Declares March 27, 2019 as Elderly Women of Wisdom Day in Illinois to honor all women residing in skilled nursing facilities for their lifelong service to their families and communities.
Amends the Freedom of Information Act to provide that in the case of sexual assault or sexual abuse by a school district employee or volunteer, nothing in the Act prohibits a school district from disclosing the disciplinary records of that person. Amends the School Code to require a school board to report all credible cases of sexual assault or sexual abuse by a licensed educator to the State Board of Education, to establish a hearing procedure for student victims, and to ensure that a licensed educator under investigation by the State Superintendent of Education is reassigned to non-classroom duty. Provides that, beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, the State Board of Education must monitor all fingerprint-based criminal history records checks and any other database checks conducted by a school district or regional superintendent for applicants for employment with a school district. Makes changes concerning educator licensure and allegations of physical or sexual abuse. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to create the criminal offense of sexual conduct or sexual relations with a student by an authority figure. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 to require an arresting enforcement agency to share its reports pertaining to the arrest of a licensed educator with the superintendent of any school district that employs the educator (or, in the case of the arrest of a superintendent, with the school board of any school district that employs the superintendent). Amends the Personnel Record Review Act to provide that the Act does not prohibit a school district from divulging internal investigative findings and discipline to another school district. Effective immediately.
Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Prohibits an employer from: (i) screening job applicants based on their wage or salary history, (ii) requiring that an applicant's prior wages satisfy minimum or maximum criteria, and (iii) requesting or requiring as a condition of being interviewed or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment that an applicant disclose prior wages or salary. Prohibits an employer from seeking the salary, including benefits or other compensation or salary history, of a job applicant from any current or former employer, with some exceptions. Limits defenses. Provides for penalties and injunctive relief. Effective 60 days after becoming law.
Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that if a person or entity fails or refuses to pay an administrative fine imposed by the Department of Agriculture for a violation of the Act, the Department may prohibit that person or entity from renewing a license under the Act until the fine is paid in full. Provides that any penalty of $500 or more not paid within 120 days of issuance by the Department shall be submitted to the Department of Revenue for collection as provided under the Illinois State Collection Act of 1986. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that with respect to employers correctly classified within the construction industry, the amount charged to the insured for workers' compensation and employers' liability insurance shall be based upon hours worked by employees in specific job categories or classifications, not the wages or salaries paid to the employees. Makes technical changes.
Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Increases the fee schedule for licenses and license renewal under the Act. Provides a $50 fee for additional licenses issued to the same licensee.
Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code. Provides that the State Charter School Commission has no authority to renew a charter, and removes provisions allowing the Commission to reverse a school board's decision to deny, revoke, or not renew a charter; makes related changes. Provides that if a charter school applicant submits a proposal to a school board outside of the process adopted by that school board for receiving charter school proposals on an annual basis, the applicant shall not have any right to submit its proposal to the Commission as otherwise authorized. Allows the Commission to approve an application for a charter if certain conditions are met. Provides that the Commission may condition approval of an application on the acceptance of funding in an amount less than requested. Provides that final decisions of the Commission are subject to judicial review under the Administrative Review Law. Provides that if the Commission approves an application for a charter school, then the Commission shall act as the authorized chartering entity. Provides that if the Commission is the authorized chartering entity, then the Commission shall execute a charter agreement (instead of approve the charter agreement). Provides that the Commission has no authority to approve a charter school proposal that has been denied by a school board. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits unlawful use of an animal (currently, this provision only covers elephants) in a traveling animal act when he or she knowingly allows for the participation of an animal in a traveling animal act. Unlawful use of an animal in a traveling animal act is a Class A misdemeanor. Defines "animal". Effective July 1, 2019.
Amends the Illinois Pesticide Act. Increases the first offense penalty for applying pesticides without a license, misrepresenting certification, failing to comply with conditions of an agrichemical facility permit, failing to comply with the conditions of a written authorization for land application of agrichemical contaminated soils or groundwater, or for constructing or operating without an agrichemical facility permit after receiving written notification from $500 to $750. Increases the subsequent offense penalty for these violations from $1,000 to $1,500. Makes various changes to the violation point structure used for assessing administrative penalties for violations of the Act and rules, including increasing the monetary penalties by specified amounts and adding a $500 penalty for a 12 to 13 point violation.
Declares the week of March 10 through March 16, 2019 as Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. Encourages municipalities and media organizations to participate in Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. Recognizes those living with MS, their families, and the healthcare professionals and medical researchers who provide assistance to those affected by MS.
