Amends the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Creates the Graduate and Retain Our Workforce Act. Establishes the GROW Illinois Program, in which public institutions of higher education award incentive loans to applicants. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission may, each year, administer applications for assistance under the GROW Illinois Program. Sets forth qualifications for recipients, degrees, and jobs. Provides for loan repayment and rulemaking. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (GROW) Illinois Fund as a special fund in the State treasury.
Amends the Smoke Free Illinois Act. Includes the use of alternative nicotine products and electronic cigarettes in the definition of "smoke" or "smoking". Defines "electronic cigarette", "nicotine", and "tobacco product". Effective January 1, 2024.
Amends the Seizure Smart School Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Transportation Network Providers Act. Deletes language: (i) providing that a Transportation Network Company is not deemed to own, control, operate, or manage the vehicles used by Transportation Network Company drivers, and is not a taxicab association or a for-hire vehicle owner; and (ii) providing that Transportation Network Companies or Transportation Network Company drivers are not common carriers, contract carriers or motor carriers, as defined by applicable State law, nor do they provide taxicab or for-hire vehicle service. Effective immediately.
Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Central Management Services shall annually report to the General Assembly information about the workforce in each State agency.
Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning educator testing, removes the provision that requires the teacher performance assessment to be approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. Provides instead that each teacher preparation program in this State may use any evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness that aligns to current State teaching standards. Effective July 1, 2023.
Amends the State Finance Act. Adds uses for which the Partners for Conservation Fund and the Partners for Conservation Projects Fund may be used, and adds amounts that will be transferred from the General Revenue Fund to the Partners for Conservation Fund until 2033 (rather than ending in 2023). Provides that the Partners for Conservation Fund is eligible to receive grants, gifts, and awards from any public or private entity for the purpose of expanding financial and technical assistance in order to advance nutrient loss reduction efforts within priority watersheds. Amends the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act. Defines terms. Creates the Illinois Healthy Soils and Watersheds Initiative to improve the health of soils and the function of watersheds through efforts that support the implementation of the State's Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, reduce nutrient loss, improve soil and water quality, protect drinking water, increase the resilience of ecosystems to extreme weather events, protect and improve agricultural productivity, and support aquatic and wildlife habitat. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall adopt and revise guidelines to assist soil and water conservation districts in determining local goals and needs for implementing soil health and watershed conservation projects consistent with the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. Provides that, after the Department has adopted its guidelines, each soil and water conservation district shall develop its own goals and needs assessment to guide implementation of the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. Includes provisions about compliance and standards cost sharing, Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy alignment for State-owned, State-managed, and State-leased agricultural lands, and Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy reports. Effective immediately.
Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Provides that residents of this State may obtain a 5-year fishing license. Provides that the fee for a 5-year fishing license is $62.50. Provides that for residents age 65 or older, the fee is one-half of the fee charged for a 5-year fishing license. Provides that for resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces after returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States, the fee is one-half of the fee charged for a 5-year fishing license. Provides that residents of this State may obtain a 5-year sportsmen's combination license that shall entitle the holder to the same non-commercial fishing privileges as residents holding a license and to the same hunting privileges as residents holding a license to hunt all species under the Wildlife Code. Provides that the 5-year sportsmen's combination license fee shall be $112.50. Provides that a sportsmen's combination license shall not be issued to any individual who would be ineligible for either the fishing or hunting license separately. Provides that for residents age 65 or older, the fee is one-half of the fee charged for a 5-year sportsmen's combination license. Provides that for resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces after returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States, the fee is one-half of the fee charged for a 5-year sportsmen's combination license. Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that residents of this State may obtain a 5-year hunting license to hunt all species for $52. Provides that for residents age 65 or older and resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces after returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States, the fee is one-half of the fee charged for a 5-year hunting license.
Amends the School Code. Provides that each school district must create, implement, and maintain an age-appropriate policy on race-related harassment and discrimination. In provisions concerning bullying prevention, provides that the required policy on bullying shall also include age-appropriate information about the definitions of harassment and sexual harassment, the procedures for reporting harassment, and the protections and relief available under the Illinois Human Rights Act. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that harassment by an elementary, secondary, or higher education representative or the failure of an institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education to take remedial action or appropriate disciplinary action against a student or an elementary, secondary, or higher education representative employed by the institution (if the institution knows that the student or representative committed or engaged in harassment) is a civil rights violation. Provides that each institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education shall establish, implement, and maintain a continuing race-related discrimination and harassment program. Sets forth requirements concerning policies and procedures, a model training program, and reporting. Makes other changes. Effective August 1, 2024.
