Sen. Kimberly Lightford

Amends the Vital Records Act. Provides that specified fees for birth record searches or certified copies of birth records shall be waived for all requests made by a homeless person whose status is verified by specified human services, legal services, or other similar agencies. Provides that individuals who are homeless must not be charged for this verification. Provides that the State Registrar of Vital Records shall establish standards and procedures for birth record search waivers for homeless persons that shall include a record of specified information. Provides that any falsification of this official record is subject to penalty. Defines "homeless person". Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Requires that to be illegal a drug analog must not be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration or, if approved, it is not dispensed or possessed in accordance with State and federal law. Defines "controlled substance" to include a synthetic drug enumerated as a scheduled drug under the Act. Adds chemical structural classes of synthetic cannabinoids and piperazines to the list of Schedule I controlled substances. Includes certain substances approved by the FDA which are not dispensed or possessed in accordance with State or federal law and certain modified substances.

Amends the State Prompt Payment Act. Provides that if a contractor is assessed liquidated damages by the State, the contractor is still responsible to each subcontractor under the subcontracts. For contracts with the Department of Transportation, provides that if a contractor is assessed a liquidated damages penalty equal to or exceeding the total amount of the contract and the contractor is unable to pay its subcontractors, the Department of Transportation shall verify completion of the work performed by the subcontractor and, upon successful verification, pay the subcontractor the amount owed on the subcontract with the contractor.

Creates the Accelerated Placement Act. Provides that any student in a school district may be referred by a teacher, administrator, gifted education specialist, guidance counselor, school psychologist, or parent or legal guardian to the principal for evaluation for possible accelerated placement. Allows accelerated placement to include, but not be limited to, early entrance to kindergarten or first grade, accelerating a student in a single subject, compacting curriculum, concurrent enrollment, credit by examination, online learning courses, Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate programs, grade acceleration, grade telescoping, and early high school graduation. Sets forth evaluation and appeal guidelines. Provides for the creation of an acceleration evaluation committee to evaluate a child for accelerated placement. Sets forth procedures for accelerated placement and evaluation of the placement. Requires school districts to report certain statistics to the State Board of Education, and for the State Board to create reports regarding accelerated placement. Provides that the State Board may adopt rules to implement the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision concerning access to psychiatric mental health services via telepsychiatry, provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall not require that a physician or other licensed health care professional be physically present in the same room as the patient for the entire time during which the patient is receiving telepsychiatry services. Provides that the Department shall not require that a physician or other licensed healthcare professional be physically present in the same room as the patient for the entire time during which the patient is receiving telemedicine services. Defines "telemedicine" as the use of a telecommunication system to provide medical services for the purpose of evaluation and treatment when the patient is at one location and the rendering provider is at another location.

Amends the Build Illinois Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may also make loans or equity investments to small businesses with moneys in the State Small Business Credit Initiative Fund (currently, the Department make only make such loans and equity investments with moneys in the Build Illinois Bond Fund, the Illinois Capital Revolving Fund, or the Illinois Equity Revolving Fund). Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may make loans to small businesses of up to $2,000,000 (currently, $750,000) per project. Provides that moneys collected from the fees imposed under this Act connected with the Capital Fund shall be deposited into the Capital Fund. Provides that loans under the minority, veteran, female, and persons with a disability loan program shall not exceed $400,000 (currently, $100,000) without a waiver from the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision relating to employer contributions from special trust and federal funds, provides that, beginning July 1, 2017, the rate, expressed as a percentage of salary, shall be equal to the total employer's normal cost, expressed as a percentage of payroll. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that the court may order the sealing of the records of arrests or charges not initiated by arrest which result in an order of supervision or a conviction for a misdemeanor violation of public indecency. Provides that the court may not order the sealing of the records of arrests or charges not initiated by arrest which result in an order of supervision or a conviction for offenses under the Humane Care for Animals Act (rather than Class A misdemeanors under the Act). Eliminates multiple offenses and circumstances of the charge where records may currently be sealed. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Creates the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program Law. Provides that the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be established as a 5-year pilot project to be instituted within the Department of Corrections. Provides that the goal of the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program is to provide inmates with useful business skills for use after release from prison in an effort to reduce recidivism rates for self-motivated individuals. Provides that the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall consist of a rigorous curriculum, and participants shall be taught business skills, such as computer skills, budgeting, creating a business plan, public speaking, and realistic goal setting. Provides that inmates who successfully complete the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be awarded a Certificate of Completion. Establishes eligibility requirements for the Program. Provides that subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program may establish post-release assistance to individuals awarded a Certificate of Completion. Provides that post-release assistance may include drafting a resume and cover letter, searching for employment, networking events, or mock interviews. Provides that the funding for the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be from moneys appropriated to the Department of Corrections for this purpose. Provides that the Article is repealed 5 years after its effective date. Effective immediately.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.