Sen. Linda Holmes

Amends the Pupils Article of the School Code. In provisions regarding compulsory school age, provides that a student absent from a school in which the student is regularly enrolled shall be considered as being in attendance if the reason for such absence is to participate in scheduled Future Farmers of America Organization and 4-H programs as part of organized competitions or exhibitions. Provides that the student and parent or legal guardian shall be responsible for obtaining assignments missed while the student was participating in such an activity from the student's teacher.

Creates the Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2026, a farm owner or operator shall not knowingly confine an egg-laying hen in an enclosure that: (i) is not a cage-free housing system; or (ii) has less than the amount of usable floor space per hen required by the 2017 edition of the United Egg Producers' Animal Husbandry Guidelines for U.S. Egg-Laying Flocks: Guidelines for Cage-Free Housing. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, a business owner or operator shall not knowingly sell any shell egg or egg products that the business owner or operator knows or should know was produced by an egg-laying hen that was confined in a manner that conflicts with the requirements in the Act. Provides for exemptions from the requirements of the Act. Provides that a business owner or operator of a farm shall not be liable under the Act if the business owner or operator relied upon, in good faith, a written certification by the supplier that the shell eggs or egg products were not derived from an egg-laying hen that was confined in a manner that conflicts with the Act. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to administer and enforce the Act. Authorizes the Director of Agriculture to adopt rules necessary to administer the Act. Sets forth requirements to certify shell eggs and egg products as compliant with the Act. Provides for a civil penalty of $2,000 per violation per day.

Amends the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act. Allows the board of a forest preserve district to establish a special forest preserve district retailers' occupation tax and service occupation tax after referendum of the voters. Allows the tax to used exclusively for general purposes, including education, outdoor recreation, maintenance, operations, public safety at the forest preserves, trails, acquiring and restoring land, and any other lawful purposes or programs determined by the board of that district. Includes referendum language and additional ballot informational language. Incorporates provisions from the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to implement the tax. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Special Forest Preserve Retailers' and Service Occupation Tax Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning holidays, provides that no deduction shall be made from the time or compensation of a school employee, including an educational support personnel employee, on account of any legal or special holiday during which time the employee is contractually employed (instead of on account of any legal or special holiday in which that employee would have otherwise been scheduled to work but for the legal or special holiday).

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a deputy sheriff applicant who is a veteran and who was discharged honorably or generally under honorable conditions no later than 6 months before applying may request examination to occur before the next scheduled examination date and, if requested, may be examined as soon as possible prior to the next examination date following receipt of the application. Provides that, once the applicant passes the examination and all other requirements to be on an eligibility list, the applicant shall be immediately placed on the eligibility list. Provides that nothing in the provisions waives eligibility for the applicant to receive military preference points during the application process or employment.

Amends the Use Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that no person may sell, offer for sale, barter, or give away as a pet or novelty any hermit crab or goldfish that has been dyed, colored, or otherwise treated to impart an artificial color. Provides that a violation is a Class B misdemeanor.

Amends the Childhood Hunger Relief Act. Provides that for all schools operating a school breakfast program, the State Board of Education shall collect information about whether the school is operating a breakfast after the bell program and, if so, what breakfast after the bell model the school operates, including breakfast in the classroom, second chance breakfast, and grab and go breakfast. Provides that the State Board of Education shall make this data publicly available annually. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall award grants of up to $7,000 per school site on a competitive basis to eligible schools, school districts, or entities approved by the State Board of Education for nonrecurring expenses incurred in initiating a school breakfast after the bell program. Sets forth what the grants may be used for and who gets preference for a grant.

Amends the Illinois Pesticide Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall produce ethanol using seeds that have been treated with a pesticide.

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.