Sen. Dave Koehler

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program, provides that in addition to other monetary assistance and incentives, if adequate funds are available, retention bonuses of $4,000 per year for 2 consecutive years shall be awarded to National Board certified teachers employed in hard-to-staff schools. This bonus shall be distributed to the respective school district or directly to the qualified educators. Provides that the State Board of Education's annual budget shall set out a separate line item for the appropriation of this bonus.

Creates the Illinois Waterway Ports Commission Act. Provides that the Illinois Waterway Ports Commission is created and shall exercise jurisdiction with respect to the duties and powers delegated to it under the Act within the following port districts and counties: the Seneca Regional Port District, the Ottawa Port District, the Illinois Valley Regional Port District, the Heart of Illinois Regional Port District, and the Havana Port District and Fulton, Mason, Tazewell, Peoria, Woodford, Marshall, Putnam, Bureau, LaSalle, and Grundy counties. Provides that the Commission shall (1) coordinate and synchronize common efforts and initiatives in the Commission area to enhance the reporting and benefits of statistical data; (2) make recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, Congress, and federal agencies on regional issues that impact multimodal transportation, economic development, environmental sustainability, and climate resiliency of the Commission area; (3) coordinate and synchronize common efforts and initiatives on the larger Illinois Waterway with the Mid-America Port Commission and the Joliet Regional Port District; (4) coordinate and synchronize federal activities associated with the nonfederal sponsorship of the M-55 Illinois-Gulf Marine Highway; and (5) request and assist in requesting funding for the Commission area and the surrounding areas, as the Commission deems necessary. Includes provisions relating to the organization of the Commission and the Commission's powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that the written collaborative agreement between a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches and an advanced practice registered nurse shall be for services for which the collaborating physician can provide adequate collaboration (rather than for services in the same area of practice or specialty as the collaborating physician in his or her clinical medical practice).

Amends the Legislative Commission Reorganization Act of 1984. Repeals provisions concerning a now obsolete advisory committee known as the Advisory Committee on Block Grants. Amends the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability Act. Authorizes the deadline for the Commission to complete its annual summary report on State appropriations to be extended if State appropriations have not been enacted by July 1 of a State fiscal year. Provides that the Commission's report on estimated State income must be issued on the third Wednesday in March or within 14 days after the Governor's budget address, whichever is later (rather than on the third Wednesday in March). Effective immediately.

Amends the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act. Provides that a soil and water conservation district may request that the Department of Transportation install a sign related to the district on an existing or new Department sign post or pole in a public right-of-way. Provides that the Department must manufacture and install the sign and that the district must reimburse the Department only for the reasonable cost of manufacturing the sign.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that, as part of transition planning, a school district shall provide a student and the parent or guardian of the student (instead of just the student) with information about the district's career and technical education opportunities. Provides that a student and the parent or guardian of the student shall be provided with information about dual credit courses offered by the school district. Provides that if the student is enrolled in a dual credit course for dual credit or for high school credit only, the student's participation in the course shall be included as part of the student's transition Individualized Education Program activities. Effective immediately.

Amends the Hospice Program Licensing Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Task Force Act. Creates the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall be composed of 12 appointed members and the State's Chief Behavioral Health Officer, or the Officer's representative. Provides that the 2 Task Force co-chairs shall appoint experts to contribute and participate in the Task Force as nonvoting members. Provides for meetings of the Task Force and responsibilities relating to examination of the first year of implementation and use of the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Illinois. Requires the development of an action plan with specified recommendations to be filed with the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2023. Includes legislative findings. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2025. Effective immediately.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Provides for the repeal of the Illinois Public Accounting Act on January 1, 2029 (rather than January 1, 2024). Amends the Illinois Public Accounting Act. 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 a license application shall have an applicant's federal individual taxpayer identification number. Provides that all CPA firms or sole practitioners required to undergo a peer review shall submit to the Department peer review reports; letters of response, if applicable; acceptance letters; letters signed by the reviewed CPA firm accepting the peer review documents with the understanding that the CPA firm agrees to take certain actions, if applicable; and letters notifying the reviewed CPA firm that certain required actions have been completed, if applicable. Provides that the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation shall appoint a full-time CPA Coordinator. Provides that the hearing officer shall report the hearing officer's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Committee (rather than to the Committee and the Secretary). Removes a provision providing that exhibits shall be certified without cost. Makes corresponding and other changes. Specifies that the changes made to the Regulatory Sunset Act take effect immediately.

Amends the Auction License Act, the Community Association Manager Licensing and Disciplinary Act, Home Inspector License Act, Real Estate License Act of 2000, Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Act of 2002, and the Appraisal Management Company Registration Act. Makes changes in provisions including: definitions; expiration, renewal, and continuing education; restoration; fees and disposition of funds; disciplinary actions and grounds; investigations, notice, and hearing; findings and recommendations; restoration of license; scope and standards of practice; and the various relevant boards. Provides for cease and desist orders, statute of limitations, licensing of auction schools, and course approval in the Auction License Act. Makes other changes.