Rep. Sonya Harper

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the State Board of Elections and the Office of the Secretary of State shall establish an automatic voter registration program pursuant to an interagency contract and jointly-adopted rules. Provides that an application for a driver's license, other than a temporary visitor's driver's license or a State identification card, shall also serve as an application to register to vote; allow an update to registration; and perform other specified functions. Requires specified agencies to provide certain information regarding registration. Establishes designated automatic voter registration agencies, and requires the establishment of dual-purpose applications to register to vote. Sets forth provisions and requirements for the State Board of Elections regarding the program. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to exempt certain information. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Records Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the New Markets Development Program Act. Provides that, to be considered a "qualified equity investment" under the Act, 100% (currently, 85%) of the cash purchase price of the investment must be used by the issuer to make qualified low-income community investments in the State of Illinois. Requires qualified community development entities to submit an annual job creation report. Provides that the application for certification as a qualified community development entity must include the amount of qualified equity investment authority the applicant agrees to designate as a federal qualified equity investment under Section 45D of the Internal Revenue Code. Provides that no qualified active low-income community business that receives a qualified low-income community investment from a qualified community development entity that issues qualified equity investments under the Act may directly or indirectly (i) own or have the right to acquire an ownership interest in a qualified community development entity or member or affiliate of a qualified community development entity or (ii) loan to or invest in a qualified community development entity or member or affiliate of a qualified community development entity. Provides that the annual cap on credits under the Act is $50,000,000 (currently, $20,000,000). Effective immediately.

Amends the Direct Pay Permit Implementation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section creating the direct pay permit pilot program.

Creates the Railroad Supplier Diversity Act. Defines terms. Provides that each Class I railroad company shall, no later than April 15 of each year, submit to the Illinois Commerce Commission an annual report containing certain information concerning procurement goals and spending for female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and small business enterprises. Provides that the reports shall be submitted in the form and manner required by the Commission. Provides that the Commission and each railroad company subject to the Act shall hold an annual workshop open to the public on the state of supplier diversity.

Creates the Accelerated Placement Act. Provides that any student in a school district may be referred by a teacher, administrator, gifted education specialist, guidance counselor, school psychologist, or parent or legal guardian to the principal for evaluation for possible accelerated placement. Allows accelerated placement to include, but not be limited to, early entrance to kindergarten or first grade, accelerating a student in a single subject, compacting curriculum, concurrent enrollment, credit by examination, online learning courses, Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate programs, grade acceleration, grade telescoping, and early high school graduation. Sets forth evaluation and appeal guidelines. Provides for the creation of an acceleration evaluation committee to evaluate a child for accelerated placement. Sets forth procedures for accelerated placement and evaluation of the placement. Requires school districts to report certain statistics to the State Board of Education, and for the State Board to create reports regarding accelerated placement. Provides that the State Board may adopt rules to implement the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Voluntary Payroll Deductions Act of 1983. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Mortgage Foreclosure Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that provisions concerning an additional fee paid by residential foreclosure plaintiffs are operative until January 1, 2020 (instead of January 1, 2018). Provides that provisions concerning an additional fee paid by purchasers at a judicial sale are operative and become inoperative on January 1, 2020 (instead of January 1, 2017). Repeals the Section on March 2, 2020 (instead of March 2, 2017). Provides that specified actions taken before the effective date of the amendatory Act are ratified, validated, and confirmed. Effective immediately.

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that every dog dealer and cattery operator shall provide for every dog or cat available for sale documentation that indicates that the dog or cat has been microchipped. Requires an animal shelter or animal control facility to provide information to an adopter prior to the time of adoption whether the dog or cat to be adopted was microchipped prior to being placed in the animal shelter or animal control facility. Provides that if a dog or cat turned into an animal shelter has a microchip and the primary contact or owner refuses to reclaim the cat or dog, the shelter shall contact the pet shop operator or rescue organization identified on the microchip and request they claim the dog or cat. Provides that a pet shop operator, dog dealer, or cattery operator may not obtain a dog or cat for resale or sell or offer for sale any dog or cat obtained from a person who has committed violations of certain federal laws or regulations, as tracked by the United States Department of Agriculture. Provides for certain exceptions. Requires pet shop operators to microchip all dogs and cats. Requires pet shop operators to include a disclosure that a dog or cat for sale has been microchipped. Denies home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Renter's Financial Responsibility and Protection Act. Provides that a rental car company may void a damage waiver if damage or loss to the rental vehicle results from the renter losing or otherwise failing to secure the rental vehicle's keys or any other act of negligence by the renter that would reasonably result in the damage or loss to the rental vehicle.