Creates the Soldiers to Farmers Program Act. Provides that the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall implement and administer the Soldiers to Farmers Program to provide financial and instructional assistance to Illinois veterans interested in starting a career in the farming and agriculture industries. Provides that from appropriations made for the purposes of the Act, the Department shall award a $10,000 stipend to program participants to go towards the purchase of land or farming equipment. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, and the Motor Fuel Tax Law by providing up to a 5-year exemption to program participants for tangible personal property used in a farming or agricultural business operated by the veteran that is not otherwise exempt and claims for undyed diesel fuel used in a farming or agricultural business operated by the veteran for which claims may not otherwise be made.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. Requires the Department of Revenue, beginning on January 1, 2015 or as soon thereafter as is practical, to offer a special historic preservation instant scratch-off game. Requires the net revenue from that game to be deposited into the Lottery for Historic Preservation Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used by the Historic Preservation Agency to make grants for the purposes of maintaining and preserving historic sites in Illinois. Authorizes the Department to adopt rules necessary to implement and administer the game. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Lottery for Historic Preservation Fund. Effective immediately.
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Exempts from a violation of criminal trespass to real property a person who enters the land of another for the purpose of retrieving a dog used for hunting purposes if the person enters the land on foot and without a firearm and after retrieving the dog, the person immediately leaves the land of the other person. Effective immediately.
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Reinstates the death penalty for certain types of murder. Enacts the Capital Crimes Litigation Act of 2014. Provides that all unobligated and unexpended moneys remaining in the Death Penalty Abolition Fund on the effective date of the amendatory Act shall be transferred into the Capital Litigation Trust Fund. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 relating to first degree murder. Provides a factor in aggravation for imposition of the death penalty for a murder committed with exceptionally brutal or heinous behavior indicative of wanton cruelty (rather than this type of murder must be of a victim under 12 years of age or victim 60 years of age or older). Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Eliminates provision that abolishes the sentence of death. Amends the State Appellate Defender Act. Provides that in cases in which a death sentence is an authorized disposition, the State Appellate Defender shall provide trial counsel with legal assistance and the assistance of expert witnesses, investigators, and mitigation specialists from funds appropriated to the State Appellate Defender specifically for that purpose by the General Assembly. Provides that the Office of State Appellate Defender shall not be appointed to serve as trial counsel in capital cases.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on and after January 1, 2014, electronic benefits transfer cards ("LINK") used to obtain food stamp benefits or cash shall contain the name and photo of the primary cardholder and, at the option of the primary cardholder, the names of secondary holders who are authorized to use the card. Establishes that an individual may only use the LINK card if the photo on the card matches the user or he or she presents a current and valid photo identification that confirms he or she is a secondary user listed on the card. Provides that on the effective date of the amendatory Act the Department of Human Services shall begin the process of transitioning to the use of LINK cards which contain the name and photo of the primary cardholder and list the names of all authorized users of the card. Requires the transition to be completed no later than January 1, 2014. Effective immediately.
Amends the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the financial aid provided under the State's TANF program, which is intended to help eligible recipients pay for basic needs such as food, shelter, utilities, and basic living expenses, shall not be used for items not essential for the health and well-being of the recipient. Effective immediately.
Congratulates Keith O. Brown on the occasion of his retirement from Community Action after 42 years of service.
Amends the School Code. Allows a school board to use remaining funds on hand in the Fire Prevention and Safety Fund for required safety inspections. Effective immediately.
Amends the Wildlife Code. Adds the Gray wolf, American black bear, and Cougar to the list of protected species under the Act.