Rep. Maurice West

Supports the accreditation of an additional NCI-designated cancer center in Illinois.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that deer hunting permits for youth hunters shall be open statewide and not limited to one specific county. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall create a pilot program for youth deer hunters statewide. Provides that under the pilot program, the Department shall issue 1,500 youth deer licenses annually. Grants the Department rulemaking authority to implement the program. Provides for the sunset of the provision on January 1, 2023.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that in addition to any other penalty, the court shall order that a person and persons dwelling in the same household may not own, harbor, or have custody or control of any other animal if the person has been convicted of 2 or more of the following offenses: (1) a violation of aggravated cruelty; (2) a violation of animals for entertainment; or (3) a violation of dog fighting.

Recognizes May 2, 2019 as the National Day of Prayer.

Declares April 2019 as Ambucs Appreciation Month in the State of Illinois.

Congratulates Valeri DeCastris on her induction into the Italian American Hall of Fame by the Greater Rockford Italian American Association.

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.

Amends the School Code. With regard to the prerequisites to receiving a high school diploma, provides that a pupil must complete one year chosen from music, art, foreign language, vocational education, or speech (rather than music, art, foreign language, or vocational education).

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, if a veteran with a surviving spouse was in the process of review to receive the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities, but the veteran died before the exemption was approved, then the application process shall continue and any subsequent approval granted to the veteran shall carry over to the spouse as long as the spouse meets the requirements for carry over.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title of the Illinois Commercial Safety Towing Law. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 625 ILCS 5/18d-101 Adds reference to: 605 ILCS 10/3 from Ch. 121, par. 100-3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Toll Highway Act. Increases the number of directors of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority appointed by the Governor from 9 to 11. Provides that, of the 11 directors of the Authority appointed by the Governor, at least one shall be from Cook County, at least one shall be from Lake County, at least one shall be from DuPage County, at least one shall be from Will County, at least one shall be from Winnebago, Boone, or McHenry County, and at least one shall be from Kane, DeKalb, Ogle, or Lee County. Provides that no more than 6 (rather than 5) directors shall be from the same political party. Provides that, within 30 days of the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Governor shall appoint one director from Lake County and one director from Winnebago, Boone, or McHenry County. Effective immediately.