Rep. David A. Welter

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Provides that a member of the General Assembly, his or her spouse, and any immediate family member living with that member of the General Assembly shall not, for compensation, lobby any official of the executive or legislative branch of State government or any official of any unit of local government. Provides that a person who violates these provisions is guilty of official misconduct, a Class 3 felony. Defines terms. Repeals current provisions banning members of the General Assembly from lobbying, a Class A misdemeanor. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that a wastewater treatment facility located in the Village of Lisbon in Kendall County is allowed to apply for the Water Pollution Control Loan Program for the purposes of refinancing existing debt. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that additional notice requirements apply for water or sewer utilities with greater than 2,500 total customers (rather than 15,000 total customers). Provides that such water or sewer utilities shall include in a separate bill insert the percentage change from the rate of the customer's previous bill to the rate of the customer's current bill. Provides that water utilities under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Commerce Commission shall not increase water and sewer rates by more than 2.5% annually. Provides that an acquisition of a water or sewer utility shall be paid for by shareholders and not existing ratepayers (rather than charging ratepayers in the tariff group into which the water or sewer utility is to be combined specific rates).

Amends the House Rules. Adds Rule 9.5.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act and the State Finance Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall create and maintain an animal abuse registry. Requires a person 18 years of age or older who resides in or is domiciled in this State and has been convicted of specified offenses involving animal cruelty or torture to register with the Department to be placed on the registry. Requires a person required to register to pay an annual fee of $50 to the Department. Prohibits a person required to register from owning a companion animal or being employed at an animal shelter, pound, pet shop, zoo, or other business where companion animals are present. Creates the Animal Abuse Registry Fund as a special fund in the State Treasury. Provides that registration fees shall be deposited into the Fund to be used by the Department for establishing and maintaining the animal abuse registry. Effective immediately.

Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Provides for registration under the Act of a person convicted of a battery when the court: (1) finds that the battery was sexually motivated as defined in the Sex Offender Management Board Act; and (2) in its discretion requires the person to register under the Act. Provides that the trial court, in its discretion, may require a person convicted of battery to register under the Act if: (1) the complaining witness is 17 years of age or younger; (2) the offender is 21 years of age or older; and (3) the court finds that the battery was sexually motivated as defined in the Sex Offender Management Board Act.

Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that upon a vacancy in the General Assembly a special election shall occur no earlier than 45 days but no more than 90 days after the vacancy. Provides that if the vacancy occurs within 120 days before a general election or general primary election, the vacancy shall be filled by that election. Requires the candidates to fill the vacancy to be members of the same political party as the person who vacated the seat. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Congratulates Enoch "Nick" Scull Jr. for being awarded the French Legion of Honor and recognizes his service to the United States.

Mourns the death of Colton Michael Miller.

Amends the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act. Provides that in each county in which Court Appointed Special Advocates provide services, a Court Appointed Special Advocates Fund is specifically for the operations of the Court Appointed Special Advocates, from which the county board shall make grants to support the activities and services of the Court Appointed Special Advocates within that county. Effective July 1, 2019. Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 705 ILCS 135/15-5 705 ILCS 135/15-10 705 ILCS 135/15-15 705 ILCS 135/15-20 705 ILCS 135/15-25 705 ILCS 135/15-30 705 ILCS 135/15-35 705 ILCS 135/15-40 705 ILCS 135/15-45 705 ILCS 135/15-65 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill, and makes the following change: Provides that $10 shall be deposited from the county's portion into the Court Appointed Special Advocates Fund under the following fee schedules: generic felony offenses; felony DUI offenses; felony drug offenses; felony sex offenses; generic misdemeanor offenses; misdemeanor DUI offenses; misdemeanor drug offenses; misdemeanor sex offenses; major traffic offenses; and non-traffic violations. Effective July 1, 2019. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Provides that the conditional assessment amount for a drug-related offense involving possession or delivery of cannabis or possession or delivery of a controlled substance shall be disbursed with 50% going to the treasurer of the arresting law enforcement agency of the municipality or county, or to the State Treasurer if the arresting agency was a state agency, to be deposited into the State Police Law Enforcement Administration Fund, the Conservation Police Operations Assistance Fund, the Secretary of State Police Services Fund, or the Public Utility Fund, depending on which state agency made the arrest.