South Central Reporter

Doris Turner introduced SB1953 in the Illinois Senate on Feb. 6, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that no law enforcement agency shall make an offer of employment for the position of probationary police officer, probationary part-time police officer, full-time law enforcement officer, or part-time law enforcement officer without requiring the execution of a signed release from the applicant, directing any and all entities that previously employed the individual to produce or make available for inspection all employment records, including background investigation materials collected in connection with making an offer of employment, duty-related physical and psychological fitness-for-duty examinations, work performance records, criminal, civil, or administrative investigations of conduct, arrests, convictions, findings of guilt, pleas of guilty, or pleas of nolo contendere. Provides that, with specified exceptions, all records shall be produced without any redaction and no nondisclosure, separation, or settlement agreement shall prevent the production of these records. Provides that the provisions do not apply to the extent that they would impair an existing collective bargaining agreement. Sets forth provisions concerning: (i) the procedures for requesting employment records; (ii) the deadlines for providing the records; (iii) the penalties for failing to produce the records in accordance with the provisions; and (iv) an example of an acceptable release form. Requires the receipt of a written release for an entity to have immunity for the release of information. Makes other changes to immunity-related provisions. Amends the Sheriff's Merit System Law of the Counties Code. Provides that the county board of any county having a population of at least 75,000 must adopt and implement, by ordinance, the merit system provided by the Sheriff's Merit System Law. Provides that the county board of any county having a population of less than 75,000 (rather than 1,000,000) which does not have a merit board or merit commission for sheriff's personnel may adopt and implement, by ordinance, the merit system provided by the Sheriff's Merit System Law. Makes other and conforming changes."

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the Illinois Police Training Act to prohibit law enforcement agencies from making final employment offers without obtaining a signed release from the applicant to inspect comprehensive employment records from previous employers, including background checks, fitness examinations, and criminal history. Previous employers must provide these records within 14 days, with an extension of up to 14 days if necessary. The bill allows agencies to seek court orders to compel record production if not provided and enables cost recovery, including attorney's fees. It emphasizes the importance of reviewing all records before making an employment offer and details conditions under which records can be redacted or withheld. Law enforcement agencies and their employees are granted immunity when sharing such information in good faith. Additionally, changes to the Counties Code and Personnel Record Review Act ensure compliance with merit systems and facilitate the release of law enforcement personnel files to inform hiring decisions. Effective dates are specified in line with the amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly.

Doris Turner has proposed another 26 bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Doris Turner is currently serving in the Illinois State Senate, representing the state's 48th Senate District. She replaced previous state senator Andy Manar in 2021.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
SB1953	02/06/2025	Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that no law enforcement agency shall make an offer of employment for the position of probationary police officer, probationary part-time police officer, full-time law enforcement officer, or part-time law enforcement officer without requiring the execution of a signed release from the applicant, directing any and all entities that previously employed the individual to produce or make available for inspection all employment records, including background investigation materials collected in connection with making an offer of employment, duty-related physical and psychological fitness-for-duty examinations, work performance records, criminal, civil, or administrative investigations of conduct, arrests, convictions, findings of guilt, pleas of guilty, or pleas of nolo contendere. Provides that, with specified exceptions, all records shall be produced without any redaction and no nondisclosure, separation, or settlement agreement shall prevent the production of these records. Provides that the provisions do not apply to the extent that they would impair an existing collective bargaining agreement. Sets forth provisions concerning: (i) the procedures for requesting employment records; (ii) the deadlines for providing the records; (iii) the penalties for failing to produce the records in accordance with the provisions; and (iv) an example of an acceptable release form. Requires the receipt of a written release for an entity to have immunity for the release of information. Makes other changes to immunity-related provisions. Amends the Sheriff's Merit System Law of the Counties Code. Provides that the county board of any county having a population of at least 75,000 must adopt and implement, by ordinance, the merit system provided by the Sheriff's Merit System Law. Provides that the county board of any county having a population of less than 75,000 (rather than 1,000,000) which does not have a merit board or merit commission for sheriff's personnel may adopt and implement, by ordinance, the merit system provided by the Sheriff's Merit System Law. Makes other and conforming changes.
SB1818	02/06/2025	Creates the Illinois Flag Act of 2025. Contains only a short title provision.
SB1920	02/06/2025	Amends the School Code. Provides that, no Later than July 1, 2026, the State Board of Education shall create educational materials that shall be posted publicly on its website and distributed to all school districts in the State that serve any grades kindergarten through 8 on the implementation of American Sign Language instruction into a school's curriculum. Includes a list of educational materials. Allows the State Board to receive assistance from outside organizations, State agencies, or individuals with expertise in American Sign Language that the State Board deems appropriate to assist with the creation of the education materials.
SB1921	02/06/2025	Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Adds 2 members to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board representing a statewide lodge representing law enforcement. Provides the procedures for appointing the 2 members the amendatory Act.
SB1952	02/06/2025	Amends the State Universities Civil Service Act. Provides that nothing in the Act or any rules adopted under the Act prevents the parties to a collective bargaining agreement from agreeing to a provision that enhances employee rights. Effective immediately.
SB1954	02/06/2025	Amends the Counties Code. Creates the Recall of Countywide Elected Officials Division within the Code. Authorizes a county to establish a process by which countywide elected officials may be recalled by the electors of the county by referendum or petition. Provides that, if a county board adopts a resolution calling for a referendum on the proposal to adopt a process by which countywide elected officials may be recalled by the electors of the county, then the county clerk and county board shall provide for the submission of the proposition to the electors of the county at the next general election held in an even-numbered year. Provides that, if there is filed with the clerk of the circuit court of the county, within the time provided in the general election law, a petition that is signed by the specified number of registered voters in the county and that requests the establishment of a process by which countywide elected officials may be recalled by the electors of that county, the clerk of the circuit court shall transmit the petition to the chief judge of the circuit court who shall determine the sufficiency of the petition or shall assign the determination of the sufficiency of the petition to a circuit judge who shall make the determination. Specifies that, if the judge determines that the petition is sufficient, the judge shall certify the sufficiency of the petition and shall issue an order directing the county clerk and the county board to provide for the submission of the proposition to the electors of the county at the next general election held in an even-numbered year. Authorizes the recall of a countywide elected official to be proposed by petition by the electors of the county. Sets forth requirements for the petition. Provides that, if the petition is valid and sufficient, then the State Board of Elections shall certify the petition, and the question must be submitted to the electors at a special election. Prohibits more than one recall petition per official per term of office. Effective immediately.
SB1522	02/04/2025	Appropriates $2,000,000 to the State Board of Education for grants, contracts, and administration expenses under the federal Farm to School State Formula Grant. Effective July 1, 2025.
SB1523	02/04/2025	Amends the Counties Code. Provides that any person who files or causes to be filed a deed or instrument that is recorded in the grantor's index or the grantee's index that is fraudulent, unlawfully altered, or intended to unlawfully cloud or transfer the title of any real property may be held liable to the rightful property owner affected in an action brought in a court of competent jurisdiction for such legal or equitable relief as may be appropriate to enforce the Code. Requires every county to establish and maintain a property fraud alert system. Requires every recorder to establish a fraud referral and review process to review deeds and instruments.
SB1574	02/04/2025	Amends the Illinois Pesticide Act. Replaces the definition of the term "licensed operator" with definitions of the terms "licensed large-scale operator" and "licensed small-scale operator". Provides that the Director of Agriculture shall issue separate certification tests for licensed large-scale operators and licensed small-scale operators based on the rules and regulations prescribed for each by the Department of Agriculture. Makes conforming changes in the Act.
SB1575	02/04/2025	Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Central Management Services to ensure that, for all job titles and for all State employment, positions that require a college degree or in which a college degree is preferred shall allow for the acceptance of a community college certificate as equal to a college degree, if appropriate in the determination of the Department. Allows the Department to adopt rules.
SB1576	02/04/2025	Amends the Election Code. Creates the "I Voted" Sticker Commission. Provides that the purposes of the Commission are to develop guidelines for the "I Voted" Sticker Contest and to select sticker designs to be used by election authorities in the State for the 2026 General Election. Provides that the Commission shall establish a process for the submission of proposed designs for the "I Voted" Sticker Contest and guidelines for the assessment of those proposed designs. Provides that, on or before July 1, 2026, the Commission shall conduct a public survey to select the 10 designs that will be used by election authorities in the State for the 2026 General Election. Sets forth provisions concerning membership; terms; compensation; and administrative support. Effective immediately.
SB1605	02/04/2025	Amends the School Code. With respect to prerequisites to receiving a high school diploma, provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, agricultural education, agricultural business, or any other course that relates to agriculture satisfies the vocational education requirement. Effective immediately.
SB1438	01/31/2025	Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Defines "group home for the developmentally or intellectually disabled" and "child who resides in a group home for the developmentally or intellectually disabled". Excludes a group home for the developmentally or intellectually disabled from the definition of "child care institution". Adds a group home for the developmentally or intellectually disabled to provisions concerning child care facility requirements, including licensing standards, license applications, and transportation. Provides that no group home for the developmentally or intellectually disabled shall hire a staff member who is under 19 years of age. Effective immediately.
SB1488	01/31/2025	Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026 shall provide coverage for medically necessary general anesthesia, regardless of the duration, for any procedure covered by the policy, and that medical necessity shall be determined by the attending anesthesiologist or licensed anesthesia provider. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance is prohibited from denying payment or reimbursement for anesthesia services solely because the duration of care exceeded a preset time limit. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to require coverage under those provisions. Effective immediately.
SB1295	01/28/2025	Amends the Illinois State Police Law. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, all 9-1-1 telecommunicators who provide dispatch for emergency medical conditions shall be required to be trained, utilizing the most current nationally recognized emergency cardiovascular care guidelines, in high-quality telecommunicator cardiopulmonary resuscitation (T-CPR). Defines telecommunicator cardiopulmonary resuscitation for the purposes of the provisions.
SB1296	01/28/2025	Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Removes a provision providing that if the determination is made that a standardbred stallion is not owned by a resident of the State of Illinois or that a transfer of ownership is a subterfuge to qualify a standardbred stallion under the Act, or that a standardbred stallion owner, manager, or person associated with him or her has knowingly participated in the arrangements for transporting semen from a standardbred stallion registered under the Act out-of-state, the Director of the Department of Agriculture or his authorized agent shall immediately publish notice of such fact in publications devoted to news concerning standardbred horses. Effective immediately.
SB1297	01/28/2025	Amends the State Comptroller Act. Provides that the Comptroller may provide in his or her rules and regulations for periodic transfers, with the approval of the State Treasurer, for use in accordance with the imprest system, subject to the rules and regulations of the Comptroller as respects vouchers, controls, and reports to the Department of Agriculture to pay State Fair competition personnel and entertainment support contracts necessary to provide the entertainment at each State Fair. Effective July 1, 2025.
SB1331	01/28/2025	Creates the Scholarship Accessibility Act. Establishes the Illinois Scholarship Database, to be developed, implemented, and administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, as a utility to improve Illinois students' access to higher education scholarships, as well as to improve their knowledge of scholarships. Provides that to inform students and their parents on what scholarships are and how they are attained and maintained: (1) beginning in the 7th grade, a public school shall inform students of the Database and shall require them to create an account with the Database; (2) the account shall be created jointly by the student and the parent; and (3) both the student and the parent shall have access to the account and the ability to manage activity on the account. Provides that the Database shall allow the student to have and the student is required to complete a profile that: (1) presents a portfolio of the student and who the student is and the student's current year of enrollment; and (2) lists any criminal charge that requires the student to be a part of a registry for a crime the student has committed, unless the student is legally protected under law or court order or another exigent circumstance. Requires the Database to include and display a comprehensive list of scholarships. Allows students 18 or older to be able to create an account with and have access to the Database.
SB1343	01/28/2025	Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. In provisions regarding the management of State buildings, grants the Department of Central Management Services the power to manage, operate, maintain, and preserve from waste real properties (rather than only real properties transferred to the Department under a specified provision). Authorizes the Department of Central Management Services to grant easements and accept easements with respect to the affected properties, on such terms and conditions that in the judgment of the Director of Central Management Services are in the best interests of the State. Removes the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago from the list of properties managed by the Department of Central Management Services. Adds 115 South LaSalle Street in Chicago to the list of properties managed by the Department of Central Management Services. Makes conforming changes.
SB1182	01/24/2025	Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that by January 1, 2026, the Department on Aging shall seek federal approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for any waiver or State Plan amendment necessary to provide monthly monitoring payments to care coordination units for each active participant enrolled in the Community Care Program who is receiving any allowable service and has not utilized services authorized by the care coordination unit or managed care organization for the month preceding the last month of services. Requires managed care organizations to remediate the full monthly monitoring payment to care coordination units that are providing services in accordance with the Act. Defines "active participant" to mean a person 60 years of age or older who has been found eligible to receive Community Care Program services. Provides that to receive administrative payments, a care coordination unit must provide documentation demonstrating that an effort has been made to contact the individual and confirm that the individual no longer needs services provided by the care coordination unit. Requires the Department to secure federal financial participation for expenditures made by the Department for State Fiscal Year 2026 and every State fiscal year thereafter. Effective immediately.
SB0206	01/22/2025	Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that hypoallergenic formula shall be covered under the medical assistance program for persons otherwise eligible for medical assistance who have been prescribed hypoallergenic formula by a physician. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to apply for any federal waivers or approvals necessary to implement the amendatory Act. Provides that upon federal approval, the Department shall at a minimum determine by rule the amount of hypoallergenic formula an eligible person shall receive coverage for per day.
SB0249	01/22/2025	Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the fourth day of August of each year shall be designated as Eva Carroll Monroe Recognition Day, to be observed throughout the State as a day to honor and celebrate Eva Carroll Monroe's legacy and her work on behalf of orphaned Black children during the harsh times of the Jim Crow era. Effective immediately.
SB0081	01/17/2025	Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Knight-Silas Legacy Act. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits a Class 1 felony offense of aggravated battery when the person is 21 years of age or older and, in committing a battery, other than by the discharge of a firearm, he or she knowingly causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to an individual whom the person knows to be a Department of Children and Family Services employee. Provides that a person commits a Class 2 felony offense of aggravated battery when the person is 21 years of age or older and, in committing a battery, other than by discharge of a firearm, he or she knows the individual battered to be a Department of Children and Family Services employee. Provides that "Department of Children and Family Services employee" includes any Department caseworker or investigator employed by an agency or organization providing social work, case work, or investigative services under a contract with or a grant from the Department of Children and Family Services.
SB0082	01/17/2025	Amends the Illinois Municipal Auditing Law of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that certain provisions concerning audit requirements shall become inoperable in fiscal year 2026. Provides that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, if a municipality has a population of 1,000 or more, then the municipality shall file annually with the Comptroller an audit report and annual financial report. Provides that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, a municipality with a population of less than 1,000 shall file annually with the Comptroller an annual financial report. Provides that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, a municipality with a population of less than 1,000 that owns or operates public utilities or has bonded debt shall file an audit report once every 4 years unless the latest audit report filed with the Comptroller contains an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion. Provides that, if the audit report contains an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, then the municipality shall file an audit report annually until the audit report shows no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion. Provides that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, municipalities shall submit completed audit reports and annual financial reports within 180 days after the close of such fiscal year, unless an extension is granted by the Comptroller in writing.
SB0083	01/17/2025	Amends the Small Estates Article of the Probate Act of 1975. Allows a small estate affidavit to be used to transfer personal property in a decedent's estate if: (1) no letters of office are outstanding on the decedent's estate and no petition for letters is contemplated or pending in the State or in any other jurisdiction; and (2) the decedent's personal estate passing to any party by intestacy or under a will is limited to tangible and intangible personal property not exceeding $150,000 and motor vehicles registered with the Secretary of State. Makes a corresponding change in the form for a small estate affidavit. Provides that the changes made to the Act apply to a decedent whose date of death is on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.
SB0084	01/17/2025	Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, the Nursing Home Care Act, the MC/DD Act, the ID/DD Community Care Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the administrator of a facility or establishment under any of those Acts shall ensure that the facility or establishment has an automated external defibrillator and policies and procedures for the rendering of automated external defibrillation in the facility or establishment. Provides course requirements for persons certified to provide automated external defibrillation. Provides that a facility or establishment shall contract with or employ a physician who shall be the automated external defibrillation medical director for the facility or establishment and who shall oversee and coordinate specified requirements.
SB0129	01/17/2025	Creates the Workforce Development Act. Contains only a short title provision.