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How has school started already? That 7:15 elementary school drop off felt awful early this week.
New Bill Signings
HB 1122, Freelance Workers-Neutral signed into law. As amended, this bill creates the Freelance Worker Protection Act. Provides that, except as otherwise provided by law, a freelance worker shall be paid the contracted compensation amount no later than 30 days after the freelance worker provides the product or completes the services under the contract. Provides that once a freelance worker has commenced preparation of the product or performance of the services under the contract, a contracting entity shall not require as a condition of timely payment that the freelance worker accept less compensation than the amount of the contracted compensation. Requires written contracts for services or products provided by a freelance worker. Sets forth the information such written contracts must include. Provides that a contracting entity must make the contract available to the Department of Labor upon request. Requires the Department to make model contracts available on its website for use by the general public at no cost. Prohibits a contracting entity from taking any action that penalizes a freelance worker for, or is reasonably likely to deter a freelance worker from, exercising or attempting to exercise any right guaranteed under the Act. Sets for the procedure for freelance workers to file a complaint alleging a violation of the Act. Provides that complaints shall be reviewed by the Department to determine whether there is cause for the Department to initiate the process of facilitating the exchange of information between the parties. Contains provisions concerning notification and response requirements. Authorizes the Attorney General to initiate or intervene in a civil action if the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person or entity is engaged in a pattern and practice prohibited under the Act. Contains provisions concerning Attorney General investigations; civil penalties; and other enforcement matters. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department may conduct a public awareness campaign regarding the Act that, at a minimum, includes making information available on its website, otherwise informing contracting entities of the provisions of this Act, and establishing a means for assistance by a natural person through phone or email. Requires the Department to submit a report every 5 years to the General Assembly on freelance contracting and payment practices, the number of complaints received by the Department alleging a violation of the Act, and other matters. Requires the Department to publish each report on its website. Grants the Director rulemaking authority. Provides that except as otherwise provided by law, a freelance worker shall be paid the contracted compensation amount on or before the date the compensation is due under the terms of the contract. Provides that if the contract does not specify when the hiring party must pay the contracted compensation or the mechanism by which the date will be determined, compensation shall be due no later than 30 days after the completion of the freelance worker's services under the contract. Provides that the definition of "freelance worker" does not include an individual performing construction services.
HB 3563, DOIT-AI Task Force signed into law. This bill provides that the Department of Innovation and Technology shall establish the Generative AI and Natural Language Processing Task Force investigate and provide a report on generative artificial intelligence software and natural language processing software. Sets forth the members to serve on the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall hold at least 5 meetings, and specifies the format and the location of those minimum amount of meetings.
Note: there are two general business spots available for this task force. I’m working to obtain one of those appointments.
SB 851, Broadband signed into law. This bill provides that the Broadband Advisory Council shall evaluate the expansion of the Illinois Century Network to Illinois public schools, public libraries, and State-owned correctional institutions or facilities, including issuing recommendations for increasing agency staffing, infrastructure development, price modeling, and providing download speeds of at least one gigabyte per second and upload speeds of at least one gigabyte per second. Requires the Council to study the feasibility of connecting all Illinois public schools, public libraries, and State-owned correctional institutions or facilities to the Illinois Century Network by January 1, 2030. Provides that the Office of Broadband within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall support and assist the Council in the development of the study. Provides that the Council shall issue a report on its findings, recommendations, options for expansion, and any recommended legislation to the General Assembly by January 1, 2024.
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