Rep. Brad Stephens

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person is not engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor or in a place where the person does not have a right to be if the person is engaged in the activity or in the place due to the person's status as a trafficking victim. Provides that a person must prove the person's status as a trafficking victim by clear and convincing evidence. Provides that the person may provide clear and convincing evidence of the person's status as a trafficking victim through testimony at trial. Defines "trafficking victim" as a person subjected to the practices prohibited by the involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons statutes.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a copy of the complaint shall also be served on each taxing district in which the property is located at least 90 days prior to the board of review hearing on the complaint. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning in taxable year 2024, no taxing district, other than a home rule unit, may levy a tax on any parcel of real property that is more than 105% of the tax levied by that taxing district on that property in the immediately preceding taxable year unless (i) the increase is attributable to substantial improvements to the property, (ii) the taxing district did not levy a tax against the property in the previous taxable year, or (iii) the increase is attributable to a special service area. Provides that a taxing district may elect to be exempt from these provisions for one or more taxable years if the exemption is approved by referendum. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for individual taxpayers who participate in an apprenticeship program during the taxable year. Provides that the credit is equal to the unreimbursed expenses incurred by the taxpayer to purchase equipment that is necessary for participation in the apprenticeship program, not to exceed $1,000 per taxpayer. Effective immediately.

Recognizes the achievements of President/CEO Rebecca Darr on her 25th anniversary in an executive capacity with the WINGS Program, Inc. Thanks the courageous clients of WINGS Program, Inc. and the persons who have donated their time and resources to the program to make it what it has become over a quarter of a century. Renews a commitment to reducing and eliminating the scourge of domestic violence in Illinois.

Makes application to Congress under the provisions of Article V of the Constitution of the United States for the calling of a convention of the states limited to proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the School Code's construction.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the amount to be deposited into the Local Government Distributive Fund from the taxes imposed under the Act. Amends the State Revenue Sharing Act to provide that amounts paid into the Local Government Distributive Fund are appropriated on a continuing basis. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that in addition to any other penalties provided by law, a person knowingly and unlawfully selling or dispensing any scheduled drug containing a detectable amount of fentanyl is guilty of a Class X felony and shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 9 years and not more than 40 years or fined not more than $250,000, or both. Provides that it is a Class 1 felony for which a fine not to exceed $100,000 may be imposed for any person to knowingly use an electronic communication device in the furtherance of controlled substance trafficking involving a substance containing any amount of fentanyl. Provides that this penalty shall be in addition to any other penalties imposed by law. Provides that in addition to any other penalties imposed, not less than 6 years and not more than 30 years shall be imposed with respect to any amount of carfentanil or fentanyl, or any analog thereof, in excess of 150 milligrams that is stored or transmitted as a powder, blotter paper, tablet, patch, or spray. Provides that in addition to any other penalties imposed, with respect to fentanyl, or an analog thereof, an additional sentence of 5 years shall be imposed if the fentanyl or analog thereof is in a form that resembles, or was mixed, granulated, absorbed, adsorbed, spray-dried, aerosolized as or onto, coated on in whole or in part, or solubilized with or into, a product, where the product or its packaging further has at least one of the following attributes: (1) a resemblance to the trade dress of a consumer food product, branded food product, or logo food product, or incorporates an actual or satirical version of a registered trademark, service mark, or copyright; (2) a bright color or coloring scheme; (3) the appearance of a cereal, candy, vitamin, gummy, or chewable product such as a gum or gelatin-based product; (4) a cartoon character imprint; or (5) incorporation into a separate product or package approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, or approved by a regulatory agency for food or drug products in another country, if the addition of fentanyl, carfentanil, or any analog thereof, would render the approved product an adulterated product under the standards of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or any law of this State or administrative rule. Defines "electronic communication device".

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Deletes a provision that if the defense seeks to compel the complaining witness to testify as a witness in its favor in a hearing to deny pretrial release, it shall petition the court for permission. Deletes a provision that when the ends of justice so require, the court may exercise its discretion and compel the appearance of a complaining witness at a hearing to deny pretrial release.