Rep. Regan Deering

Amends the Public Higher Education Act, the Board of Higher Education Act, and the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that a resident of the State who is not lawfully present in the United States is not eligible, on the basis of residence within the State, for any postsecondary educational benefit unless a citizen or national of the United States is eligible for such a benefit without regard to whether the citizen or national is such a resident. Provides that any benefit conferred to a nonresident of the State who is lawfully present in the United States may not be lesser in amount, duration, or scope than the benefit conferred to a State resident who is unlawfully present in the United States.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, if the payment of a retirement annuity is made to an annuitant more than one month after that retirement annuity payment became payable, then the Fund shall pay interest to the annuitant in an amount equal to 6% of that payment of the retirement annuity. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning the municipal employee's continuance privilege, provides that if an employee has elected to have the monthly premium deducted by the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund from the employee's monthly pension payment, then the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund shall promptly remit the premium payments to the insurance company, regardless of whether the employee's monthly pension payment has been paid to the employee. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Amends the Counties Code, Township Code, and Illinois Municipal Code. In provisions concerning building permit fee for veterans with a disability, provides that building permit fees, include, but are not limited to, permit fees, plan review or plan examination fees, inspection fees, and reinspection fees.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that violation of an order of protection is a Class 4 felony if the defendant has any prior conviction for violation of a civil no contact order, violation of a stalking no contact order, or any prior conviction under the law of another jurisdiction for an offense that could be charged in the State as violation of a civil no contact order or violation of a stalking no contact order. Provides that violation of a civil no contact order is a Class 4 felony if the defendant has any prior conviction for violation of an order of protection, violation of a civil no contact order, or violation of a stalking no contact order, or any prior conviction under the law of another jurisdiction for an offense that could be charged in the State as a violation of an order of protection, violation of a civil no contact order, or violation of a stalking no contact order. Provides that violation of a stalking no contact order is a Class 4 felony if the defendant has any prior conviction under the Code for a violation of an order of protection, violation of a stalking no contact order, or violation of a civil no contact order, or any prior conviction under the law of another jurisdiction for an offense that could be charged in the State as a violation of an order of protection, violation of a civil no contact order, or violation of a stalking no contact order.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Small Communities Health and Safety Grant Program. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall use funds deposited into the Small Communities Health and Safety Competitive Grant Fund to create and administer a statewide, competitive grant for municipalities and units of local government with populations under 50,000 to make capital and infrastructure improvements that promote and support the health and safety of residents of those municipalities and to pay for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the program. Provides that the Department shall receive and consider applications from eligible municipalities and units of local government for grants. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Small Communities Health and Safety Competitive Grant Fund as a special fund in the State Treasury. Amends the Build Illinois Bond Act. Provides that, beginning in fiscal year 2027, in each fiscal year, the State Comptroller shall order transferred and the State Treasurer shall transfer from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Small Communities Health and Safety Competitive Grant Fund a portion of the amount set aside for capital improvements not to exceed $70,000,000.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the valuation of wind energy devices, provides that, for taxable year 2027 and thereafter, the real property cost basis is $588,000 per megawatt of nameplate capacity (currently, $360,000 per megawatt of nameplate capacity). In provisions concerning the valuation of solar energy systems, provides that, for taxable year 2027 and thereafter, the real property cost basis is $446,000 per megawatt of nameplate capacity (currently, $218,000 per megawatt of nameplate capacity). Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to establish the School Resource Officer Grant Program to fund salaries and any other costs associated with the hiring of an active or a retired law enforcement officer as a school resource officer. In a provision concerning school resource officers, provides that a school or school district that hires an active or a retired law enforcement officer as a school resource officer shall be reimbursed for salary and additional costs through the School Resource Officer Grant Program.

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Local Road Use Fund. Provides that moneys in the fund shall be used exclusively for local transportation-related purposes, including, but not limited to, costs for construction, maintenance, repair, and betterment of highways, roads, streets, and bridges. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. In provisions concerning the apportionment of moneys in the Road Fund, provides that 85% of the moneys shall be apportioned into the Public Transportation Fund, 10% of the moneys (rather than 15% of the moneys) shall be apportioned into the Downstate Public Transportation Fund, and 5% of the moneys shall be apportioned into the Local Road Use Fund.

Maddy summaryHR 427, the "EDUCATIONAL CHOICE ACT," is a resolution that urges Governor JB Pritzker to opt Illinois into the provisions of the federal "Educational Choice for Children Act." If the Governor were to act on this urging, it would enable Illinois to participate in a program related to educational choices for children.

Amends the Decennial Committees on Local Government Efficiency Act. Provides that the term "governmental unit" does not include a fire protection districts established under the Fire Protection District Act.