Rep. Kelly Cassidy

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Cannabis Legalization Task Force Act. Creates the Cannabis Legalization Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall: (1) research all relevant factors related to cannabis legalization including but not limited to: economic, governmental, medical, legal, regulatory, enforcement, licensing, taxation, and other relevant factors; (2) develop legislation for the legalization of recreational cannabis for adults over the age of 21 in this State that will promote the health, safety, and well-being of the citizens of Illinois; create a balanced regulatory framework by proposing efficient and effective regulation that is clear and reasonable and not unduly burdensome and is responsive to consumer needs; create a balanced and fair taxing system needed for the licensing of entities to sell cannabis and the licensing of entities to grow cannabis; report to the General Assembly its findings and recommendations for drafting legislation on or before December 20, 2015; and (3) draft legislation based on the findings and recommendations to be presented to the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2015. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2016.

Amends the Private Correctional Facility Moratorium Act. Changes the title of the Act to the For-Profit Corrections Prohibition Act. Defines "non-profit contractor", private company", "private vendor", "private contractor", and "work release center". Provides that the State, any unit of local government, or a county sheriff, shall not contract with a private contractor or private vendor for the provision of services relating to community correctional supervision. Provides that the Act does not apply to State work release centers or juvenile residential facilities that provide separate care or special treatment operated in whole or part by non-profit (rather than private) contractors. Adds to exempted contracts for ancillary services contracts for electronic monitoring services.

Amends the Cannabis Control Act. Provides that the knowing possession of not more than 30 grams of any substance containing cannabis is a petty offense charged by a Uniform Cannabis Ticket with a fine of $100 (rather than a Class C misdemeanor for 2.5 grams or less, a Class B misdemeanor for more than 2.5 grams to 10 grams, and a Class A misdemeanor for more than 10 grams to 30 grams). Provides that knowing possession of more than 30 grams but not more than 500 grams of any substance containing cannabis is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense (rather than a Class 4 felony) and a Class 4 felony for a subsequent offense (rather than a Class 3 felony). Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Establishes procedures concerning the Uniform Cannabis Ticket.

Creates the Firearms Registration Act. Provides that every person in the State must register each firearm he or she owns or possesses in accordance with the Act. Provides that a person shall not purchase or possess ammunition within this State without having first obtained a registration certificate identifying a firearm that is suitable for use with that ammunition, or a receipt demonstrating that the person has applied to register a suitable firearm under the Act and that the application is pending. Provides that the Department of State Police must complete a background check of any person who applies for: (1) a registration certificate for a firearm that was lawfully owned or possessed on the effective date of the Act, was brought into the State by a new resident, or was acquired by operation of law upon the death of the former owner; or (2) a renewal of a registration certificate unless, within 12 months of the date the renewal application is submitted, the applicant passed a background check conducted by the Department in connection with the applicant's acquisition of another firearm. Provides exceptions. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is a Class 2 felony to sell or transfer ownership of a firearm to another person without complying with the registration requirement of the Firearms Registration Act.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is a Class 1 felony to sell or give a firearm to a person whom the seller or giver knows is a streetgang member. Effective immediately.

Makes application to Congress for the calling of a convention for proposing amendments to the United States Constitution.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning instruction.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to promulgate rules to increase by $10 for State fiscal year 2015 the total monthly personal needs allowance for persons who are inpatients in a facility licensed under the ID/DD Community Care Act for which payments are made under the Medical Assistance Article throughout a month and who are determined to be eligible for medical assistance. Provides that for State fiscal years 2016 and beyond, in any calendar year in which there is a cost-of-living increase in federal Supplemental Security Income benefits or Social Security benefits, the Department shall promulgate rules to increase the total monthly personal needs allowance by an amount that is at least equal to the increase in federal Supplemental Security Income benefits or Social Security benefits. Provides that the Department shall not be prohibited from increasing, by rule, for State fiscal years 2016 and beyond, the personal needs allowance by an amount that is greater than the cost-of-living increase in federal Supplemental Security Income benefits or Social Security benefits for that calendar year; and that at no time shall the personal needs allowance for eligible persons be reduced below the rates calculated for State fiscal year 2015. Authorizes the Department to make similar increases, by rule, for persons who reside in a facility licensed under the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act, who are determined to be eligible for medical assistance, and who are enrolled in the Illinois Home and Community Based Services Medicaid Waiver program for adults with developmental disabilities. Effective immediately.

Creates the Urban Flooding Awareness Act. Defines "urban flooding". Provides that, by June 30, 2015, the Department of Natural Resources, in consultation with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the Department of Commerce and Economic Development, the Department of Insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, the Illinois State Water Survey of the University of Illinois, and other State, regional, and local storm water management agencies, thought leaders, and interested parties, shall submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report that reviews and evaluates the latest available research, laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and institutional knowledge concerning issues of urban flooding. Effective immediately.