Rep. David Friess

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that the limiting rate shall be calculated using the highest aggregate extension from any year in which the taxing district was subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (currently, the last 3 preceding levy years). Provides that an aggregate extension established for a levy year in which the taxing district was authorized to temporarily increase its limiting rate or its extension limitation may not be used.

Amends the State Fire Marshal Act. Requires the Office of the State Fire Marshal to adopt amendments to its permanently moored craft fire prevention and safety rules to provide for waivers, conditional waivers, limits to inspection and examination requirements, and reductions in the frequency of inspections and examinations for deck barges used as permanently moored craft in water that is no deeper than half of the barge's hull depth. Describes criteria that may be considered by the Office when amending its rules. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that law enforcement shall issue a citation in lieu of custodial arrest, upon proper identification, for those accused of any offense that is not a felony or Class A or B misdemeanor (rather than any offense that is not a felony or Class A misdemeanor) unless (i) a law enforcement officer reasonably believes the accused poses a threat to the community or any person, (ii) a custodial arrest is necessary because the criminal activity persists after the issuance of a citation, or (iii) the accused has an obvious medical or mental health issue that poses a risk to the accused's own safety. Provides that nothing in this provision requires arrest in the case of Class A or B (rather than a Class A) misdemeanor and felony offenses, or otherwise limits existing law enforcement discretion to decline to effect a custodial arrest.

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.

Recognizes John Conrad on the occasion of his serving the people of the City of Columbia, Monroe County, and Illinois for the past 50 years.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall establish the Returning Police Officers Loan Repayment Assistance Program to assist police officers who have left law enforcement with repayment of student loans and in order to help place officers into areas of the State who are the most under-staffed and in need of additional officers. Sets forth qualifications for applicants. Provides that each award under the Program shall be equal to $6,000 per year (i) for up to 5 years or (ii) until the applicant's student loans are paid off, whichever is sooner. Provides that an applicant has one year from the date that the first student loan assistance payment is received to begin work in a shortage area. Provides that applicants currently working in shortage areas are eligible for the Program, but those who left law enforcement due to reasons other than retirement or a permanent disability shall be given priority for the Program. Provides for rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2024.

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.

Creates the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program Act. Creates the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program within the Illinois State Police to provide a stable funding source for the veterinary care for retired police dogs. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall contract with a not-for-profit corporation organized under Article 2 of the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986 to administer and manage the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall select the not-for-profit corporation through a competitive grant award process. Establishes criteria for the selection of the not-for-profit corporation. Provides that from appropriations made by the General Assembly to the Illinois State Police for implementation of the Act, the Illinois State Police shall make grants to the not-for-profit corporation contracted by the Illinois State Police to be the disbursing authority for the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program. Provides that these funds must be disbursed to the former handler or the adopter of a retired police dog that served for 5 years or more as a police dog upon receipt specified verification. Provides that annual disbursements to a former handler or an adopter to reimburse him or her for the cost of the retired police dog's veterinary care may not exceed $1,500 per dog. Provides that a former handler or an adopter of a retired police dog may not accumulate unused funds from a current year for use in a future year. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall pay to the not-for-profit corporation, and the not-for-profit corporation may use, up to 10% of appropriated funds for its administrative expenses, including salaries and benefits. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall adopt rules to implement the Act.

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