Rep. Thomas Morrison

Declares November 7, 2019 as Victims of Communism Memorial Day.

Commemorates the 100th anniversary of the ratification by the State of Illinois of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States on June 10, 2019.

Adopts the House Rules for the 101st General Assembly.

Amends the Illinois Prison Inspection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Home Birth Maternity Care Crisis Study Committee to provide the General Assembly a consumer-focused, evidence-based solution to the Illinois Home Birth Maternity Care Crisis.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district may offer a driver education course in a school by contracting with a commercial driver training school to provide both the classroom instruction part and the practice driving part or either one without having to request a modification or waiver of administrative rules of the State Board of Education. Provides that if a district chooses to contract with a commercial driver training school, then the district must provide evidence to the State Board of Education that the school holds a license issued by the Secretary of State. With respect to the requirement that a driver education course consist of at least 6 clock hours of practice driving in a car having dual operating controls in order for a school district to receive reimbursement from the State, provides that the State Board of Education may allow, in lieu of not more than 5 clock hours of practice driving in a dual control car, such practice driving instruction as it determines is the equivalent of such practice driving in a dual control car. Allows school districts to adopt a policy to permit proficiency examinations for the practice driving part of the driver education course at any time after the completion of 3 hours of practice driving under direct individual instruction. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Establishes the registration fee for electric vehicles at no more than $216.00 per year (previously $35 for a 2-year term) and creates a separate registration fee not to exceed $158.50 per year for hybrid vehicles.

Amends the School Code. If any payments from this State to a school district are delayed for at least one payment cycle, then allows the school board to discontinue, by publicly adopted resolution, any instructional mandate in the Courses of Study Article of the School Code during that time (with exceptions). Provides that if a student requests information on any instructional mandate that has been discontinued, then the school district shall provide the student with the requested information. Effective immediately.

Proposes to amend the Revenue Article of the Illinois Constitution. Creates the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights. Provides that the State, units of local government, and school districts must have referendum approval to: (1) enact a new tax, tax rate increase, valuation for assessment ratio increase for a property class, extend an expiring tax, or enact certain tax policy changes; or (2) incur certain obligations without adequate cash reserves. Contains provisions concerning emergency taxes. Contains provisions setting spending limits for the State, units of local government, and school districts. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the General Assembly, State Employee, State Universities, Downstate Teachers, and Judges Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires the Board of each System to establish and maintain a voluntary defined contribution plan to address the retirement preparedness gap for participants in a defined benefit plan who are not on track to maintain their standard of living in retirement. Provides that the contribution rate shall be established by the Board. Provides that the plan shall exist and serve in addition to other retirement, pension, and benefit plans established under the Code. Provides that any Tier 2 participant who first becomes a participant on or after establishment of the plan shall automatically be enrolled, unless he or she opts out within 60 days after first becoming a participant. Authorizes Tier 1 participants and Tier 2 participants who first became participants before the plan was established to enroll in the plan. Contains provisions concerning investment options, qualified plan status, and distribution requirements. Defines terms and repeals certain definitions added by Public Act 98-599, which has been held unconstitutional. Effective immediately.