Rep. Michael Kelly

Honors the contributions of Vietnamese and Vietnamese Americans to the United States and their values of upholding human rights, freedom, and democracy and recognizes the sacrifices made in order to support these values, including losses of family, home, and life. Honors the courage, dignity, strength, and resilience of Vietnamese refugees who were forced to flee their home to escape persecution and rebuild their lives and recognizes the need to build empathy and understanding for the plight of refugees. Urges all Illinoisans to take time to learn about the history and contributions of Vietnamese and Vietnamese American people to Illinois and the United States.

Recognizes the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam as the official symbol of the Vietnamese American community in the State of Illinois and the United States. Recognizes the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam as a symbol of hope, love, and freedom for the Vietnamese American community in Illinois. Honors the contributions of Vietnamese Americans to the State over the last 50 years. Honors and recognizes the contributions of the veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in Vietnam. Encourages all citizens of Illinois to call for freedom, human rights, and democracy in Vietnam.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, if a graduated driver's license holder is convicted of violating provisions stating that a graduated driver's license holder who is under the age of 18 when he or she receives the license may not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger in the vehicle who is under the age of 20, unless any additional passenger or passengers are siblings, step-siblings, children, or stepchildren of the driver, then the graduated license shall be suspended for 6 months.

Creates the Neighborhood Freedom from Intimidation Act. Creates a private cause of action for persons threatened by intimidation by threat of violence. Provides that if a plaintiff prevails in an action, the court shall award actual damages, including, but not limited to, emotional distress or $10,000 per defendant, whichever is greater. Provides that if a plaintiff prevails in the action, the court shall award the plaintiff reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Exempts statements concerning positions in a labor dispute that are made during otherwise lawful labor picketing. Provides that speech alone may not support an action brought under this Act, except upon a showing of all of the following: (i) the speech itself threatens violence against a specific person or group of persons; (ii) the person or group of persons against whom the threat is directed reasonably fears that, because of the speech, violence will be committed against them or their property; (iii) the person threatening violence is acting in reckless disregard for the threatening nature of the speech; and (iv) the person threatening violence has the apparent ability to carry out the threat.

Creates the Honorable Funerals for First Responders Act. Provides that a first responder killed in the line of duty shall receive an honorable funeral. Defines "honorable funeral" as a funeral that respects the wishes of the deceased first responder and the family of the deceased first responder and includes religious observances desired by the deceased first responder and the family of the deceased first responder. Provides that an elected official may not attend the funeral of a first responder killed in the line of duty if the elected official knows, or has reason to know, that the family of the first responder killed in the line of duty does not wish the elected official to attend the funeral. Provides that in no case shall any elected official be required to attend the funeral of a first responder killed in the line of duty. Provides that the family of the first responder killed in the line of duty shall have sole discretion over which elected official may attend the funeral of a first responder killed in the line of duty. Provides that, before an elected official attends the funeral of a first responder killed in the line of duty, the elected official must make reasonable efforts to learn if the family of the first responder killed in the line of duty would like the elected official to attend the funeral. Defines other terms.

Amends the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act. Provides that, if the injured employee subsequently dies, the employer shall continue to pay the entire health insurance premium for the surviving spouse (rather than the surviving spouse until remarried) and for the dependent children under specified conditions.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that any vessel or watercraft, vehicle, or aircraft is subject to forfeiture if the vessel or watercraft, vehicle, or aircraft is used with the knowledge and consent of the owner in the commission of or in the attempt to commit the offense of fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes changes to Tier 2 benefits, including changing the amount of the automatic annual increase to 3% of the originally granted retirement annuity or 3% of the retirement annuity then being paid for the General Assembly and Judges Articles, changing the limit on the amount of salary for annuity purposes to the Social Security wage base, changing the calculation of final average salary to the Tier 1 calculation for persons who are active members on or after January 1, 2026, and changing the retirement age. Establishes an accelerated pension benefit payment option for the General Assembly, Chicago Teachers, and Judges Articles of the Code. Provides that, with regard to persons subject to the Tier 2 provisions, a security employee of the Department of Human Services, a security employee of the Department of Corrections or the Department of Juvenile Justice, an investigator for the Department of the Lottery, or a State highway worker is entitled to an annuity calculated under the alternative retirement annuity provisions of the State Employee Article of the Code. Authorizes the conversion of service to eligible creditable service. Provides that the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act (Article 20 of the Code) is adopted and made a part of the Downstate Police, Downstate Firefighter, Chicago Police, and Chicago Firefighter Articles. Authorizes SLEP status under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund for a person who is a county correctional officer or probation officer and for a person who participates in IMRF and qualifies as a firefighter under the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act. In the Downstate Firefighter Article, includes a de facto firefighter in the definition of "firefighter". Defines "de facto firefighter". Provides that the monthly pension of a firefighter who is receiving a disability pension shall be increased at the rate of 3% of the original monthly pension. Makes changes to the minimum retirement annuity payable to a firefighter with 20 or more years of creditable service, the minimum disability pension, and the minimum surviving spouse's pension. Makes other changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Designates August 27 of each year as Hero Day, to be observed as a day throughout the State to recognize those whose unwavering commitment to public safety has earned them our great respect, esteem, and gratitude. Effective immediately.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that nothing in the provisions prohibiting retailers from accepting certain things of value shall prohibit any manufacturer, importing distributor, or distributor from providing tap handles, kegs, or barrels to a retailer pursuant to a written deposit agreement in which the deposit is in an amount equal to or less than the actual amount of money required to be paid by the manufacturer, distributor, or importing distributor to the manufacturer or supplier of any tap handles, kegs, or barrels, and any customary and reasonable delivery or freight fees. Provides that it shall be unlawful for a retailer, but not for any other licensee, to fail to return tap handles, bottles, cases, kegs, or barrels provided to a retailer pursuant to a written deposit agreement with a manufacturer, importing distributor, or distributor upon demand of the manufacturer, importing distributor, or distributor. Makes a conforming change. Effective immediately.