Sen. Mike Halpin

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may issue special registration plates designated as Defense Superior Service license plates to Illinois residents who have been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal. Provides that no registration fee shall be charged for the issuance or renewal of a Defense Superior Service plate. Adds vehicle owners who qualify for a Defense Superior Service plate to the list of vehicle owners who may reclass their registration upon acquiring a special license plate without a replacement plate fee or registration sticker cost.

Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code. Provides that charter schools that accept funding directly from the State or through a school district directed by the State to administer the funds after the effective date of the amendatory Act and charter school subcontractors regularly performing work at charter school facilities that receive State funding, shall, as a condition of such funding, comply with the amendatory Act and have in place, at all times, a labor peace agreement with any bona fide employee organization or labor organization in which employees participate and that exists for the purpose, in whole or in part, of dealing with charter schools or their subcontractors concerning grievances, labor disputes, wages, rates of pay, hours of employment, or conditions of work and that requests a labor peace agreement. Sets forth requirements and prohibitions concerning the labor peace agreement. Sets forth procedures concerning the execution of a labor peace agreement, including procedures for an impasse in negotiations, the appointment of a hearing officer from the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, and the submission of the dispute to final and binding impartial arbitration. Provides that upon receipt of a written request for a labor peace agreement, charter schools shall at all times allow representatives of employee organizations or labor organizations to enter charter school campuses and offices, at any time employees in a designated classification are present at those locations, to meet privately with employees in non-work spaces and at non-working times. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are satisfied if a charter school (i) executes a national or local labor agreement pertaining to the performance of charter school employees and the subcontractor regularly performing work at the charter school facilities or (ii) is negotiating in good faith with the employee organization or labor organization over the terms of a successor labor agreement for a period not exceeding 90 days after expiration of the labor agreement. Effective June 1, 2023.

Amends the Downstate Police and Downstate Firefighter Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, if a pension fund's total assets are at least 60% of the total actuarial liabilities of the pension fund, the city council or board of trustees of that municipality may elect an annual employer contribution that includes an amount sufficient to bring the total assets of the pension fund up to 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the pension fund by the end of municipal fiscal year 2050 or an earlier fiscal year, but no earlier than municipal fiscal year 2040. Provides that the election is irrevocable and must be made by ordinance or resolution no later than January 1, 2027. Makes conforming changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Urges that adjuncts/non-tenure/part-time instructors in institutions of higher education be treated with the same respect, recognition, value, and standards as full-time instructors. Affirms these professionals have the same credentials as the full-time instructors and are being underpaid to do the same job. Pledges to seek solutions that include, but are not limited to, legislated salary parity, mandated access to health benefits, and full and fair pension reporting and accountability for all part-time/contingent/adjunct Illinois public teachers, librarians, counselors, and educational support personnel.

Creates the Judicial Domestic Violence Training Act. Requires the Judicial Education Division of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts to develop and implement a domestic violence continuing education program for judges and relevant court personnel. Provides that the continuing education program shall be required training for all judges every 2 years and shall be held at every biennial Education Conference and every new judge seminar.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Repeals the Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984 on January 1, 2029 (rather than January 1, 2024). Amends the Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984. Provides that all applicants and registrants shall: (1) provide a valid address and email address to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which shall serve as the address of record and email address of record, respectively, at the time of application for registration or renewal of a registration; and (2) inform the Department of any change of address of record or email address of record within 14 days after such change either through the Department's website or by contacting the Department's licensure maintenance unit. Provides that every application for an original licensee under this Act shall include the applicant's Social Security Number or individual taxpayer identification number. Provides that the report of findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations of the Board shall be the basis for the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation's (rather than the Department's) action regarding a certificate. Provides that within 20 days after service of a notice of report of refusal to issue or renew, the respondent may present to the Secretary (rather than to the Department) a motion in writing for a rehearing. Removes a provision providing that exhibits shall be certified without cost. Repeals a provision concerning a roster. Makes corresponding and other changes. Provisions amending the Regulatory Sunset Act are effective immediately.

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.

Amends the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Congratulates and thanks Iron Workers Local Union 111 for their invaluable work on our state's infrastructure.