Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Creates the Teacher Loan Repayment Program. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall consider applications for forgiving portions of qualified applicant's education loans each year. Provides that 10% of the applicant's yearly loan balance shall be forgiven each year for 5 years or until 50% of the applicant's outstanding balance at the time of the initial application is paid off. Effective July 1, 2024.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and maintain a centralized database to be known as the Early Childhood Data Center for the purpose of collecting and compiling early childhood information that will help the State and early childhood providers better assess and create solutions for problems identified in early childhood, health, education, and child well-being. Provides that the Early Childhood Data Center shall collect and compile, at a minimum, data on early childhood physical and mental health measures, school enrollment and academic performance, and family demographics. Requires early childhood providers, school administrators, and medical personnel to submit the data to the Early Childhood Data Center in a form and manner prescribed by the Department. Provides that no personally identifiable information shall be included in any data submitted to and compiled by the Early Childhood Data Center. Authorizes the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement the Early Childhood Data Center, including, but not limited to, rules on reporting deadlines, the relevant agencies or individuals required to report, and the manner in which the data is compiled and made accessible to early childhood providers.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State to issue special registration plates designated as United States Submarine Veterans plates to residents of this State who served in the United States Navy as a submariner.

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. In provisions concerning the directory of new hires, provides that the definition of "newly hired employee" includes an individual under an independent contractor arrangement. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions granting a homestead exemption to veterans with disabilities, provides that property that is used as a qualified residence by a veteran who was a member of the United States Armed Forces during World War II is exempt from taxation regardless of the veteran's level of disability. Provides that a veteran who qualifies as a result of his or her service in World War II need not reapply for the exemption. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Banking Act. In provisions concerning customer financial records and confidentiality, provides that the language does not prohibit the furnishing of financial information to the executor, executrix, administrator, or other lawful representative of the estate of a customer. Amends the Savings Bank Act. Provides that the provisions do not prohibit the furnishing of financial information to the executor, executrix, administrator, or other lawful representative of the estate of a customer. Amends the Illinois Credit Union Act. Provides that the provisions do not prohibit the furnishing of financial information to the executor, executrix, administrator, or other lawful representative of the estate of a member. Amends the Illinois Trust and Payable on Death Accounts Act. Provides that any holder of an account may elect a per stirpes distribution option to the descendants of a natural person beneficiary if the beneficiary predeceases the last surviving holder of the account. Makes other changes. Amends the Financial Institutions Electronic Documents and Digital Signature Act. In provisions concerning electronic notices, provides that consent to electronic transactions given by the customer pursuant to the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act shall satisfy applicable consent requirements. Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that any person doing business or performing transactions on behalf of or at the direction of an executor or administrator with a will annexed shall be entitled to the presumption that the executor or administrator with the will annexed is lawfully authorized to conduct the business or perform the transaction without such person investigating the source of the authority and without verifying that the actions of the executor or administrator with the will annexed comply with a will or any order of the probate court, unless such person has actual knowledge to the contrary.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district must employ a sufficient number of school nurses to address the needs of the school district's students, but no less than a student-to-nurse ratio of 750 to 1. Provides that consideration for school nurse staffing should include the complex health needs of students, needs for continuous professional nursing services, the number of free and reduced lunch students in a school building, and the average number of medical emergencies at a school per year. Provides that a school district must employ a sufficient number of school psychologists to address the needs of the school district's students and schools, but no less than a student-to-social worker ratio of 500 to 1. Effective June 30, 2023.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. In the Abused, Neglected, or Dependent Minors Article of the Act, provides that, within 30 (Instead of 35) days after placing a child in its care in a qualified residential treatment program, as defined by the federal Social Security Act, the Department of Children and Family Services shall prepare a written report for filing with the court and send copies of the report to all parties (rather than filing a written report with the court and send copies of the report to all parties). Provides that, within 20 days of the filing of the report, or as soon thereafter as the court's schedule allows but not more than 60 days from the date of placement, the court shall hold a hearing to consider the Department's report and determine whether placement of the child in a qualified residential treatment program provides the most effective and appropriate level of care for the child in the least restrictive environment and if the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the permanency plan for the child.

Declares February 2023 as Career and Technical Education Month to celebrate Career and Technical Education across the State of Illinois.

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Prohibits a legislator from engaging in compensated lobbying of the governing body of a municipality, county, or township, or an official thereof, or the executive branch of the State of Illinois, or an official thereof. Effective immediately.