Rep. Sam Yingling

Congratulates Patrick R. Yost on his retirement as Chief of Police of the Wauconda Police Department.

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 Requires any ordinances inconsistent with this Section to be repealed or modified.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 State Agency Web Site Act. Requires that a State agency make applications for licenses under the jurisdiction of that State agency accessible by means of a State agency Web site to the general public no later than January 1, 2017. Defines "license" as any license, certification, registration, or permit issued by a State agency, except for a driver's license, State identification card, or vehicle registration issued by the Secretary of State or any license issued by the State Board of Elections. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable year 2016 and thereafter, the amount of the senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption shall be the greater of (i) the amount of the exemption otherwise calculated under that Section of the Code or (ii) $2,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that accessibility improvements made to residential property shall not increase the assessed valuation of the property. Provides that the term "accessibility improvement" means a modification or addition to residential property that is designed to make the property more accessible to a disabled person, including, but not limited to, the installation of ramps, lifts, or fixtures or the removal of architectural barriers on the property. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Solid Waste Management Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall work with nationally based consumer groups and trade associations to develop nationally recognized logos which may be used to indicate whether a container and any other consumer products which are claimed to be recyclable by a product manufacturer are recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable. Provides that the Department shall develop and conduct a public education and awareness campaign to encourage the public to look for and buy products in containers which are recyclable or compostable.

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.

Congratulates David Dato on the occasion of his retirement as Chief of the Wauconda Fire District.

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.

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall create and maintain a website to help persons wishing to create new businesses or relocate businesses to Illinois. Establishes requirements for information to be included on the website.