Sen. Andrew Chesney

Amends the School Code. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall adopt a rule requiring informational material about testicular cancer to be provided as part of the health examination of any male child entering the ninth grade. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall develop the content of the informational material to be provided. Effective immediately.

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code and the Wildlife Code. Provides that the current fees for a fishing license, sportsmen's combination license, and hunting license are annual fees. Allows a resident to obtain a 3-year fishing license (for a fee of $45), sportsmen's combination license (for a fee of $78.75), or hunting license (for a fee of $37.50). Provides that there is no fee for an annual or 3-year fishing license, sportsmen's combination license, or hunting license for a resident Gold Star Family member. Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Program Act. Establishes the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Program within the Department of Human Services to help expand the availability of nutritious, locally grown, raised, or processed foods for Illinois' emergency food system. Provides that the program shall (1) acquire and distribute agricultural products from Illinois agricultural entities or aggregators to Illinois' emergency food system, and (2) provide grants to improve capacity of the emergency food system to allow for the proper transportation, storage, or distribution of agricultural products to underserved areas. Provides that the program shall target fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry, dairy, and eggs produced in Illinois. Provides that foods shall be surplus, seconds, or market-grade quality levels and must be safe for consumption. Provides that the program is subject to appropriation and shall dedicate no less than 75% of available funds to acquisition and distribution of food. Requires the Secretary of the Department of Human Services to engage a not-for-profit entity from Illinois' emergency food system to administer the program. Requires the administering entity to have statewide reach and represent multiple food banks that source and distribute food to Illinois food pantries and soup kitchens under the same authorities and standards as the Emergency Food Assistance Program administered by the Department. Contains provisions concerning the duties of the administering entity. Creates the Farm to Food Bank Advisory Council to provide support to the program through facilitating relationship-building and partnerships between the Illinois agricultural sector and the emergency food system and other matters. Provides that the program may distribute food to those food banks with the infrastructure to accept, store, and distribute foods through the emergency food system and with the capacity to serve significant geographic areas within Illinois. Provides that the program shall distribute capacity-building grants for facility upgrades, equipment, or other investments necessary to support the objectives of the program. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a child care credit in an amount equal to 25% of the federal tax credit for each qualifying child. Effective immediately.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that any minor 10 years of age or older arrested or taken into custody under the Act for vehicular hijacking or aggravated vehicular hijacking shall be detained in an authorized detention facility until a detention or shelter care hearing is held to determine if there is probable cause to believe that the minor is a delinquent minor and that: (1) secure custody is a matter of immediate and urgent necessity for the protection of the minor or of the person or property of another; (2) the minor is likely to flee the jurisdiction of the court; or (3) the minor was taken into custody under a warrant. Provides that, if the court makes that determination, the minor shall continue to be held until the disposition of an adjudicatory hearing under the Delinquent Minors Article of the Act. Provides that a minor who at the time of the offense was at least 16 years of age and who is charged with certain aggravated vehicular hijacking violations or certain armed robbery violations is not subject to the Act and shall be prosecuted under the criminal laws of the State.

Recognizes and applauds the historic significance of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the sovereign and independent State of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people. Reaffirms bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States, Illinois, and Israel and commits to strengthening these bonds. Commends the people of Israel for their remarkable achievements. Reaffirms support for Israel's right to defend itself against threats to its security and existence. Reaffirms enduring support for Israel as the country pursues peace. Extends best wishes to the State of Israel and its people for a peaceful and prosperous future.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may issue special registration plates to volunteer firefighters. Provides that the fee for these plates shall be the same as the fee prescribed for standard plates for first division vehicles. Provides for the issuance of permanent license plates for volunteer firefighter vehicles owned by a municipal fire department or fire protection district.

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that the Act does not apply to wages paid to all laborers, workers, and mechanics employed by or on behalf of public body for work performed on a public works project with a total cost of $20,000 or less if the public body notifies the Department of Labor of each project for which the waiver is used within 60 days before commencing the project. Provides that the Department shall make available a form with which public bodies may make this notification. Provides that the Department shall submit an annual report detailing the number of projects for which the waiver was used in the preceding year, the total number of employees engaged in those projects, the total cost of those projects without using prevailing wage standards, the total cost of those projects using prevailing wage standards, and any other information the Department deems appropriate. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Requires a school board to adopt a policy to ensure that the parent or guardian of a student is provided with an opportunity to review the curricula and learning material used in the student's classroom at any point during the school year if the parent or guardian requests to review the curricula and learning material. Requires the policy to be published in the student handbook and on the school district's Internet website if one is maintained. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish and administer an annual program to award property tax relief to property taxpayers within school districts in the State. Provides that the State Board of Education shall work with county clerk's offices in the State to determine the amount given to each property taxpayer. Provides that moneys awarded to property taxpayers shall be distributed pro rata based on the amount the property taxpayer paid in tax in the previous fiscal year. Creates the Education Property Tax Relief Fund for the purpose of making appropriations for the grant program. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.