Sen. Rachel Ventura

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Appropriates $20,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services to implement Public Act 102-522 and provide grants to local school districts and community organizations for comprehensive personal health and safety education in kindergarten through the 5th grade and comprehensive sexual health education in the 6th through 12th grades. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that persons shall not be determined ineligible for cash assistance provided under the General Assistance Article of the Code based upon a conviction for any drug-related felony under State or federal law. In provisions concerning General Assistance, provides that a local governmental unit may provide assistance to households under its General Assistance program following a disaster proclamation issued by the Governor if the local governmental unit is within the area designated under the proclamation. Provides that a local governmental unit may provide assistance under its General Assistance program under a service that complies with a specified provision of the Township Code. Provides that before a local government provides assistance, the board of the local government shall approve the expenditures of such assistance in accordance with the provisions of the General Assistance Article of the Code. Amends the Township Code. In provisions concerning the expenditure of township funds, expands the type of health services that may be provided with township funds to include mental, behavioral, eye, dental, or other healthcare. Provides that the township board may approve the application of a different, publicly available, professionally or academically recognized standard of need in determining eligibility for subsidized day care.

Appropriates $15,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for costs associated with the Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program Act. Effective July 1, 2023.

Creates the Tickborne Disease Prevention and Protection Act. Presents legislative findings. Requires the Department of Public Health, in conjunction with the medical entomology lab of the Prairie Research Institute's Illinois Natural History Survey and a statewide association representing physicians, to develop protocols and best practices for identifying, diagnosing, and treating tickborne diseases in Illinois and a mandatory accredited continuing medical education course that describes those protocols and best practices. Provides that the Department shall require health care professionals and laboratories to report cases of tickborne disease to each other and the Department. Directs the Department to train local health departments to respond to tickborne disease-related inquiries. Requires the Department to prepare a report of all efforts undertaken by the Department under the Act.

Amends the School Code. Provides that all school districts shall provide instruction on relaxation activities such as yoga or meditation for at least one half-period of the school day to enhance both mental and physical health of students.

Creates the Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall prepare and maintain a comprehensive Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant plan for the preservation and enhancement of forests, prairies, and wetlands in Illinois. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources, pursuant to the comprehensive plan and subject to appropriation, shall establish and administer a Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant Program to restore degraded forest lands and native prairies, and to promote the growth of native vegetation that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help to mitigate the impact of climate change. Provides that units of local government are eligible to submit a grant proposal in a format and at a time prescribed by the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that grants may be used by units of local government to fund: (1) local projects restoring or expanding forests, wetlands, prairies, or other natural landscapes demonstrated to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; (2) education and marketing regarding local projects or steps community members may take to promote the growth of native vegetation that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; and (3) any other purpose approved by the Department of Natural Resources that advances the State goal that there be no overall net loss of the State's existing forest, prairie, or wetland acres or their functional value due to State-supported activities. Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act and the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.

Creates the Redefining Science in Elementary Schools Task Force Act. Sets forth the members of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall identify age-appropriate education for anatomy, physiology, and nutrition for each grade K-8. Provides that the Task Force shall use this knowledge to craft anatomy, physiology, and nutrition curriculum that allows students to learn about the human body. Provides that the curriculum shall be primarily focused on empowering students with the knowledge to adequately understand their own body and care for their own health and well-being throughout their lives. Provides that members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides that the Task Force shall meet a minimum of 6 times, starting on August 1, 2023. Provides that by December 15, 2024, the Task Force shall produce a report for recommendations on grade K-8 anatomy, physiology, and nutrition and submit the report to the Governor, State Board of Education, and the General Assembly. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2025. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Sustainable Investing Act. Provides that, effective January 1, 2024, every investment manager shall comply with annual disclosure requirements that will require the investment manager to provide a description of the process through which the manager will prudently integrate sustainability factors into its investment decision-making, investment analysis, portfolio construction, due diligence, and investment ownership in order to maximize anticipated financial returns, identify and minimize projected risk, and execute its fiduciary duties more effectively. Provides that the investment manager shall provide the annual disclosure to each public agency, pension fund, retirement system, or governmental unit for whom the investment manager is acting as a fiduciary or seeking selection as a fiduciary prior to acting in this capacity and at least annually thereafter. Provides that annual disclosures shall be submitted by January 31st of every year after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Defines "investment manager".

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning pap tests and prostate cancer screenings, provides that required coverage includes an annual cervical smear or Pap smear test for all (rather than female) insureds. Provides that required coverage includes an annual prostate cancer screening for insureds (rather than male insureds) upon the recommendation of a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches for specified individuals. Provides that required coverage includes an annual prostate cancer screening for insureds who are age 40 and over with a genetic predisposition to prostate cancer.