Rep. Dan Swanson

Repeals the Furniture Fire Safety Act. Effective immediately

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the issuance of Lyme disease research decals by the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that $10 of each original issuance and $23 of each renewal shall be deposited into the Tick Research, Education, and Evaluation Fund, and that $15 of each original issuance and $2 of each renewal shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Provides that money in the Tick Research, Education, and Evaluation Fund shall be paid as grants to the Illinois Lyme Association. Makes a corresponding change in the State Finance Act.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that there is a rebuttable presumption that the testimony of a victim who is a child under 13 years of age shall testify outside the courtroom and the child's testimony shall be shown in the courtroom by means of a closed circuit television. Provides that this presumption may be overcome if the defendant can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the child victim will not suffer severe emotional distress.

Creates the Rock Island Regional Port District Act. Establishes the Rock Island Regional Port District within the corporate limits of the City of Rock Island. Provides that territory of adjacent municipalities may be annexed into the Port District. Provides that the governing and administrative body of the Rock Island Regional Port District initially consists of the Rock Island City Council but will later include the city councils of annexed territories of adjacent municipalities. Contains provisions related to the operation of the Port District, rights and powers of the Port District and participating municipalities, lease of property, easements and permits, bonds and tax levies, eminent domain powers, and other provisions. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Amends the Foreign Trade Zones Act and Eminent Domain Act making conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall include, in the Illinois Rules of Road publication, information advising drivers on best practices related to stranded motorists. Provides that such information may include, but is not limited to, how to safely pull the vehicle out of traffic, activating hazard lights, when to remain in a vehicle, how to safely exit a stranded vehicle, where to find a safe place outside the stranded vehicle, and emergency numbers to call for assistance.

Creates the Essential Support Person Act. Provides that a resident or the resident's representative may designate a primary essential support person and a secondary essential support person who may visit the resident despite general visitation restrictions imposed on other visitors, provided that the primary essential support person or secondary essential support person complies with any rules adopted by the Department of Public Health to protect the health, safety, and well-being of residents. Tasks the Department with establishing a statewide policy for visitation with a resident. Requires the Office of State Long Term Care Ombudsman to perform specified duties. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act. Provides that a soil and water conservation district may request that the Department of Transportation install a sign related to the district on an existing or new Department sign post or pole in a public right-of-way. Provides that the Department must manufacture and install the sign and that the district must reimburse the Department only for the reasonable cost of manufacturing the sign.

Amends the State Property Control Act. Includes qualified veteran-owned small businesses in the list of entities that may receive preference in the disposition of transferable property. Effective immediately.

Amends the Housing Authorities Act. Requires housing authorities to develop and implement policies granting housing preferences to veterans who are homeless. Provides that such preferences shall be cumulative with any other preference allowed by a housing authority for which the veteran qualifies. Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act shall be construed to supersede any federal law or regulation.

Amends Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes the testing requirement for motorcycle operators who are under the age of 18.