Rep. Silvana Tabares

Amends the Election Code. Provides that if an application for a vote by mail ballot is sent to a post office box controlled by any individual or organization that is not an election authority, the applications shall be turned over to the appropriate election authority within 14 days of receipt. Provides that failure to turn over the applications in a timely manner constitutes a violation of the Code.

Amends the Legislative Information System Act. Provides that within one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Legislative Information System shall create a Spanish-language version of its website to provide legislative information. Specifies the legislative information to be placed on the Spanish-language website, and allows for the placement of additional unspecified information. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Expresses concerns about the treatment of animals at the Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge.

Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Provides that beginning January 1, 2018, and for each January 1 thereafter, every lobbying business entity registered under the Act shall report its total monetary amount of expenditures related to lobbying for the previous year. Provides that the report shall be in addition to any other report required under the Act which may include the expenditures of the lobbying business entity as a client. Defines "lobbying business entity". Makes conforming change. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Requires a permanent polling place for early voting to remain open beginning the 40th (rather than 15th) day before an election through the end of the day before election day.

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

Amends the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission Act. Provides that the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission shall be composed of 11 Commissioners (currently, members) that are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Requires at least 8 (currently, 6) commissioners of the Commission to be people who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing. Specifies the membership of the Commission. Modifies the qualifications and duties of the Director of the Commission. Provides that the added Director qualifications shall apply to anyone who becomes Director on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Establishes the Director as the chief executive officer of the Commission. Modifies a Section concerning the powers and duties of the Commission. Defines "commissioner".

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the $25 assessment for drug related offenses appropriated to and administered by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall be distributed to fund Department of State Police drug task forces and Metropolitan Enforcement Groups by dividing the funds equally by the total number of Department of State Police drug task forces and Illinois Metropolitan Enforcement Groups.

Amends the Renter's Financial Responsibility and Protection Act. Provides that a rental car company may void a damage waiver if damage or loss occurs to the rental vehicle when the rental vehicle is stolen and the renter fails to: (i) return the rental vehicle's ignition key and key tag identifying the rental vehicle to the rental company; (ii) file a police report within the 24-hour period after discovery of the rental vehicle theft; and (iii) fully cooperate with the rental company, law enforcement agency, or any other authority in all matters connected to the investigation of the stolen rental vehicle.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates an advisory council within the Department of Insurance to review and make recommendations to the Department regarding rules to be adopted by the Department concerning continuing education courses, course materials, curriculum, and credentials of instructors. Provides that the members shall be appointed by the Director of Insurance. Provides criteria for membership, length of terms, term limits, and quorum. Provides that a member of the advisory council or a designee of the Director shall be permitted access to any classroom or any educational offering while instruction is in progress to monitor the instruction for any class that has been submitted to the Department for continuing education credit under the provisions of the Code. Effective immediately.