Rep. Adam Niemerg

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that a veteran may acquire or possess a firearm, firearm ammunition, a stun gun, or taser without having in his or her possession a Firearm Owner's Identification Card. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the unlawful use of weapons provisions and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon provisions restricting the carrying of firearms do not apply to veterans. Defines "veteran" as a person who has served in the Armed Forces of the United States or the Illinois National Guard and was discharged or separated under honorable conditions.

Condemns the attacks on the State of Israel and its people and strongly implores the government of Israel to bring the terrorist organization, Hamas, to an end. Reaffirms Illinois' support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel. Recognizes Israel's right to act decisively and unilaterally in self-defense to protect its citizens. Expresses Illinois' support for Israel's right to pursue without interference or condemnation the elimination of Hamas until Hamas is permanently neutralized and public safety is assured. Conveys Illinois' most heartfelt condolences to all Israeli victims as well as their families and communities. Calls upon Illinois law enforcement to remain vigilant in protecting Israeli Americans, Jewish Americans, and all supporters of Israel from acts of crime and unlawful discrimination that tend to manifest at such times. Encourages all other American states to likewise condemn Hamas as well as any official body that refuses to recognize Israel's right to act decisively in self-defense to protect its citizens. Calls upon the United States to provide assistance to support Israel in its defense against Hamas and all other terrorist organizations that threaten its sovereignty.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall pay an annual rebate to each individual taxpayer who files an Illinois income tax return with the Department on or before the second Friday in October of the calendar year for which the rebate is made. Provides that surplus moneys in the Income Tax Refund Fund shall be transferred to the Illinois Individual Income Tax Rebate Fund (currently, the General Revenue Fund). Creates the Illinois Individual Income Tax Rebate Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used for the purpose of paying rebates. Effective immediately.

Creates the Protect the Flag Act. Provides that an institution of higher education that, pursuant to an official policy of the institution to prohibit the display of the flag of the United States by the institution, removes, censors, takes down, prohibits, or otherwise halts display of the flag of the United States is ineligible to receive State funds for the following fiscal year until the institution reports to the General Assembly and the Board of Higher Education the complete and proper reinstatement, by the institution in its official capacity, of the flag of the United States at any and all locations on campus property from which a previously displayed flag of the United States was removed, censored, taken down, prohibited, or otherwise halted from display pursuant to an official policy of the institution to prohibit the display of the flag of the United States by the institution.

Repeals the Illinois TRUST Act. Makes corresponding changes in the Illinois Identification Card Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that subject to the availability of local resources, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, each public middle school, junior high school, and high school shall establish a junior color guard program to promote the value of and honor military personnel. Provides that the junior color guard shall be used at school events, including interscholastic athletic events and other events in which the presenting of the colors is requested. Provides that each school shall allow the junior color guard to participate in community events in which the presenting of the colors may be requested. Provides that each school may work with a civic organization or association to provide adequate training to the members of the junior color guard on the execution of their duties.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that the pretrial services agency supervising and monitoring a defendant on pretrial release shall immediately notify the law enforcement agency of the defendant's primary residence and contact information and the office of the State's Attorney that charged the defendant if the person on pretrial release violates a no contact order.

Repeals the provisions of Public Act 102-1116 that make amendatory changes to the Firearms Restraining Order Act that provide that a petitioner for a firearms restraining order may request a plenary firearms restraining order of up to one-year, but not less than 6 months (restores the 6 months provision). Repeals provisions that the firearms restraining order may be renewed for an additional period of up to one year. Repeals amendatory provisions of the Criminal Code of 2012 making it unlawful, beginning January 1, 2024, for any person within the State to knowingly possess an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge, with exemptions. Repeals provisions that make it unlawful for any person within the State to knowingly manufacture, deliver, sell, purchase, or cause to be manufactured, delivered, sold, or purchased a large capacity ammunition feeding device, with specified exemptions. Repeals amendatory provisions of the Criminal Code of 2012 that prohibit the manufacture, possession, sale, or offer to sell, purchase, manufacture, import, transfer, or use any device, part, kit, tool, accessory, or combination of parts that is designed to and functions to increase the rate of fire of a semiautomatic firearm above the standard rate of fire for semiautomatic firearms that is not equipped with that device, part, or combination of parts. Repeals amendatory provisions of the Freedom of Information Act that exempt from disclosure under the Act certain information concerning assault weapons endorsements received by the Illinois State Police. Effective immediately.

Condemns the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. Calls upon campus administrators to condemn all forms of anti-Semitism on college campuses and to ensure Jewish students, faculty, and guests can exercise the same free speech rights as are guaranteed to all other students, faculty, and guests without intimidation. Urges enforcement of State and federal civil rights laws to protect Jewish students from anti-Semitism. Offers sympathy and compassion to families and individuals suffering from the current Israel-Hamas conflict.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Deletes language that provides that no construction shall commence on any new nuclear power plant to be located within the State, and no certificate of public convenience and necessity or other authorization shall be issued therefor by the Illinois Commerce Commission, until the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency finds that the United States Government has identified and approved a demonstrable technology or means for the disposal of high level nuclear waste, or until such construction has been specifically approved by a statute enacted by the General Assembly. Provides that the Commission shall only issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity to a public utility operating or located within the State or to a company with a fossil fuel-based power generator. Provides that the Commission shall adopt rules concerning the granting of certificates of public convenience and necessity for the construction, purchase, or lease of small modular nuclear reactors. Provides requirements for the Commission to follow when adopting rules for the granting of certificates of public convenience and necessity for small modular nuclear reactors. Provides that the Commission may adopt emergency rules for the granting of certificates of public convenience and necessity for small modular nuclear reactors.