Rep. Dan Didech

Amends the Downstate Teachers and State Universities Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires an employer to make an additional employer contribution for a participant whose earnings for any academic year used to determine the final rate of earnings exceed the amount of his or her earnings with the same employer for the previous academic year by more than 6% (instead of 3%). Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that in addition to any other penalty, the court shall order that a person and persons dwelling in the same household may not own, harbor, or have custody or control of any other animal if the person has been convicted of 2 or more of the following offenses: (1) a violation of aggravated cruelty; (2) a violation of animals for entertainment; or (3) a violation of dog fighting.

Creates the Homeowner's Property Signage Act. Provides that a homeowner may erect signage on the homeowner's property if the sign is erected for the purpose of informing the public of good faith concerns about public health or environmental issues on or near the property on which the sign is erected. Provides that there is a presumption that erecting such a sign is not defamatory or otherwise wrongful conduct. Provides that a plaintiff shall overcome the presumption by clear and convincing evidence. Provides that a defendant who prevails in a civil action may recover all legal fees and costs related to the defense of the action. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a chairman of a county board who is chosen by the board may be removed, with or without cause, upon a motion adopted by an affirmative vote of four-fifths of the board. Provides that upon adoption of a motion to remove the chairman: (i) the chairman position becomes vacant the and former chairman's compensation shall be prorated to the date the motion was approved; (ii) the vice-chairman immediately assumes the duties of chairman without chairman compensation; and (iii) a new chairman shall be elected at the next regularly scheduled county board meeting. Further provides that a chairman removed maintains his or her status as a member of the county board. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that "first offender" means any person who, within 15 years (rather than 5 years) before the date of the current offense, has not had a driver's license suspension or revocation for refusing to submit to a chemical test or tests of blood, breath, or other bodily substance or urine for the purpose of determining the content of alcohol, other drug or drugs, or intoxicating compound or compounds or any combination thereof in the person's blood. Effective July 1, 2020. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that "first offender" means any person who, within 10 years (rather than 5 years) before the date of the current offense, has not had a driver's license suspension or revocation for refusing to submit to a chemical test or tests of blood, breath, or other bodily substance or urine for the purpose of determining the content of alcohol, other drug or drugs, or intoxicating compound or compounds or any combination thereof in the person's blood. Effective July 1, 2020.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title of the Illinois Commercial Safety Towing Law. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 625 ILCS 5/18d-101 Adds reference to: 605 ILCS 10/3 from Ch. 121, par. 100-3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Toll Highway Act. Increases the number of directors of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority appointed by the Governor from 9 to 11. Provides that, of the 11 directors of the Authority appointed by the Governor, at least one shall be from Cook County, at least one shall be from Lake County, at least one shall be from DuPage County, at least one shall be from Will County, at least one shall be from Winnebago, Boone, or McHenry County, and at least one shall be from Kane, DeKalb, Ogle, or Lee County. Provides that no more than 6 (rather than 5) directors shall be from the same political party. Provides that, within 30 days of the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Governor shall appoint one director from Lake County and one director from Winnebago, Boone, or McHenry County. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning noise.

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.

Commends Dr. Steven B. Nasatir on his more than four decades of leadership and service within the Chicago Jewish community, where he has always acted with great care and integrity, following the principle of Kol Yisrael arevim zeh l'zeh - we take care of each other.

Commends Dr. Steven B. Nasatir on his more than four decades of leadership and service within the Chicago Jewish community.