Amends the Jury Act. Provides that except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, no person who is qualified and able to serve as a juror may be excluded from jury service in any court of this State on the basis of, among other things, sexual orientation.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit in an amount equal to the contributions made by the taxpayer to the Illinois Education Excellence Fund during the taxable year. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Illinois Education Excellence Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used for public education purposes. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the county board may establish a fund in the county treasury to accept contributions for public purposes. Provides that the county may provide for a credit against the taxpayer's property tax liability in an amount equal to the amount of the contribution. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that charges alleging a violation under provisions concerning employment may be filed and deemed timely if filed within 3 years after the date of the alleged violation. Effective immediately.
Creates the Freedom to Disclose Act. Provides that an employer may not require an employee or prospective employee to sign a nondisclosure agreement, waiver, or other document that prevents the employee from disclosing sexual harassment or sexual violence occurring in the workplace, at work-related events coordinated by or through the employer, or between employees or an employer and employee off the employment premises. Provides that any such nondisclosure agreement is void. Provides that it is a violation of the Whistleblower Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act for an employer to discharge or otherwise retaliate against an employee for disclosing or discussing sexual harassment or sexual violence occurring in the workplace, at work-related events coordinated by or through the employer, or between employees or an employer and an employee off the employment premises. Provides that settlement agreements may contain nondisclosure provisions if specified requirements are met. Provides that an employer's ability to require confidentiality is not limited under certain circumstances. Makes corresponding changes in the Illinois Human Rights Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the General Assembly Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Prohibits participation in the System by a person who (i) has ever received a retirement annuity or retirement pension from any other retirement system or pension fund under the Code and (ii) did not become a participant before the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that for a member who did not become a participant before the effective date of the amendatory Act, participation under the Article shall be suspended during any period when the member (1) serves as an elected official (other than as a member of the General Assembly or as Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller, or Attorney General) and (2) receives a salary or other compensation, except for reimbursement for expenses incurred in performing his or her duties, relating to that service. Effective immediately.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions about procedures for a large public utility to acquire a water or sewer utility, provides that if the water or sewer utility being acquired is owned by the State or a political subdivision of the State, a referendum will be required to approve the acquisition of the water or sewer utility by the large public utility (rather than only requiring a public meeting and publication of the terms of acquisition in a newspaper of general circulation in the area that the water or sewer utility operates). Effective immediately.
Creates the Geolocation Privacy Protection Act. Defines "geolocation information", "location-based application", "private entity", and "user". Provides that a private entity may not collect, use, store, or disclose geolocation information from a location-based application on a user's device unless the private entity first receives the person's affirmative express consent after complying with specified notice requirements. Provides exceptions. Provides that a violation of the Act constitutes an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that the provisions of the Act may not be waived. Contains applicability language. Makes a corresponding change in the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the Department of State Police shall conduct a search of the purchasers' social media accounts available to the public to determine if there is any information that would disqualify the person from obtaining or require revocation of a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card. Provides that each applicant for a Firearm Owner's Identification Card shall furnish to the Department of State Police a list of every social media account.
Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides for specified rights of complainants under the Act. Defines terms. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a school district or a school bus company under contract with a school district shall not operate a Type I or Type II school bus manufactured after the effective date of the bill unless the bus is equipped with a set of 3-point seat belts or any other federally approved restraint system under 49 CFR 571.222 in good operating condition for each passenger seat and a rooftop safety hatch. Provides that the provision shall not apply to a school bus that is legally registered in another state and displaying valid registration plates of that state if the bus is not operated in Illinois on a regular basis and the bus is operated in Illinois in connection with a cultural, tourist, athletic, or other similar activity for students enrolled in a school located outside of Illinois. Provides that nothing in the provision shall make a school district or a school bus company liable for a passenger's failure to properly adjust or fasten a seat belt or other restraint system. Effective immediately.
