Sen. Ram Villivalam

Amends the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act and the Good Samaritan Act. Provides that a licensed clinical social worker or licensed social worker may possess and administer opioid antagonists. Makes conforming changes. Provides that if a person employs a licensed clinical social worker or licensed social worker and the licensed clinical social worker or licensed social worker possess an opioid antagonist in a professional capacity, then the person must provide training in the administration of opioid antagonists and establish a policy to control the acquisition, storage, transportation, and administration of opioid antagonists. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the driver of a vehicle that is in any manner involved in any of the following types of crashes within the State shall, if no police officer is present, give notice of the crash by the fastest available means of communication to the specified law enforcement agency: (1) a crash that results in injury to or death of any person; (2) a crash that results in damage to the property of any person in excess of a specified amount; (3) a crash involving a school bus if the crash is caused by a collision, a sudden stop, or otherwise, and the crash results in any property damage, personal injury, or death; or (4) a crash that occurs within 50 feet of a school bus and results in personal injury to or death of any person who is awaiting or preparing to board the school bus or immediately after the person exits the school bus. Requires the Secretary of State to suspend the driver's license or non-resident's driving privileges of any person who violates those provisions. Provides that every law enforcement agency shall, by February 1 (rather than March 1) with regard to data collected during July through December of the previous calendar year, compile the data on the standardized law enforcement data compilation form provided by the Department of Transportation and transmit the data to the Department. Amends the DUI Prevention and Education Commission Act. Provides that moneys in the DUI Prevention and Education Fund shall be distributed by the Department with approval (rather than guidance) from the DUI Prevention and Education Commission for crash victim programs and materials, impaired driving prevention programs, law enforcement support, and other DUI-related programs (rather than as grants for those purposes). Makes related changes in the powers of the Commission.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act with respect to grants for exonerated persons. Provides that a grant applicant need not be a resident of this State at the time of enrollment. Provides that, beginning no later than the 2025-2026 academic year, if an exonerated person has been found by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to qualify for a grant and the exonerated person has not yet exhausted the benefits for which the exonerated person is eligible, the exonerated person may designate one or more dependents to use any unexpended portion of the benefits for which the exonerated person is eligible, up to the total benefit for which the exonerated person is eligible. Provides that the combined benefit used by the exonerated person and any designated dependents may not exceed the total benefit for which the exonerated person is eligible. Provides that if funding is insufficient to serve all applicants, the Commission may prioritize applicants who have been exonerated over applicants who are dependents of exonerated individuals. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. In provisions concerning a petition for a certificate of innocence, provides that the clerk of the circuit court shall provide to a person whose records were expunged and sealed information about grants for exonerated persons and their dependents under the Higher Education Student Assistance Act and the address of the Internet website of the Commission, where additional information about the grants may be obtained.

Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State to issue a mobile Illinois Identification Card or mobile driver's license to an individual who is otherwise eligible to hold a physical credential, in addition to an identification card or driver's license, if the Secretary of State has issued an identification card or driver's license to the person. Allows the Secretary to enter into agreements or to contract with an agency of the State, another state, the United States, or a third party to facilitate the issuance, use, and verification of a mobile identification card or driver's license issued by the Secretary or another state. Requires the data elements that are used to build an electronic credential to match the individual's current Department record. Requires all mobile identification cards and driver's licenses issued by the Secretary to be in accordance with the most recent standards of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. Provides that, when required by law and upon request by law enforcement, a credential holder must provide the credential holder's physical credential. Provides that the display of a mobile identification card and driver's license shall not serve as consent or authorization for a law enforcement officer, or any other person, to search, view, or access any other data or application on the mobile device.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for determining in-state tuition eligibility at the University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University. It establishes new requirements for international students and others who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents to qualify for lower resident tuition rates. To qualify, these individuals must have attended Illinois schools for a specified number of years, graduated from an Illinois high school, and agree to apply for permanent U.S. residency if they become eligible. The changes also maintain existing provisions that allow military personnel and veterans stationed in Illinois to receive resident tuition rates.

Maddy summarySB 508, known as the Employment-Tech bill, amends the Labor Dispute Act to update how notices are handled during employment-related investigations. The law requires that original notices sent to employees be redacted to protect their personal privacy under state and federal laws. It also clarifies that these specific procedures do not apply to routine inspections of employer I-9 employment verification forms. This change ensures that sensitive employee information is safeguarded while allowing standard immigration compliance checks to continue.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, if a municipality or county, including a home rule municipality or county, is a self-insurer for purposes of providing health insurance coverage for its employees, the insurance coverage shall include mental health counseling for any employee who is a first responder, including police and corrections officers, deputy sheriffs, firefighters, or emergency medical services personnel, without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement on the coverage provided. Specifies that this requirement does not apply to the extent such coverage would disqualify a high-deductible health plan from eligibility for a health savings account pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code. Limits home rule powers by providing that the requirement that mental health counseling be included in health insurance coverage is an exclusive power and function of the State.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that it is the public policy of the State to prevent discrimination based on family responsibilities in employment. Defines "family responsibilities" as an employee's actual or perceived provision of care to a family member, whether in the past, present, or future. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for: (1) any employer to refuse to hire, to segregate, to engage in harassment, or to act with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, renewal of employment, selection for training or apprenticeship, discharge, discipline, tenure or terms, privileges or conditions of employment on the basis of family responsibilities; (2) any employment agency to fail or refuse to classify properly, accept applications and register for employment referral or apprenticeship referral, refer for employment, or refer for apprenticeship on the basis of family responsibilities; and (3) any labor organization to limit, segregate, or classify its membership, or to limit employment opportunities, selection and training for apprenticeship in any trade or craft, or otherwise to take or fail to take, any action which affects adversely any person's status as an employee or as an applicant for employment or as an apprentice, or as an applicant for apprenticeships, or wages, tenure, hours of employment, or apprenticeship conditions on the basis of family responsibilities. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for a person, or for 2 or more persons, to conspire to retaliate against a person because he or she has opposed that which he or she reasonably and in good faith believes to be discrimination based on family responsibilities. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Personnel Record Review Act. Provides for specific documents that every employee has a legal right to inspect and copy. Provides that an employer shall not include the imputed costs of time spent duplicating the information, purchasing or renting a copying machine, purchasing or renting computer equipment, or purchasing, renting, or licensing software in a fee for providing a copy of the documents. Provides that an employee may bring an action in circuit court regardless of whether that employee has filed a complaint concerning the same violation with the Department of Labor. Authorizes an employee to file a complaint with the Department regardless of whether the employee pursued or is pursuing an action for the same violation in circuit court. Repeals provisions concerning personnel record inspections by representatives of the employee.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Requires the governing board of each public university and community college district to pay employees and contractors their daily, regular rate of pay and benefits if a campus is closed due to a city, county, or State declaration of a winter weather emergency.