Sen. Adriane Johnson

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that no person or organization shall organize a gathering that causes the release of balloons into the air unless the balloons are (1) used by an institution of higher education or a governmental agency, or pursuant to a governmental contract, for bona fide scientific or meteorological purposes, (2) released indoors and remain indoors, or (3) are helium balloons used for the safe operation of a hot air balloon. Provides that persons who violate the amendatory Act's provisions shall be subject to civil penalties in specified amounts and that the release of 50 balloons or fewer at one time is a single offense. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to compile and make available to the public a report identifying the types and volumes of waste treated at authorized recycling facilities, the types and volumes of waste treated at authorized organic waste composting facilities, the total volumes of food scraps processed at municipal solid waste landfills, the total permitted capacity for compost volume on municipal solid waste (MSW) sites, and the total emissions of methane from MSW landfills. Sets forth findings, purposes, and goals. Establishes organic waste composting goals. Requires specified commercial food wholesalers, commercial food distributors, industrial food manufacturers or processors, supermarkets, restaurants, resorts, and conference centers to begin arranging for: (1) source separation of organic wastes from other solid wastes; and (2) recycling of the source-separated organic waste at an authorized source-separated organic material composting facility. Amends the Solid Waste Planning and Recycling Act. Requires each county waste management plan to include a composting program for organic waste as a part of the basic waste disposal plan. Allows a unit of local government to collect fees or rates for the organic waste composting services. Includes exemptions. Makes corresponding changes in the Solid Waste Hauling and Recycling Program Act.

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning State Global Scholar Certification, provides that 6 units of credit shall be required to achieve State Global Scholar Certification (instead of not specifying how many units of credit are required). Provides for global collaboration or (instead of and) dialogue. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt such rules as may be necessary to provide students attending schools that do not currently offer State Global Scholar Certification the opportunity to earn State Global Scholar Certification remotely beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. Sets forth what those rules shall include and other requirements. Provides that a student enrolled in a school district or nonpublic school that awarded State Global Scholar Certification prior to the 2026-2027 school year and offered a course to complete the capstone project requirement prior to the 2026-2027 school year may not earn State Global Scholar Certification remotely.

Creates the License to Read Act. Defines terms. Provides that the State Librarian may negotiate with publishers of e-books and e-audiobooks on behalf of libraries on reasonable terms that would enable libraries to acquire necessary licenses to provide library users with access to e-books and e-audiobooks. Provides that the State Librarian may award grants that develop, expand, or support the acquisition of access to e-books and e-audiobooks in Illinois. Creates the License to Read Fund to deposit fees or other funds received for the purposes of the Act. Includes other provisions relating to legislative findings, assistance from other agencies or entities, and rules. Amends the State Library Act. Provides that the State Library's support and implementation of library services on a statewide basis includes the effective sharing of resources and services among libraries to promote access to information in both print and electronic format. Provides that the State Library may cooperate with acquiring and sharing electronic resources, e-books, and e-audiobooks. Includes other provisions relating to electronic resources, including e-books and e-audiobooks. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that when the two Houses adjourn on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, the House of Representatives stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 06, 2024 or to the call of the Speaker; and the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 06, 2024, or to the call of the President.

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. In a provision concerning law enforcement assistance for child protective investigators when responding to a high-risk report of child abuse or neglect, provides that when assistance is not available from law enforcement with primary jurisdiction, law enforcement from any other police jurisdiction in Illinois may provide assistance to a child protection investigator.

Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. In provisions requiring referendum approval to build or purchase a school building, provides that for any school district: (i) that is designated as a Tier 1 or Tier 2 school district under the evidence-based funding provisions of the Code, (ii) with at least one school that is located on federal property, (iii) whose overall student population is no more than 4,500 students and no less than 2,500 students, and (iv) that receives a federal Public Schools on Military Installations grant until June 30, 2030, no referendum shall be required if at least 75% of the cost of construction or building of any such building is paid or will be paid with funds received or expected to be received from the Public Schools on Military Installations grant. Provides that the school board must hold at least 2 public hearings, the sole purpose of which shall be to discuss the decision to construct a school building and to receive input from those community members in attendance. Provides that the notice of each public hearing that sets forth the time, date, place, and description of the school construction project must be provided at least 10 days prior to the hearing by publication on the school district's website. Effective immediately.

Amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Provides that any order, rule, regulation, or other directive issued by any governmental entity pursuant to an emergency or health or safety determination that requires closure or limitation of any place of worship entitled to the religious exemption under the United States Code shall be considered a substantial burden even if the order, rule, regulation, or other directive is one of general applicability.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Access to Affordable Insulin Act. Sets forth provisions concerning an insulin urgent-need program. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall establish procedures and applications for the insulin urgent-need program. Sets forth provisions concerning insulin urgent-need program exceptions, eligibility, forms, applications, claims and reimbursement, copayments, information sheets, and navigators. Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning cost sharing in prescription insulin drugs, provides that an insurer that provides coverage for prescription insulin drugs under the terms of a health coverage plan the insurer offers shall limit the total amount that an insured is required to pay for a 30-day supply of covered prescription insulin drugs at an amount not to exceed $35 (rather than $100). Effective immediately.