Rep. Dan Caulkins

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities, provides that an otherwise qualified residence that is located upon 2 adjacent parcels in 2 different townships is entitled to the exemption. Provides that a portion of the maximum exemption amount shall be applied to each parcel according to each parcel's share of the total assessed value of the property. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that no voter registration may be canceled without following the procedures as required by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Provides that the voter registration application or the voter registration card of an inactive voter who has not voted in 2 consecutive general federal elections shall be canceled. Requires a voter's registration to be canceled when an election authority receives certain notices regarding the voter's incarceration status, voter disqualification, or death. Provides that the county clerk of the county where a decedent last resided shall (rather than may) issue certifications of death records from an electronic reporting system for death registrations as provided in the Vital Records Act and shall (rather than may) use that system to cancel the registration of any person who died during the preceding month.

Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Provides that in any 12-month period the Governor shall have the authority to issue only one proclamation per disaster and that any further proclamation for the disaster that triggered the original proclamation shall be in force only after a two-thirds vote of each chamber of the General Assembly approves a joint resolution containing the exact language of the proclamation and which the Governor must follow. Provides that the Governor shall have no authority to amend or change the language of the proclamation as approved by joint resolution.

Repeals the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2022.

Amends the Illinois Driver Licensing Law of the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a first-time applicant for a driver's license shall not be required to perform a road test upon verification of successful completion of a certified public school, nonpublic school, or private training school driver's education course.

Opposes the reduction or elimination of the vendor's discount.

Amends the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Changes the term of "written release" to "written consent". Provides that the written policy that is developed by a private entity in possession of biometric identifiers shall be made available to the person from whom biometric information is to be collected or was collected (rather than to the public). Deletes a provision regarding a right of action. Provides instead that any violation that results from the collection of biometric information by an employer for employment, human resources, fraud prevention, or security purposes is subject to the enforcement authority of the Department of Labor. Provides that an employee or former employee may file a complaint with the Department a violation by submitting a signed, completed complaint form. Provides that all complaints shall be filed with the Department within one year from the date of the violation. Provides that any other violation of the Act constitutes a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, with enforcement by the Attorney General or the appropriate State's Attorney. Provides that the Act does not apply to a private entity if the private entity's employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that provides for different policies regarding the retention, collection, disclosure, and destruction of biometric information. Makes other changes. Makes a conforming change in the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Deletes language requiring certain applicants for temporary visitor's driver's licenses to demonstrate that they are ineligible to obtain a social security number. Provides that such applicants must present documentation, issued by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, authorizing the person's entry into (instead of "presence in") this country. Provides that a temporary visitor's driver's license, issued to a person who presents documentation from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services authorizing the person's presence in this country, is valid for 3 years (rather than 3 years or for the period of time the individual is authorized to remain in this country, whichever ends sooner). Effective immediately.

Creates the Firearm Crime Charging and Sentencing Accountability and Transparency Act. Provides that in a criminal case, if a defendant is charged with an offense involving the illegal use or possession of a firearm and subsequently enters into a plea agreement in which in the charge will be reduced to a lesser offense or a non-weapons offense in exchange for a plea of guilty, at or before the time of sentencing, the State's Attorney shall file with the court a written statement of his or her reasons in support of the plea agreement, which shall specifically state why the offense or offenses of conviction resulting from the plea agreement do not include the originally charged weapons offense. Provides that in a criminal case in which the original charge is or was for an offense involving the illegal use or possession of a firearm, if a defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty of the original charge or lesser offense or a non-weapons offense, in imposing sentence, the judge shall set forth in a written sentencing order his or her reasons for imposing the sentence or accepting the plea agreement. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides for adult prosecution of a minor who was at least 16 years of age at the time of the offense who is charged with armed robbery or aggravated vehicular hijacking while armed with a firearm. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to provide for enhanced penalties for committing various offenses with a firearm. Makes other changes concerning criminal procedure and law enforcement. Amends various other Acts to make conforming changes. Effective immediately as to specified provisions.

Creates the Higher Education COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Prohibition Act. Provides that an institution of higher education may not require a person to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination or show a COVID-19 vaccine credential as a condition of enrollment at the institution of higher education or participation as a student in any of its programs. Defines terms. Amends the College Student Immunization Act to make a related change. Effective immediately.