Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that first full week of March each year is designated as Soil Health Week to be observed throughout the State as a week to celebrate and raise awareness regarding the importance of soil health to Illinois agriculture and Illinois farmers.
Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Makes changes concerning the powers and duties of the Illinois State Museum. Repeals a provision which specifies that the Board of the Illinois State Museum is the governing board for the State Museum. Replaces the Board of the Illinois State Museum with an advisory board. Describes the duties of the advisory board. Repeals a provision which states that the Department of Natural Resources may set, by administrative rule, an entrance fee for visitors to the Illinois State Museum. Effective immediately.
Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Board of Higher Education shall create a student teaching stipend program to alleviate the financial burden of student teaching and to encourage students to pursue teaching careers to alleviate this State's teacher shortage. Provides that to participate in the stipend program, an eligible student must be placed as a student teacher no later than June 1, 2025 or no later than June 1 each year thereafter. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of all eligible students who qualify for the stipend program by July 1, 2025 and no later than July 1 each year thereafter and all eligible students shall be participants in the stipend program. Provides that no later than August 1, 2025 and no later than August 1 each year thereafter, subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each eligible student a stipend of up to $10,000 per semester for up to 2 consecutive semesters, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. Provides that the educator preparation program shall distribute stipend funds using the standard methods for allocating State-based financial aid or as wages for employment to each eligible student in monthly installments. Sets forth additional provisions concerning the distribution of funds. Provides for rulemaking.
Amends the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the General Assembly finds it necessary to take measures to increase the amount of cash assistance provided to qualifying Illinoisans under the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD) program to reach a standard compatible with health and well-being. Provides that the amount of AABD aid granted to a person shall be determined by the Department of Human Services in such a manner as to produce assistance payments that bring the person's total monthly income from countable sources, as determined by the Department, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, if applicable, and AABD aid to an amount that is: (i) no less than 85% of the federal poverty level in effect for the month aid is paid, beginning July 1, 2024; (ii) no less than 90% of the federal poverty level in effect for the month aid is paid, beginning July 1, 2025; (iii) no less than 95% of the federal poverty level for the month aid is paid, beginning July 1, 2026; and (iv) no less than 100% of the federal poverty level in effect for the month aid is paid, beginning on and after July 1, 2027. Provides that the amendatory Act shall not result in any reduction in the amount of aid payable to a person determined eligible for aid prior to July 1, 2024. Effective immediately.
Creates the Prairie Lawns Act. Establishes the Prairie Lawns Program, which requires the Department of Natural Resources to provide assistance for installing pollinator-friendly native plants in residential lawns to protect and support native species of pollinators. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules for the Program. Provides for individual support grants to reimburse Illinois residents for up to $400, subject to appropriation and other requirements. Provides for demonstration neighborhood grants to units of local government and nonprofit organizations through a request for proposal process, subject to appropriation and other requirements. Provides that homeowners’ associations and common interest communities may not prohibit the planting of pollinator habitats. Defines terms.
Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning types of licenses, creates the School Social Work Associate License. Provides that an applicant may apply to the State Board of Education for issuance of a School Social Work Associate License. Provides that a School Social Work Associate License holder shall be authorized to perform all responsibilities associated with traditional school social work roles, with the exception of direct work with students with disabilities, including, but not limited to, a student with an individualized education program. Provides that a School Social Work Associate License may be issued to an applicant who (i) holds a degree from a graduate program of social work that has been approved by the Council on Social Work Education and (ii) has an active license though the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation under the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act as either a licensed clinical social worker or licensed social worker. Provides that if the applicant is a licensed social worker under the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act, then the applicant shall be limited to the restrictions in the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act regarding independent clinical practice. Provides for a $150 application fee. Effective immediately.
Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to (i) establish a new intervention license category entitled "OPS Harm Reduction Services", (ii) establish standards for entities to become licensed under the OPS Harm Reduction Services category, and (iii) create a licensing application process. Provides that, notwithstanding any other law, ordinance, or regulation, any entity licensed as an OPS Harm Reduction Services provider may operate an overdose prevention site as authorized by the Department. Requires the Department to make a determination as to whether to approve an entity's application for an OPS Harm Reduction Services license within 4 weeks after the date upon which the entity submitted its application to the Department. Requires the Department to help educate local communities and public and private entities about overdose prevention sites and the evidence regarding the benefits of overdose prevention sites. Requires entities approved to operate an overdose prevention site to, at a minimum, provide a hygienic space where participants may consume pre-obtained substances, maintain a supply of naloxone and oxygen on-site, employ staff trained to administer first aid to participants who are experiencing an overdose, provide secure hypodermic needle and syringe disposal services, encourage drug checking or the use of fentanyl test strips, and other services. Requires licensed entities to submit a report to the Department on the number of participants who have received or are receiving services at the overdose prevention site and other matters. Grants immunity from civil or criminal liability to specified persons. Preempts home rule powers.
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, to the extent allowed by federal law, the Environmental Protection Agency shall propose, within 12 months after the amendatory Act's effective date, and the Pollution Control Board shall adopt, within 12 months after receipt of the Agency's proposal, rules establishing a clean transportation standard to reduce carbon intensity from the on-road transportation sector by 20% by 2038, with further reductions to be implemented at the discretion of the Agency based upon advances in technology. Contains requirements for the Board rules and for the clean transportation standard. Exempts aviation fuels from the clean transportation standard. Provides that producers of sustainable aviation fuel shall be eligible to generate monetary credits on an opt-in basis that may be applied to future obligations or traded to providers not meeting the clean transportation standard. Requires the Agency to submit a report to the General Assembly detailing the implementation of the clean transportation standard, the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that have been achieved through the clean transportation standard, and targets for future reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.
Appropriates $20,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security for deposit into the IEMA State Projects Fund for grants and operational expenses associated with the administration of Illinois’ Not-For-Profit Security Grant Program. Effective July 1, 2024.
Amends the Homelessness Prevention Act. Provides that on an annual basis, a grantee's administrative costs and case management expenses shall not exceed 30% (rather than 15%) of the grant amount it receives under the Department of Human Services' homeless prevention and assistance program.
