Amends the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Agriculture may develop and implement organic, identity preserved, and value-added certification processes and programs that guarantee a buyer that the certified Illinois products have traits and qualities that warrant a premium price or an increase in added value. Provides that the Department may (i) identify international and domestic consumer preferences, (ii) identify the new markets those preferences indicate, particularly for value-added products, (iii) identify preserved products, (iv) underwrite demonstrations on foreign soils, and (v) provide market analyses and trend projections to farmers and other interested persons. Provides that the Department may accept and use planning grants or other financial assistance from the federal government (i) for statewide comprehensive planning work, including research and coordination activity directly related to agriculture needs; and (ii) for State and interstate comprehensive planning and research and coordination activity related to that planning. Grants shall be subject to the terms and conditions prescribed by the federal government. Repeals a Section creating the Forever Green Illinois Program which allows the Department of Agriculture to engage in the maintenance and beautification of greenery on property owned or controlled by the State or a unit of local government. Repeals the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act labeling and certification program where a label with a specific name and unique design or logo may be placed on local farm and food products that are grown, processed, packaged, and distributed by Illinois citizens or businesses located wholly within the borders of Illinois. Repeals the Illinois AgriFIRST Program Act of 2001. Repeals the Dairy Statistics Act. Repeals the Illinois Food, Farms, And Jobs Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Executive Reorganization Implementation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In the provision defining "eligible employment" for the purpose of allowing a teacher to return to teaching in subject shortage areas without impairing his or her retirement status or retirement annuity, changes the ending date of the employment from no later than June 30, 2013 to no later than June 30, 2020. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Makes technical changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Prohibits a school board from limiting the number of dual credit courses a student may enroll in or the number of credits a student may receive from dual credit courses. Provides that if a school district establishes an online learning program for students (with exceptions), the school board may not limit (i) which students may participate in the program, (ii) the number of online courses a student may enroll in, or (iii) the number of credits a student may receive from online courses.
Amends the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act. Adds various provisions concerning requirements for hospitals and pediatric health care facilities in relation to pediatric sexual assault care. Provides that a hospital licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act or operated under the University of Illinois Hospital Act (rather than licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act) that provides general medical and surgical hospital services shall provide either transfer services to all sexual assault survivors, medical forensic services to all sexual assault survivors, or transfer services to pediatric sexual assault survivors and medical forensic services to sexual assault survivors 13 years old or older (rather than transfer services or hospital emergency services and forensic services in relation to injuries or trauma resulting from sexual assault). Provides that a pediatric health care facility may provide medical forensic services to pediatric sexual assault survivors. Adds provisions concerning requirements placed on the Department of Public Health; consent to jurisdiction for pediatric health care facilities; storage, retention, and dissemination of photo documentation relating to medical forensic services; sexual assault services vouchers; pediatric sexual assault care; and requirements placed on the Attorney General. Makes other changes.
Amends the Energy Efficient Building Act. Provides that the International Code Council's International Energy Conservation Code, as adopted by the Capital Development Board, shall also apply to certain State facilities beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act. Amends the Green Buildings Act. Removes provisions providing that construction and major renovation projects must achieve the highest level of certification practical within the project budget. Provides that new State-funded building construction and major renovations of existing State-owned facilities must be designed to achieve, at a minimum, the silver certification of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design's rating system or an equivalent standard. Amends the Capital Development Board Act. Repeals a Section of the Act concerning the adoption of a statewide energy code. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Sets forth provisions providing that whenever a project requiring construction management services is proposed for a State agency, the Capital Development Board shall provide advance notice published in the procurement bulletin (currently, published in a request for proposals) setting forth the projects and services to be procured. Removes a provision providing that the request for proposals shall be mailed to each prequalified firm. Effective immediately.
Creates the Department of Innovation and Technology Act to codify Executive Order 2016-01. Creates the Department of Innovation and Technology. Abolishes the Information Technology Office (also known as the Office of the Chief Information Officer) within the Office of the Governor and transfers its functions, personnel, and property to Department of Innovation and Technology. Provides for the transfer of information technology functions, including related personnel and property, from specified State agencies, boards, and commissions to the Department of Innovation and Technology. Provides for the powers and responsibilities of the Department of Innovation and Technology, including specified programs and initiatives. Provides for the appointment of the Secretary and Assistant Secretary of Innovation and Technology by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Provides that the Secretary shall serve as the Chief Information Officer of the State. Make conforming changes. Repeals Sections in the Department of Central Management Services Law. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Nuclear Safety Preparedness Act. Makes a technical change in a Section relating to fees.
Mourns the death of Charlie Allen of Lacon.