Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that persons licensed to possess a concealed firearm under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act and current or retired police officers authorized by law to possess a concealed firearm shall be exempt from provisions of the Code prohibiting possession of those firearms.
Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that the new license and renewal fees for concealed carry licenses shall be one-half price for veterans. Adjusts the moneys apportioned to various funds accordingly. Defines "veteran".
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, if a person has been granted a senior citizens homestead exemption, that person need not reapply for the exemption (now, the county board may provide that persons who are granted the exemption need not reapply). Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, with exceptions, a person may not use a wireless telephone at any time while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway. Provides that committing the violation of using a wireless telephone while driving is an offense against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles, which carries a minimum fine of $75 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, $125 for a third offense, and $150 for a fourth or subsequent offense. Provides that a person under the age of 19 holding an instruction permit or graduated license commits a petty offense if he or she drives while using a wireless telephone. Provides that a person committing a violation of aggravated use of a wireless telephone while driving commits either a Class A misdemeanor or a Class 4 felony depending on the circumstances. Provides that a violation (rather than a second or subsequent violation) of operating a motor vehicle while using an electronic communication device is an offense against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles, for which a person shall be fined a minimum (rather than maximum) of $75 for a first offense. Provides that provisions disallowing use of certain electronic communication devices does not include a driver of a commercial motor vehicle over the age of 19 using the electronic communication device within the permitted scope of employment on a permanently installed communication device designed for a commercial motor vehicle with a screen that does not exceed 10 inches tall by 10 inches wide in size. Removes the use of certain electronic communication devices allowed while driving. Provides for age distinctions in conjunction with the use of wireless telephones or electronic communication devices. Defines "electronic message". Makes conforming changes.
Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Provides that a veteran who holds proof of a service-connected disability from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs, and whose degree of disability has been declared to be 50% or more, shall be eligible for a 50% reduction in the fees for a lifetime fishing license, lifetime hunting license, and lifetime sportsmen's combination license. The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs may assist in providing the documentation of disability.
Designates Illinois Route 16 along School Street from South Main Street to the corner of 22nd Street in Hillsboro as the Army SP4 Charles Irby Memorial Highway.
Pledges the House of Representatives to uphold their oath of office to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, particularly with regard to Second Amendment rights under the federal Constitution.
Amends the General Assembly Operations Act. Provides that no person may serve more than 8 consecutive years in any of the following leadership roles: Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and Minority Leader of the Senate. Provides that the limitations imposed by the amendatory Act apply to service beginning on and after January 11, 2017.
Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall require a drug test to screen each individual who applies for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and that subject to federal approval, the Department shall require a drug test to screen each individual who applies for benefits under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Contains provisions concerning notice; persons required to comply with the drug testing requirements; persons exempt from the drug testing requirements; reimbursements for the cost of the drug testing; and other matters. Effective July 1, 2016.
Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Provides that, for persons dying on or after July 1, 2016, if the decedent was a farmer, then the exclusion amount for that decedent shall be the federal exclusion amount, including any deceased spousal unused exclusion amount. Provides that the term "farmer" means a decedent whose adjusted taxable estate consists of at least 75% farm property and who was engaged in active management of that farm property at any point during his or her lifetime. Effective immediately.
