Rep. Will Guzzardi

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services may disclose records or communications of persons receiving care from the Department or under contract with the Department, without consent, to not-for-profit institutions of higher education engaged in research concerning the safety, effectiveness, or cost-effectiveness of mental health treatments if specified conditions are met. Provides that the Department may refuse to disclose records or communications if, in its sole discretion, it determines that the identity of recipients or any of the records or communications will not be adequately protected. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules concerning the use of any records or communications disclosed.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax checkoff to allow taxpayers to make contributions to Special Olympics Illinois and Special Children's Charities. Effective immediately.

Amends the Business Location Efficiency Incentive Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Firearms Registration Act. Provides that every person in the State must register each firearm he or she owns or possesses in accordance with the Act. Provides that a person shall not purchase or possess ammunition within this State without having first obtained a registration certificate identifying a firearm that is suitable for use with that ammunition, or a receipt demonstrating that the person has applied to register a suitable firearm under the Act and that the application is pending. Provides that the Department of State Police must complete a background check of any person who applies for: (1) a registration certificate for a firearm that was lawfully owned or possessed on the effective date of the Act, was brought into the State by a new resident, or was acquired by operation of law upon the death of the former owner; or (2) a renewal of a registration certificate unless, within 12 months of the date the renewal application is submitted, the applicant passed a background check conducted by the Department in connection with the applicant's acquisition of another firearm. Provides exceptions. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is a Class 2 felony to sell or transfer ownership of a firearm to another person without complying with the registration requirement of the Firearms Registration Act.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Changes the additional amount of damages that may be recovered by the merchant from an amount not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 to an amount equal to the lesser of $500 or 3 times the full retail value of the merchandise. Provides that a merchant may recover civil damages for retail theft by bringing suit in a circuit court or by executing a settlement agreement. Specifies form of settlement agreement. Provides that the settlement agreement shall include a statement that nothing in the agreement shall constitute an admission of guilt for purposes of criminal law and that if the agreement is signed and payment is made in full within 60 days, no police report or criminal complaint will be filed by the merchant relative to the incident. Provides that nothing in the agreement can or will bar the State from instituting the criminal prosecutions as it deems necessary. Effective immediately.

Creates the Forfeiture Modernization Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Creates the Saving Illinois' Pollinators Act. Provides that, beginning 9 months after the effective date of the Act, it is unlawful to: (i) apply any neonicotinoid insecticides on public lands owned or maintained by Illinois; or (ii) apply neonicotinoid insecticides in other outdoor residential settings, including landscaping, ornamental, or other outdoor applications in Illinois. Establishes exemptions to the prohibitions. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall, within 6 months after the effective date of the Act, adopt rules further defining and implementing specified provisions of the Act. Provides that the Department shall, within one year after the effective date of the Act, issue a draft report evaluating whether clear, peer-reviewed, published scientific evidence exists that outdoor applications of these insecticides are safe for honey bees, other pollinators, other beneficial insects, the broader environment, and human health. Contains provisions concerning enforcement, preemption, and severability. Effective immediately.

Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the amount of the credit.

Amends the Comprehensive Housing Planning Act. Changes the date through which the State is required to prepare and be guided by an annual comprehensive housing plan that is consistent with the affirmative fair housing provisions of the Illinois Human Rights Act to December 31, 2026 (rather than June 30, 2016). Effective immediately.

Amends the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act. Provides that the penalty for failure to pay the tax shown due or required to be shown due on a return shall be 15% (instead of 20%) of any amount that is paid after the date the Department has initiated an audit or investigation of the taxpayer. Provides that the penalty shall be rescinded if the taxpayer paid to the Department at least 95% of the final liability resulting from an audit or investigation prior to the initiation of the audit or investigation