Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning bullying prevention, prohibits a student from being subjected to bullying through the transmission of information from a computer that is accessed at a nonschool-related location, activity, function, or program or from the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by a school district or school if the bullying substantially interferes with or limits the victim's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by a school or substantially disrupts the educational process or orderly operation of a school. Provides that the definition of bullying includes cyber-bullying; defines "cyber-bullying". Provides that a school district's or non-public, non-sectarian elementary or secondary school's policy on bullying shall include a process to investigate whether a reported act of bullying is within the scope of the district or school and, if not, a process for referral of such an act to the appropriate jurisdiction. Requires computers without web-filtering software or computers with web-filtering software that is disabled to be used when complaints of cyber-bullying are investigated. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Legislative Information System for its FY15 ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2014.
Creates the Law Enforcement Officer Bulletproof Vest Act. Provides that each law enforcement agency within the State shall provide a bulletproof vest for every law enforcement officer of that agency who is employed as a new recruit by that agency on or after the effective date of the Act as part of the officer's initial equipment issue. Provides that each bulletproof vest shall be replaced before the expiration of the warranty period of the vest at the expense of the law enforcement agency. Provides that all officer bulletproof vests shall be replaced by the law enforcement agency within a 4-year period after the effective date of the Act. Provides that the State or unit of local government which has jurisdiction over the law enforcement agency shall apply to the United States Department of Justice under the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998 or a successor Act for matching grants of one-half the purchase price of the bulletproof vests for the officers of the law enforcement agency. Provides that if the law enforcement agency is a local law enforcement agency and not a State agency, one-half the costs of purchasing the bulletproof vests shall be from State funds and one-half from the funds of the unit of local government, including the matching grants received from the United States Department of Justice. Provides that the Act does not apply if United States Department of Justice and State matching funds are not available or if the law enforcement agency collectively bargains with its officers or the exclusive representative of the officers for allowances to purchase bulletproof vests.
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 School Code in provisions concerning bullying prevention. Sets forth definitions for "policy on bullying" and "restorative measures". Makes changes concerning the creation, maintenance, and implementation of a policy on bullying. Deletes the requirement that each school district, charter school, and non-public, non-sectarian elementary or secondary school must communicate its policy on bullying to its students and their parent or guardian on an annual basis. Provides that on an annual basis, school districts, charter schools, and non-public, non-sectarian schools are required to collect, maintain, analyze, and submit to the State Board of Education data relating to the prevalence of bullying within the school district or non-public, non-sectarian elementary or secondary school, as well as the climate of the school district or non-public, non-sectarian elementary or secondary school. Moves the provision concerning the right to exercise free expression or the free exercise of religion or religiously based views protected under the United States and Illinois Constitutions. Effective immediately.
Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act. Provides that training on how to properly administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation and how to use an automated external defibrillator shall be included as a basis for health education curricula in all secondary schools in this State and shall be a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma. Effective July 1, 2014.
Urges the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Metra, the Chicago Transit Authority and the Chicago Department of Aviation to include Crossrail Chicago in its list of fiscally unconstrained projects as consistent with the GOTO2040 vision, making the projects of Crossrail Chicago eligible for federal funds.
Urges Congress to enact the Safe Freight Act in order to ensure that no freight train be operated unless it is staffed by at least 2 properly certified individuals.
Recognizes the history of Fox College and their contribution to the field of higher education.
Amends the Public Utilities Act, Pharmacy Practice Act, Public Aid Code, Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, Non-Support Punishment Act, and Income Withholding for Support Act. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision, if a person is either an unemployed individual who is eligible for unemployment benefits under the Unemployment Insurance Act or an unemployed individual who is no longer eligible for extended benefits because the individual has exhausted his or her extended benefits under that Act, then (i) a public utility company that receives any federal or State funds shall not terminate or cut off the gas or electrical services, (ii) a pharmacy or pharmacist who receives any federal or State funds shall not refuse to dispense prescription medication, or (iii) the unemployed individual shall not be sentenced to any period of imprisonment for failure to make child support payments. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision, no person may bring a forcible entry or detainer action for the possession of lands or leased premises against any person who is an unemployed individual who is eligible for unemployment benefits or who is no longer eligible for extended unemployment benefits. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision, no mortgagee who receives any federal or State funds may institute foreclosure proceedings against any mortgagor who is an unemployed individual who is eligible for unemployment benefits or who is no longer eligible for extended unemployment benefits. Defines "receives any federal or State funds". Effective immediately.