Amends the College Student Immunization Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning immunization reports.
Amends the School Code. Creates the Attendance Commission within the State Board of Education to study chronic absenteeism and make recommendations for strategies to prevent chronic absenteeism. Sets forth provisions concerning the members of the Commission, meetings and hearings of the Commission, State Board support for the Commission, and duties of the Commission. Provides that the Attendance Commission shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the State Board of Education no later than December 15 of each year. Provides that the Commission is abolished and these provisions are repealed on December 16, 2020. Effective immediately.
Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Department of Public Health.
Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Provides that the Act applies to all employers rather than only those with more than 3 employees. Increases the maximum civil penalty for all violations of the Act or a rule from $2,500 to $5,000.
Creates the Veterans' and Military Discount Card Program Act. Provides that the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall establish and administer a Veterans' and Military Discount Card Program to issue a Veterans' and Military Discount Card to eligible active duty service members and veterans in the State for use at participating merchants who agree to honor the Veterans' and Military Discount Card by providing cardholders with a discount on goods and services, or another appropriate money-saving promotion of a merchant's choice. Provides that the Department shall use DD-214 military discharge records in conjunction with photo identification such as a driver's license, State ID card, federal military or Veterans Affairs ID, or passport to issue the Veterans' and Military Discount Card to eligible veterans; and that in the case of active duty service members, a valid military ID or other official government identification that denotes active duty service, and photo ID if needed, shall be used to determine eligibility. Requires the Department to develop and implement an outreach program to ensure that active duty service members and veterans in the State are made aware of the Veterans' and Military Discount Card Program and permits the Secretary of State to also assist in promoting and disseminating information on the Program. Grants the Department of Veterans' Affairs rulemaking authority. Effective immediately.
Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Allows a person who earned a high school diploma, associate's degree, career certificate, vocational technical certification, or bachelor's degree, or passed the high school level Test of General Educational Development, during the period of his or her sentence, aftercare release, or mandatory supervised release, to petition for sealing before expiration of applicable waiting periods under the sealing law. The person cannot have completed the same educational goal previously. If the person's petition for sealing is denied, then the applicable waiting period under the sealing law shall apply to any subsequent petition for sealing by the person.
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections concerning certificates of good conduct. Provides that "eligible offender" does not include a person who has been convicted of arson, aggravated arson, kidnapping, aggravated kidnaping, aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, or intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination thereof, or aggravated domestic battery. Eliminates the exclusion from "eligible offender" of a person who has been convicted of committing or attempting to commit a Class X felony or a forcible felony. Eliminates the exclusion from "eligible offender" of a person convicted of attempting to commit any of the specified offenses. Provides that if the most serious crime of which the individual was convicted is a felony (currently, a Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 felony), the minimum period of good conduct shall be 2 years.
Amends the College and Career Success for All Students Act. Provides that a student who takes a College Board Advanced Placement examination and receives a score of 3 or higher on the examination is entitled to receive postsecondary level course credit at a public institution of higher education. Requires each public institution of higher education to comply with the same standard of awarding course credit to any student receiving a score of 3 or higher on a College Board Advanced Placement examination and applying the credit to meet a corresponding course requirement for degree completion at that institution of higher education. Effective immediately.
Amends the Adoption Act. Defines "birth grandparent" as the biological parent of a non-surrendered person who is a deceased birth parent. Provides that a birth grandparent who has submitted birth certificates for himself or herself and for a deceased birth parent as well as proof of death for the deceased birth parent may file a Registration Identification Form and an Information Exchange Authorization or a Denial of Information Exchange if the birth parent did not file documentation preventing the exchange of information prior to his or her death. Makes corresponding changes.
Creates the Foster Children's Bill of Rights Act. Provides that it is the policy of this State that every child and adult in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services who is placed in foster care shall have certain rights, including the right to: (i) live in a safe, healthy, and comfortable home where he or she is treated with respect; (ii) be free from physical, sexual, emotional, or other abuse, or corporal punishment; (iii) receive adequate and healthy food, adequate clothing, and, for youth in group homes, an allowance; (iv) receive medical, dental, vision, and mental health services; (v) be free of the administration of medication or chemical substances, unless authorized by a physician; (vi) contact family members, unless prohibited by court order, and social workers, attorneys, foster youth advocates, and other specified persons; (vii) contact the Advocacy Office for Children and Families established under the Children and Family Services Act or the Department of Children and Family Services' Office of the Inspector General regarding violations of rights, speak to representatives of these offices confidentially, and be free from threats or punishment for making complaints; (viii) attend court hearings and speak to the judge; (ix) review his or her own case plan and plan for permanent placement, and receive information about his or her out-of-home placement and case plan, including being told of changes to the case plan; and (x) receive a copy of the Act and have it fully explained to him or her when he or she is placed in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be interpreted to require a foster care provider to take any action that would impair the health and safety of children in out-of-home placement.
