Rep. Harry Benton

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that an elected or appointed member of a public body of a township may satisfy specified training requirements of the Act by participating in a course of training sponsored or conducted by an organization that represents townships created under the Township Code. Specifies the contents of the course of training. Provides that if an organization that represents townships provides a course of training, it must provide a certificate of course completion to each elected or appointed member of a public body who successfully completes that course of training.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction for the full amount of union dues paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year if the taxpayer was not allowed a federal deduction under the Internal Revenue Code. Provides that, if any amount of union dues representing federal miscellaneous itemized deductions was allowed as a federal deduction, then the amount allowed as an Illinois deduction shall be a specified percentage of the union dues disallowed under the Internal Revenue Code. Provides that the deduction is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the Boundary Changes Article of the School Code. With respect to a petition to change school district boundaries, provides that the length of time for signatures to be valid, before the filing of the petition, shall not exceed one year (rather than 6 months). Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the property tax bill shall include information notifying taxpayers of each exemption that is available to a specific category of taxpayer and the deadlines for applying for those exemptions. Provides that the information must conform with certain stylistic requirements.

Amends the Department of Public Health Power and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall conduct a study to assess the feasibility of implementation of electronic birth certificates. Provides that the study shall determine any costs and an estimated timeline associated with the implementation of electronic birth certificates. Provides that the study is due to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2026. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in the case of a veteran with a disability who dies on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the exemption for veterans with a disability carries over to the benefit of a surviving immediate family member of the veteran if: (i) the immediate family member resided with the veteran and served as the veteran's caregiver immediately prior to the veteran's death; (ii) the veteran designated the immediate family member as the veteran's caregiver; and (iii) the immediate family member continues to use the residence as his or her primary residence.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer is a Class 4 felony if there is video evidence of the driver or operator of the motor vehicle fleeing or attempting to elude the peace officer and that the fleeing or attempting to elude the peace officer results in damage to property of the State, a unit of local government, or school district.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that a renewal shall be automatically denied for any Firearm Owner's Identification Card issued to an applicant who submitted an application on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, if the Firearm Owner's Identification Card holder has failed to complete hands-on firearm safety training within one year after the initial issuance of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card. Provides that a revoked license for not completing hands-on firearm safety training shall not be grounds for a denial of a subsequent Firearm Owner's Identification Card application. Provides that each application form for a Firearm Owner's Identification Card shall include the date on which hands-on firearm safety training has been or will be completed. Provides that proof that the applicant has completed or is currently enrolled in a hands-on training course must accompany the application. Provides that the Illinois State Police has authority to deny an application for or to revoke and seize a Firearm Owner's Identification Card previously issued under the Act if the person has failed to complete hands-on firearm safety training by the specified date on the Firearm Owner's Identification Card application. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall adopt rules that define "hands-on firearm safety training". Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that unlawful purchase of a firearm includes purchasing a firearm before completing hands-on firearm safety training as defined by rules adopted by the Illinois State Police.

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that an early childhood teacher must meet one of the following qualifications: (1) complete 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university with either 6 semester hours in early childhood education or complete the Gateways Early Childhood Education Credential Level 1 training; (2) complete 1,560 clock hours of child development experience and 30 semester hours from an accredited college or university with either 6 semester hours in early childhood education or Gateways Early Childhood Education Credential Level 1 training; (3) complete 2,080 clock hours of child development experience as a teacher assistant in a day care center, complete the Gateways Early Childhood Education Credential Level 1 training, and provide proof of enrollment from an accredited college or university until 30 semester hours are attained or proof of enrollment in an early childhood teacher credentialing program, either of which must be completed in no more than 5 years from the date of initial enrollment; or (4) complete a credentialing program approved by the Department of Children and Family Services in accordance with administrative rule.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction for amounts that are included in the taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income for the taxable year that are attributable to the conversion of funds from a qualified tuition program established pursuant to Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code to a Roth IRA. Effective immediately.