Sen. Javier Cervantes

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall direct and assist healthcare facilities that provide labor and delivery services, including teaching hospitals, with the development of a plan (i) to deal with airway emergencies when an individual experiences respiratory failure during childbirth, (ii) to maintain at those facilities equipment to deal with difficult or failed intubation during childbirth, and (iii) to provide notices and training to facility staff on the coordination of care as necessary to prevent respiratory emergencies during childbirth. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Provides that the projects under the Illinois Solar for All Program shall be subject to the prevailing wage requirements included in the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that the Illinois Power Agency shall require verification that all construction performed on the project is performed by workers receiving an amount for that work equal to or greater than the general prevailing rate, as that term is defined in the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that all projects, with the exception of residential houses and houses of worship, shall be classified as public works similar to the applicable projects falling under the Adjustable Block program are classified.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program, provides that in addition to other monetary assistance and incentives, if adequate funds are available, retention bonuses of $4,000 per year for 2 consecutive years shall be awarded to National Board certified teachers employed in hard-to-staff schools. This bonus shall be distributed to the respective school district or directly to the qualified educators. Provides that the State Board of Education's annual budget shall set out a separate line item for the appropriation of this bonus.

Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall require a hospital licensed under the Act to annually notify the hospital staff of the staffs' rights under the Nurse Staffing Improvement Act. Provides that notification shall provide a phone number and an email for staff to report noncompliance of the staff’s rights as described in the Nurse Staffing Improvement Act. Provides that notification should be provided via email and the United States Postal Service. Provides that the Department shall monitor and enforce the notification requirements.

Amends the Auction License Act, the Community Association Manager Licensing and Disciplinary Act, Home Inspector License Act, Real Estate License Act of 2000, Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Act of 2002, and the Appraisal Management Company Registration Act. Makes changes in provisions including: expiration, renewal, and continuing education; restoration; fees, disposition of funds; disciplinary actions, grounds; investigations, notice and hearing; findings and recommendations; restoration of license; and the various relevant boards. Provides for cease and desist orders, statute of limitations, licensing of auction schools, and course approval in the Auction License Act. Makes other changes.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, it is unlawful for any person to allow any member of the public to come into direct contact with a bear or nonhuman primate. Provides exemptions. Provides that a violation is a Class B misdemeanor. Provides that any law enforcement officer or peace officer employed by the State or by any county or municipality within the State may enforce these provisions. Provides that the Attorney General or a State's Attorney of the county in which a violation of these provisions occurred, may bring an action in the name of the People of the State of Illinois to enforce these provisions, and may bring an action for an injunction to restrain any actual or threatened violation. Contains a severability provision.

Creates the Community Land Trust Task Force Act. Establishes the Community Land Trust Task Force to collect data regarding the current use of community land trusts in Illinois and opportunities for expansion statewide, in addition to other specified duties. Includes provisions about membership, compensation, and vacancies; meetings; and administrative support. Requires the Community Land Trust Task Force Act to submit a final report to the Governor and the General Assembly making specific recommendations of legislative and budgetary action that supports the mission of community land trusts to foster affordable housing and homeownership. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved and the Act is repealed on December 31, 2024. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction may also, by ordinance or resolution, prohibit the operation of trucks or other commercial vehicles, or may impose limitations as the weight, height, or length (rather than only weight) thereof, which prohibitions and limitations shall be marked by appropriate signs placed on such highways. Establishes that an agency or instrumentality of the State of Illinois or any unit of local government shall not be required to widen or otherwise alter a non-designated highway (regardless of its date of construction) to accommodate truck-tractor-semitrailer combinations. Provides that each unit of local government shall (rather than may) report to the Department of Transportation any limitations prohibiting the operation of vehicles imposed by ordinance or resolution in the unit of local government's non-designated highway system. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. In provisions regarding school report cards, provides that the number and the percentage of all students in grades kindergarten through 8, disaggregated by the students demographics who have (i) been assessed for placement in a gifted education program or accelerated placement, (ii) been enrolled in a gifted education program or in accelerated placement, and (iii) received direct instruction from a teacher who holds a gifted education endorsement, and the number and percentage of students in grades 9 through 12, disaggregated by the student demographics who have been enrolled in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual enrollment courses or any course designated as enriched or honors shall also be reported (instead of the number and percentage of all students who have been assessed for placement in a gifted education or advanced academic program and, of those students: (i) the racial and ethnic breakdown, (ii) the percentage who are classified as low-income, and (iii) the number and percentage of students who received direct instruction from a teacher who holds a gifted education endorsement and, of those students, the percentage who are classified as low-income). Amends the Gifted and Talented Children and Children Eligible for Accelerated Placement Article of the School Code. Provides that the required plan shall include specified evidence-based practices. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall establish a competitive grant program to support the development or enhancement of computer science programs in the K-12 schools. Provides that eligible entities are regional offices of education, intermediate service centers, State higher education institutions, schools designated as laboratory schools, and school districts. Provides that approved entities shall be responsible for ensuring appropriate facilities are available and educators are appropriately trained on the use of any technologies or devices acquired for the purposes of the grant. Sets forth requirements to use the grant, renewal provisions, and rulemaking.