Sen. Christopher Belt

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides for the reinstatement of a lapsed Professional Educator License upon the payment by the applicant of a $50 penalty (rather than a $500 penalty). Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that licensees who are retired and qualify for benefits from a State of Illinois retirement system shall be listed as retired (instead of shall notify the State Board of Education using the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS)). Provides that if a licensee retires during a renewal cycle, the license status must be updated using ELIS indicating that the licensee wishes to maintain the license in retired status (instead of requiring the licensee to notify the State Board of Education using ELIS that the licensee wishes to maintain the license in retired status). Provides that an individual with a license in retired status shall not be required to complete professional development activities (rather than shall not be required to complete professional development activities or pay registration fees) until returning to a position that requires educator licensure. Provides that upon returning to work in a position that requires a Professional Educator License, the license status shall immediately be updated using ELIS (instead of the licensee shall immediately pay a registration fee). Provides that a retired teacher, even if returning to a position that requires educator licensure, shall not be required to pay registration fees.

Amends the School Code. With respect to the removal or dismissal of teachers and principals, removes a provision that specifies that if the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency pursuant to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, pre-hearing and hearing requirements are paused and do not begin to toll until the proclamation is no longer in effect. Requires any teacher or principal who has been charged with engaging in acts of corporal punishment, physical abuse, grooming, or sexual misconduct and who previously paused pre-hearing procedures or a hearing pursuant to Public Act 101-643 to proceed with the selection of a hearing officer or hearing date; allows the parties to mutually waive timelines. Provides that all timelines in cases concerning corporal punishment, physical abuse, grooming, or sexual misconduct shall be reset to begin the day after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that any teacher or principal charged with engaging in acts of corporal punishment, physical abuse, grooming, or sexual misconduct on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act may not pause pre-hearing procedures or a hearing. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Allows a child's individualized education program (IEP) team to determine whether the special education program of a school district is unable to meet the needs of a child with a disability. Provides that the financial responsibility and reimbursement of the resident district of a child with a disability applies to both nonpublic special education facilities that are approved by the State Board of Education and nonpublic special education facilities that are not approved by the State Board of Education. Requires that a nonpublic special education facility providing services to demonstrate proof to the State Board of Education of (i) appropriate certification of teachers for the student population, (ii) age-appropriate curriculum, (iii) enrollment and attendance data, and (iv) the ability to implement the child's IEP. Sets forth provisions concerning requests for approval by the State Board of Education of a nonpublic special education facility. Provides that the Community and Residential Service Authority has the power to make final determinations regarding the approval of nonpublic special education facilities. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/14-7.05 105 ILCS 5/14-15.01 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Allows a student's (instead of child's) individualized education program (IEP) team to determine whether the special education program of a school district is unable to meet the needs of a child with a disability. Provides that the financial responsibility and reimbursement of the resident district of a child with a disability applies to emergency placements in nonpublic special education facilities that are not approved by the State Board of Education. Provides that a school district may place a student in a nonpublic special education facility providing educational services within the facility, but not approved by the State Board of Education, under specified circumstances. Removes provisions that provide that a school district has no obligation to pay a residential facility unless and until specified proof is provided to the satisfaction of the State Board of Education. Removes provisions that provide that if the State Board of Education denies approval in writing or does not respond to a facility's or resident district's request for approval within 10 days after the request is submitted to the State Board of Education, the matter shall be referred to the Community and Residential Services Authority, which shall make the determination and notify the facility or resident district and the State Board of Education within 10 days after the Authority receives the referral. Provides that emergency placement in an approved facility may continue so long as (i) the student's IEP team determines annually that such placement continues to be appropriate to meet the student's needs and (ii) at least every 3 years following the student's placement, the IEP team reviews appropriate placements approved by the State Board of Education. Removes changes to provisions concerning placement in a residential facility and payment of educational costs and provisions concerning the Community and Residential Services Authority. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the credit for expenditures incurred in the restoration and preservation of a qualified historic structure located in a River Edge Redevelopment Zone applies for taxable years ending prior to January 1, 2027 (currently January 1, 2022). Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 35 ILCS 5/221 Adds reference to: 35 ILCS 10/5-5 35 ILCS 10/5-15 35 ILCS 10/5-20 35 ILCS 10/5-77 65 ILCS 115/10-3 35 ILCS 5/213 35 ILCS 16/10 35 ILCS 16/42 35 ILCS 16/46 new 30 ILCS 105/5.970 new 35 ILCS 17/10-20 35 ILCS 105/3-5.1 new 35 ILCS 105/3-10 35 ILCS 105/3-41 35 ILCS 105/3-42.5 new 35 ILCS 110/3-10 from Ch. 120, par. 439.33-10 35 ILCS 115/3-10 from Ch. 120, par. 439.103-10 35 ILCS 120/2-10 35 ILCS 505/3d new 35 ILCS 5/223 35 ILCS 105/3-8 35 ILCS 110/3-8 35 ILCS 115/3-8 35 ILCS 120/2-9 35 ILCS 5/704A 5 ILCS 100/5-45.21 new 30 ILCS 105/8g-1 35 ILCS 5/208.5 new 35 ILCS 5/212.1 new 35 ILCS 5/901 30 ILCS 105/6z-108 35 ILCS 505/2 from Ch. 120, par. 418 35 ILCS 505/8a from Ch. 120, par. 424a 35 ILCS 505/17 from Ch. 120, par. 433 415 ILCS 125/320 20 ILCS 686/10 20 ILCS 686/20 35 ILCS 5/212 30 ILCS 105/5.971 new 30 ILCS 105/6z-17 from Ch. 127, par. 142z-17 30 ILCS 105/6z-18 from Ch. 127, par. 142z-18 30 ILCS 105/6z-130 new 35 ILCS 105/3-10 35 ILCS 105/3a from Ch. 120, par. 439.3a 35 ILCS 105/9 from Ch. 120, par. 439.9 35 ILCS 110/3-10 from Ch. 120, par. 439.33-10 35 ILCS 110/9 from Ch. 120, par. 439.39 35 ILCS 115/3-10 from Ch. 120, par. 439.103-10 35 ILCS 115/9 from Ch. 120, par. 439.109 35 ILCS 120/2-10 35 ILCS 120/3 from Ch. 120, par. 442 50 ILCS 470/10 50 ILCS 470/31 55 ILCS 5/5-1006 from Ch. 34, par. 5-1006 55 ILCS 5/5-1006.5 55 ILCS 5/5-1006.7 55 ILCS 5/5-1007 from Ch. 34, par. 5-1007 65 ILCS 5/8-11-1 from Ch. 24, par. 8-11-1 65 ILCS 5/8-11-1.3 from Ch. 24, par. 8-11-1.3 65 ILCS 5/8-11-1.4 from Ch. 24, par. 8-11-1.4 65 ILCS 5/8-11-1.6 65 ILCS 5/8-11-1.7 65 ILCS 5/8-11-5 from Ch. 24, par. 8-11-5 65 ILCS 5/11-74.3-6 70 ILCS 750/25 70 ILCS 1605/30 70 ILCS 3615/4.03 from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 704.03 35 ILCS 105/3-6 35 ILCS 105/3-10 35 ILCS 105/9 from Ch. 120, par. 439.9 35 ILCS 120/2-8 35 ILCS 120/2-10 35 ILCS 120/3 from Ch. 120, par. 442 30 ILCS 105/6z-18 from Ch. 127, par. 142z-18 30 ILCS 105/6z-20 from Ch. 127, par. 142z-20 35 ILCS 105/3-5 35 ILCS 110/3-5 35 ILCS 115/3-5 35 ILCS 120/2-5 35 ILCS 105/3-5 35 ILCS 110/3-5 35 ILCS 115/3-5 35 ILCS 120/2-5 30 ILCS 105/8g-1 35 ILCS 5/225 5 ILCS 100/5-45.22 new 35 ILCS 5/232 new 35 ILCS 525/10-5 820 ILCS 405/401 from Ch. 48, par. 401 820 ILCS 405/403 from Ch. 48, par. 403 820 ILCS 405/703 from Ch. 48, par. 453 820 ILCS 405/1505 from Ch. 48, par. 575 820 ILCS 405/1506.6 820 ILCS 405/2100 from Ch. 48, par. 660 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that certain startup taxpayers are eligible to elect to claim the Credit against their obligation to pay over withholding taxes. Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act and the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Act. Makes changes to the definition of "underserved area". Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Film Production Services Tax Credit Act of 2008. Provides that, if a film production credit is transferred by the taxpayer, then the transferor taxpayer shall pay to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity a specified percentage of the amount transferred, which shall be deposited into the Illinois Production Workforce Development Fund. Provides that the term "Illinois labor expenditures" includes wages paid to nonresidents, subject to certain limitations. Makes changes concerning the earned income tax credit in the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates certain income tax and property tax rebates. Amends the State Finance Act to create various special funds. Provides for transfers from the General Revenue Fund to certain other funds. Amends the Live Theater Production Tax Credit Act. Provides that, for the State fiscal year ending on July 1, 2023, the amount of tax credits awarded under the Act shall not exceed $4,000,000 (currently, $2,000,000); however, credits awarded for that fiscal year in excess of $2,000,000 must be awarded to applicants with Illinois production spending of not less than $2,500,000. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Makes changes concerning biodiesel. Provides that, beginning on July 1, 2022 and until July 1, 2023, the rate of tax on certain food products shall be 0% (currently, 1%). Provides that the credit for coal and aggregate exploration, mining, off-highway hauling, processing, maintenance, and reclamation equipment sunsets on July 1, 2028 (currently July 1, 2023). Creates a tax holiday for certain school supplies and clothing. Creates an exemption for breast pumps and breast pump kits. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for any individual or entity that operates an agritourism operation in the State during the taxable year. Makes changes concerning the credit for instructional supplies. Extends the income tax credit for certain hospitals through taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2027 (currently, December 31, 2022). Creates a withholding tax credit for organ donations. Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Tax Law. Suspends the rate adjustment calculated based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index until January 1, 2023 (currently, the adjustment occurs on July 1, 2022). Requires retailers to post certain notices of the suspension of the inflation adjustment in a prominently visible place on each retail dispensing device. Amends the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act. Provides that battery recycling and reuse manufacturers and battery raw materials refining service providers are also eligible for incentives under the Act. Provides that manufacturers of advanced battery components are also considered electric vehicle component parts manufacturers. For an applicant that is required to create full-time employee jobs, provides that the wages are based on wages paid to full-time employees in a similar position within an occupational group in the county where the project is located. Amends the Parking Excise Tax Act. Makes changes concerning booking intermediaries. Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Makes changes concerning an individual's weekly benefit amount. Provides that a claims adjudicator may reconsider a determination, if the issue is whether or not an individual misstated earnings for any week beginning on or after March 15, 2020, at any time within 5 years after the last day of the week for which the determination is made. Provides that the State's account in the unemployment trust fund is authorized to receive appropriations of State funds from other State accounts to repay any advance or advances from the United States Secretary of Labor. Makes other changes. Effective immediately, except that provisions concerning the Parking Excise Tax take effect on July 1, 2023. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Adds reference to: New Act 35 ILCS 5/238 new 35 ILCS 5/239 new 35 ILCS 120/5n new 35 ILCS 200/18-184.20 new 35 ILCS 630/2 from Ch. 120, par. 2002 35 ILCS 640/2-4 220 ILCS 5/9-222 from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 9-222 Creates the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act. Creates the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Program to be administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Creates various tax incentives for manufacturers of semiconductors, microchips, or semiconductor or microchip component parts, subject to an agreement with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Property Tax Code, the Telecommunications Excise Tax Act, the Electricity Excise Tax Law, and the Public Utilities Act.

Amends the School Code to require the State Board of Education to prepare a parent resource guide to provide a centralized source of the assistance, support, advocacy, and resources available to the parent or guardian of a student who is or may be the victim of sexual abuse. Provides for up to 2 teachers institute days for child abuse prevention training and sexual harassment prevention training, and requires training for school personnel on child sexual abuse. Provides for professional development opportunities concerning the well-being of students. Adds provisions concerning sexual misconduct in schools, including requiring a school district to develop a code of conduct, an employment history review, and what a sex education class must teach. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to add certain acts to the offenses of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and grooming. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/3-11 from Ch. 122, par. 3-11 105 ILCS 5/10-19.1 from Ch. 122, par. 10-19.1 105 ILCS 5/10-23.13 105 ILCS 5/22-90 new 105 ILCS 5/27-9.1 from Ch. 122, par. 27-9.1 Adds reference to: 325 ILCS 5/3 from Ch. 23, par. 2053 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code to require the State Board of Education to develop and maintain a resource guide that provides guidance for pupils, parents or guardians, and teachers about sexual abuse response and prevention resources available in their community; sets forth requirements concerning the guide. Provides for educator professional development opportunities concerning training on the physical and mental health needs of students, student safety, educator ethics, professional conduct, and other topics. To prevent sexual misconduct with students, requires each school district, charter school, or nonpublic, nonsectarian elementary or secondary school to develop an employee code of professional conduct policy; sets forth requirements concerning the policy. Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Changes the definition of "abused child". Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to add certain acts to the offenses of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and grooming. Varied effective date. Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/2-3.182 new 720 ILCS 5/11-1.20 was 720 ILCS 5/12-13 720 ILCS 5/11-1.60 was 720 ILCS 5/12-16 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/2-3.188 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill as engrossed, with the following changes. Requires the resource guide to be developed by July 1, 2023 (rather than July 1, 2022). Provides that the provisions concerning the resource guide and sexual misconduct in schools apply to a school district, charter school, or nonpublic school (rather than a school district, charter school, or nonpublic, nonsectarian elementary or secondary school). Makes a change concerning dating and meeting with students. Removes the amendatory provisions related to criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse in the Criminal Code of 2012. Adds the use of written communication to the offense of grooming. Changes the effective date to provide that the provisions amending the School Code and the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act are effective immediately.

Urges the Illinois Office of Tourism to do a feasibility study on linking together the Annbriar Golf Course in Waterloo, Gateway National in Madison, Governors Run in Carlyle, Kokopelli in Marion, Rend Lake Golf Resort in Whittington, Stone Creek Golf Club in Urbana, and Stonewolf Golf Club in Fairview Heights into the Abraham Lincoln Golf Trail.

Directs the Professional Review Panel and Illinois State Board of Education to conduct the rigorous analysis and financial modeling required to evaluate the potential value, impact, and financial implications of implementing the findings in the PRP Ad-Hoc Committee's report related to adjusting the Evidence-Based Funding formula's calculations in order to more accurately reflect the costs of supporting students exposed to trauma and living in concentrated poverty (Charge B) as well as to close racial equity gaps in opportunity and outcomes (Charges C and H) by November 30, 2022. Calls on the Professional Review Panel to complete the study and development of findings related to re-enrolling students who have dropped out of school by the extended deadline included within the PRP Ad-Hoc Committee report of December 31, 2022. Urges the Illinois State Board of Education to complete their revision of the district spending plans template and requirements and annually make all districts' spending plans publicly available on the Illinois State Board of Education's website starting with Fiscal Year 2023 by January 2023.

Urges the Performance Evaluation Advisory Council (PEAC) to initiate and complete a research study into the implementation of teacher evaluation in Illinois, gather feedback from stakeholders state-wide, review best practice from other states, and use that research to inform a set of policy recommendations that would address any identified challenges while preserving the core benefits of PERA's robust evaluation system with an interim report to the legislature by December 31, 2022 that includes a full timeline for report creation, including a plan for gathering stakeholder feedback, with a final report to be given to the legislature by December 31, 2023. Further urges the PEAC convene to initiate discussion on this charge by April 30, 2022. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes everything. Inserts new language that calls upon the Performance Evaluation Advisory Council (PEAC) to initiate and complete a research study performed by an educational research organization that is not a state agency to examine the implementation of teacher evaluation in Illinois, gather feedback from stakeholders state-wide, and review best practice from other states. Urges PEAC to use that research to inform a set of policy recommendations that would address any identified challenges while preserving the core benefits of PERA's robust evaluation system with an interim report urged to be delivered to the legislature by January 16, 2023 that includes a full timeline for report creation, including a plan for gathering stakeholder feedback, with a final report urged to be delivered to the legislature by June 30, 2024. Urges the Chair of the Illinois State Board of Education to work with the PEAC Chair. Urges PEAC convene to initiate discussion on this charge by April 30, 2022.

Declares the month of April 2022 as Illinois State Police Centennial Month in the State of Illinois.

Amends the School Code. With respect to the daily pupil attendance calculation, provides that instead of school improvement days with students in attendance a minimum of 3 clock hours, a school district may opt to have a school improvement day without students in attendance for up to 4 times in a given school year. Provides that each such day may be counted as a day of attendance, provided that a sufficient number of clock hours have been accumulated beyond the 5 clock hours per day that students would have been in session. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-19.05 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.56 105 ILCS 5/10-20.76 new 105 ILCS 5/24-6 105 ILCS 5/34-18.77 new 110 ILCS 305/125 new 110 ILCS 520/105 new 110 ILCS 660/5-215 new 110 ILCS 665/10-215 new 110 ILCS 670/15-215 new 110 ILCS 675/20-220 new 110 ILCS 680/25-215 new 110 ILCS 685/30-225 new 110 ILCS 690/35-220 new 110 ILCS 805/3-29.15 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code and various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Requires school districts and the governing board of each public university and community college district to provide paid administrative leave to an employee for purposes related to COVID-19 under specified conditions. Provides that an employee of a school district or an institution of higher education who is on paid administrative leave must receive their regular rate of pay. Sets forth other requirements. For any school closure or use of an e-learning day that is related to COVID-19 guidance, mandates, or rules, requires a school district to pay to its educational support personnel and contractors their daily, regular rate of pay and benefits. Amends sick leave provisions of the School Code to require a district to return any sick leave used during the 2021-2022 school year by a teacher or employee for reasons related to the issuance of guidance, mandates, or rules related to COVID-19 and public health. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.76 new Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.82 new 105 ILCS 5/34-85e new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code and various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Requires school districts and the governing board of each public university and community college district to provide paid administrative leave to an employee for purposes related to COVID-19 under specified conditions. Provides that an employee of a school district or an institution of higher education who is on paid administrative leave must receive their regular rate of pay. Sets forth other requirements. For any school closure or use of an e-learning day that is related to COVID-19 guidance, mandates, or rules, requires a school district to pay to its educational support personnel and contractors their daily, regular rate of pay and benefits. Requires a school district to return any sick leave used during the 2021-2022 school year by a teacher or employee for reasons related to the issuance of guidance, mandates, or rules related to COVID-19 and public health. Effective immediately.