Rep. Sam Yingling

Congratulates Dr. Constance Collins on her retirement.

Amends the Limited Liability Company Act. Reduces the fee collected by the Secretary of State for the filing of articles of organization, applications for admission, and restated articles of organization from $500 to $39 and reduces those fees in connection with a limited liability company with ability to establish series from $750 to $59. Effective immediately.

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.

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 Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. For a person who first becomes a participating employee on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, excludes vehicle allowances from the definition of "earnings". Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code and the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that a person shall not be appointed as the chief, the acting chief, the department head, or a position, by whatever title, that is responsible for day-to-day operations of a fire department or fire protection district for greater than 180 days unless he or she possesses: (1) Office of the State Fire Marshal Firefighter Basic Certification or Firefighter II Certification; Office of the State Fire Marshal Fire Officer I and II Certifications; and an associate degree in fire science or a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college; or (2) a minimum of 10 years' experience as a firefighter at the fire department, or fire protection district, in the jurisdiction making the appointment. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that neither a non-violent sexual advance nor the discovery, knowledge, or perception of a person's sex or sexual orientation, including under circumstances in which the defendant and victim dated or had a romantic or sexual relationship, can be a mitigating factor relevant to the imposition of the death penalty for first degree murder. Also provides that the same conduct does not constitute serious provocation for second degree murder.

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

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 Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes the following changes with respect to the angel investment credit: (1) provides that the credit applies for taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2021 (currently, December 31, 2016); (2) increases the maximum aggregate amount of the angel investment credit from $10,000,000 to $20,000,000; (3) defines "investment" as equity, Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) Agreements, and convertible notes; (4) provides that each qualified new business venture must renew its registration on an annual basis; (5) provides that, for taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2017, applicants for the credit must make a minimum investment of $10,000 in a qualified new business venture (currently, there is no minimum investment requirement); (6) provides that the maximum amount of an applicant's total investment made directly in any single qualified new business venture that may be used as the basis for a credit under this Section is $2,000,000 (currently, that is the maximum for each investment made in a qualified new business venture); (7) contains recapture provisions; and (8) contains provisions concerning investments in minority-owned businesses, female-owned businesses, or businesses owned by a person with a disability. Effective immediately.