Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch

Amends the School Code. In a Section concerning kindergartens, provides that, beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, each school board must establish a kindergarten with full-day attendance (instead of allowing a school board to establish a kindergarten with half-day attendance or with full-day attendance); makes related changes. Repeals another Section concerning kindergartens on July 1, 2017. Effective immediately.

Amends the State aid formula provisions of the School Code. Forms an evidence-based Professional Judgment Panel. Provides that the Panel shall update and revise a 2010 study and make recommendations for the implementation of an evidence-based adequacy and equity formula for the funding of all school districts. Specifies the members who shall serve on the Panel. Requires the Panel to recommend an adequate per pupil cost figure and a per pupil amount of local revenue figure. Provides that the Panel's recommendations shall incorporate identifiable and prototypical education expenses based on the school district type and student population size. Requires the Panel to submit a final recommendation for full funding of an equitable and adequate educational opportunity for all students by the 2020-2021 school year. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Eliminates a provision requiring the State Treasurer to make a record of the name of the person to whom a warrant is made payable upon being presented with a warrant to be countersigned. Requires the State Treasurer to (1) report to the State Comptroller at appropriate intervals but at least once per month (currently, at the close of each month) the amount of money received and paid out by him during that time period, and (2) report to (currently, deposit with) the Comptroller all warrants, properly canceled, which he may have paid.

Creates the Immigration Safe Zones Act. Provides that schools, medical treatment and health care facilities, and places of worship may not grant access to State and local law enforcement agencies that have entered into an agreement with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement or undertake other joint efforts with federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies to investigate, detain, or arrest individuals for violation of federal immigration law, unless a court has issued a warrant and appropriate personnel have reviewed that warrant and have consented to access or unless required by law and appropriate personnel have consented. Prohibits employees of elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education from asking about a student's immigration status or that of the student's family members, with exceptions. Requires the Department of Human Services to provide training or make training available to teachers, administrators, and other staff of elementary and secondary schools, as well as to medical treatment and health care facilities, on how to deal with immigration issues and how to notify families of those issues in multiple languages. Requires appropriate personnel of a facility to develop a plan to provide assistance, information, and safety to persons who are concerned about the government's immigration enforcement efforts. Provides for the removal of certain file information by State agencies, public schools, and public institutions of higher education. Contains a severability clause. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning before and after school programs.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may release personal identifying information of any person or entity to a member of the news media for newsgathering purposes (rather than for newsgathering purposes that relate to the operation of a motor vehicle or public safety), unless the information is intended for a commercial purpose.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning Chicago laborers and retirement board employees.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Requires a peace officer to arrest without a warrant or issue a notice to appear to any person who violates the cruel treatment, aggravated cruelty, animal torture, or animal fighting offenses under the Humane Care for Animals Act, or the sexual conduct or sexual contact with an animal or dogfighting offenses under the Criminal Code of 2012. If the person arrested is not the owner of the animal, the peace officer must use reasonable diligence to notify the owner and provide care for the animal until turned over to the owner or owner's agent. Provides for the recovery of cost of care and limited liability for actions taken under the arrest and care provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires all law enforcement patrol vehicles to be equipped with video recording equipment by July 1, 2015. Provides that this equipment must be capable of recording at least 10 hours of video footage and recording sound with the use of a wireless microphone. Provides that patrol vehicles with in-car cameras are required to record when: (1) the officer determines an enforcement stop is necessary and shall continue until the enforcement action has been completed, provided that the recording shall include any field sobriety tests administered during a DUI stop, including the administration of a portable breath test; (2) the patrol vehicle emergency lights are activated or when they would otherwise be activated if not for the need to conceal the presence of law enforcement, and shall continue until the reason for the activation ceases to exist, regardless of whether the emergency lights are no longer activated and, in the event of an arrest may not conclude before the subject is transported and leaves the vehicle; and (3) the officer reasonably believes recording may assist with prosecution, enhance safety, or for any other lawful purpose and shall continue until the reason for recording ceases to exist. Requires audio and visual recordings of all Illinois Vehicle Code related stops. Makes any video recording made under these provisions subject to the Freedom of Information Act and subpoenas, but allows the law enforcement agency to charge a $25 fee for compliance with any video production request for the purpose of recouping administrative costs. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to make conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2015.

Creates the Racial Impact Note Act. Provides that every bill, the purpose or effect of which amends criminal offenses, criminal procedure, or sentencing provisions under the Criminal Code of 2012, the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963, the Unified Code of Corrections, the Cannabis Control Act, the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, the Methamphetamine Control and Community Control Act, the Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act, or the Methamphetamine Precursor Tracking Act, shall have prepared for it, before second reading in the house of introduction, a brief explanatory statement or note that shall include a reliable estimate of the anticipated impact on: (i) the number of criminal cases per year the bill will affect; (ii) the members of racial minority groups; (iii) the operations of correctional institutions; and (iv) any other matter the Illinois Department of Corrections considers appropriate. Requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to prepare the note. Contains other related provisions regarding the vote on the necessity of the note, comment or opinion regarding the merits of the legislation included in the note, and appearance of State officials and employees in support or opposition of measure.