Rep. Maurice West

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that in imposing a sentence for an offense that requires a mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment or probation or conditional discharge of 2 years or more, the court may sentence the offender to probation or conditional discharge or other non-imprisonment sentence it deems appropriate instead of to a sentence of imprisonment or to a lesser sentence of imprisonment, probation, or conditional discharge than the minimum sentence of imprisonment, probation, or conditional discharge provided for the offense if the court finds that the defendant does not pose a risk to public safety and the interest of justice requires the non-imposition of the mandatory sentence of imprisonment or a lesser sentence of imprisonment, probation, or conditional discharge. Provides that the court must state on the record its reasons for not imposing the minimum sentence of imprisonment or a lesser sentence of imprisonment, probation, or conditional discharge. Provides that if the defendant has been charged with an offense involving the use, possession, or discharge of a firearm, the court may not deviate from a mandatory minimum sentence or probation or conditional discharge requirement, unless it is the recommendation of a presentence investigation and there is clear articulable evidence that the defendant is not a threat to the public safety. Provides that an offender convicted of a sex offense or an offense involving the infliction of great bodily harm may not be sentenced to a lesser term of imprisonment, probation, or conditional discharge. House Committee Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Provides that in imposing a sentence for an offense that requires a mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment or probation or conditional discharge of 2 years or more, the court may instead sentence the offender to a lesser term of imprisonment, probation, or conditional discharge it deems appropriate if the court finds that the defendant does not pose a risk to public safety and the interest of justice requires the non-imposition of the mandatory sentence of imprisonment or a lesser sentence of imprisonment, probation, or conditional discharge. Provides that an offender convicted of a sex offense, robbery offense, or a crime of violence as defined in the Crime Victims Compensation Act (rather than an offense involving the infliction of great bodily harm) may not be sentenced to a lesser term of imprisonment, probation, or conditional discharge under the provision. House Floor Amendment No. 4 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that in imposing a sentence for an offense that requires a mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment, the court may instead sentence the offender to probation, conditional discharge, or a lesser term of imprisonment it deems appropriate if: (1) the offense involves the use or possession of drugs, retail theft, or driving on a revoked license due to unpaid financial obligations; (2) the court finds that the defendant does not pose a risk to public safety; and (3) the interest of justice requires imposing probation, conditional discharge, or a lesser term of imprisonment. Provides that the court must state on the record its reasons for imposing probation, conditional discharge, or a lesser term of imprisonment.

Amends the School Code. Adds as commemorative holidays January 15 (to be known as Humanitarian Day and observed as a day of respect for the principles of human and civil rights and to involve the use of the color white as a visual affirmation to practice these principles), April 4 (to be known as Victims of Violence Wholly Day and observed as a day of respect for the principles of nonviolence and to involve the use of the color black as a visual affirmation to practice these principles), and August 28 (to be known as Dream Day and observed as a day of respect for the spiritual and moral principles of peoplehood and to involve the use of the colors black and white as a visual affirmation to practice these principles). Provides that the teaching of the history of the United States shall include the study of the American civil rights renaissance, that period of time from 1954 to 1965 called the Movement. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/27-20.4 from Ch. 122, par. 27-20.4 Further amends the School Code. Sets forth additional areas to be included in the Black History unit of instruction, including the study of the American civil rights renaissance and the study of pre-enslavement history.

Amends the Grow Your Own Teacher Education Act. Makes changes to the definitions of "cohort", "eligible school", and "hard-to-staff school", and defines "dual credit course". Provides that Grown Your Own Illinois (rather than the Board of Higher Education) shall administer the Grow Your Own Teacher Education Initiative as a grant competition to fund consortia that will carry out Grow Your Own Teacher preparation programs. In provisions concerning selection of grantees, provides that the Board of Higher Education shall, subject to appropriation, allocate funds to Grow Your Own Illinois for the purpose of administering the program and awarding grants under the Act (rather than requiring the Board of Higher Education to award grants under the Act). Removes the language providing that the consortium shall consider whether a candidate has experienced an interruption in his or her college education when recruiting potential candidates for the program. Provides that, subject to the requirements under the Dual Credit Quality Act, an institution of higher education may offer a high school student a dual credit course under the program. Provides that the Board of Higher Education may not adopt rules regarding candidate eligibility that are more restrictive than those in the Act. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Urges that violence be labeled as a disease and treated as a public health crisis.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that independent of any criminal prosecution or the result of a criminal prosecution, any person suffering injury as a result of a hate crime may bring a civil action for damages, injunction or other appropriate relief if the hate crime was caused by disorderly conduct committed by: (1) transmitting or causing to be transmitted in any manner to any peace officer, public officer or public employee a report to the effect that an offense will be committed, is being committed, or has been committed, knowing at the time of the transmission that there is no reasonable ground for believing that the offense will be committed, is being committed, or has been committed; (2) transmitting or causing to be transmitted in any manner a false report to any public safety agency without the reasonable grounds necessary to believe that transmitting the report is necessary for the safety and welfare of the public; or (3) calling the number "911" or transmitting or causing to be transmitted in any manner to a public safety agency for the purpose of making or transmitting a false alarm or complaint and reporting information when, at the time the call or transmission is made, the person knows there is no reasonable ground for making the call or transmission and further knows that the call or transmission could result in the emergency response of any public safety agency.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Defines "no-knock search warrant" or "dynamic entry warrant". Provides that a peace officer or other public officer or employee shall not seek or execute a no-knock search warrant or dynamic entry warrant and a court shall not issue such a warrant. Provides that a peace officer or other public officer or employee who violates this provision is guilty of official misconduct. Effective immediately.

Urges the Illinois General Assembly and the United States Congress to explore a new, domestic investment plan to promote economic growth and recovery in targeted African American communities.

Creates the Community Emergency Services and Support Act. Provides that every unit of local government that provides emergency medical services for individuals with physical health needs must also provide appropriate emergency response services to individuals experiencing a mental or behavioral health emergency. Amends the Emergency Telephone System Act to make conforming changes.

Creates the Employee Background Fairness Act. Provides that an employer may not refuse to hire an individual and may not discharge an individual because of the individual's criminal history unless the individual has one or more convictions and there is a direct relationship between one of more of an individual's convictions and the specific employment sought. Prohibits retaliation for exercising rights under the Act. Provides that an individual denied or discharged from employment because of his or her criminal history in violation of the Act may recover from the employer in a civil action: (1) damages in the amount of $2,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater; (2) costs and reasonable attorney's fees as allowed by the court; and (3) any other appropriate relief, including punitive damages. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Creates the Clean Energy Jobs Act. Contains only a short title provision. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 627/30 new 20 ILCS 627/35 new 20 ILCS 627/40 new 20 ILCS 3855/1-5 20 ILCS 3855/1-20 20 ILCS 3855/1-56 20 ILCS 3855/1-75 105 ILCS 5/2-3.176 new 220 ILCS 5/8-103B 220 ILCS 5/8-104.1 new 220 ILCS 5/9-220.3 220 ILCS 5/16-107 220 ILCS 5/16-107.5 220 ILCS 5/16-107.6 220 ILCS 5/16-107.7 new 220 ILCS 5/16-107.8 new 220 ILCS 5/16-108.9 new 220 ILCS 5/16-108.13 new 220 ILCS 5/16-108.17 new 220 ILCS 5/16-111.5 220 ILCS 5/16-115E new 220 ILCS 5/16-128B 415 ILCS 5/4.2 new 415 ILCS 5/9.10 415 ILCS 5/13.9 new 415 ILCS 5/9.15 rep. 415 ILCS 140/Act rep. Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Clean Jobs Workforce Hubs Act, the Expanding Clean Energy Entrepreneurship Act, the Community Energy and Climate Planning Act, and the Clean Energy Empowerment Zones Act to reduce emissions, promote renewable energy sources, improve energy efficiency, and reduce carbon pollution related to transportation. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to administer a program to increase employment opportunities related to clean energy projects. Provides for the creation of a clean jobs curriculum to increase workforce skills. Provides for the promotion of opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses in clean energy development. Establishes a framework to achieve 100% reliance on renewable energy. Amends the Electric Vehicle Act, the Illinois Power Agency Act, the School Code, the Public Utilities Act, and the Environmental Protection Act to make changes to implement the new programs. Repeals the Kyoto Protocol Act of 1998. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.