Sen. Mike Halpin

Creates the Civil Rights Remedies Restoration Act. Provides that certain violations of the following federal Acts constitute a violation of the Act: the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Education Amendments of 1972; the Civil Rights Act of 1964; or other federal statutes prohibiting discrimination under a program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Provides that whoever injures another by a violation of the Act is liable for each and every offense for all remedies available at law, including, but not limited to various damages in an amount no less than $4,000, and attorney's fees, costs, and expenses. Allows a court to grant as relief any permanent or preliminary negative or mandatory injunction, temporary restraining order, order of declaratory judgment, or other relief. Allows claims for a violation of the Act to be filed in any court of competent jurisdiction. Provides that nothing limits any enforcement authority under the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that the State waives sovereign and Eleventh Amendment immunity for any violation of the Act. States legislative findings and purpose.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision concerning service credit for accumulated unused sick leave, provides that if the employee was in the service of more than one employer or regional office of education (instead of more than one employer), then sick leave days from all such employers shall be credited. Amends the School Code. Provides that beginning July 1, 2023, all regional superintendents of schools shall receive the same salary regardless of the population of the region they serve. Provides that the salary for all regional superintendents shall be equal to the middle annual salary tier. Makes a change concerning the posting of information on the institute fund. Repeals a provision of the Code that prohibits regional superintendents from practicing or from holding themselves out as practicing any other profession. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Creates the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Task Force Act. Creates the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall be composed of 12 appointed members and the State's Chief Behavioral Health Officer, or the Officer's representative. Provides that the 2 Task Force co-chairs shall appoint experts to contribute and participate in the Task Force as nonvoting members. Provides for meetings of the Task Force and responsibilities relating to examination of the first year of implementation and use of the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Illinois. Requires the development of an action plan with specified recommendations to be filed with the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2023. Includes legislative findings. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2025. Effective immediately.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Provides for the repeal of the Illinois Public Accounting Act on January 1, 2029 (rather than January 1, 2024). Amends the Illinois Public Accounting Act. 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 a license application shall have an applicant's federal individual taxpayer identification number. Provides that all CPA firms or sole practitioners required to undergo a peer review shall submit to the Department peer review reports; letters of response, if applicable; acceptance letters; letters signed by the reviewed CPA firm accepting the peer review documents with the understanding that the CPA firm agrees to take certain actions, if applicable; and letters notifying the reviewed CPA firm that certain required actions have been completed, if applicable. Provides that the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation shall appoint a full-time CPA Coordinator. Provides that the hearing officer shall report the hearing officer's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Committee (rather than to the Committee and the Secretary). Removes a provision providing that exhibits shall be certified without cost. Makes corresponding and other changes. Specifies that the changes made to the Regulatory Sunset Act take effect immediately.

Amends the Illinois Fairness in Lending Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Auction License Act, the Community Association Manager Licensing and Disciplinary Act, Home Inspector License Act, Real Estate License Act of 2000, Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Act of 2002, and the Appraisal Management Company Registration Act. Makes changes in provisions including: definitions; expiration, renewal, and continuing education; restoration; fees and disposition of funds; disciplinary actions and grounds; investigations, notice, and hearing; findings and recommendations; restoration of license; scope and standards of practice; and the various relevant boards. Provides for cease and desist orders, statute of limitations, licensing of auction schools, and course approval in the Auction License Act. Makes other changes.

Makes an appropriation of $717,765,720 from the General Revenue Fund to the State Board of Education for early childhood education. Makes various appropriations from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for early intervention, for grants and administration expenses associated with the Maternal and Child Home Visiting Program, for grants and administrative expenses associated with the Healthy Families Program, and for grants and administrative expenses associated with child care services, including prior year costs. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a financial institution or investment provider, by entering into a written agreement, may offer or provide services to a plan established or maintained by a school district with an enrollment of at least 1,000 students under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 if the written agreement is not combined with any other written agreement for the administration of a school district's 457 plan. Provides that each school district that provides a 457 plan shall make available to participants at least 4 financial institutions or investment providers that have not entered into a written agreement and that provide services to the school district's 457 plan. Sets forth requirements for a financial institution or investment provider providing services for a 457 plan.

Appropriates $15,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for costs associated with the Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program Act. Effective July 1, 2023.

Creates the Tickborne Disease Prevention and Protection Act. Presents legislative findings. Requires the Department of Public Health, in conjunction with the medical entomology lab of the Prairie Research Institute's Illinois Natural History Survey and a statewide association representing physicians, to develop protocols and best practices for identifying, diagnosing, and treating tickborne diseases in Illinois and a mandatory accredited continuing medical education course that describes those protocols and best practices. Provides that the Department shall require health care professionals and laboratories to report cases of tickborne disease to each other and the Department. Directs the Department to train local health departments to respond to tickborne disease-related inquiries. Requires the Department to prepare a report of all efforts undertaken by the Department under the Act.