Rep. Kam Buckner

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Creates an exemption for property that is sold to an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States who presents valid military identification and purchases the property using a form of payment where the federal government is the payor.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a plaintiff has the right to designate an additional person to be present and video record an examination conducted as part of discovery. Provides that, in the case of a wrongful death action, a surviving spouse or next of kin who has reached the age of 67 years (rather than 70 years) shall, upon motion by the administrator of the estate of the deceased person or special administrator, be entitled to preference in setting for trial. Provides that the trial shall occur within one year of the hearing on the motion. Provides that the changes apply to actions commenced or pending on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Pharmaceutical and Health Affordability: Restrictions on Manufacturers' Amoral Behavior through Reasonable Oversight Act. Provides that a manufacturer or wholesale drug distributor shall not engage in price gouging in the sale of an essential off-patent or generic drug. Provides that the Director of Healthcare and Family Services or Director of Central Management Services may notify the Attorney General of any increase in the price of any essential off-patent or generic drug under the State’s Medical Assistance Program or a State health plan, respectively, that amounts to price gouging. Provides that whenever the Attorney General has reason to believe that a manufacturer or wholesale drug distributor of an essential off-patent or generic drug has violated the Act, the Attorney General shall send a notice to the manufacturer or wholesale drug distributor requesting a specified statement. Provides that within 45 days after receipt of the request, the manufacturer or wholesale drug distributor shall submit the statement to the Attorney General. Provides that to accomplish the objectives and carry out the duties prescribed in the Act, the Attorney General may issue subpoenas or examine under oath any person to determine whether a manufacturer or wholesale drug distributor has violated the Act. Provides that upon petition of the Attorney General, a circuit court may issue specified orders against violations of the Act. Contains provisions concerning the disclosure of financial information provided by a manufacturer or wholesale drug distributor to the Attorney General. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Drug Paraphernalia Control Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Sports Wagering Act. Provides that the Illinois Gaming Board shall require an online sports wagering licensee to, after every 10 wagers made online by an individual, display a pop-up message directing that individual to websites on gambling addiction help.

Amends the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act. Provides that the powers of the Chicago Transit Board include the power to pass ordinances or adopt rules and regulations concerning the suspension of riding privileges or confiscation of fare media. Amends the Local Mass Transit District Act and the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that a local mass transit district's board and the Suburban Bus Board may adopt all ordinances and make all rules proper or necessary to regulate the use, operation, and maintenance of its property and facilities, and to carry into effect the powers granted to each board with any necessary fines or penalties, including ordinances, rules, or regulations concerning the suspension of riding privileges or confiscation of fare media, as each board deems proper. Includes similar provisions for the Chief of Police of the Metra Police Department.

Creates the Outdoor Rx Program Act. Authorizes the Department of Public Health, subject to appropriation, to make grants for outdoor environmental, ecological, agricultural, or other natural resource-based or outdoor-based therapy programs serving the citizens of the State of Illinois. Requires the Department to establish an advisory committee to assist and advise the Department in the development and administration of the Outdoor Rx Program, including developing the form for an application for receipt of a grant. Provides that the Department shall set priorities and develop criteria for the awarding of grants to natural resource-based or outdoor-based therapy programs. Provides criteria for grant eligibility and selection. Provides that the Director of Public Health shall make the final decision on funding a program. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Outdoor Rx Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury.

Amends the Smoke Free Illinois Act. Defines "electronic smoking device". Changes the definition of "retail tobacco store" to include references to "electronic smoking devices". Provides that "smoke" or "smoking" includes the use of an electronic smoking device.

Creates the Transportation Benefits Program Act. Requires all covered employers to provide a program that allows a covered employee to elect to exclude from taxable wages and compensation the employee's commuting costs incurred for the purchase of a transit pass to use public transit or for the purchase of qualified parking, up to a maximum level allowed by federal tax law. Provides that all transit agencies shall market the existence of this program and the Act to their riders in order to inform affected employees and their employers. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be deemed to interfere with, impede, or in any way diminish the right of employees to bargain collectively with their employers or affect the validity or change the terms of bona fide collective bargaining agreements in force on the effective date of the Act. Defines terms. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, unless some other speed restriction is established under the Code, the maximum speed limit on a highway with a designated bicycle lane is 25 miles per hour.