Rep. Rita Mayfield

Amends the Crime Victims Compensation Act. Provides procedures for providing notice to a vendor waiting for payment of a claim for compensation filed under the Act. Provides that a vendor who has been provided notice of the claim may not engage in debt collection activities against the applicant until the Court of Claims awards compensation for the debt and the payment is processed. Provides that if the court denies compensation, the vendor may not engage in debt collection activities until 45 days after the date the court enters an order denying the compensation. Provides that the vendor may engage in specified activities. Provides that the statute of limitations for collection of a related debt is tolled upon the filing of the claim for compensation and any related civil actions are stayed until 45 days after the Court of Claims enters an order denying the compensation. Defines terms.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Creates a new Section prohibiting all units of local government from enacting or enforcing ordinances or regulations that penalize tenants who contact police or other emergency services if (1) the contact was made with the intent to prevent the perpetration or escalation of domestic violence, sexual violence, criminal activity, or any other emergency situation; (2) the contact was made with the intent to respond to domestic violence, sexual violence, criminal activity, or other emergency situation; (3) the intervention or emergency assistance was needed to respond to the perpetration or escalation of domestic violence, sexual violence, criminal activity, or other emergency situation; or (4) the contact was concerning an individual with a disability. Requires any ordinances inconsistent with this Section to be repealed or modified. Provides that a landlord or tenant may bring a civil suit seeking to invalidate the ordinance, compensatory damages, attorney fees, court costs, and other equitable relief. Provides that the new Section is a denial and limitation of home rule powers and functions. Provides that this Section does not limit enforcement of provisions of the Emergency Telephone System Act, the Criminal Code of 2012, and the Forcible Entry and Detainer Article of the Code of Civil Procedure, or does not limit or prohibit any unit of local government from enacting or enforcing an ordinance that does not penalize landlords or tenants on the basis of contact made to police or other emergency service. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Requires a utility to waive the utility's initial credit and deposit requirements for a period of 60 days for a residential customer or applicant who is a victim of domestic violence. Provides that the domestic violence must be certified by treating medical personnel, law enforcement personnel, a State's Attorney, the Attorney General, or a domestic violence shelter. The certification letter must be printed on the certifying entity's letterhead or accompanied by a letter on the certifying entity's letterhead that identifies the certifying individual.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires that applications for certificate of title for a motor vehicle shall be verified by the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) for a vehicle history report prior to the Secretary of State issuing a certificate of title. Provides that applications for a certificate of title or a salvage certificate that are verified by the NMVTIS and are returned with a warning or error shall be reviewed by the Secretary as to whether the warning or error warrants a change to the type of title or brand that is issued to a motor vehicle. Provides for the type of title or brand that is to be issued to a motor vehicle if the application is returned with an NMVTIS warning or error. Allows applicants to contest the Secretary's title or certificate designation by request of an administrative hearing. Requires that applications for a salvage certificate for a motor vehicle shall be verified by the NMVTIS for a vehicle history report prior to the Secretary issuing a salvage certificate. Provides that refunds may be granted for any title-related transaction if a title application has not been processed by the Secretary. Provides that an applicant for a certificate of title or a salvage certificate shall have 6 months to apply for a refund of cost, or the difference of the certificate of title or salvage certificate if an application is verified by the NMVTIS, and a warning or error is received reporting the vehicle as requiring either a salvage certificate or a junk certificate. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "conviction".

Amends the Drug Court Treatment Act. Provides that a defendant may be admitted into a drug court program only before adjudication. Eliminates provision that a defendant shall be excluded from a drug court program if the defendant has previously completed or has been discharged from a drug court program.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections concerning certificates of good conduct. Provides that "eligible offender" does not include a person who has been convicted of arson, aggravated arson, kidnapping, aggravated kidnaping, aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, or intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination thereof, or aggravated domestic battery. Eliminates the exclusion from "eligible offender" of a person who has been convicted of committing or attempting to commit a Class X felony or a forcible felony. Eliminates the exclusion from "eligible offender" of a person convicted of attempting to commit any of the specified offenses. Provides that if the most serious crime of which the individual was convicted is a felony (currently, a Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 felony), the minimum period of good conduct shall be 2 years.

Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of State Police shall develop a coordinated program for a statewide emergency alert system when a person 21 years old or older who is believed to have Alzheimer's disease or related dementias is reported missing. Provides that the system shall be referred to as the Silver Alert system and shall include, but is not limited to, an electronic message sent to all law enforcement agencies; use of the emergency alert system; the use of electronic billboards and message signs in coordination with the Illinois Department of Transportation if a vehicle is involved; posting of the Silver Alert message on Illinois Lottery terminals; the designation by the Department of a contact name and toll-free telephone number for tips and information; blast email and fax messages to media outlets; activation of a local reverse 911 systems to all businesses and residents if the person is on foot. Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall coordinate with the Department of State Police in the use of electronic message signs on roads and highways to immediately provide critical information to the public concerning missing persons with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. Amends the Missing Persons Identification Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall assess high school students using a college and career ready determination that shall be accepted by this State's public institutions of higher education for the purpose of student application or admissions consideration.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval if required, a household that includes an elderly, blind, or disabled person shall be considered categorically eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the gross income of such household is at or below 200% of the nonfarm income poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2); and a household that does not include an elderly, blind, or disabled person shall be considered categorically eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the gross income of such household is at or below 165% of those nonfarm income poverty guidelines. Effective January 1, 2016.