Summary as Introduced
Creates the Counseling Compact Act. Provides that the State of Illinois enters into the Counseling Compact. Specifies that the Compact's purpose is to facilitate interstate practice of licensed professional counselors with the goal of improving public access to professional counseling services. Sets out provisions concerning the privilege to practice, obtaining a new home state license, active duty military personnel, telehealth, adverse actions, Counseling Compact Commission, data systems, rulemaking, oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement. Contains other provisions concerning the Commission, the Compact, and the procedures governing participating in and construction of the Compact. Amends the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act. Requires the Professional Counselor Licensing and Disciplinary Board to submit a report to the General Assembly with recommendations of any statutory changes and budgetary changes needed to comply with the requirements of the Counseling Compact. Requires the Board and Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to modify, if needed, Board and Department rules to comply with the requirements of the Counseling Compact. Provides that the changes to the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act are effective immediately.
Staff Analysis
Amends the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act. Provides that at least 2 months before the next election of members of the General Assembly, following the passage of a proposed amendment, the Secretary of State shall publish the amendment in a specified number of newspapers of general circulation in every county in the State in which a newspaper is published and its digital equivalent (instead of only newspapers of general circulation in every county in the State in which a newspaper is published). Provides that at the election, a proposed amendment and explanation shall be printed on the top of the ballot preceding all nominations of any political party (instead of upon a separate ballot). Amends the Election Code. In provisions concerning the Public Financing of Judicial Elections Task Force, provides that the Task Force shall complete its study no later than June 30, 2024 (rather than 2023), and the provisions are repealed July 1, 2025 (rather than 2024). Creates the Ranked-Choice and Voting Systems Task Force. Provides that on or before March 1, 2024, the Task Force shall publish a final report of its findings and recommendations. Sets forth provisions concerning the Task Force duties, membership, and report of findings and recommendations. Sets forth provisions concerning representatives of the Secretary of State attending citizen naturalization ceremonies at the District Courts to provide registration information and to register any person at the ceremony who wishes to register to vote, as allowed by the District Courts. Provides that a person who is otherwise qualified to vote may preregister to vote on or after that person's 16th birthday, with the registration held in abeyance by the appropriate election authority until that individual attains the required age to vote. Makes changes concerning when a county convention shall occur and when certain appointments to fill a vacancy in the office of precinct committeeperson shall be made. In provisions relating to the receipt of the certificate of nomination, nomination papers, or proposed question of public policy and an objector's petition by the electoral board, provides that the chair of the electoral board shall also send a call (as well as a certified copy of its ruling with other specified documents) by registered or certified mail to the election authority to whom the ballot is certified and to the appropriate county clerk. Provides that if, within the 10 days before any election, an election authority changes a polling location, the election authority shall send notice by electronic mail or phone call to the township committeeperson, ward committeeperson, or precinct committeepersons, as applicable, as soon as the location of the polling place is changed. In provisions concerning vote centers, provides that the provisions are repealed on July 1, 2029 (rather than July 1, 2023) and provides that election authorities may establish more than one vote center, but in jurisdictions with a population of more than 500,000 inhabitants, the election authority shall establish at least 2 vote centers, one of which must provide curbside voting. Makes changes concerning notification by an election authority of the option for permanent vote by mail status. Makes changes concerning application for a vote by mail ballot language. Provides that a petition filed for discovery recount shall be accompanied by the payment of a fee of $50 (rather than $10) per precinct specified. Removes provisions concerning sponsoring entities. Makes conforming and other changes. Amends the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Act. Provides that a mayor of a municipality with a population of over 500,000 shall not have the authority to make an appointment to the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Board for the last 45 days of his or her term, retroactive to April 1, 2023, except if that mayor's re-election is certified by the relevant election authority. Amends the Park District Code. Provides that, if a district board's membership has been expanded or reduced by referendum or resolution, the additional members will be elected not earlier than 197 days (rather than 60 days) after the referendum or resolution and a reduction of board members will not affect the terms of any commissioners holding office at the time of the referendum or to be elected within 197 (rather than 60) days after the referendum. Provides that, if the terms of a district's board members have increased or decreased after referendum or resolution, the terms will commence with the first regular park district election at least 197 days (rather than 60 days) after the date on which the terms were increased or reduced by referendum or resolution. Amends the School Code to provide that November 5, 2024 shall be a State holiday known as 2024 General Election Day. Makes other changes. Effective immediately, except that certain provisions are effective January 1, 2024.