Rep. Mark Batinick

Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Creates the Independent Redistricting Commission to adopt and file with the Secretary of State a redistricting plan for Legislative and Representative Districts. Provides for the selection of Commissioners and establishes the authority of a Special Commissioner to design a redistricting plan in the event that the Commission fails to properly adopt and file a redistricting plan. Effective beginning with redistricting in 2021 and applies to members elected in 2022 and thereafter.

Proposes to amend the Legislature and Revenue Articles of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that the General Assembly may increase the rate of an existing tax or impose a new tax only by a law approved by the vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house. Provides that the General Assembly may override the veto of the Governor of a bill to increase the rate of an existing tax or impose a new tax only by a record vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Illinois Local Library Act. Provides that a person is not eligible to be elected or serve as library trustee: unless he or she is a qualified elector of the local jurisdiction and has resided in it for at least one year at the time he or she files nomination papers or a declaration of intent to become a write-in candidate or is presented for appointment; or who, at the time of his or her appointment or filing of nomination papers or a declaration of intent to become a write-in candidate, is in arrears in the payment of property tax due to the library or has been convicted in any court in the United States of any infamous crime, bribery, perjury, or other felony. Amends the Public Library District Act of 1991 making conforming changes to the wording of the trustee eligibility requirements. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 In the provisions adding eligibility requirements to be a library trustee in the Illinois Local Library Act, excludes: (1) nominees or trustees of the Chicago Public Library; and (2) library trustees currently serving on the effective date of the amendatory Act until the library trustee files nomination papers or a declaration of intent to become a write-in candidate or is presented for reappointment. In provisions regarding nomination of candidates in the Public Library District Act of 1991, provides that a person is not eligible to become a candidate for (rather than be elected) under specified circumstances. Provides that a person must be continuously reside in the library district at least one year preceding the day he or she executes a statement of candidacy (rather than has resided in the library district at least one year at the time he or she files nomination papers). Provides that a person is not eligible to serve who, at the time of his or her execution of a statement of candidacy (rather than filing of nomination papers), is in arrears in the payment of a tax or other indebtedness due to the library district or has been convicted of specified crimes. Removes language regarding applicability of changes to nomination of candidates made in the 100th General Assembly.

Authorizes the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to commence a procurement process for a project to provide additional highway capacity along Interstate 55 from Interstate 355 to Interstate 90/Interstate 94 in DuPage, Cook, and Will Counties, and toll the additional capacity.

Urges the General Assembly to work towards a biennial budget.

Condemns Anti-Semitic speech.

Urges the United States Congress to approve the Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act, so that children and their families are able to make decision about education that are most beneficial. Urges Governor Pritzker to allow the Invest in Kids Act to be in full effect for the five years of the pilot program as intended by this General Assembly upon passage of the Evidence-Based Funding for Student Success Act.

States the belief that the Illinois Constitution should not be amended to permit a graduated income tax.

Urges lawmakers to slow the process of legalizing recreational marijuana in Illinois, so that lawmakers, stakeholders, and experts alike have the chance to consider the societal impact of legalization and examine all the data from other states that have passed similar legislation.

Opposes the concept of a privilege tax on financial transactions.