Rep. Brad Fritts

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Deletes a provision that if the defense seeks to compel the complaining witness to testify as a witness in its favor in a hearing to deny pretrial release, it shall petition the court for permission. Deletes a provision that when the ends of justice so require, the court may exercise its discretion and compel the appearance of a complaining witness at a hearing to deny pretrial release.

Amends the House Rules of the 103rd General Assembly. Provides that a Representative may access the House Chamber at any time on a session day and during the normal business hours of the office of the Clerk of the House on any other day.

Amends the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act. Provides that each certified licensee shall keep all video surveillance records for a period of not less than 60 (rather than 90) days. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employees Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Adds to the definition of "Tier 1 member", a member who was employed by the State in any capacity for which the member may purchase service credit under the Article and that employment began before January 1, 2011, notwithstanding whether that member first became a member on or after January 1, 2011. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that an attempt to commit first degree murder when at least one of specified aggravating factors is present is a Class X felony for which the sentence shall be a term of imprisonment of not less than 40 years and up to a term of natural life (rather than not less than 20 years and not more than 80 years).

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall have the power to license day care centers, licensed day care homes, and licensed group day care as described in the Child Care Act of 1969. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that the transfer of responsibility for licensure under the Act from the Department of Children and Family Services to the State Board of Education shall begin on the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that the State Board of Education may adopt any rules and emergency rules and execute any intergovernmental agreements necessary to assume responsibility for the transfer. Changes references in provisions concerning day care licensing from "Department of Children and Family Services" to "State Board of Education". Makes conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to provide for emergency rulemaking.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may issue special registration plates designated as Defense Superior Service license plates to Illinois residents who have been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal. Provides that no registration fee shall be charged for the issuance or renewal of a Defense Superior Service plate. Adds vehicle owners who qualify for a Defense Superior Service plate to the list of vehicle owners who may reclass their registration upon acquiring a special license plate without a replacement plate fee or registration sticker cost.

Creates the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program Act. Creates the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program within the Illinois State Police to provide a stable funding source for the veterinary care for retired police dogs. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall contract with a not-for-profit corporation organized under Article 2 of the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986 to administer and manage the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall select the not-for-profit corporation through a competitive grant award process. Establishes criteria for the selection of the not-for-profit corporation. Provides that from appropriations made by the General Assembly to the Illinois State Police for implementation of the Act, the Illinois State Police shall make grants to the not-for-profit corporation contracted by the Illinois State Police to be the disbursing authority for the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program. Provides that these funds must be disbursed to the former handler or the adopter of a retired police dog that served for 5 years or more as a police dog upon receipt specified verification. Provides that annual disbursements to a former handler or an adopter to reimburse him or her for the cost of the retired police dog's veterinary care may not exceed $1,500 per dog. Provides that a former handler or an adopter of a retired police dog may not accumulate unused funds from a current year for use in a future year. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall pay to the not-for-profit corporation, and the not-for-profit corporation may use, up to 10% of appropriated funds for its administrative expenses, including salaries and benefits. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall adopt rules to implement the Act.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that if the defendant committed an offense in or on the grounds of a hospital, ambulatory surgical treatment center, physician's office, or other medical facility that treats patients and the offense was a crime of violence committed against a licensed health care professional or an employee of a hospital, ambulatory surgical treatment center, physician's office, or other medical facility that treats patients, this factor shall be accorded weight in favor of imposing a term of imprisonment or may be considered by the court as a reason to impose a more severe sentence.

Amends the Rental Housing Support Program Act. In provisions requiring the Illinois Housing Development Authority (Authority) to distribute certain amounts for the Rental Housing Support Program from annual receipts on deposit in the Rental Housing Support Program Fund, provides that certain annual receipts for municipalities and for grants to local administering agencies shall be distributed with priority to local administering agencies from the county in which the annual receipts were collected. Provides that the Authority shall wait at least 6 months after annual receipts are deposited into the Fund before distributing the annual receipts. In a provision concerning grants to local administering agencies to provide rent subsidies to landlords for low-income tenants, provides that at least one local administering agency shall serve each county (rather than requiring the Authority to use best efforts through outreach to local administering agencies to encourage at least one local administering agency to serve each county).