Rep. Allen Skillicorn

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a person who holds elective office in a participating municipality that is not a home rule unit and is first so elected on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act is not a participating employee with respect to that office. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that as a condition of initial eligibility for medical assistance benefits provided under the State's Medical Assistance Program or, subject to federal approval, benefits provided under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), an applicant must pass a drug screening. Provides that as a condition of continued eligibility for such benefits, a recipient must pass random drug screenings as prescribed by the Department of Human Services. Requires the Department to adopt rules requiring applicants for TANF benefits or SNAP benefits to actively seek work in order to qualify for such benefits. Provides that the rules adopted by the Department shall be in compliance with those rules under the Unemployment Insurance Act and adopted by the Department of Employment Security requiring unemployed individuals to actively seek employment in order to qualify for unemployment insurance benefits. Requires the Department to adopt rules that allow recipients of TANF benefits or SNAP benefits to experience a gradual reduction in benefits as earnings increase. Increases the penalties for using another person's cash assistance benefits or SNAP benefits. Contains provisions requiring photo identification when using a LINK card to obtain SNAP benefits or cash. Provides that no recipient of TANF benefits shall use his or her benefits to purchase lottery tickets or to patronize any casino or licensed establishment that operates video gaming terminals for the purpose of engaging in gambling or video gaming activities.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Gives non-home rule municipalities with a population of more than 2,000 the power to exercise all power provided to home rule units under Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution, except for the powers to tax, to impose fees, and to incur debt. Provides that a home rule municipal retailer's occupation tax may be imposed up to a 1% increment if the corporate authorities of a home rule municipality by ordinance or resolution call for the submission to the electors of the municipality the question of whether the municipality shall impose such a tax or increase the rate of such a tax (rather than only shall be imposed in 1/4% increments). Effective immediately.

Creates the Charitable Tax Exemption Act. Provides that not-for-profit corporations that are exempt from taxation under Sections 501(c) or 501(d) of the Internal Revenue Code or organized under the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986 are exempt from any tax imposed by the State or any unit of local government. Preempts home rule powers.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that taxpayers who qualify for the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities but do not receive the exemption for the year of purchase of the qualified residence are entitled to a refund under the Property Tax Code in the amount of the exemption that was otherwise granted to the taxpayer. Provides that a taxpayer qualifying to receive the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities shall be automatically granted the exemption in future years without reapplying. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the chief county assessment officer shall notify each member of the General Assembly representing a district located in whole or in part within that county that the assessment list has been published. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction in an amount equal to the amount received by the taxpayer in gratuities during the taxable year. Provides that the deduction is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities, provides that, for taxable years 2017 and thereafter, if the veteran has a service connected disability of 20% (currently, 30%) or more but less than 50%, then the annual exemption is $2,500. Provides that that exemption also applies to veterans who are not disabled but are over the age of 75. Removes a requirement that the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities applies only to residences with an equalized assessed value of less than $250,000. Effective immediately.

Proposes to amend the Local Government Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that a municipality with a population of more than 5,000 (currently, more than 25,000) shall automatically become a home rule unit. Removes language providing that a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to the power to tax and incur debt. Removes language providing that the General Assembly may not deny or limit the power of home rule units to levy or impose additional taxes upon areas within their boundaries in the manner provided by law for the provision of special services to those areas and for the payment of debt incurred in order to provide those special services. Makes conforming changes. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Creates the Right to Earn a Living Act. Defines "entry regulations", "public service restrictions", and other terms. Provides that all entry regulations with respect to businesses and professions and all public service restrictions shall be limited to those demonstrably necessary and carefully tailored to fulfill legitimate public health, safety, or welfare objectives. Provides that within one year after the effective date of the Act, all agencies shall conduct a comprehensive review of all entry regulations within their jurisdictions, and for each such entry regulation it shall: (i) articulate with specificity the public health, safety, or welfare objective or objectives served by the regulation; and (ii) articulate the reason or reasons why the regulation is necessary to serve the specified objective or objectives. Provides that any person may petition any agency to repeal or modify any entry regulation into a business or profession within its jurisdiction. Requires the agency, within 90 days after a petition has been filed, to either repeal the entry regulation, modify the regulation to achieve standards specified under the Act, or state the basis on which it concludes the regulation conforms with those standards. Contains provisions concerning enforcement and the preemption of local laws inconsistent with the provisions of the Act.