Sen. Sally Turner

Amends the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall issue a waiver of the 100-hour supervised field work requirement for a licensed speech-language pathology assistant who completed a program of study that includes general education and the specific knowledge and skills for a speech-language pathology assistant in a state in which the 100-hour requirement is not required if, in the opinion of the Department, the person has completed comparable work in the field equal to that completed in a speech-language pathology assistant program in the State.

Amends the Illinois State Police Act. Provides that the collegiate educational requirements for being appointed an Illinois State Police officer are met if the person: (1) has been honorably discharged by the United States Armed Forces and has been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), or Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, in addition to other specified medals; or (2) is an active member of the Illinois National Guard or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces and who has been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), or Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, in addition to other specified medals, as a result of honorable service during deployment on active duty. Provides that the collegiate educational requirements are satisfied by having at least 3 years of full active and continuous United States Armed Forces (rather than military) duty, which shall also include a period of active duty with the State of Illinois under Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code pursuant to an order of the President or the Governor of the State of Illinois, and receiving an honorable discharge before hiring.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that the State Long Term Care Ombudsman shall be notified when a resident is involuntarily transferred or discharged from a facility. Makes corresponding changes.

Amends provisions of the Lyme Disease Prevention and Protection Act concerning the Lyme Disease Task Force. Provides that one veterinarian appointed to the Task Force by the Director of Public Health must be a practicing Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Adds one medical entomologist appointed by the Director of Public Health to the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to meet not less than 4 (rather than 2) times each year.

Amends the Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Act. Provides that a pharmacist may sell fentanyl test strips over-the-counter to the public to test for the presence of fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, or a drug adulterant within a controlled substance. Provides that a county health department may distribute fentanyl test strips at the county health department facility for no fee. Amends the Drug Paraphernalia Control Act. Provides that "drug paraphernalia" does not include equipment, products, or materials to analyze or test for the presence of fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, or a drug adulterant within a controlled substance.

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that school districts shall provide instruction on the dangers of fentanyl. Specifies the elements of the instruction. Provides that students shall be assessed on the fentanyl instruction.

Amends the Firearms Restraining Order Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

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

Amends the Recorder Division of the Counties Code. Removes a requirement that a recorder be commissioned by the Governor. Provides that the chief deputy recorder (rather than the deputy recorder) shall be the recorder when the elected recorder is in active military service and that the chief deputy recorder shall receive the same compensation as the recorder during this time unless already receiving higher compensation than the recorder. Allows storage of certain information or documents in databases rather than only in books. Removes provisions repealing a Section concerning a mechanics lien demand and referral pilot program that would have otherwise repealed on January 1, 2024. Provides that the recorder may accept facsimile or other photographic or photostatic copies of the signatures of parties executing documents without labeling those signatures as copies if they are digital signatures offered in compliance with federal or State law. In provisions relating to documents received stating that a mortgage or lien is to be filed but not recorded, provides that the document will be marked filed only upon payment of a fee equal to what would be charged if the document were to be recorded. Provides that a recorder may waive the fee for additional copies of certificates of discharge or release from active duty if the recorder deems collecting the fee to be a burden to the county and the fee is waived for all requesting copies of these documents. Removes and repeals provisions relating to the time for opening and closing the recorder's office. Increases the fee for violations relating to recording a map, plat, or subdivision of land to $1,000 (rather than $200). Replaces pronouns with gender-neutral terms. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.