Sen. Steve Stadelman

Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. Removes the repeal date for the short-term substitute teacher training program. Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning short-term substitute teacher licenses, removes the June 30, 2023 expiration date for issuing short-term substitute teacher licenses. Removes the licensing fees for short-term substitute teacher, substitute teaching, and professional teaching licenses.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that, for a group policy of accident and health insurance providing coverage for more than 25 employees that provides pregnancy related benefits that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this State after the effective date of the amendatory Act, if a covered individual obtains, from a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, a recommendation approving the covered individual to seek in vitro fertilization, gamete intrafallopian tube transfer, or zygote intrafallopian tube transfer based on any of the following: the covered individual's medical, sexual, and reproductive history; the covered individual's age; physical findings; or diagnostic testing, then the procedure shall be covered without any other restrictions or requirements.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a Fleet Electrification Incentive Program to provide fleet owners and operators in the State grants to promote the use of eligible electric vehicles. Provides that the Program shall offer qualifying purchasers a grant up to specified base amounts toward the purchase of eligible electric vehicles based on the Class of vehicle. Requires the Agency to award grants under the Program on a competitive basis according to the availability of funding. Provides that to be eligible to receive a grant under the Program a purchaser must satisfy all of the required criteria. Provides that the Agency shall give weight to an application based upon the potential impact of the geographic location and route of the purchaser's fleet on pollution affecting an equity investment eligible community. Requires the Agency to ensure that resale of a vehicle serving a public school or located within an equity investment eligible community shall result in the vehicle servicing a similarly situated community. Provides that grants under the Program may be combined with other public incentives but the total of governmental incentives shall not exceed a maximum of 80% of the purchase price of the vehicle. Requires the Agency to set aside 20% of the appropriated funds under the Program for grants to the purchaser of electric school buses. Provides that all awards granted are subject to appropriation by the General Assembly. Defines terms.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates a homestead exemption, subject to certain limitations, for property that is located within a special flood hazard area as identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Provides that the amount of the exemption shall be a reduction in the property's equalized assessed value of $5,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in counties with fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants, the amount in the indemnity fund shall not be less than 0.03% of the total equalized assessed valuation of the property in the county or $25,000 (currently, $50,000), whichever is greater.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that whenever the Department of Transportation enters into an agreement with any state or state agency, any public or private entity or quasi-public entity for the lease, rental, or use of locomotives, passenger railcars, and other rolling stock equipment or accessions, the Department may deposit such receipts into a separate escrow account. Allows funds in an escrow account holding lease payments, use fees, or rental payments to be withdrawn by the Department with the consent of the Midwest Fleet Pool Board, and deposited into the High-Speed Rolling Stock Fund. Provides that at the end of the term of an escrow account holding lease payments, use fees, or rental payments, the remaining balance shall be deposited in the High-Speed Rail Rolling Stock Fund. Provides that whenever the Department enters into an agreement with any carrier, state or state agency, any public or private entity, or quasi-public entity for costs related to procurement and maintenance of locomotives, passenger railcars, and other rolling stock equipment or accessions, the Department shall deposit such receipts into the High-Speed Rolling Stock Fund. Provides that the Department may make transfers or payments into the High-Speed Rail Rolling Stock Fund for the State's share of the costs related to locomotives, passenger railcars, and other rolling stock equipment.

Creates the Prohibiting Coercive Subcutaneous Implants Act. Prohibits a person or entity from requiring, coercing, or compelling any other individual to undergo the subcutaneous implant of an identification device. Prohibits an employer from inquiring during an interview if a prospective employee will consent to having a subcutaneous identification device implanted in his or her body. Requires an employer to provide reasonable accommodations for an employee who does not consent to having a device implanted in his or her body. Requires an employer to remove the device from the employee's body within 30 days of separation from employment if the employee so requests. Prohibits an employer from discriminating or taking any retaliatory action against any employee because the employee, in good faith, does or threatens to do any of the following with respect to his or her rights under this Act: (i) file a claim or complaint; (ii) initiate any inquiry, investigation, proceeding, or other action; or (iii) testify or provide information to any person in connection to their rights afforded by this Act. Makes conditions for the employer to follow for voluntary implantation. Creates a private cause of action for any person who is subject to a violation of this Act with liquidated damages of $10,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater; reasonable attorney's fees and costs, punitive damages, and other relief as a State or federal court deems appropriate. Effective January 1, 2025.

Amends the Right of Publicity Act. Grants additional enforcement rights and remedies to recording artists. Provides for the liability of any person who materially contributes to, induces, or otherwise facilitates a violation of a specified provision of the Act by another party after having reason to know that the other party is in violation. Defines "artificial intelligence" and "generative artificial intelligence". Changes the definition of "commercial purpose" and "identity".

Congratulates Becky Cook Kendall on the occasion of her retirement as executive director of the Rockford Regional Health Council. Recognizes her commitment to serving the communities of the City of Rockford and Winnebago County.

Congratulates Shelton Kay on the occasion of being named executive director of the Rockford Regional Health Council.