Rep. Lindsay Parkhurst

Amends the Drug Court Treatment Act. Provides that before a defendant is admitted into a drug court program, the court must make a finding that the crime for which the defendant is to be admitted into the drug court program had a nexus to the defendant's "substance use disorder" as defined in the Substance Use Disorder Act. Lists additional offenses that exclude a defendant from admission into a drug court program.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Repeals a Section providing authority to use automated traffic law enforcement systems at intersections in which cameras are used to photograph or video record a motor vehicle's failure to stop and yield as required by traffic control signals. Imposes limits on the power of local governments to use automated speed enforcement systems to provide recorded images of a motor vehicle for the purpose of recording its speed. Denies home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement from the State. Makes conforming and other technical changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that a unit of local government, including a home rule unit, may not impose a tax, fee, or other assessment other than a retailers' occupation tax rate for goods on a firearm, firearm attachment, or firearm ammunition. Provides that the provisions of any ordinance or resolution, in effect or adopted, on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act by any unit of local government, including a home rule unit, that imposes a tax, fee, or other assessment other a retailers' occupation tax rate for goods on a firearm, firearm attachment, or firearm ammunition are invalid and void. Effective immediately.

Amends the Post-Judgment Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a movant may present a meritorious claim for relief from a final order or judgment if the allegations in the petition establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the law under which the movant was convicted has been held by the Supreme Court of the State or the United States Supreme Court to be facially unconstitutional.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that an applicant enrolled in a certificate program offered by a public community college is eligible for a Monetary Award Program grant until he or she completes the certificate program. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Prohibits a school district employee or volunteer or an independent contractor of a school district from placing a student in seclusion; defines seclusion. Provides that this prohibition does not apply to the use of seclusion in a court-ordered placement, other than a placement in an educational program of a school district, or in a placement or facility to which other laws or rules apply. Requires State Board of Education rulemaking. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that no starter interrupt device shall be installed or activated in any vehicle solely as a means to secure payment on the vehicle.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that for any appeal permitted under the Act to the Director of the Illinois State Police for failure to act on a Firearm Owner's Identification Card application within 30 days or its denial, seizure, or revocation, the Director shall either grant or deny the appeal within 60 days of the receipt of the appeal. Provides that if the appeal is granted, the Director shall return the aggrieved party's Firearm Owner's Identification Card to the aggrieved party, or issue him or her a new Firearm Owner's Identification Card, as the case may be, no later than 7 business days after the appeal is granted. Provides that if the appeal is denied, the Director shall set forth in writing the specific reasons for the denial and shall cause the written denial to be mailed to the aggrieved party no later than 7 business days after the appeal is denied. Provides that if the Director fails to either grant or deny the appeal within 60 days of the receipt of the appeal, the appeal shall be considered granted, and the Director shall return the aggrieved party's Firearm Owner's Identification Card or issue him or her a new Firearm Owner's Identification Card, as the case may be, no later than 67 days from the date that the appeal was received. Provides that a denial shall be considered a final administrative order, regardless of whether there was a formal hearing in which evidence was taken, and the aggrieved party may seek judicial review of the final administrative order in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Review Law and the Act. Provides that if administrative review is taken and if the circuit court then finds that the Director denied the appeal without reasonable cause, the circuit court may award the aggrieved party court costs and a reasonable attorney's fee to be paid by the State. Nothing herein limits the contempt power of the circuit court. Provides that when the word "shall" appears in this provision, it shall be construed as being mandatory and not discretionary.

Creates the Higher Education Fair Admissions Act. Provides that a public institution of higher education may not require applicants to submit standardized college admissions test scores to the institution as a part of the admissions process. Provides that the submission of standardized test scores to the institution shall be at the option of the applicant. Requires the adoption of a policy. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act and the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that a renewal application shall be accepted by the Illinois State Police if submitted within 180 days before the expiration of the applicant's Firearm Owner's Identification Card or concealed carry license. Provides that submission of a renewal application within that 180-day period shall not affect the expiration date of the applicant's Firearm Owner's Identification Card or concealed carry license.