Rep. Justin Slaughter

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, an applicant seeking a Professional Educator License or an Educator License with Stipulations who holds a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education is not required to pass a test of basic skills to be issued that license. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Proposes to amend the Revenue Article of the Illinois Constitution. Removes a provision that provides that a tax on income shall be measured at a non-graduated rate. Provides that there may be one tax on the income of individuals and corporations (currently, there may be no more than one income tax imposed on individuals and one income tax imposed on corporations, and the rate of tax imposed upon corporations shall not exceed the rate imposed on individuals by more than a ratio of 8 to 5). Provides that the income tax may be a fair tax where lower rates apply to lower income levels and higher rates apply to higher income levels. Provides that no government other than the State may impose a tax on or measured by income. Effective upon being declared adopted. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the resolved clause. Proposes to amend the Revenue Article of the Illinois Constitution. Removes a provision that provides that a tax on income shall be measured at a non-graduated rate. Provides that the General Assembly shall provide by law for the rate or rates of any tax on or measured by income imposed by the State. Provides that the highest rate imposed on corporations may not exceed the highest rate imposed on individuals by more than a ratio of 8 to 5. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Recognizes May 2, 2019 as the National Day of Prayer.

Creates the Employee Background Fairness Act. Provides that an employer may not refuse to hire an individual and may not discharge an individual because of the individual's criminal history unless the individual has one or more convictions and there is a direct relationship between one of more of an individual's convictions and the specific employment sought. Prohibits retaliation for exercising rights under the Act. Provides that an individual denied or discharged from employment because of his or her criminal history in violation of the Act may recover from the employer in a civil action: (1) damages in the amount of $2,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater; (2) costs and reasonable attorney's fees as allowed by the court; and (3) any other appropriate relief, including punitive damages. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that the Procurement Policy Board may object to a proposed extension or renewal of a contract within 14 (currently, 30) calendar days and require a hearing before the Board prior to entering into the extension or renewal. Provides that if the Procurement Policy Board does not object within within 14 (currently, 30) calendar days or take affirmative action to recommend the extension or renewal, the chief procurement officer may enter into the extension or renewal of a contract.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides for the release of an impounded vehicle to a lessor of record in the same manner as a lienholder of record. Provides that vehicles not retrieved from the towing facility or storage facility within 10 (instead of 35) days after an administrative hearing officer issues a written decision shall be deemed abandoned and disposed of. Provides that, except in a municipality with a population of 1,000,000 or more, a lienholder of record or lessor of record may take possession of a vehicle impounded under any ordinance and defer payment of any applicable administrative fees upon submission of specified documentation to the municipality or its designated agent. Provides that no vehicle shall be released to the lienholder of record or lessor of record until payment of the associated towing, storage, and other applicable fees charged by the person, firm, or entity that tows and stores the impounded vehicle to the extent the lienholder of record or lessor of record was given notice. Provides that, upon the request of a lienholder of record or lessor of record to obtain possession of an impounded vehicle, the county or municipality, or its designated agent, shall: (1) provide the lienholder of record or lessor of record an opportunity to view the vehicle within 2 business days of the request; (2) provide a statement in writing setting forth the amount of the applicable administrative fees; and (3) provide a statement in writing setting forth the amount of the applicable towing, storage, and other fees. Effective 90 days after becoming law. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. In a Section concerning the provision of notice of storage fees to the lienholder of record, changes references to "lienholder" to "lienholder of record. Provides that a county or municipality shall provide specified notices concerning the seizure of certain vehicles as soon as practicable. Provides that notice shall be given by the towing company to the lienholder of record. Provides that the lienholder of record shall have an opportunity to view the vehicle on the premises where the vehicle is located within 2 business days of the request. Exempts a municipality with a population of over 1,000,000 inhabitants. Effective 90 days after becoming law.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Creates a Misdemeanor Retail Theft and Theft Diversionary Program. Provides that when any person who has not previously been convicted of any felony offense under the laws of this State or the laws of another state or federal law which would be classified as a felony offense in this State is arrested for and charged with a misdemeanor offense of theft or retail theft, with the consent of the defendant and the State's Attorney, may continue the matter to allow the defendant to participate and complete the Misdemeanor Retail Theft and Theft Diversionary Program. Provides that the conditions of the Program shall be that the defendant: (1) not violate any criminal statute of this State or any other jurisdiction; (2) refrain from possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapon; and (3) make full restitution to the victim or property owner plus 10% of the cost of the stolen item. Provides that upon fulfillment of the terms and conditions of the Program, the State's Attorney shall dismiss the case or the court shall discharge the person and dismiss the proceedings against the person. Makes other changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Provides that when any person who has not previously been convicted of a violation of certain financial crime enterprise offenses or convicted of any similar offense in another state is arrested for and charged with a misdemeanor offense of theft or retail theft, the court may with the consent of the defendant and the State's Attorney, continue the matter to allow the defendant to participate and complete the Misdemeanor Retail Theft and Theft Diversionary Program (in the introduced bill, when any person who has not previously been convicted of any felony offense under the laws of the State or the laws of another state or federal law which would be classified as a felony offense in the State is arrested for and charged with a misdemeanor offense of theft or retail theft, with the consent of the defendant and the State's Attorney, the court may continue the matter to allow the defendant to participate and complete the Misdemeanor Retail Theft and Theft Diversionary Program). Provides that a person may only have one discharge and dismissal under the Program within a 3-year period.

Amends the Governor Transition Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the orderly transition of the office of Governor.

Declares the date of May 8, 2019 as Alpha Kappa Alpha Day in the State of Illinois in honor of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and its work.

Amends the Public Defender and Appointed Counsel Division of the Counties Code. Creates the Public Defender Quality Defense Task Force. Provides that the Task Force is established to: (i) examine the current caseload and determine the optimal caseload for public defenders in the State; (ii) examine the quality of legal services being offered to defendants by public defenders of the State; and (iii) make recommendations to improve the caseload of public defenders and quality of legal services offered by public defenders. Provides that the Task Force shall hold a minimum of 2 public hearings and at other times of its choosing. Provides that the Task Force shall prepare a report that summarizes its work and makes recommendations resulting from its study to the General Assembly and Governor no later than December 31, 2020. Repeals the provisions on December 31, 2021. Effective immediately. Fiscal Note (Office of the State Appellate Defender) If the only responsibility to the Agency would be to provide space for meetings, the cost would be minimal because meetings could be held in our Chicago or Springfield office. If the Agency was responsible for administrative costs, travel reimbursement for board members, preparation of meeting materials or research and analysis, the cost could be significantly more. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Removes a requirement that the Governor appoint at least one Task Force member from the Legal Resources Division of the Office of the Cook County Public Defender. Provides that the Governor shall appoint 5 (rather than 3) public defenders or assistant public defenders to the Task Force from 5 (rather than 3) counties other than Cook County.