TEACHER BENEFITS Senate SponsorsSen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr. 1/10/2023SenateSession Sine Die 35 ILCS 5/232 new40 ILCS 5/1-16040 ILCS 5/7-114from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 7-11440 ILCS 5/7-116from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 7-11640 ILCS 5/7-141from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 7-14140 ILCS 5/7-142from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 7-14240 ILCS 5/15-111from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-11140 ILCS 5/15-112from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-11240 ILCS 5/15-135from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-13540 ILCS 5/15-136from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-13640 ILCS 5/15-19840 ILCS 5/16-127from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 16-12740 ILCS 5/16-203105 ILCS 5/24-8.5115 ILCS 5/2from Ch. 48, par. 170230 ILCS 805/8.46 newAmends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that each qualified teacher is entitled to an income tax credit in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of the minimum federal student loan payments required and made by a qualified teacher in each taxable year. Defines "qualified teacher" as an individual who (i) is employed as a public school teacher on or after December 31, 2022, (ii) is a full-time public school teacher during the taxable year in which he or she claims the credit, and (iii) provides specified documentation. Amends the General Provisions, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), State Universities, and Downstate Teacher Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. With regard to Tier 2 members under the Downstate Teacher or State Universities Article and Tier 2 regular employees who are employees of an educational employer: makes changes to the age and service credit requirements for receiving an annuity; increases the amount of the automatic annual increases to retirement annuities; makes changes to the formula for calculating final average salary; and increases the limitation on the amount of salary that is used to calculate benefits. Provides that a person may receive optional credit for certain periods of service as a student teacher. Amends the School Code. Provides that each school district shall, from funds appropriated by the General Assembly, provide a salary to a student teacher employed by the district for certain school years. Makes other changes. Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Adds student teachers to a provision that excludes certain individuals from the definition of "student". Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately. 1/21/2022SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr. 1/21/2022SenateFirst Reading 1/21/2022SenateReferred to Assignments 1/10/2023SenateSession Sine Die