Sen. Doris Turner

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial memorial resolution (SR 7) honoring Clyde E. Bunch, a longtime Sangamon County Board member who served 46 years - the longest tenure of any Illinois county board member. The resolution formally expresses the Illinois Senate's condolences to his family and community following his death on December 3, 2024. It recognizes his 30-year public health career, military service, and decades of volunteer work with organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As a memorial resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any policies or individuals.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 9) honoring Howard E. Buoy Sr., a Decatur resident who died on December 21, 2024. The resolution commemorates his life, noting his 60-year career at Archer Daniels Midland (rising to senior vice president), military service in WWII, community involvement (including the Lions Club and Democratic Party), and family. It expresses the Illinois Senate's condolences to his family and survivors, including nine grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and others. As a memorial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on legislation or constituents.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the fourth day of August of each year shall be designated as Eva Carroll Monroe Recognition Day, to be observed throughout the State as a day to honor and celebrate Eva Carroll Monroe's legacy and her work on behalf of orphaned Black children during the harsh times of the Jim Crow era. Effective immediately.

Maddy summarySB 129, titled "Workforce Development Act," is a procedural bill that only establishes the short title for future workforce development legislation. It contains no substantive policy provisions or mechanisms, as confirmed by the bill text stating it "contains only a short title provision." The bill does not create new programs, affect specific groups, or outline any concrete changes. It was filed on January 17, 2025, and referred to committee, but its current form does not directly impact any stakeholders or policies. The "TECH" in the bill's title does not reflect any content in the current text.

Resolves that, for the 104th General Assembly, Tim Anderson is elected Secretary of the Senate, Scott Kaiser is elected Assistant Secretary of the Senate, Claricel "Joe" Dominguez is elected Sergeant-at-Arms, and Dirk Eilers is elected Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms.

Creates the Medicaid Expansion of Network Providers for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Task Force Act. Establishes the Medicaid Expansion of Network Providers for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Task Force to develop and propose policies to increase the State's Medicaid provider networks to give Medicaid clients more provider choice for their health care needs. Provides that the Task Force shall work toward creating solutions to streamline the State's Medicaid system, making it more efficient, and making it easier to use while improving the overall quality of care. Contains provisions concerning the Task Force's composition and meetings. Requires the Department of Human Services to provide administrative support to the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to report its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the General Assembly by December 31, 2025. Repeals the Act on July 1, 2026.

Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Kinship in Demand (KIND) Act. Provides that the KIND Act creates the statutory vision and authority for the Department of Children and Family Services to execute a kin-first approach to service delivery and directs the juvenile courts to provide necessary oversight of the Department's obligations to maintain family connections and promote equitable opportunities for youth and families to thrive with relational permanence. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Contains provisions concerning Department rules on relative, kinship, and licensed foster care; grants to subsidized guardians of hard-to-place children; a requirement on the Department to make reasonable efforts to place a child with a relative; documentation of the Department's reasons for failing to secure a relative placement; foster care maintenance payments for relatives who qualify for certification as a kinship caregiver home; subsidized guardianship support services for children and their guardians; certification and background checks on relative caregivers; annual reports regarding relative and kinship care placements; performance audits; and other matters. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Requires the Department to adopt standards for certifying kinship caregiver family homes that are different from licensing standards used for non-relative foster family homes. Contains provisions concerning background screenings of prospective kinship caregivers; a requirement that the Department assist relatives and prospective kinship caregivers with completing the steps required for approval as a kinship caregiver home; orientation activities for prospective kinship caregivers; Guardianship Assistance Program payments and services for relative caregivers; and other matters. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Makes changes to provisions concerning "best interest" determinations; emergency placement of a minor with a willing relative pending a temporary custody hearing; court assessments on the Department's effort to place a minor with a relative; court ordered family-finding efforts; required notification to a minor's located relatives that the minor has been removed from the custody of the minor's parents; and other matters. Effective immediately.

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. In provisions concerning criminal background investigations, provides that a child care facility may authorize the Department of Children and Family Services or a third-party vendor to complete the investigation. Provides that an applicant is determined to have completed the criminal background investigation when he or she has completed and submitted authorization for the performance of a criminal background investigation by either the Department or a third party contracted to perform the criminal background investigation. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the State Agency Web Site Act. Provides that State agency web sites may not use persistent (instead of permanent) cookies or other tracking software except in specific circumstances. Repeals provisions establishing the Internet Privacy Task Force. Makes conforming changes.

Creates the Nonopioid Alternatives for Pain Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to develop and publish an educational pamphlet regarding the use of nonopioid alternatives for pain treatment. Provides that a health care practitioner shall exercise professional judgment in selecting appropriate treatment modalities for pain in accordance with specified Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, including the use of nonopioid alternatives whenever nonopioid alternatives exist. Requires a health care practitioner who prescribes an opioid drug to provide certain information to the patient, discuss certain topics, and document the reasons for the prescription. Requires the Department to develop a nonopioid directive form for patients. Sets forth provisions concerning exceptions, execution of a nonopioid directive, opioid administration to a patient with a nonopioid directive, and limitations of liability. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that when a licensed health care practitioner prescribes a nonopioid medication for the treatment of acute pain, it shall be unlawful for a health insurance issuer to deny coverage of the nonopioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug or to require the patient to try an opioid prescription drug before providing coverage. Provides that in establishing and maintaining its drug formulary, a health insurance issuer shall ensure that no nonopioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment or management of pain shall be disadvantaged or discouraged, with respect to coverage or cost sharing, relative to any opioid or narcotic drug for the treatment or management of pain. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that whenever a licensed health care practitioner prescribes a nonopioid medication for the treatment of acute pain, neither the Department of Healthcare and Family Services nor a managed care organization shall deny coverage of the nonopioid prescription drug in favor of an opioid prescription drug or require a patient to try an opioid prescription drug prior to providing coverage of the nonopioid prescription drug. Makes other changes.