Rep. Adam Brown

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the criminal offense of the manufacture, possession, use of fire bombs, explosive materials, devices, or hoax explosive devices. Makes it a Class 3 felony to knowingly possess materials with which a fire bomb, explosive material, or device can be made with the intent to manufacture a fire bomb, explosive material, or device, and to manufacture, transport, distribute, possess, or use a fire bomb, explosive material, or device. Makes it a Class 4 felony to construct, use, place, send, or cause to be sent any hoax explosive device so as to intentionally cause another person to believe that the device is a bomb or explosive. Provides exemptions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that the Code does not apply to contracts between the Department of Agriculture and a non-profit service organization for the purpose of providing goods or services on the Illinois State Fairgrounds during the Illinois State Fair or on the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds during the DuQuoin State Fair. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a contractor or subcontractor under a contract or subcontract for the development and supply of rifles, shotguns, weapons, or ammunition to the United States government or any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, when the activities are necessary and incident to fulfilling the terms of the contract, may transport these weapons even if they are not broken down in a non-functioning state, or are immediately accessible. Permits the transportation of a rifle with a barrel or barrels less than 16 inches in length that is not broken down in a non-functioning state, or are immediately accessible by a person: (1) who has been issued a Curios and Relics license from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; or (2) who is an active member of a bona fide, nationally recognized military re-enacting group and the modification is required and necessary to accurately portray the weapon for historical re-enactment purposes; the re-enactor is in possession of a valid and current re-enacting group membership credential; and the overall length of the weapon as modified is not less than 26 inches. Effective immediately.

Creates the Endow Illinois Tax Credit Act and amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Requires the Department of Revenue to authorize an income tax credit to taxpayers who provide an endowment gift to a permanent endowment fund. Sets forth procedures and criteria for authorizing the credits. Provides that the aggregate amount of all credits that the Department may authorize may not exceed $10,000,000 in 2013, $25,000,000 in 2014, or $50,000,000 in 2015 and each calendar year thereafter. Provides conditions for eligibility. Requires the Department to make an annual report concerning the credits. Provides that the credit may be carried forward for 5 years. Exempts the credit from the Act's sunset provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Employment Security Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. With regard to an assuming insurer's trust fund, provides that not later than February 28 of each year, the assuming insurer's chief executive officer or chief financial officer shall certify to the Director that the trust fund contains funds in an amount not less than the assuming insurer's liabilities attributable to reinsurance ceded by U.S. ceding insurers, and in addition, a trusteed surplus of not less than $20,000,000. Permits a reduction in the required trusteed surplus in specified circumstances. Provides that in the event that the provision concerning the reduction in the required trusteed surplus applies to the trust, the assuming insurer's chief executive officer or chief financial officer shall then certify to the Director that the trust fund contains funds in an amount not less than the assuming insurer's liabilities attributable to reinsurance ceded by U.S. ceding insurers, and in addition, a reduced trusteed surplus of not less than the amount that has been authorized by the regulatory authority having principal regulatory oversight of the trust. Makes changes to the provisions concerning financial strength ratings. Sets forth provisions concerning downgrades by rating agencies, the Director's authority, upgrading the rating of a certified reinsurer, and the revocation of the certification of a certified reinsurer. Makes other changes.

Urges the General Assembly to adopt a law similar to Virginia Code Title 18.2, Chapter 5, Section 18.2-85 to prohibit the possession of materials from which fire bombs, explosive materials, or devices can be made with the intent to manufacture fire bombs, explosive materials, or devices; prohibit the manufacture, transport, distribution, possession, or use of a fire bomb, explosive material, or device; and prohibit the construction, use, placement, sending, or causing to be sent a hoax explosive device with the intent to cause another to believe the device is a bomb or explosive.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction for taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2015 in an amount equal to the contributions made by the taxpayer during the taxable year to any qualified tuition program under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, but not to exceed $10,000 in any taxable year (now, that deduction applies only to contributions made to an in-State 529 plan). Effective immediately.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Authorizes and, in some circumstances requires, a public body to respond by electronic mail to requests for public records that it has received by electronic mail.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a public utility may apply for expedited review of a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the construction of any new high voltage electric service line that does not exceed 5 miles in length nor advance contiguously to a project filed with the Commission during 2012 (rather than any new high voltage electric service line) and related facilities. Provides that no transmission line may be constructed within 1.5 miles of specified areas. Provides that the amendatory changes shall apply to applications filed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act and to all applications filed before the effective date of the amendatory Act for which the Commission has not issued a decision before the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.