Rep. Joyce Mason

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the Illinois State Police has authority to deny an application for or to revoke and seize a Firearm Owner's Identification Card previously issued under the Act if the Illinois State Police finds that the applicant or the person to whom the card was issued is or was at the time of issuance a person who has been convicted of misdemeanor stalking or a similar misdemeanor offense in another jurisdiction.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that on and after: (1) December 31, 2024, all State-owned washing machines must contain a microfiber filtration system; (2) December 31, 2028, no person shall manufacture for sale in this State a washing machine that does not contain a microfiber filtration system; and (3) December 31, 2030, no person shall accept for sale in this State a washing machine that does not contain a microfiber filtration system. Defines terms.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for taxpayers who are caregivers of a veteran with a disability. Provides that the credit shall be in an amount equal to 5% of the costs incurred in caring for the veteran, not to exceed $1,000 in credits in any taxable year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county with a population of less than 1,000,000 may establish minimum requirements for new building design and construction to lessen the risks caused by new building design and construction to wildlife and sensitive habitats. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a hauler licensed to provide waste hauling service in a municipality must offer the municipality an option to install on the hauler's trucks a protective chute to prevent waste spillage when depositing waste into the trucks. Provides that the waste hauler may charge an extra fee for the cost and installation of the protective chute.

Amends the Homeowners' Energy Policy Statement Act. Provides that the Act applies to the portion of a shared roof owned solely by the owner of the residence beneath the roof if the owner agrees to be responsible for the maintenance of the roof under the solar panels.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2024, the tax on gun safes and locks designed to secure firearms is imposed at the rate of 1%. Effective immediately.

Creates the Veterans Bill of Rights Act. Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to make specified efforts to: (1) increase loans to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans or service-disabled veterans; (2) increase veterans' access to health care coverage and services; (3) take specified steps toward preventing veteran suicide; and (4) develop and implement a strategy to end veteran homelessness within 3 years. Directs the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to review all State licenses for which military service members may have relevant training or experience, produce a report recommending steps that can be taken to increase recognition of military training and experience toward licensing, and take those steps within one year of issuing the report. Contains provisions regarding veterans at public institutions of higher education receiving college credit, registering for courses, and being called to active duty. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to annually review apprentice, training, and other vocational programs focused on providing job training and placement to returning military service members and veterans. Contains other provisions.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that beginning July 1, 2023, an annuitant may accept employment as a teacher without impairing his or her retirement status if that employment is not within the school year during which service was terminated and does not exceed 150 (instead of 100) paid days or 750 (instead of 500) paid hours in each school year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. Directs the operator of a restaurant to identify on the restaurant’s menu those menu items that contain milk, eggs, wheat, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, or sesame. Provides that this information may be published on the restaurant's website if the restaurant has a website.