Rep. Jeff Keicher

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall include, in the Illinois Rules of the Road publication, information advising drivers to use the zipper merge method when merging into a reduced number of lanes (drivers in merging lanes are expected to use both lanes to advance to the lane reduction point and merge at that location, alternating turns). House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 625 ILCS 5/6-109 625 ILCS 5/11-907.1 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill, and further amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall include, in the question pool used for the written portion of the driver's license examination, at least one test question concerning driver responsibilities when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle. Creates the Move Over Task Force to study the issue of violations of the provisions of the Code prescribing how to safely enter a highway construction zone, approach a disabled vehicle, and approach an authorized emergency vehicle. Prescribes membership for the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall meet no fewer than 3 times and shall present its report and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than January 1, 2020. Repeals the Task Force on January 1, 2021. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Adds to the Move Over Task Force one representative, appointed by the Governor, from a bona fide labor organization representing certified road flaggers and other road construction workers.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a prosecution for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, or aggravated criminal sexual abuse may be commenced at any time (rather than within 10 years of the commission of the offense if the victim reported the offense to law enforcement authorities within 3 years after the commission of the offense). Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Authorized Electronic Monitoring in Long-Term Care Facilities Act. Includes in the definition of "facility" a facility that provides housing to individuals with dementia. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 210 ILCS 32/10 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Further amends the Authorized Electronic Monitoring in Long-Term Care Facilities Act. Provides that a facility that houses dementia residents may allow electronic monitoring devices only in rooms that are located in a building that is entirely dedicated to dementia care or that are located in a building that is solely dedicated to dementia care. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that any person who commits a violation of the Section prohibiting the operation of an electronic communication device while operating a motor vehicle, and the violation results in an accident causing great bodily harm to any person, shall have his or her driver's license suspended for a period of one year and shall be assessed a fine of $1,000. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 625 ILCS 5/6-206 Provides that the Secretary of State may suspend or revoke the driving privileges of a person who has committed a violation involving the use of an electronic communication device while driving that resulted in great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement, and that in such case the driving privileges of the person shall be suspended for 12 months. Provides that a person who commits a violation of the Section prohibiting the operation of an electronic communication device while operating a motor vehicle, and the violation results in an accident causing great bodily harm to any person, shall be subject to a minimum fine of $1,000 (instead of shall have his or her driver's license suspended for a period of one year and shall be assessed a fine of $1,000). Changes the effective date to July 1, 2020.

Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Creates the Independent Redistricting Commission to adopt and file with the Secretary of State a redistricting plan for Legislative and Representative Districts. Provides for the selection of Commissioners and establishes the authority of a Special Commissioner to design a redistricting plan in the event that the Commission fails to properly adopt and file a redistricting plan. Effective beginning with redistricting in 2021 and applies to members elected in 2022 and thereafter.

Urges lawmakers to slow the process of legalizing recreational marijuana in Illinois, so that lawmakers, stakeholders, and experts alike have the chance to consider the societal impact of legalization and examine all the data from other states that have passed similar legislation.

Opposes the concept of a privilege tax on financial transactions.

Urges the creation via legislation of the Illinois Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, whose purpose shall be to examine the extent to which current practices of the executive agencies either conform to or fall short of established laws, regulations and best practices, and to determine the fiscal impact which the State realizes as a result of falling short of compliance with such practices.

Creates the Elder Abuse Task Force to investigate the effectiveness of current elder protective services and laws, examine barriers to prosecution and strategies to increase public awareness of elder abuse and reporting, study training resources and best practices in other states, and identify a long-range plan to combat elder abuse. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Changes the time period for members to be appointed to the task force from 30 to 60 days. Changes the date that the final report is due from January 1, 2020 to January 1, 2021. Makes other corrections for grammar purposes.

Directs the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board to jointly identify any shortcomings in attaining the goals of Public Act 99-636 that the General Education Core Curriculum courses transfer between institutions with full credit towards a baccalaureate degree.