Sen. Christopher Belt

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may issue special registration plates designated as Defense Superior Service license plates to recipients awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal by a branch of the armed forces of the United States. Provides that no registration fee shall be charged for the issuance or renewal of a Defense Superior Service plate.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Amends the Raffles and Poker Runs Act. Authorizes fire protection agencies and statewide associations that represent fire protection agencies to organize raffles. Provides that raffles organized by a fire protection agency or statewide association that represents fire protection agencies must only be licensed by the governing body of the county or municipality in which the key location for that raffle is located, even if raffle tickets are sold beyond the borders of that governing body of the county or municipality. Provides that raffles organized by a fire protection agency or a statewide association that represents fire protection agencies must abide by any restrictions established by the governing body of the county or municipality in which the key location is located.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public schools, public universities, and public community colleges in Illinois. Provides that an employee of a school district, public university, or community college district who has been employed for at least 12 months and who has worked at least 1,000 hours in the previous 12-month period shall be eligible for family and medical leave under the same terms and conditions as leave provided to eligible employees under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.

Amends the Downstate Teachers and State Universities Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires an employer to make an additional employer contribution for a participant whose earnings for any academic year used to determine the final rate of earnings exceed the amount of his or her earnings with the same employer for the previous academic year by more than 6% (instead of 3%). Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employee Indemnification Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Act's short title.

Amends the Heroes Way Designation Program Act. Provides that any person who is related by marriage, adoption, or consanguinity within the second degree to a first responder who was killed in the line of duty, and who was a resident of the State at the time he or she was killed in the line of duty, may apply for a designation allowing the placement of an honorary sign alongside roads. Provides that one of the application requirements may be a signed form from an individual or organization that contains the permission of a family member (in place of a signed form certifying that the applicant is related by marriage, adoption, or consanguinity within the second degree to the member of the United States Armed Forces or the first responder). Requires the application for an honorary sign to include signed approval from the Representative and Senator of the district where the designation is located. Makes conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2021.

Creates the Safe Patient Limits Act. Provides the maximum number of patients that may be assigned to a registered nurse in specified situations. Provides that nothing shall preclude a facility from assigning fewer patients to a registered nurse than the limits provided in Act. Provides that nothing in the Act precludes the use of patient acuity systems consistent with the Nurse Staffing by Patient Acuity Act; however, the maximum patient assignments in the Act may not be exceeded, regardless of the use and application of any patient acuity system. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall adopt rules governing the implementation and operation of the Act. Provides that all facilities shall adopt written policies and procedures for training and orientation of nursing staff and that no registered nurse shall be assigned to a nursing unit or clinical area unless that nurse has, among other things, demonstrated competence in providing care in that area. Provides that the written policies and procedures for the training and orientation of nursing staff shall require that all temporary personnel receive the same amount and type of training and orientation that is required for permanent staff. Provides that the Act's provisions are severable.

Mourns the passing of Thomas K. "TK" Vanwinkle.

Amends the University of Illinois Scientific Surveys Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, no later than December 1, 2020, the Illinois State Water Survey, in coordination with the Department of Public Health, must issue a report evaluating the setting of water rates throughout Illinois; specifies report requirements. Provides that in developing the report, the Illinois State Water Survey shall form an advisory committee; provides for the committee's membership. Provides that no later than 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Illinois State Water Survey must provide an opportunity for public comment on the questions to be addressed in the report, the metrics to be used, and the recommendations that need to be issued. Repeals the provision on January 1, 2021. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 110 ILCS 425/22 new Adds reference to: 110 ILCS 305/105 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the University of Illinois Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, no later than December 1, 2020, the Government Finance Research Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, in coordination with an intergovernmental advisory committee, must issue a report evaluating the setting of water rates throughout the Lake Michigan service area of northeastern Illinois and, no later than December 1, 2021, for the remainder of Illinois; specifies report requirements. Provides that in developing the report, the Government Finance Research Center shall form an advisory committee; provides for the committee's membership. Provides that no later than 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Public Health must provide an opportunity for public comment on the questions to be addressed in the report, the metrics to be used, and the recommendations that need to be issued. Repeals the provision on January 1, 2022. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Changes the person who appoints certain members of the advisory committee to the Director of the Government Finance Research Center (rather than the Director of Public Health). Requires the Government Finance Research Center (rather than the Department of Public Health) to provide administrative and other support to the committee. Requires the Government Finance Research Center (rather than the Department of Public Health) to provide an opportunity for public comment on the questions to be addressed in the water rates report, the metrics to be used, and the recommendations that need to be issued. Effective immediately.