Rep. Kelly Cassidy

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Governor shall visit the institutions, facilities, and programs of the Department of Corrections as often as the Governor deems fit, for the purpose of enquiring (rather than examining) into the affairs and conditions of the Department. Provides that a member of the General Assembly may visit the institutions, facilities, and programs of the Department of Corrections, upon request of the member, for the purpose of enquiring into the affairs and conditions of the Department.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Juvenile Justice Office of Independent Juvenile Ombudsman shall be the ombudsman for the Department of Juvenile Justice and county-operated juvenile detention centers. Provides that the Office of Independent Juvenile Ombudsman shall secure the rights of youth committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice and county-operated juvenile detention centers. Provides that with respect to county-operated juvenile detention centers, the Independent Juvenile Ombudsman shall provide data responsive to: (1) the work of the Ombudsman; (2) the status of any review or investigation undertaken by the Ombudsman; and (3) any recommendations that the Independent Juvenile Ombudsman has relating to a systemic issue in the Department of Juvenile Justice's or a county-operated juvenile detention center's provision of services and any other matters for consideration by the General Assembly and the Governor to a commission established by ordinance of the county board of the applicable county in which the county-operated juvenile detention center is located. The commission shall at a minimum be comprised of the chief judge, the State's Attorney, the Public Defender, a correctional administrator, and an advocate for justice system impacted families and individuals. Provides that to the extent that any county-operated juvenile detention center provides services to counties beyond the one in which it is located, the Independent Juvenile Ombudsman shall also provide a copy of the data to the county boards of the counties where the center is not located.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the provision requiring the driver of a vehicle approaching a traffic-control signal on which no signal light facing such vehicle is illuminated to stop before entering the intersection does not apply to the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian hybrid beacon. Defines "pedestrian hybrid beacon" as a traffic-control device used to warn and control traffic, at locations that are otherwise without a traffic-control signal, to assist pedestrians in crossing a street or highway at a marked crosswalk.

Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Provides that an Illinois resident 21 years of age or older (rather than a person who is a registered qualifying patient under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act) may cultivate cannabis plants, with a limit of 5 plants that are more than 5 inches tall, per household without a cultivation center or craft grower license. Provides that an Illinois resident 21 years of age or older (rather than adult registered qualifying patients) may purchase cannabis seeds from a dispensary for the purpose of home cultivation. Provides that an Illinois resident 21 years of age or older (rather than a registered qualifying patient) who cultivates more than the allowable number of cannabis plants, or who sells or gives away cannabis plants, cannabis, or cannabis-infused products produced under this provision, is liable for penalties as provided by law, including the Cannabis Control Act (deletes in addition to loss of home cultivation privileges as established by rule). Deletes provision that cannabis plants may only be tended by registered qualifying patients who reside at the residence, or their authorized agent attending to the residence for brief periods, such as when the qualifying patient is temporarily away from the residence.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Small Donor Democracy Matching System for Fair Elections Act. Creates a small donor campaign contribution matching system for candidates for the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer, Secretary of State, State Senator, and State Representative. Creates the Small Donor Democracy Matching Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Sets forth requirements for accessing the small donor matching system. Sets forth provisions for the funding of the matching contributions. Imposes limits on the access to matching funds. Allows the General Assembly to increase various amounts, subject to public referendum. Provides for penalties for violations of the provisions. Sets forth disclosure requirements. Creates the Campaign Finance Board within the State Board of Elections to implement the campaign contribution matching system. Includes severability provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Litter Control Act. Provides that a hauler who overfills his or her hauling vehicle such that waste or construction material falls off the top of the hauling vehicle while in transit is subject to a civil penalty of $250. Requires moneys from civil penalties received under the provisions to be paid to the Department of Agriculture, which shall deposit the moneys into the Agriculture in the Classroom Fund.

Amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. In provisions regarding the handling of bulk food: replaces references to personal containers with references to consumer-owned containers; provides that clean consumer-owned containers provided or returned to a restaurant or retailer for filling may be filled and returned to the same consumer if the consumer-owned container is filled by either an employee of the restaurant or retailer or the owner of the consumer-owned container; requires consumer-owned containers filled to be designed and constructed for reuse in accordance with a specified provision of the 2017 Food Code; and requires restaurants and retailers to meet specified requirements. Provides that consumer-owned containers that are not food-specific may be filled at a beverage vending machine or system. Requires the Department of Public Health, on or before January 1, 2022, to produce materials for restaurants and retailers indicating that consumer-owned containers are not prohibited for use under Illinois law and specifying best practices for food safety requirements for such containers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act. Provides that the General Assembly shall appropriate $19,000,000 in Fiscal Year 2023 for the purposes of this Act. Provides that the funds shall be distributed to the public colleges and universities according to the recommendations of a specified report of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. Provides that the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, in conjunction with the Illinois Community College Board and the Board of Higher Education, must make recommendations to the General Assembly on the amounts necessary to implement this Act for Fiscal Years 2024 through 2027, and may make such recommendations for Fiscal Years thereafter. Deletes provisions making the Act subject to appropriation. Effective July 1, 2022.

Creates the Car Seat Recycling Act. Provides that manufacturers shall accept car seats for the purpose of recycling the material from the car seats. Requires manufacturers to dismantle a car seat if received intact and accept the dismantled materials from car seats. Provides that each manufacturer shall begin implementation of its recycling program within one year of the effective date of the Act. Contains requirements for the recycling program. Effective January 1, 2023.

Creates the Bad Apples in Law Enforcement Accountability Act of 2021. Provides that a peace officer subjecting another person to the deprivation of individual rights is liable to the person for appropriate relief. Excludes sovereign immunity, statutory immunity, and statutory damages for claims brought under this provision. Provides that qualified immunity is not a defense to liability under this provision. Allows attorney's fees and costs to be awarded to the plaintiff. Provides that civil actions brought under this provision must be commenced within 5 years after the cause of action accrues. Requires units of local government to make public disclosures regarding judgments or settlements awarded under this provision. Determines what information is not required to be disclosed by the unit of local government. Fiscal Note (Illinois Court of Claims) The Illinois Court of Claims cannot provide an estimated cost to the State of Illinois if House Bill 1727 is passed. The Court has jurisdiction over State agencies, not individual State employees. It is not possible to forecast what future lawsuits may be filed, nor the facts surrounding the alleged events and/or potential awards by the Court.