than all programs) for persons with a developmental disability in settings of 16 persons or fewer that are funded or licensed by the Department of Human Services and that distribute or administer medications, and (ii) all day programs certified to serve persons with developmental disabilities by the Department of Human Services. Effective January 1, 2017.

Amends the General Assembly Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires the System to prepare and implement a Tier 3 plan by July 1, 2017 that aggregates State and employee contributions in individual participant accounts which are used for payouts after retirement. Provides that a person who becomes a participant on or after July 1, 2017 shall participate in the Tier 3 plan. Provides that a Tier 1 or Tier 2 participant may irrevocably elect to participate in the Tier 3 plan instead of the defined benefit plan; makes conforming changes. Authorizes a Tier 1 or Tier 2 participant who elects to participate in the Tier 3 plan to elect to terminate all participation in the defined benefit plan and to have a specified amount credited to his or her account under the Tier 3 plan. Requires the System to report on its progress in establishing the Tier 3 plan to the Governor and the General Assembly by January 15, 2017. Excludes the amendatory Act from the new benefit increase restrictions. Repeals certain provisions concerning a defined contribution plan added by Public Act 98-599. Authorizes a participant to terminate his or her participation in the System. Makes related changes in the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act (Article 20 of the Code) and the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning retirement pensions.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation to the State Board of Education, there is created an agriculture education teacher grant program to fund personal services costs for agriculture education teachers in school districts. Provides that a school district may apply for a grant to fund 50% of the personal services cost for an agriculture education teacher; however, a school district that is creating a new agriculture education program may apply for a grant to fund 100% of an agriculture teacher's personal services cost in the first and second year of the new agriculture education program and 80% of an agriculture teacher's personal services cost in the third and fourth years of the new agriculture education program. Allows a school district to apply for a grant for more than one teacher. Sets forth the duties of the State Board. Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act with respect to teacher shortage scholarships. Specifies that agricultural education is a course of study included in the definition of "areas of identified staff shortages".

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Illinois Veterans' Homes Fund as a special fund in the State Treasury. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow for the issuance of decals by Illinois Veterans' Homes. Provides for the original fee, renewal fees, and fee distribution for Universal special license plates with decals issued by Illinois Veterans' Homes.

Amends the Veterans' Home Nurses' Loan Repayment Act. Renames the Act as the Veterans' Home Medical Providers' Loan Repayment Act. Renames the Nurse Loan Repayment Program as the Medical Providers Loan Repayment Program. Requires that the program provide assistance, subject to appropriation, to eligible physicians and nurses (rather than nurses). Provides that an applicant is eligible for a grant under the program if the Illinois Student Assistance Commission finds that the applicant is working as a physician, registered professional nurse, or certified nursing assistant (rather than as a registered professional nurse). Makes related changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a Section concerning the valuation of vegetative filter strips is repealed on December 31, 2026 (instead of December 31, 2016).

Congratulates Ronald and Sara Husemann on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary.

Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Board of Trustees of the Illinois State University for its FY 16 ordinary and contingent expenses.