Rep. David Friess

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow for the issuance of In God We Trust special license plate decals by the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. Provides that $5 of each original issuance and $18 of each renewal shall be deposited into the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund, and that $15 of each original issuance and $2 of each renewal shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund.

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

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of the Act to the contrary, on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Illinois State Police may not revoke a Firearm Owner's Identification Card. Provides that on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a Firearm Owner's Identification Card may only be revoked after a Firearm Owner's Identification Card hearing has been held in the circuit court of the county of residence of the person whose Firearm Owner's Identification Card is sought to be revoked. Provides that, if the State's Attorney of the county of residence of the person whose Firearm Owner's Identification Card is sought to be revoked has probable cause to believe that the person who has been issued a Firearm Owner's Identification Card is no longer eligible for the Card under the Act, the State's Attorney shall file a petition in the circuit court of the county of residence of the person whose Card is sought to be revoked. Provides that at the hearing, the person may present evidence in his or her favor seeking retention of his or her Firearm Owner's Identification Card and the Illinois State Police and State's Attorney may present evidence for revocation. Provides that the hearing shall be a civil proceeding and subject to due process, the Code of Civil Procedure, and the Illinois Rules of Evidence as adopted by the Supreme Court. Provides that the hearing shall be held within 45 days after the filing of the petition. Provides that if the circuit court determines, by clear and convincing evidence, that the person is ineligible for retention of his or her Firearm Owner's Identification Card under the Act, the court shall order the Illinois State Police to immediately revoke the Card and the circuit clerk shall seize the Card and transmit the Card to the Illinois State Police. Establishes procedures for the Illinois State Police to suspend a Firearm Owner's Identification Card.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that it shall be permissible to operate a non-highway vehicle on all roadways within the boundaries of a municipality with a total population less than 10,000 persons and population density of less than 750 persons per square mile, and the municipality has authorized the use of non-highway vehicles. Provides that a non-highway vehicle being operated within a municipality under the provisions shall be operated only by: (i) a disabled veteran who would be otherwise eligible for a disabled veteran registration plate and who has been issued a person with disabilities parking placard; (ii) on the farthest outside lane or shoulder of a roadway with a speed limit not in excess of 35 miles per hour; (iii) for a distance of less than 5 miles per one-way trip from the point of origin to the point of destination; (iv) with the person with disabilities parking placard displayed; and (v) without crossing any toll roads or limited-access highways. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall issue distinctive registration plates for non-highway vehicles. Provides that the Secretary shall issue these plates only to non-highway vehicles that are insured and have brakes, a steering apparatus, tires, a rearview mirror, red reflectorized warning devices in the front and rear, a slow moving emblem on the rear, a headlight that emits a white light, a tail lamp that emits a red light, brake lights, and turn signals. Provides that every owner of a non-highway vehicle that drives upon a roadway with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less shall pay the Secretary an annual registration fee of $76. Provides that the registration fee shall be distributed as follows: $1 to the State Treasurer, for deposit into the State Police Service Fund; $30 to the State Treasurer, for deposit into the Road Fund; and $45 to the Treasurer of the county of residence of the owner of the non-highway vehicle, for deposit into the road fund of the county. Provides that vehicles with a registration plate may be operated on any street, highway, or roadway where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less or any county highway where the posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour or less and may make a direct crossing upon or across certain roads.

Amends the State Parks Act. Requires all persons or entities seeking to charge fees to participants, provide items for sale, or otherwise collect money or items as part of an event located on property or facilities that are owned, leased, or managed by the Department of Natural Resources to complete a permit to sell application form to obtain a permit to sell. Provides that all revenue generated from an event shall be subject to a 10% fee payable to the Department of Natural Resources upon completion of the event. Requires all funds received by the Department to be allocated to the site at which the fees were collected. Waives activity permit fees, permit to sell fees, the 10% facility fees, and facility usage fees for formally recognized Friends Groups and for all fishing tournaments and clubs. Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that resident military members returning from active duty, regardless of mobilization or deployment, shall receive one free hunting license, one free trapping license, one specified free Deer Hunting Permit, and one free State Habitat Stamp if the military member applies within 2 years of active duty service. Provides that hunting license fees for all resident veterans, regardless of deployment, shall be one-half of the current license fee amount. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits a hate crime if the person commits specified crimes by reason of the actual or perceived employment as a peace officer of another individual, regardless of the existence of any other motivating factor or factors.

Amends the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987. Makes a technical change in the Section concerning the short title of the Act.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Establishes the creation of a United States Space Force special license plate. Provides that the design, color, and format of the plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary of State. Provides that the surviving spouse of a military service member who has been issued a United States Space Force license plate may retain the plate so long as the spouse is a resident of Illinois and transfers the registration to his or her name within 180 days of the death of the service member. Provides that an individual may reclass his or her registration or plate upon acquiring a Space Force license plate without a replacement plate fee or registration sticker cost. Provides that a vehicle owner who has been approved for benefits under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act or who is the spouse of such a person shall pay a $10 registration fee for vehicles displaying a Space Force license plate.

Commemorates the 1974-1975 Red Bud Musketeers women's volleyball team, acknowledges their tenacity off the court to demand the right to compete at the highest level as well as their grit and determination to earn that right, and thanks them for serving as an example of these admirable traits to nearly 50 years of women competitors.