Rep. Kevin Schmidt

Amends the Business Assistance and Regulatory Reform Act. Modifies requirements concerning the Office of Business Permits and Regulatory Assistance. Provides that the Office shall implement reforms to improve interagency coordination and encourage expeditious permit issuance. Provides that the Office shall use information technology tools to track project schedules and metrics in order to improve transparency and accountability of the permitting process, reduce uncertainty and delays, and reduce costs and risks to taxpayers. Modifies and adds requirements concerning the expediting of permit reviews. Provides for the creation of an Interagency Permitting Advisory Committee. Provides additional requirements to improve the coordination of permit reviews. Defines terms. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board Act. Provides that, by December 31, 2024, the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board must publish a report to identify strategies to address transportation access barriers that current secondary and community college students encounter when trying to access career development experiences and apprenticeship opportunities. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that the requirements for appointing a highway commissioner who is a non-resident or who has not resided in the district for one year also apply to the appointment of a district clerk. Removes the requirement that a township have a population of less than 500 residents for a board of trustees to appoint a non-resident or a person who has not resided in the district for one year.

Honors and thanks State Representative Frances Ann Hurley for her years of dedicated service. Wishes her the best on her future success.

Creates the Metro East Development Act. Sets forth legislative findings concerning the need for a Metro East Development Authority. Provides for creation of the Authority. Allows the Authority to hire an executive director. Lists the rights, powers, and duties of the Authority, including the power to borrow money and to issue bonds. Provides that the Authority shall perform an initial study and survey to determine what areas will be considered a depressed area that contain a blighted area. Provides for requirements related to meetings, public hearings, and administrative and judicial review of Authority projects. Provides for limitations on the Authority's powers. Describes procedures for procurement of debt and bonds, execution of deeds, demolition and removal of buildings, purchase of property, contracts, and costs of projects. Gives the Authority the power to investigate the conditions of any project in which it has an interest. Effective immediately.

Creates the Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform Act. Provides that the Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform shall consist of 18 voting members. Provides for the appointment of the members. Provides that the Commission shall undertake a review of executive branch State agencies and provide recommendations for improvement. Provides that the Commission shall submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Creates the Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform Fund, which may receive gifts, grants, and donations from any lawful source. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used by the Commission exclusively for public purposes. Provides that the Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform shall operate as a 501(c)(4) entity under the federal Internal Revenue Code. Repeals the Act on October 1, 2024. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Salaries Act. Deletes provisions made by Public Act 102-1115. Amends the General Assembly Compensation Act. Removes changes made by Public Act 102-1115.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In a provision concerning the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, provides that, beginning in assessment year 2023, the taxpayer's annual household income for purposes of determining eligibility for the exemption shall be reduced by any amounts paid by the taxpayer as Medicare premiums during the calendar year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Deletes language providing for reduced registration fees for active duty military personnel. Provides instead that the standard vehicle registration fee for passenger motor vehicles of the first division and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds shall be waived for active duty military personnel. Effective immediately.