Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that when a child is voluntarily placed in out-of-home care funded by the Department of Children and Family Services for the purpose of obtaining mental health treatment for the child or treatment for the child's developmental disability, the Department is prohibited from requesting, recommending, or requiring that a parent terminate his or her parental rights with respect to the child or that a parent or legal guardian transfer legal custody of the child to the Department. Provides that a child voluntarily placed in out-of-home care shall be placed pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement voluntarily entered into by the parents or legal guardian of the child. Provides that for a child to remain in out-of-home care for longer than 180 days, a juvenile court must make a judicial determination within the first 180 days of the placement that the placement is in the best interests of the child. Requires the Department to report annually to the General Assembly concerning (i) the number of children who were voluntarily placed in out-of-home care funded by the Department and (ii) the number of parents or legal guardians who relinquished custody of their child for the purpose of seeking mental health treatment for the child or treatment for the child's developmental disability. Contains provisions concerning: an interagency agreement between specified State agencies to prevent children from becoming wards of the State and entering the child welfare system solely for purpose of treatment of a child's serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, or developmental disability; certain protocols that must be included in the interagency agreement; and additional reporting requirements. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Creates the Best Candidate for the Job Act. Provides that an employer may not inquire into or require disclosure of a job applicant's criminal record or criminal history before the candidate has been notified that the candidate has been selected for a job interview or has been offered a conditional offer of employment. Requires consideration of the nature and gravity of a candidate's conviction record, the time elapsed since the conviction, and whether the conviction has a direct bearing on the candidate's fitness before excluding a candidate. Authorizes civil remedies. Provides that the Department of Labor may impose penalties for violations. Effective January 1, 2015.
Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning an election against organization as a fire protection district.
Amends the Election Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. Provides that regulation of farmers' markets by local authorities may be no more stringent than the regulation established by the Department of Public Health. Establishes a framework for the regulation of food samples. Makes a corresponding change in the Sanitary Food Preparation Act. Imposes requirements for disclosure of product origin with respect to specialty crops and raw agricultural commodities. Authorizes a State-certified local public health department to impose a fee in connection with the registration of a cottage food operation. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code with respect to block grants for school districts other than the Chicago school district. Provides that not less than 14% (instead of 11%) of the Early Childhood Education Block Grant shall be used to fund programs for children ages 0-3, which percentage shall increase to at least 20% by Fiscal Year 2016 (instead of 2015). Effective July 1, 2014.
Urges Illinois educators to share with students the story of "comfort women" when discussing World War II history and expresses a commitment to explore ways to develop an Asian American social science and history curriculum for public schools concerning the subject of "comfort women" and other Asian American experiences.
Mourns the death of Joan M. Kelly.
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code with respect to school social work services. Provides that school social work services may include establishing and delivering anti-bullying programs. Effective immediately.
Amends the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that if a Department of Revenue investigator, except an investigator appointed to enforce taxing or other measures under the Liquor Control Act of 1934, discovers any criminal offense or violation unrelated to taxing or other measures administered by the Department, then the investigator may exercise the powers of a peace officer if (i) the criminal offense or violation creates a threat to the life or safety of the investigator or any other person and (ii) the investigator notifies the proper local or State law enforcement agency as soon as it is practical. Effective immediately.