Sen. Kimberly Lightford

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Chicago school district.

Amends the Real Estate License Act of 2000. Abolishes the Real Estate Education Advisory Council. Transfers functions of the Council to the Real Estate Administration and Disciplinary Board or the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Allows the Department to make continuing education requirements for licensed leasing agents without the advice of the Advisory Council and Board. Makes changes to the membership and terms of the Board. Allows the Secretary of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to establish temporary or permanent committees of the Board. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that early childhood programs receiving State Board of Education grants for preschool educational programs shall prohibit the expulsion of children. Provides instead that when persistent and serious challenging behaviors emerge, the early childhood program shall document steps taken to ensure that the child can participate safely in the program and utilize a range of community resources. Sets forth provisions concerning the creation of a transition plan if there is documented evidence that all available interventions and supports recommended by a qualified professional have been exhausted; temporary removal of a child; the utilization of training, technical support, and professional development resources; and annually reporting to the State Board. Makes related changes. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969 to require the Department of Children and Family Services, in consultation with the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development and the State Board of Education, to adopt rules prohibiting the use of expulsion due to a child's persistent and serious challenging behaviors in licensed day care centers, day care homes, and group day care homes.

Creates the School Discipline Reform Task Force for the purpose of assessing the implementation of the school discipline reform legislation passed in 2015, Senate Bill 100 (Public Act 99-456), and making recommendations to address any ongoing challenges related to the overuse or misuse of exclusionary discipline and what has become known as the "school-to-prison pipeline".

Amends the Dual Credit Quality Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Consumer Installment Loan Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning a license required to engage in the business of making loans of money in a principal amount not exceeding $40,000.

Amends the Collegiate Athletic Association Compliance Enforcement Procedures Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning special education classes for children from orphanages, foster family homes, children's homes, or State housing units.

Amends the Payday Loan Reform Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Course Equity Act. Contains only a short title provision.