Rep. Kevin Schmidt

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Provides that if a defendant is found guilty of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination thereof where the violation has resulted in the death of another, the court shall order the defendant to pay an amount reasonable and necessary for support of the minor child or children of any victims. Provides for the calculation of child support for a defendant ordered to pay child support under such circumstances. Makes a corresponding change in the Illinois Vehicle Code.

Amends the School Code. Allows a METT Educator District License for teaching a course in manufacturing, engineering, technology, or a trade (METT) to be issued to an applicant who has at least 10,000 working hours in a trade. Provides that a METT Educator District License may be issued to qualified individuals who have not obtained a bachelor's degree or an equivalent number of hours in an educational program at an institution of higher education. Provides that a METT Educator District License is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the license being issued and may be renewed. Provides that a METT Educator District License is valid only for the teaching of a course that the State Board of Education has identified as related to the work experience of the licensee. Sets forth other provisions regarding the license. Amends the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Provides that the State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity or the Department of Labor, shall expand a database to identify METT labor shortages. Provides that by July 1, 2026, school districts in identified regions shall be notified by the State Board and shall participate in a College and Career Pathway Endorsement program and offer a METT endorsement. Makes other changes.

Creates the Online Age Verification for Material Harmful to Minors Act. Requires any commercial entity that knowingly or intentionally publishes or distributes material harmful to minors on the Internet from a website that contains a substantial portion of such material to verify that any person attempting to access such material is 18 years of age or older. Provides that verification must be done through the use of (i) a commercially available database that is regularly used by businesses or governmental entities for the purpose of age and identity verification or (ii) another commercially reasonable method of age and identity verification. Provides that any commercial entity that violates the Act shall be subject to civil liability for damages resulting from a minor's access to such material harmful to a minor and reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Exempts from liability providers or users of an interactive computer service on the Internet, as defined.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction for 100% of the income of a qualified new business. Provides that the term "qualified new business” means a business that has its principal place of business in the State and first begins operating in the State during the taxable year.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Increases the amount of the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities from $2,000 to $4,000 beginning in tax year 2024.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that the photograph of each minor for whom the Department of Children and Family Services is responsible under the Abused, Dependent, or Neglected Minors Article of the Act shall be transmitted to the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which the minor resides for placement in the court file. Provides that the photograph shall be taken within 6 months before transmission and shall be accessible by the judge who is to decide the placement, custody, or other disposition concerning the minor.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Reduces the rate of tax on diapers and baby wipes to 1% (currently, 6.25%). Makes various formatting changes.

Creates the Prohibition of Closed-Door Tax Increases Act. Provides that a unit of local government may not increase a levied tax without authorization by referendum of the electors of the unit of local government. Provides that a referendum to increase a levied tax must include a sunset clause on which the tax increase authorized by the referendum measure shall expire. Provides that, if an increase in a levied tax is intended to generate a cash flow to service a debt, the increase must sunset no later than the date that the debt is scheduled to be paid off, and, if an increase in a levied tax is intended to generate a cash flow that will be spent for purposes other than debt service, the increase must sunset no later than 10 years after the date on which the tax increase begins. Provides that, to the extent the Act conflicts with any other provision of law, the Act controls. Provides that nothing in the Act infringes upon the right of a unit of local government to impose or increase nontax fines or fees. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall adopt rules to enforce the Act. Limits concurrent exercise of home rule taxing powers.

Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Provides that a person shall be required to wear an approved electronic monitoring device for the first 5 years of the person's period of registration if the person is: (1) a sex offender convicted of an offense that would qualify the person as a sexual predator; or (2) required to register as a sex offender and: (A) was convicted of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, criminal sexual abuse, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, or ritualized abuse of a child, when the victim was under 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the offense; and (B) used force or the threat of force in the commission of the offense. Provides that if the person fails to register or violates laws that regulate sex offenders, the person shall be required to wear the approved electronic monitoring device for an additional 3 years. Provides that the Illinois State Police and the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction shall monitor the person required to wear an approved electronic monitoring device to ensure compliance with this provision.

Repeals the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.