Sen. Neil Anderson

Amends the School Code and various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. With respect to the requirement that the events of Black History be taught in every public elementary school and high school, provides that a student may not complete the 8th grade or graduate from high school without studying this material and that a school may meet this requirement through an online program or course. Requires every public institution of higher education and community college to offer a course studying the events of Black History. Allows public institutions of higher education and community colleges to meet the requirement by offering an online course.

Amends the Service Member Residential Property Act. Provides that if a service member who has entered into certain residential leases is killed in action or while on active duty, then the immediate family or dependents of the service member may terminate the lease. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Provides that a non-veteran spouse shall only have the same priority for admission to a Veterans Home as a veteran if the non-veteran spouse and his or her veteran spouse are admitted at the same time to live together at the Veterans Home. Makes corresponding changes in provisions concerning the admission of a spouse to the Illinois Veterans Homes at Anna or Quincy.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Makes changes to provisions concerning the licensure powers of the State Board of Education, the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board (including adding 2 members), types of licenses (including removing and adding certain endorsements on an educator license with stipulations), endorsements on professional educator licenses, educator testing, the minimum requirements for educators trained in other states or countries, application fees, license renewal, the Alternative Educator Licensure Program for Teachers, alternative route to superintendent endorsement programs, and the approval of educator preparation institutions. Effective July 1, 2018.

Amends the Illinois Fire Protection Training Act. Provides that the Office of the State Fire Marshal (rather than, not later than May 30th of each year, from funds appropriated for this purpose) shall reimburse the local governmental agencies or individuals participating in the training program in an amount equaling one-half of the total sum paid by them during the period established by the Office for tuition at training schools, salary of trainees while in school, necessary travel expenses, and room and board for each trainee from funds appropriated for this purpose. Provides that if a National Fire Protection Association standard exists for various criteria identified under the Act, the Office shall utilize and adopt, by procedures, directives, or rules that standard or those standards as the minimum standard requirements for that criteria. Provides that the Office shall establish procedures for the adoption of those applicable National Fire Protection Association standards. Provides that the Office may, in its discretion, adopt, amend, and repeal in part or in their entirety those procedures, directives, or rules as may be necessary to carry out the Act. Makes other changes.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that a consumer reporting agency may not impose a charge on a consumer for placing a freeze, removing a freeze, or temporarily lifting a freeze. Makes corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of George W. Kern of Colona.

Mourns the death of Steven A. Sheldon of Hillsdale.

Mourns the death of Robert Charles Van Oteghem of Moline.

Mourns the death of Vernon L. Goodman of Moline.