Rep. Michael J. Zalewski

Amends the Downstate Firefighter and Chicago Firefighter Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes a firefighter to transfer up to 10 years of creditable service in a downstate firefighter pension fund to the Firemen's Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago upon payment of a specified amount. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Instructs the House of Representatives Revenue & Finance Committee to conduct an investigation into ways to improve property tax assessment practices across the State.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the angel investment credit.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Extends the repeal date of the Pharmacy Practice Act from January 1, 2018 to January 1, 2028. Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. Provides that all applicants and licensees shall provide a valid address and email address, which shall serve as the address and email address of record, and shall inform the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation of any change of address or email address through specified means. Provides for the licensure (rather than registration) of registered pharmacy technicians, registered certified pharmacy technicians, and pharmacists, and makes conforming changes. Removes provision allowing each member of the State Board of Pharmacy to receive a per diem payment in an amount determined from time to time by the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation for attendance at meetings of the Board and conducting other official business of the Board. Changes references to "Director" to references to "Secretary" or "Department" throughout the Act. Eliminates the position of deputy pharmacy coordinator. Makes changes in provisions concerning definitions, duties of the Department, inactive status, pharmacists in charge, nonresident pharmacy licenses, record retention, automated pharmacy systems, remote prescription processing, and discipline. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Direct Pay Permit Implementation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section creating the direct pay permit pilot program.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Increases the base amount from $20,000 to $30,000 for public improvement or maintenance of public property at which a municipality must enter into a contract by public bid or four-fifths council approval. If the contract is approved by council, increases the base amount of expenses that must be taken by public bid from $20,000 to $30,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that certain police officers and firefighters who participate in IMRF may be granted Sheriff's Law Enforcement Employee (SLEP) status with the approval of the employing municipality. The approval resolution must specify that SLEP status shall be applied to employment occurring on or after the adoption of the resolution. Provides that the resolution is irrevocable, but shall automatically terminate upon the establishment of an Article 3 or 4 fund by the municipality. Effective immediately.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Extends the repeal date of the Acupuncture Practice Act from January 1, 2018 to January 1, 2028. Amends the Acupuncture Practice Act. Provides that all applicants and licensees shall provide a valid address and email address, which shall serve as the address and email address of record, and shall inform the Department of any change of address or email address through specified means. Provides that members of the Board of Acupuncture may not serve more than 2 consecutive full terms (rather than for more than 8 years). Eliminates certain powers and duties of the Board. Eliminates a requirement that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation seek the input of the Board on certain matters. Removes a provision allowing the Department to require a person seeking to resume active status to complete a period of evaluated clinical experience. Changes references to "registration" to references to "license". Provides that the Department has the authority and power to investigate any and all licensed activity. Removes a requirement that the Department mail a registration renewal form to registrants 60 days before the expiration of the current registration and a notice that a registration has lapsed. Makes changes to provisions concerning certification of the record to a court. Repeals provisions concerning maintaining a roster of licensed and disciplined persons. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that certificates of registration that are issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2017 shall expire one year (currently, 5 years) after the issuance or last renewal of that certificate of registration. Effective immediately.

Amends the Supreme Court Act. Provides that marshals of the Supreme Court are peace officers and have all the powers possessed by police officers in cities and by sheriffs. Provides that marshals may exercise these powers throughout the State. Provides that no marshal has peace officer status or may exercise police powers unless: (i) he or she successfully completes the basic police training course mandated and approved by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board; or (ii) the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board waives the training requirement by reason of the marshal's prior law enforcement experience or training or both. Effective immediately.