Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that any licensee disciplined under a licensure Act administered by the Division of Professional Regulation for an offense relating to the failure to pay taxes, child support, or student loans or relating to continuing education or advertising may file a petition with the Department on forms provided by the Department, along with the required fee of $200, to have the records of that offense removed from public view on the Department's website if certain conditions are met. Provides that nothing shall prohibit the Department from using a previous discipline for any regulatory purpose or from releasing records of a previous discipline upon request from law enforcement, other governmental body, or the public. Provides that removal of records of a disciplinary offense from the Department's website shall not be considered a vacating or expunging of the offense from the licensee's disciplinary record. Effective immediately.
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Creates the Best Candidate for the Job Act. Provides that an employer may not inquire into or require disclosure of a job applicant's criminal record or criminal history before the candidate has been notified that the candidate has been selected for a job interview or has been offered a conditional offer of employment. Requires consideration of the nature and gravity of a candidate's conviction record, the time elapsed since the conviction, and whether the conviction has a direct bearing on the candidate's fitness before excluding a candidate. Authorizes civil remedies. Provides that the Department of Labor may impose penalties for violations. Effective January 1, 2015.
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning the new nursing services reimbursement methodology utilizing the RUGs reimbursement system, provides that the nursing services methodology will be assigned to the Medicaid enrolled residents on record as of 30 days prior to the beginning of the rate period in the Department's Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) as present on the last day of the second quarter preceding the rate period "based upon the Assessment Reference Date of the Minimum Data Set (MDS)". Effective immediately.
Amends the Access to Justice Act. Provides that the Statutory Court Fee Task Force must submit its report to the Supreme Court and General Assembly by June 1, 2016 (instead of 2014). Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Clinical Laboratory and Blood Bank Act. Provides that a clinical laboratory shall examine specimens at the request of a licensed physician assistant in accordance with the written supervision agreement required under the provision of the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987 concerning prescriptions, written supervision agreements, and prescriptive authority (rather than the written guidelines required under the provisions of the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987 concerning (1) the definition of "physician assistant" and (2) prescriptions, written supervision agreements, and prescriptive authority).
Amends the Mechanics Lien Act. Provides that an agreement to subordinate a lien under the Act where the agreement is in anticipation of and in consideration for the awarding of a contract or subcontract, either express or implied, to perform work or supply materials for an improvement upon real property is against public policy and unenforceable. Deletes language providing that certain subordination provisions of contracts is not binding on the subcontractor unless set forth in its entirety in writing in the contract between the contractor and subcontractor or material supplier. Makes corresponding changes.
Authorizes the Department of Transportation to convey certain land or release certain land from easement or other rights in McLean, Madison, Logan, Bond, and Cook Counties. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to distribute to each school board information on screening instruments available to identify students who exhibit potential indicators of dyslexia and other reading disabilities. Requires a school board to select and implement age-appropriate screening instruments for the early diagnosis of dyslexia and other reading disabilities and to ensure that each kindergarten student enrolled in the school district is screened for dyslexia and other reading disabilities. Requires the State Board to develop and distribute to each school board guidance on appropriate intervention strategies for students diagnosed with dyslexia or other reading disabilities. Provides that, in the event that a student is determined to exhibit potential indicators of dyslexia or another reading disability, the school board shall ensure that the student receives a comprehensive assessment for the learning disorder and, in the event that a diagnosis is confirmed, the school board shall provide appropriate intervention strategies to the student. Sets forth requirements concerning professional development related to reading disabilities, the incorporation of the International Dyslexia Association's definition of dyslexia into administrative rules, and an additional written test for certain educator licensure candidates. Effective immediately.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Creates a provision that provides that the Director of the Office of Retail Market Development shall conduct research, gather input, and develop and present a detailed plan designed to promote retail natural gas competition for residential and small commercial natural gas consumers. Provides that interested parties shall be given the opportunity to review the plan and provide written comments regarding the plan prior to its submission. Provides that to the extent the plan calls for Illinois Commerce Commission action, the Commission shall initiate any proceeding or proceedings called for in the final plan within 60 days after receipt of the final plan and complete those proceedings within 11 months after their initiation; nothing shall prevent the Commission from acting earlier to remove identified barriers to retail natural gas competition for residential and small commercial consumers. Effective immediately.
Amends the Public Building Commission Act. Makes a technical change to a Section concerning the short title.