Rep. Patrick Windhorst

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission, in consultation with the Illinois Power Agency, shall develop standards and guidelines to prohibit any Illinois ratepayer funds from being used by the Agency for the procurement of solar panels that are not manufactured or assembled by a company located in the United States under the Agency's long-term renewable resources procurement plan.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person also obstructs justice when, with intent to prevent the apprehension or obstruct the prosecution or defense of any person, he or she knowingly takes a body camera or any part of a body camera from a person known to be a peace officer. Provides that a violation, if the body camera or any part of the body camera is taken from the peace officer during the commission of an offense that has caused great bodily harm to the officer or another person, is a Class 1 felony. Any other violation of this provision is a Class 2 felony.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities carries over to the benefit of the veteran's surviving spouse if the veteran resided outside of the State but otherwise qualified for the exemption at the time of his or her death and the surviving spouse relocates to Illinois after the death of the veteran. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the 72 hour waiting period before delivery of a concealable firearm after application for its purchase has been made does not apply to a person who has been issued a valid license to carry a concealed handgun under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that a unit of local government, including a home rule unit, may not impose a tax, fee, or other assessment other than a retailers' occupation tax rate for goods on a firearm, firearm attachment, or firearm ammunition. Provides that the provisions of any ordinance or resolution, in effect or adopted, on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act by any unit of local government, including a home rule unit, that imposes a tax, fee, or other assessment other a retailers' occupation tax rate for goods on a firearm, firearm attachment, or firearm ammunition are invalid and void. Effective immediately.

Creates the COVID-19 Religious Exemption Act. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person, public or private institution, or public official to discriminate against any person in any manner because of such person's refusal to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination contrary to his or her belief. Requires all health care facilities to adopt written access to care and information protocols that are designed to ensure that belief-based objections do not cause impairment of patients' health and that explain how belief-based objections will be addressed in a timely manner to facilitate patient care. Provides that it is unlawful for any public or private employer, entity, agency, institution, official, or person to deny admission because of, to place any reference in its application form concerning, to orally question about, to impose any burdens in terms or conditions of employment on, or to otherwise discriminate against, any applicant, in terms of employment, admission to or participation in any programs for which the applicant is eligible, or to discriminate in relation thereto, in any other manner, on account of the applicant's refusal to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination that is against the applicant's beliefs. Provides that it is unlawful for any public official, guardian, agency, institution, or entity to deny any form of aid, assistance, or benefits, or to condition the reception in any way of any form of aid, assistance, or benefits, or in any other manner to coerce, disqualify, or discriminate against any person, otherwise entitled to such aid, assistance, or benefits, because that person refuses to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination contrary to the person's belief. Allows any person injured by any public or private person, association, agency, entity, or corporation by reason of any action prohibited by the Act to bring an action. Provides that a person who brings an action shall recover threefold the actual damages, the costs of the action, and reasonable attorney's fees, but in no case shall recovery for each violation be less than $2,500 plus costs of the action and reasonable attorney's fees. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Invest in Kids Act. Provides that the Invest in Kids credit applies permanently (currently, the credit applies for taxable years ending before January 1, 2023). Effective immediately.

Amends the Administration of Juvenile Services Article of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Requires the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts to adopt rules to permit the hiring of personnel at a county juvenile detention center that possess less than a bachelor's degree. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 705 ILCS 405/6-1 Adds reference to: 730 ILCS 5/3-2.5-15 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts and the Department of Juvenile Justice shall permit the hiring of county juvenile detention center personnel that possess less than a bachelor's degree, including, but not limited to, the hiring of an applicant who possesses an associate's degree or has completed at least 60 credit hours at an accredited institution of higher education. Effective immediately.

Designates Illinois Route 148 north of the City of Christopher at the city limits north of the intersection of Harrison Street and Highway 148 and south of the City of Christopher at the northeast intersection of Yellow Banks Road and Illinois Route 148 as the "Firefighter Kody M. Vanfossan Memorial Highway."

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit in an amount equal to the foster care expenses, not to exceed $1,000 in any taxable year, paid or incurred by the taxpayer with respect to a qualified dependent child. Provides that the credit may be prorated. Effective immediately.