Rep. Justin Slaughter

Creates the Railroad Supplier Diversity Act. Defines terms. Provides that each Class I railroad company shall, no later than April 15 of each year, submit to the Illinois Commerce Commission an annual report containing certain information concerning procurement goals and spending for female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and small business enterprises. Provides that the reports shall be submitted in the form and manner required by the Commission. Provides that the Commission and each railroad company subject to the Act shall hold an annual workshop open to the public on the state of supplier diversity.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code and the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that a person shall not be appointed as the chief, the acting chief, the department head, or a position, by whatever title, that is responsible for day-to-day operations of a fire department or fire protection district for greater than 180 days unless he or she possesses: (1) Office of the State Fire Marshal Firefighter Basic Certification or Firefighter II Certification; Office of the State Fire Marshal Fire Officer I and II Certifications; and an associate degree in fire science or a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college; or (2) a minimum of 10 years' experience as a firefighter at the fire department, or fire protection district, in the jurisdiction making the appointment. Effective immediately.

Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that each taxpayer claiming a credit under the Act shall, no later than April 15 of each taxable year for which the taxpayer claims a credit, submit to the Illinois Commerce Commission an annual report containing certain information concerning procurement goals and spending for female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and small business enterprises. Provides that the reports shall be submitted in the form and manner required by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Effective immediately.

Amends the Renter's Financial Responsibility and Protection Act. Provides that a rental car company may void a damage waiver if damage or loss to the rental vehicle results from the renter losing or otherwise failing to secure the rental vehicle's keys or any other act of negligence by the renter that would reasonably result in the damage or loss to the rental vehicle.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax checkoff for the Thriving Youth Income Tax Checkoff Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used by the Department of Human Services for the purpose of making grants to providers delivering non-Medicaid services for community-based youth programs in the State. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Creates the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program Law. Provides that the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be established as a 5-year pilot project to be instituted within the Department of Corrections. Provides that the goal of the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program is to provide inmates with useful business skills for use after release from prison in an effort to reduce recidivism rates for self-motivated individuals. Provides that the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall consist of a rigorous curriculum, and participants shall be taught business skills, such as computer skills, budgeting, creating a business plan, public speaking, and realistic goal setting. Provides that inmates who successfully complete the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be awarded a Certificate of Completion. Establishes eligibility requirements for the Program. Provides that subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program may establish post-release assistance to individuals awarded a Certificate of Completion. Provides that post-release assistance may include drafting a resume and cover letter, searching for employment, networking events, or mock interviews. Provides that the funding for the Prisoner Entrepreneur Education Program shall be from moneys appropriated to the Department of Corrections for this purpose. Provides that the Article is repealed 5 years after its effective date. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Extends the inoperative clause date for a pilot program in Cook County waiving the fee to be paid for a petition to expunge or seal records of arrests resulting in release without charging or arrests or charges not initiated by arrest resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or conviction when the conviction was reversed or vacated. Extends inoperative date to on and after January 1, 2019 (rather than on and after January 1, 2018). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a municipality shall not enter into any new contracts, but may extend a contract or renew a contract, with any other unit of local government, by intergovernmental agreement or otherwise, or with any business or person relating to the collecting and final disposition of general construction or demolition debris. Provides that a municipality shall not provide by ordinance for any methods that award a franchise for the collection or final disposition of general construction or demolition debris. Provides that, in municipalities with a population under 1,000,000, a franchise shall not be awarded to any private entity for the collection of general construction or demolition debris from residential or non-residential locations. Provides that a franchise entered into before the effective date of the amendatory Act may be renewed or extended irrespective of whether the franchise or contract automatically renews or is amended.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that all or a portion of the income tax credit awarded for the restoration and preservation of a qualified historic structure located in a River Edge Redevelopment Zone may instead be taken as a credit against privilege and retaliatory taxes paid under the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that the Historic Preservation Agency may issue a certification to the taxpayer stating that, if the project is completed as proposed, the project will qualify for the credits. Contains provisions concerning transfers of credits. Provides that the credit may be carried forward. Provides that the credit shall be based on qualified expenditures incurred by a qualified taxpayer (currently, qualified expenditures incurred by a qualified taxpayer during the taxable year). Provides that the qualified expenditures must exceed the adjusted basis of the qualified historic structure on the first day the qualified rehabilitation plan begins (currently, 50% of the purchase price of the property). Provides that the rehabilitation must be approved by the Historic Preservation Agency and the National Park Service (currently, the Historic Preservation Agency only). Provides that the credit sunsets on December 31, 2021 (currently, December 31, 2017). Effective immediately.

Amends the Personnel Code. Provides that State agencies, when hiring for internships and student assistant positions, shall give preference to a qualified applicant who is, or has been, a dependent child in foster care, a homeless youth, or a formerly incarcerated youth. Effective immediately.