Sen. Karina Villa

Makes changes concerning the powers and duties of the Illinois State Museum. Repeals a provision which specifies that the Board of the Illinois State Museum is the governing board for the State Museum. Replaces the Board of the Illinois State Museum with an advisory board. Describes the duties of the advisory board. Repeals a provision which states that the Department of Natural Resources may set, by administrative rule, an entrance fee for visitors to the Illinois State Museum. Effective immediately.

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, every public high school shall require a unit of instruction addressing climate change in either a required science class or a required social studies class. Sets forth what the unit of instruction shall include. Provides that the State Superintendent of Education, in consultation with the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency or the Director's designee, shall prepare and make available to school boards instructional materials and professional development training for educators that may be used as guidelines for development of the instruction. Provides that, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, every public high school shall include instruction on climate change and the impacts and causes of climate change in grades 9 through 12 in specified courses. Provides that the State Board of Education shall convene a working group of students, educators, and experts in the area of climate change. Sets forth the membership of the working group. Sets forth tasks for the working group concerning State learning standards. Provides that the State Superintendent of Education shall prepare and make available to school boards instructional materials and professional development training for educators that may be used as guidelines for development of the instruction. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that every youth in care must have a Haircare Plan included in their case plan unless the youth explicitly indicates to the youth's caseworker that a Haircare Plan is not needed due to the youth's ability to maintain haircare without assistance. Provides that a caseworker or placement plan specialist must develop the Haircare Plan in consultation with the youth and parents. Provides that at a minimum, the Haircare Plan must address: (1) necessary haircare steps to be taken to preserve the youth's desired connection to their race, culture, gender, religion, and identity; (2) the desires of the youth as it pertains to the youth's hair; (3) the guidance and desires of the youth's parents, unless the parents cannot be contacted; and (4) steps to be taken specific to the youth's hair during emergency situations, including, but not limited to, lice infestations and scalp rashes and infections. Provides that by June 1, 2025, the Department of Children and Family Services must develop training for caregivers on how to provide culturally competent haircare. Provides that each time a youth is placed with a caregiver, the caregiver must sign a declaration stating that the caregiver has reviewed the training materials and will follow the Haircare Plan for the youth. Requires each Department office location to provide a list of affordable, accessible, and culturally competent haircare providers and resources in each of the Department's geographic regions. Requires the Department to adopt rules, by June 1, 2025, to facilitate the implementation of Haircare Plans.

Creates the Legacy Tree Program Task Force Act. Provides that the Legacy Tree Program Task Force shall establish recommendations to promote the identification, awareness, commemoration, and preservation of significant trees within the State. Sets forth provisions concerning the membership of the Task Force, compensation of members, support to the Task Force, and responsibilities of the Task Force. Provides that the Act is repealed on June 30, 2034.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that, if a unit of local government has adopted and implemented a road improvement impact fee by ordinance or resolution and repeals the ordinance or resolution, the collected fees, along with any accrued interest, in the existing impact fee accounts may be transferred to a transportation account to be used for capacity-related improvements. Valid impact fee refunds shall be processed in accordance with the procedures set forth in the repealed ordinance or resolution.

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits public colleges and universities in Illinois from using legacy status or donor connections as a factor when admitting students. It defines legacy status as a familial relationship to a current or former student and explicitly bans schools from considering ties to past, current, or future donors. The bill amends existing education statutes to ensure that admission decisions are made without regard to these specific family or financial connections.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws governing mental health and developmental disabilities services, primarily by updating reporting requirements and repealing an outdated maternal mental health act. It mandates that the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities submit quarterly electronic reports to the General Assembly detailing facility admissions, staff-to-resident ratios, and specific data on workplace violence and employee injuries. Additionally, the legislation requires the department to establish safe reporting procedures for staff and prohibits retaliation against employees who report assaults or injuries. The bill also repeals the Perinatal Mental Health Disorders Prevention and Treatment Act while making technical updates to the Maternal Mental Health Conditions Education, Early Diagnosis, and Treatment Act. These changes directly affect state-operated facilities for the mentally ill and persons with developmental disabilities, as well as the employees who work there.

Amends the Fair Patient Billing Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a hospital shall not charge or bill a patient whose household income is not greater than 138% of the federal poverty level.

Creates the Reestablishing Integrity in Death Care Act. Provides that no later than January 1, 2025, when a death occurs within the State, the deceased's body, body bag, and any body part, organ, or tissue separated from the deceased to be used in nontransplant organ donation shall be affixed with a unique identifier, and chain of custody documentation shall be maintained for all dead bodies and human remains. Specifies requirements for the unique identifier and chain of custody documentation. Provides that the State Comptroller, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and the Department of Public Health may inspect any business, provider, or facility in the State that handles dead bodies or human remains to ensure compliance with the Act and the rules adopted under the Act. Authorizes rulemaking to implement and enforce the Act. Amends the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing Code, the Crematory Regulation Act, and the Vital Records Act to make conforming and other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Newborn Metabolic Screening Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to provide all newborns with screening tests for the presence of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Requires the testing to begin within 6 months following the occurrence of specified milestones. Allows the Department to require payment of an additional fee for the provision of Duchenne muscular dystrophy screening tests. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.