Rep. Brad Halbrook

Reaffirms commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister-state ties between the State of Illinois and Taiwan, R.O.C. Reaffirms support for the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and supports Illinois businesses to refer to Taiwan, R.O.C. as Taiwan. Endorses Taiwan's efforts to secure the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA), and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) with the United States and reiterates support for a closer economic and trade partnership between the State of Illinois and Taiwan. Expresses continued support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations that impact the health, safety, and well-being of the people of Taiwan and supports Taiwan's aspiration to make more contributions in international societies.

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, through its authorized agency, 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. Effective immediately.

Amends the Sanitary District Act of 1936. On and after January 1, 2024, provides that group life, health, accident, hospital and medical insurance, or any one or any combination of those types of insurance, may not be provided to trustees. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Increases penalties for unlawful use or possession of weapons by felons or persons in the custody of the Department of Corrections facilities. Provides that a person commits unlawful sale or delivery of firearms when he or she knowingly: (1) sells or gives a firearm to a person who has been convicted of a felony or who is a streetgang member or (2) sells or gives a firearm that has been purchased or acquired out of state to a person who has been convicted of a felony or is a streetgang member. Provides that a violation is a Class 1 felony. Provides that a second or subsequent violation is non-probationable. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Deletes a provision that the first offense had to be committed when the person was 21 years of age or older to be adjudged a habitual criminal. Provides that a person who attained the age of 18 at the time of the third offense may be adjudged a habitual criminal. In the Class X sentencing provision for a defendant over 21 years of age who is convicted of a Class 1 or Class 2 felony after twice being convicted of a Class 1 or Class 2 felony, deletes a provision that the first offense had to be committed when the person was 21 years of age or older and deletes a provision that the offenses had to be forcible felonies. Exempts theft from this calculation.

Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that hospitals licensed under the Act are prohibited from preventing the administration of a prescription medication to a patient if the patient's treating physician has prescribed the medication.

Creates the Second Amendment Privacy Act. Provides that a financial institution is prohibited from disclosing a customer's protected financial information when purchasing a firearm or ammunition unless specified conditions apply. Provides that a financial institution may disclose a customer's protected financial information if the customer provides the financial institution with written authorization for the disclosure. Provides that if a subpoena issued by a government entity requires disclosure of a customer's protected financial information, a financial institution may only disclose the information if the subpoena meets specified requirements. Provides that a financial institution may not use a firearms code to engage in discriminatory conduct. Provides that a customer may bring a civil action for damages against any financial institution or government entity that causes the customer's protected financial information to be disclosed in violation of the Act.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that an elected or appointed public official of a public body has a right to all records of the public body to which the official is elected or appointed, and to the records of each subsidiary of the public body to which the official is elected or appointed. Provides that a member of the General Assembly shall have access to all records of each State agency. Provides that records of a public body shall be provided under equal circumstances to all persons entitled to records under the new provisions. Provides that records shall be provided within 5 business days, unless a mutual agreement between the official and the public body provides otherwise. Provides that an official entitled to records under the new provisions is not required to submit a request for records under other provisions of the Act. Provides that the new provisions do not apply to records exempt under specified Sections of the Act.

Creates the Stop Social Media Censorship Act. Provides that the owner or operator of a social media website that censors or deletes a user's religious or political speech is subject to a private right of action by certain social media website users in this State. Authorizes the recovery of actual damages, statutory damages, and punitive damages. Provides for the award of reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Prohibits a social media website from using alleged hate speech as a defense. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring an action on behalf of social media website users. Defines terms. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that in addition to any other applicable requirement of law, State's Attorneys, and the Assistant State's Attorneys working thereunder, shall abide by the ethics laws applicable to, and the ethics policies of, the county for which they work and, if applicable, shall be subject to the jurisdiction of that county's ethics officer or inspector general.

Amends the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act. Provides that no mayor or alderperson (rather than no alderperson) of any city, or president or member (rather than no member) of the board of trustees of any village, during the term of office for which he or she is elected, may accept, be appointed to, or hold any office or position of compensated employment (rather than only hold any office) by the appointment of the mayor or president of the board of trustees, unless the alderperson or board member is granted a leave of absence from the office, unless he or she first resigns from the office of mayor, president, alderperson, or member of the board of trustees, or unless the holding of another office is authorized by law.