Rep. Patrick J. Verschoore

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for the 2015 taxable year and thereafter, the exemption for veterans with disabilities carries over to the surviving spouse of a veteran who was killed in the line of duty in the current taxable year or any preceding taxable year. Provides that, for the 2016 taxable year and thereafter, the exemption for veterans with disabilities carries over to the surviving spouse of a veteran who did not obtain the exemption before death, but who would have qualified for the exemption in the current taxable year if he or she had survived. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning extended statutes of limitations.

Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that the voters of the entire fire protection district may vote on whether a territory of that district may be disconnected and transferred to another district (rather than just the voters of the territory sought to be transferred). Effective immediately.

Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. Extends the repeal of the medicine locking closure package pilot program from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2018. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that during a declared harvest season emergency, the Governor may waive a vehicle's registered weight limitation and set a divisible load weight limit not to exceed 10% of a vehicle's registered gross weight, provided that the vehicle's axle weight and gross weight do not both exceed 10% above the statutorily required maximum limits. Provides that local authorities may waive special permit requirements during harvest season emergencies, and set a divisible load weight limit not to exceed 10% of a vehicle's registered gross weight, provided that the vehicle's axle weight and gross weight do not both exceed 10% above the statutorily required maximum limits. Provides that the Governor's emergency harvest permit exemption and local authority permit exemptions shall apply to all registered vehicles, including vehicles used in private or for-hire movement of divisible load agricultural commodities in use during the declared time period. Provides that provisions concerning the Governor's emergency harvest permit exemption and local authority permit exemptions shall not apply to municipalities with a population of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax checkoff to allow taxpayers to make contributions to Special Olympics Illinois and Special Children's Charities. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning board meetings.

Amends the Counties Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the compensation to be paid to the Public Defender.

Amends the Fireworks Regulation Act of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning violations of the Act.

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that individuals who voluntarily leave employment to enroll in and attend a Department-approved training course are not ineligible for benefits. Provides that an employer shall not be charged for benefit charges resulting from payments to a claimant if the claimant is enrolled in and attending a Department-approved training course.