Sen. Omar Aquino

Amends the School Code. Prohibits the State Board of Education from developing, purchasing, or requiring a school district to administer, develop, or purchase a standardized assessment for students enrolled or preparing to enroll in prekindergarten through grade 2, other than for diagnostic purposes. Prohibits the State Board of Education from providing funding for any standardized assessment of students enrolled or preparing to enroll in prekindergarten through grade 2. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Changes the term "diagnostic purposes" to "diagnostic and screening purposes". Includes in the definition of diagnostic and screening purposes the determination of eligibility for special education, early intervention, bilingual education, dyslexia services, or other related educational services. Removes "child find" from the definition of diagnostic and screening purposes. Permits the State Board of Education to provide funding for any standardized assessment of students enrolled or preparing to enroll in prekindergarten through grade 2 for diagnostic and screening purposes.

Amends the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987. Provides that a licensed optometrist may independently administer the influenza vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccine, or the shingles vaccine upon completion of the required training. Provides that vaccinations for influenza and COVID-19 shall be limited to patients 5 years of age and older. Provides that the shingles vaccine shall be administered to patients pursuant to guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Provides that vaccines must be administered by the optometrist and cannot be delegated to an assistant. Provides that vaccination shall be documented in the patient's record and shall include: the vaccine administered; the site of injection; the name, dose, manufacturer, lot number, and beyond-use date of the vaccine; the name and address of the patient's primary health care provider named by the patient; a notation that the patient was presented with the appropriate vaccine information statement prior to administration of each vaccine; and any adverse events that followed the vaccination. Requires that the optometrist must complete the necessary training and certification unless the optometrist has completed the training required under a proclamation issued by the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation on March 24, 2021. Provides that an optometrist administering immunizations may also initiate and administer epinephrine or diphenhydramine by injection or the treatment of a severe allergic reaction to an immunization. Provides that vaccines ordered and administered in accordance with the amendatory Act shall be covered and reimbursed at no less than the rate the vaccine is reimbursed when ordered and administered by a physician. Allows the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to adopt any rules necessary to implement the amendatory Act. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill and makes the following changes. Provides that a licensed optometrist may independently administer the COVID-19 vaccine upon completion of the required training (instead of the shingles, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccine). Provides that vaccinations for COVID-19 shall be limited to patients 17 (instead of 5) years of age and older. Makes corresponding changes.

Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act. Provides that members of the public and an applicant for a permit shall have 5 days from the posting of the State Board Staff Report (currently, 10 days before the meeting of the State Board) to submit any written response specific to the Board staff's written review or findings concerning an application for a permit. Provides that the written response shall not be used to introduce information that was not provided in the original application. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 3960/6 Adds reference to: New Act 20 ILCS 3930/7.10 new 725 ILCS 173/1 725 ILCS 173/5 725 ILCS 173/10 725 ILCS 173/15 725 ILCS 173/20 725 ILCS 173/25 30 ILCS 105/5.833 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Crime Reduction Task Force Act. Creates the Crime Reduction Task Force. Establishes membership. Provides that the Task Force shall develop and propose policies and procedures to reduce crime in the State of Illinois. Provides that the members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides that the Task Force shall meet at least 4 times with the first meeting occurring within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. Provides that the Task Force shall review available research and best practices and take expert and witness testimony. Provides that the Task Force shall produce and submit a report detailing the Task Force's findings, recommendations, and needed resources to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before March 1, 2023. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall provide administrative and technical support to the Task Force and be responsible for administering its operations and ensuring that the requirements of the Task Force are met. Repeals the Act on March 1, 2024. Amends the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall establish a grant program for organizations and units of local government for the purposes of providing a tip hotline or other system for crime victims and witnesses that: (1) allows the callers or participants to remain anonymous; and (2) provides cash rewards for tips that lead to arrest. Amends the Gang Crime Witness Protection Act of 2013. Changes the name of the Act to the Violent Crime Witness Protection Act. Provides that, no later than January 1, 2023, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, shall establish a program to assist victims and witnesses who are actively aiding in the prosecution of perpetrators of violent crime (rather than gang crime), and appropriate related persons or victims and witnesses determined by the Authority to be at risk of a discernible threat of violent crime. Makes other changes. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 3960/6 Adds reference to: New Act 20 ILCS 2605/2605-51 20 ILCS 3930/7.10 new 65 ILCS 5/Art. 11 Div. 1.5 heading new 65 ILCS 5/11-1.5-5 new 65 ILCS 5/11-1.5-10 new 65 ILCS 5/11-1.5-15 new 65 ILCS 5/11-1.5-20 new 65 ILCS 5/11-1.5-25 new 65 ILCS 5/11-1.5-30 new 65 ILCS 5/11-1.5-99 new 725 ILCS 173/1 725 ILCS 173/5 725 ILCS 173/10 725 ILCS 173/15 725 ILCS 173/20 725 ILCS 173/25 30 ILCS 105/5.833 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Crime Reduction Task Force. Establishes membership. Provides that the Task Force shall develop and propose policies and procedures to reduce crime in the State of Illinois. Provides that the members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides that the Task Force shall meet at least 4 times with the first meeting occurring within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. Provides that the Task Force shall review available research and best practices and take expert and witness testimony. Provides that the Task Force shall produce and submit a report detailing the Task Force's findings, recommendations, and needed resources to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before March 1, 2023. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall provide administrative and technical support to the Task Force and be responsible for administering its operations and ensuring that the requirements of the Task Force are met. Repeals the Act on March 1, 2024. Amends the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Division of the Academy and Training of the Illinois State Police shall require all homicide investigator training to include instruction on victim-centered, trauma-informed investigation. Provides that the Division shall cooperate with the Division of Criminal Investigation to develop a model curriculum on victim-centered, trauma-informed investigation. Provides that the training and curriculum must be implemented by July 1, 2023. Amends the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall establish a grant program for organizations and units of local government for the purposes of providing a tip hotline or other system for crime victims and witnesses that: (1) allows the callers or participants to remain anonymous; and (2) provides cash rewards for tips that lead to arrest. Creates the Co-Responder Pilot Program Division in the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the East St. Louis Police Department, Peoria Police Department, Springfield Police Department, and Waukegan Police Department shall establish, subject to appropriation, a co-responder unit no later than 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, including the hiring of personnel as provided in the Division. Provides that, in addition to other responsibilities, the unit's social workers are responsible for conducting follow-up visits for victims who may benefit from mental or behavioral health services. Provides that the unit's primary area of focus shall be victim assistance. Includes other provisions. Repeals the Division on January 1, 2029. Amends the Gang Crime Witness Protection Act of 2013. Changes the name of the Act to the Violent Crime Witness Protection Act. Provides that, no later than January 1, 2023, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, shall establish a program to assist victims and witnesses who are actively aiding in the prosecution of perpetrators of violent crime (rather than gang crime), and appropriate related persons or victims and witnesses determined by the Authority to be at risk of a discernible threat of violent crime. Makes other changes. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Provides that Violent Crime Witness Protection Program Fund moneys may also be requested by local law enforcement agencies and used to establish local violent crime witness protection programs.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. In the Downstate Teacher Article, provides that beginning July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, to assist with addressing the substitute teacher shortage that has been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic and public health emergency, an annuitant may accept employment as a teacher without impairing his or her retirement status if that employment is not within the school year during which service was terminated and does not exceed 140 paid days (rather than 120 paid days) or 700 paid hours (rather than 600 paid hours) in each school year, but not more than 100 paid days in the same classroom. In the Chicago Teacher Article, provides that the service retirement pension shall not be cancelled in the case of a service retirement pensioner who is re-employed as a teacher or administrator (rather than a teacher) on a temporary and non-annual basis or on an hourly basis, so long as the person (1) does not work as a teacher or administrator (rather than a teacher) for compensation on more than 120 days in a school year or (2) in the case of a person who retires with at least 5 years of service as a principal or administrator, does not work as a teacher or administrator for compensation on more than 140 days in a school year. Removes a limitation on the amount of gross compensation a service retirement pensioner may receive for such re-employment without having the service retirement pension cancelled. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 4 Deletes reference to: 40 ILCS 5/17-149 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that during the period between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022, an additional 20 paid days or 100 paid hours shall be added to a provision that authorizes an annuitant to accept employment for a certain number of paid days or paid hours as a teacher without impairing his or her retirement status. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Allows a child's individualized education program (IEP) team to determine whether the special education program of a school district is unable to meet the needs of a child with a disability. Provides that the financial responsibility and reimbursement of the resident district of a child with a disability applies to both nonpublic special education facilities that are approved by the State Board of Education and nonpublic special education facilities that are not approved by the State Board of Education. Requires that a nonpublic special education facility providing services to demonstrate proof to the State Board of Education of (i) appropriate certification of teachers for the student population, (ii) age-appropriate curriculum, (iii) enrollment and attendance data, and (iv) the ability to implement the child's IEP. Sets forth provisions concerning requests for approval by the State Board of Education of a nonpublic special education facility. Provides that the Community and Residential Service Authority has the power to make final determinations regarding the approval of nonpublic special education facilities. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/14-7.05 105 ILCS 5/14-15.01 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Allows a student's (instead of child's) individualized education program (IEP) team to determine whether the special education program of a school district is unable to meet the needs of a child with a disability. Provides that the financial responsibility and reimbursement of the resident district of a child with a disability applies to emergency placements in nonpublic special education facilities that are not approved by the State Board of Education. Provides that a school district may place a student in a nonpublic special education facility providing educational services within the facility, but not approved by the State Board of Education, under specified circumstances. Removes provisions that provide that a school district has no obligation to pay a residential facility unless and until specified proof is provided to the satisfaction of the State Board of Education. Removes provisions that provide that if the State Board of Education denies approval in writing or does not respond to a facility's or resident district's request for approval within 10 days after the request is submitted to the State Board of Education, the matter shall be referred to the Community and Residential Services Authority, which shall make the determination and notify the facility or resident district and the State Board of Education within 10 days after the Authority receives the referral. Provides that emergency placement in an approved facility may continue so long as (i) the student's IEP team determines annually that such placement continues to be appropriate to meet the student's needs and (ii) at least every 3 years following the student's placement, the IEP team reviews appropriate placements approved by the State Board of Education. Removes changes to provisions concerning placement in a residential facility and payment of educational costs and provisions concerning the Community and Residential Services Authority. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that April 18 of each year is designated as Republic of Ireland Day to be observed throughout the State as a day in recognition of the anniversary of April 18, 1949, the day in which the Republic of Ireland officially declared itself independent from Great Britain, in recognition of the Republic of Ireland and its people, and in recognition of the many Illinoisans of Irish descent who have made a lasting impact upon our State. Provides that each year, within 10 days before Republic of Ireland Day, the Governor shall issue a proclamation announcing the recognition of Republic of Ireland Day, and designate the official events that shall be held in honor of Republic of Ireland Day and the contributions of Illinoisans of Irish descent. Effective immediately.

Directs the Auditor General to conduct an audit of Medicaid MCOs.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Provides that for purposes of the ABLE account program, a designated beneficiary means the ABLE account owner. Provides that upon the death of a designated beneficiary, proceeds from an account may be transferred pursuant to a payable on death account agreement. Provides that upon the death of a designated beneficiary, the State Treasurer may require verification that the funeral and burial expenses of the designated beneficiary have been paid. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/16.6 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 5/5-15 was 20 ILCS 5/3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section creating the civil administrative agencies. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 5/5-15 Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 420/1-102.5 new 5 ILCS 420/1-104.3 new 5 ILCS 420/1-104.4 new 5 ILCS 420/1-104.5 new 5 ILCS 420/1-105.2 new 5 ILCS 420/1-105.3 new 5 ILCS 420/1-105.5 new 5 ILCS 420/1-105.6 new 5 ILCS 420/1-105.7 new 5 ILCS 420/1-109 from Ch. 127, par. 601-109 5 ILCS 420/1-110 from Ch. 127, par. 601-110 5 ILCS 420/1-112.5 new 5 ILCS 420/1-113.6 new 5 ILCS 420/1-113.7 new 5 ILCS 420/2-101 from Ch. 127, par. 602-101 5 ILCS 420/3A-50 new 5 ILCS 420/4A-102 from Ch. 127, par. 604A-102 5 ILCS 420/4A-103 from Ch. 127, par. 604A-103 5 ILCS 420/4A-107 from Ch. 127, par. 604A-107 5 ILCS 420/4A-108 5 ILCS 420/4A-104 rep. 5 ILCS 430/5-40 5 ILCS 430/5-45 5 ILCS 430/20-20 5 ILCS 430/20-95 5 ILCS 430/25-5 5 ILCS 430/25-10 5 ILCS 430/25-15 5 ILCS 430/25-20 5 ILCS 430/25-85 10 ILCS 5/1A-14 from Ch. 46, par. 1A-14 10 ILCS 5/9-1.8 from Ch. 46, par. 9-1.8 10 ILCS 5/9-3.5 new 10 ILCS 5/9-8.5 25 ILCS 115/1 from Ch. 63, par. 14 25 ILCS 170/2 from Ch. 63, par. 172 25 ILCS 170/3 from Ch. 63, par. 173 25 ILCS 170/4.5 25 ILCS 170/4.7 25 ILCS 170/5 25 ILCS 170/6 from Ch. 63, par. 176 25 ILCS 170/8 from Ch. 63, par. 178 25 ILCS 170/11.2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Creates a uniform statement of economic interest form that must be completed by all persons who are required to file that form under the Act. Changes the nature of the required disclosures that must be made. Requires the Secretary of State to adjust specified amounts that prompt disclosure under the Act for purposes of inflation, and requires the Secretary to make conforming changes to the statement of economic interest form. Requires candidates filing for supreme court justice, appellate court judge, circuit court judge, or judicial retention to file their statement of economic interests in written or printed form. Modifies requirements concerning legislator restricted activities and the code of conduct. Prohibits a person appointed to an affected office from serving as an officer of a candidate political committee under specified circumstances. Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Restricts fundraising during sessions of the General Assembly, regardless of county. Modifies provisions concerning procurement and revolving door prohibitions concerning the fiscal administration of State contracts. Provides further revolving door requirements for executive branch officers and members of the General Assembly concerning lobbying. Modifies requirements concerning the Executive Ethics Commission and the Legislative Ethics Commission. Modifies requirements for Executive Inspectors General and the Legislative Inspector General. Provides that all investigatory files and reports of the Office of an Executive Inspector General are, among other exemptions, privileged. Amends the Election Code. Prohibits a member of the State Board of Elections from contributing to a political committee, serving as an officer of a political committee, or being a candidate supported by a candidate political committee. Prohibits a limited activity committee from accepting contributions except under specified circumstances. Provides that a limited activity committee may only make specified expenditures. Amends the General Assembly Compensation Act. Provides that the compensation to be paid per year to members of the General Assembly shall be paid bi-monthly. Provides for member compensation on a prorated basis. Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Applies the requirements of the Act to municipalities, counties, and officials thereof, and other specified State officials. Provides for home rule preemption under the Act. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes. Adds an applicability clause. Effective January 1, 2022. Governor Amendatory Veto Message Recommends: (i) deleting new language providing that the Executive Inspectors General have the duty to "receive and investigate, without advance approval of the Executive Ethics Commission, allegations of violations of this Act and other wrongful acts within his or her jurisdiction based on a complaint" and that an "investigation may not be initiated more than one year after the alleged wrongful act or the most recent act of a series of alleged wrongful acts based on the same wrongful conduct except if there is reasonable cause to believe that fraudulent concealment has occurred"; and (ii) restoring existing law providing that the Executive Inspectors General have the duty to "receive and investigate allegations of violations of this Act" and that an "investigation may not be initiated more than one year after the most recent act of the alleged violation or of a series of alleged violations except where there is reasonable cause to believe that fraudulent concealment has occurred".

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Exempts transportation services, including those transportation services provided by ground ambulance service providers, medi-car providers, service car providers, and taxi service providers, from the State's managed care medical assistance program. Provides that these services shall continue to be paid under the State's traditional fee-for-service program. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to exempt ground ambulance services from the State's managed care medical assistance program (rather than exempt transportation services, including those transportation services provided by ground ambulance service providers, medi-car providers, service car providers, and taxi service providers).

Creates the Family and Fertility Disclosure in Health Insurance Act. Requires employers that provide health insurance coverage to employees through policies written outside of this State to disclose to employees specified coverages required under the Illinois Insurance Code for policies written in this State and disclose the coverages that are not included in the coverage provided to the employees. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Changes the short title of the Act to the Consumer Coverage Disclosure Act. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Consumer Coverage Disclosure Act. Provides that an employer that provides group health insurance coverage to its employees shall, upon hire, annually thereafter, and upon request from an employee, provide all employees eligible for the coverage a written list of the covered benefits included in the group health insurance coverage in a format that easily compares those covered benefits with the essential health insurance benefits required of individual health insurance coverage regulated by the State of Illinois. Directs the Department of Insurance to provide information outlining the essential benefits and other benefits under coverage regulated under State law. Provides for enforcement by the Department of Labor. Authorizes the imposition of civil penalties. Effective immediately.