Rep. Michael J. Zalewski

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person is also an armed habitual criminal if the person receives, sells, possesses, or transfers any firearm after having been convicted a total of 2 or more times of any combination of offenses that includes a felony violation of the Deadly Weapons Article of the Code (rather than unlawful use of a weapon by a felon; aggravated unlawful use of a weapon; aggravated discharge of a firearm; or gunrunning).

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that a person is guilty of a Class 4 felony (currently, a Class A misdemeanor) for violating certain provisions of the Act.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Requires the governing board of each public university to develop and maintain a written policy concerning the credits that the university will award for courses on a joint services transcript. Defines "joint services transcript". Effective January 1, 2017.

Creates the Protection of Individuals with Disabilities in the Criminal Justice System Task Force consisting of up to 25 members appointed by the Attorney General. Provides that the members shall reflect the racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of the State. Specifies the categories of individuals to serve on the Task Force. Provides that the members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides that the Office of the Attorney General shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall consider issues that affect adults and juveniles with disabilities with respect to their involvement with the police, detention and confinement in corrections facilities, representation by counsel, participation in the criminal justice system, communications with their families, awareness and accommodations for their disabilities, and concerns for the safety of the general public and individuals working in the criminal justice system. Provides that the Task Force shall make recommendations to the Governor and to the General Assembly regarding policies, procedures, legislation, and other actions that can be taken to protect the public safety and the well-being and rights of individuals with disabilities in the criminal justice system. Provides that the Task Force shall submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the Attorney General, and the General Assembly on or before March 31, 2016. Repeals the Act on June 30, 2016. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Reinstates the research and development credit for tax years ending on or after January 1, 2016, and provides that the credit applies on a permanent basis. Provides that the credit may be carried forward for a period of 20 years (instead of 5 years). Creates an addition modification in an amount equal to the deduction for qualified domestic production activities allowed under Section 199 of the Internal Revenue Code for the taxable year. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that the manufacturing and assembling machinery and equipment exemption includes graphic arts machinery and equipment and production related tangible personal property. Provides that the exemption for coal and aggregate exploration, mining, off-highway hauling, processing, maintenance, and reclamation equipment applies on a permanent basis. Effective immediately.

Amends various Acts to add physician assistants to provisions applicable to physicians, including adding physician assistant members to various committees and boards. Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act. Specifies that the physician assistant who may make a determination of disability for the purposes of an Illinois Persons with a Disability Identification Card is a physician assistant who has been delegated the authority to make this determination by his or her supervising physician. Amends the Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act. Adds the President of the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants or his or her designee to the Illinois Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependency. Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Adds representative of a professional organization representing physician assistants to various task forces and councils. Requires that the Department of Public Health consult with the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants in developing the summary of health care for women and that the summary be distributed to physician assistants. Requires that the Department of Public Health consult with a statewide professional organization representing physician assistants in developing the POLST form. Makes other changes.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Extends the repeal of the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987 from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2027. Effective immediately.

Creates the Synthetic Drug Identification Pilot Program Act. Provides that at least once every 90 days, and in consultation with the Division of Forensic Services of the Department of State Police, the Department of Human Services shall submit a report to the Governor, Attorney General, and General Assembly outlining whether the Division of Forensic Services of the Department of State Police has identified any new chemical formulas that are used to make synthetic cannabinoids or cathinones (synthetic drugs) that are not currently illegal under State law. Provides that if the Department of Human Services' report to the Governor, Attorney General, and General Assembly confirms the Department of Human Services has identified new chemical formulas that are used to make synthetic drugs, the Department Human Services shall as soon as practicable propose an emergency rule to add any new chemical formulas to the current list of chemical formulas that are listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act as Schedule I controlled substances, and adopt the proposed rule as quickly as allowed for under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Provides that if the Department of Human Services adopts the emergency rule, the new rule shall be recognized as law under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that the Department of State Police, by rule, shall create a pilot program that uses technologies and protocols to instantly identify synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones (synthetic drugs), as well as other designer drugs. Provides that the pilot program shall focus on using technology capable of presumptive identification of illicit drugs in the field. Repeals the Act on July 30, 2018. Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Automated License Plate Recognition System Data Act. Provides that a law enforcement agency may use recorded automated license plate recognition system (ALPR) data and historical ALPR system data only for a legitimate law enforcement purpose. ALPR system data and historical ALPR system data may not be used, shared, sold, traded, or exchanged for any other purpose. Requires law enforcement agencies using an automated license plate recognition system to adopt a policy governing use of the system; adopt a privacy policy to ensure that ALPR system data and historical ALPR system data is not used or shared in violation of this Act; adopt audit procedures relating to use of ALPR system data and historical ALPR system data; and adopt and periodically update a comprehensive training program for agency employees who use or have access to ALPR system data and historical ALPR system data, which fully trains the employees on safeguards in use of ALPR system data or historical ALPR system data and procedures to adhere to policies and procedures governing use of ALPR system data or historical ALPR system data. Prohibits admission of data in a court or administrative proceeding which is used in violation of the Act. Prohibits less restrictive local regulation, including home rule units. Defines terms. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to exempt ALPR system data and historical ALPR system data from disclosure under the Act.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that daily storage charges for impounded vehicles shall not begin to accrue until 5 days after the vehicle is towed and shall not exceed the maximum daily storage rate authorized by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Provides that at the time a vehicle is towed or within 5 days thereafter, the county or municipality shall notify by certified mail the lienholder of record, lessor, and the owner, lessee, or person identifying himself or herself as the owner or lessee of the vehicle, or any person who is found to be in control of the vehicle at the time of the alleged offense, of the fact of the seizure, and of the vehicle owner's or lessee's right to an administrative hearing. Provides that a lienholder or lessor shall be entitled to take possession of an impounded vehicle, and defer payment of any applicable administrative fees, upon submission of certain documents and fees to the municipality or its designated agent. Provides that upon a request to obtain possession of an impounded vehicle, a municipality or its agent shall provide a lienholder or lessor an opportunity to view the vehicle and provide a statement in writing setting forth the amount of the applicable administrative, towing, and storage fees. Makes conforming changes.