Rep. Kelly Cassidy

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is unlawful for a child sex offender with the duty to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act to knowingly reside within 250 (rather than 500) feet of a school building or the real property comprising any school that persons under the age of 18 attend, a playground, child care institution, day care center, part day child care facility, (deletes day care home and group day care home) or a facility providing programs or services exclusively directed toward persons under 18 years of age. Provides that the provisions do not apply if the property was established as the child sex offender's current address of registration prior to the date that entity was opened, or if the entity must obtain a license in order to provide programs or services, the date that the license was issued. Amends the Arsonist Registration Act, the Sex Offender Registration Act, and the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act. Provides that if the registrant is an indigent person, the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction shall (rather than may) waive the registration fee. Lowers various penalties from felonies to misdemeanors for violations of these Acts. Reduces the registration period under the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act from 10 years to 5 years. Defines in the various Acts "indigent person" and "poverty guidelines". Provides that the amendatory changes apply retroactively. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $16,358,900 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for grants to Independent Living Centers. Effective July 1, 2023.

Creates the Farmer Equity and Innovation Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, creates the Farmer Equity and Innovation Center at the University of Illinois Extension. Provides that the Farmer Equity and Innovation Center shall: (1) ensure the continued economic viability of small-scale and moderate-scale diversified farms and ranches by creating a coordinated, statewide program to support the operators of those farms and ranches, prioritizing limited resource farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; (2) establish a Farmer Equity and Innovation Program administered by the Center; (3) utilize the University of Illinois Small Farm Advisors, and require the University to increase its Small Farm Advisor positions to 6 in number; (4) include applied research on specified subjects concerning farming and ranching in Illinois, outreach regarding those subjects, and informational services on assistance provided by or through the Center or nonprofit organizations designated by the Center; (5) authorize the Program to include special training for new and beginning farmers and ranchers, with priority given to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and (6) conduct a study to determine and issue an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly containing a demographic breakdown of farmers and ranchers who participate in the Program.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a person shall not perform surgical claw removal, declawing, or a tendonectomy on any cat or otherwise alter a cat's toes, claws, or paws to prevent or impair the normal function of the cat's toes, claws, or paws, except for a therapeutic purpose. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall subject a person who violates the provisions to a civil penalty of $500 for a first violation, $1,000 for a second violation, and $2,500 for a third or subsequent violation.

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning the nominating petitions for school board candidates, provides that the name change requirements do not apply to name changes resulting from a civil union to assume a spouse's surname or dissolution of a civil union or declaration of invalidity of a civil union to assume a former surname or a name change that conforms the candidate's name to the candidate's gender identity. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Ann Lightfoot of Massillon, Ohio.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall create a pilot program that allows petition signatures to be gathered electronically through a secure Internet portal. Provides that a statement of candidacy shall set out a telephone number and email address, if any, for a candidate. Provides that if a candidate seeks to run for countrywide office in Cook County, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least 5,000 but not more than 10,000 signatures (rather than the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified electors of his or her party who casts votes at the last preceding general election in Cook County). Provides that a qualified primary elector of a party may sign petitions for a candidate in the primary of more than one party. Provides that each petition for nominations for mayor, city clerk, and city treasurer must be signed by at least 5,000 but not more than 10,000 legal voters of the city (rather than 12,500 legal voters of the city). Provides that no rule or ordinance shall be passed that prevents legal voters from signing petitions for nomination for 2 or more candidates running for the same office.

Amends the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that internal (also known as female) and male condoms, incontinence products, diapers, and baby wipes shall be taxed by the State at a rate of 1% (currently, 6.25%). Provides that the net revenue from the 1% tax collected from the sale of those products shall be deposited into the State and Local Sales Tax Reform Fund. Amends the Use Tax, Service Occupation Tax, and Service Occupation Use Tax Acts to make conforming changes.

Mourns the death of Lois M. Steans.