Rep. Elaine Nekritz

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the chairman, county executive, or president of the board of a county shall annually submit an approved executive budget prepared by the budget director to the committee on finance. Provides that the committee on finance shall then prepare a tentative annual appropriation ordinance which shall be made available for public inspection at least 10 days prior to finalizing the ordinance. Provides that the committee on finance shall hold at least one public hearing not less than one week prior to finalizing the ordinance. Further provides that notice of the tentative ordinance must be placed in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. Restricts home rule powers.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that local law enforcement, the State Board of Education, the Department of Human Services, and the Public Defender may designate representatives to serve on county juvenile justice councils. Provides that the Justice Advisory Council Director or his or her designee, or if the county has no Justice Advisory Council Director, the State's Attorney, shall serve as interim chairperson. Provides that the chairperson shall appoint additional members of the council which are representatives of local law enforcement, juvenile justice agencies, faith organizations, schools, businesses, and community organizations. Provides for the creation of Local Advisory Committees, and that 20% of the membership of these Committees must be local-justice involved youths aged 16-21. Provides that the duties and responsibilities of the Juvenile Justice Council includes facilitating community based collaboration and perspective on oversight, research, and evaluation of activities, programs, and policies directed towards and impacting the lives of juveniles.

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to publish on its Internet website the exemption from immunization data it receives from schools. Provide that parents or legal guardians who object to health, dental, or eye examinations or immunizations on religious grounds must present to the appropriate local school authority a Department of Public Health objection form, detailing the grounds for the objection and signed by the parent or legal guardian, as well as a religious official attesting to a bona fide religious objection whose signature must be notarized (instead of presenting a signed statement of objection detailing the grounds for the objection). Requires the Department of Public Health to develop and publish a uniform objection form for this particular use. Provides that if the physical condition of a child is such that any one or more of the immunizing agents should not be administered, the child's parent or legal guardian must present to the appropriate local school authority a statement signed by the child's regular examining physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant attesting to that fact. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, when homestead property is sold or transferred, the new owner of the property shall notify the chief county assessment officer of the sale or transfer and, if qualified, shall reapply for the general homestead exemption. Provides that, upon notification or application, the chief county assessment officer shall remove any previously granted homestead exemptions for which the property is no longer eligible. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Creates the "Achieving a Better Life Experience" or "ABLE" account program to encourage and assist individuals and families in saving private funds for the purpose of supporting persons with disabilities in endeavors to maintain health, independence, and quality of life, and to provide secure funding for disability-related expenses on behalf of designated beneficiaries with disabilities that will supplement, but not supplant, benefits provided through private insurance, federal and State medical and disability insurance, the beneficiary's employment, and other sources. Provides that the State Treasurer shall be primarily responsible for the plan but shall work with the Illinois State Board of Investment. Sets forth the requirements of the plan. Requires the State Treasurer to adopt rules to implement the program. Defines required terms.

Amends the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987. Provides that a mortgage loan brokered, funded, originated, serviced, or purchased by a party who is not licensed shall not be held to be invalid solely on the basis of specified violations of the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is an affirmative defense to a charge of prostitution that the accused engaged in or performed prostitution as a result of being a victim of involuntary servitude or trafficking in persons as defined in the Code, or was a victim of trafficking as defined in the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in prosecutions for prostitution, when the accused intends to raise at trial the affirmative defense of being a victim of involuntary servitude or trafficking in persons as defined in the Code, or was a victim of trafficking as defined in the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and has reason to believe that the evidence presented in asserting that defense may jeopardize the safety of the accused, courtroom personnel, or others impacted by human trafficking, the accused may file under seal a motion for an in camera hearing to review the accused's safety concerns. Upon receipt of the motion and notice to the parties, the court shall conduct an in camera hearing, with counsel present, limited to review of potential safety concerns. Provides that the court shall not consider the merits of the affirmative defense during the in camera review. Provides that if the court finds that the assertion of an affirmative defense by the accused in open court could jeopardize the safety of the accused, court personnel, or other persons, the court may clear the courtroom with the agreement of the accused, order additional in camera hearings, seal the records, prohibit court personnel from disclosing the proceedings without prior court approval, or take any other appropriate measure that in the court's discretion will enhance the safety of the proceedings and ensure the accused a full and fair opportunity to assert his or her affirmative defense. Provides that statements made by the accused during the in camera hearing to review safety concerns shall not be admissible against the accused for the crimes charged. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that "pollution control waste", "sludge", and "waste" do not include exceptional quality biosolids. Defines "exceptional quality biosolids".

Recognizes and commends David Miller for his leadership in the growth of the biotechnology industry in Illinois. Shows appreciation for the vast contributions that the biotechnology industry makes to the Illinois economy.

Congratulates Rabbi Carl Wolkin on the occasion of his retirement as Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Shalom in Northbrook.