Sen. Javier Cervantes

Amends the State Treasurer Act. In provisions concerning the College Savings Pool, provides that an account may be rolled over into a Roth IRA account, to the extent permitted by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. In provisions concerning the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program, provides that the definition of "eligible child" includes a child born or adopted after December 31, 2022, to a parent who is a resident of Illinois at the time of the birth or adoption, as evidenced by documentation received by the Treasurer from a parent or legal guardian of the child. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Public Utilities Act to rename it the Wetlands Protection Act and establish a comprehensive state framework for protecting Illinois' wetlands and small streams. It defines various types of wetlands, such as bogs and bottomland hardwoods, and creates a permit system managed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency or approved local districts to regulate activities that could harm these areas. The legislation aims to restore protections for water bodies that may no longer be covered by federal laws following recent Supreme Court rulings, ensuring continued benefits like flood control, water filtration, and habitat preservation.

Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Directs the Secretary of State to grant a waiver of the lobbyist registration fee for any not-for-profit entity with an annual budget of less than $5,000,000 that is classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including a waiver for any lobbyist that exclusively lobbies on behalf of such an entity.

Amends the Stalking No Contact Order Act, the Civil No Contact Order Act, and the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Requires, upon the request of a petitioner, the clerk of the circuit court to send a certified copy of a stalking no contact order, civil no contact order, or order of protection to the petitioner's workplace. Requires, after receipt of the notification, the manager of the workplace to immediately notify the appropriate law enforcement agency if the respondent is present at the workplace and is looking for the petitioner or if the respondent is present at the workplace during the petitioner's hours of employment. Provides that a sheriff, other law enforcement official, special process servicer, or personnel assigned by the Department of Corrections or Department of Juvenile Justice shall (rather than may) serve a respondent with a short form notification.

Amends the Illinois State Police Act and the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that an applicant's credit history may not be used to prevent the appointment or employment of a law enforcement officer, including an Illinois State Police officer. Provides that the limitation does not apply to employment actions performed under a collective bargaining agreement in effect on the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that a collective bargaining agreement that conflicts with the limitation may not be entered into, modified, or extended on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Limits home rule powers.

Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources may lease land on property of which the Department has jurisdiction for the purpose of creating, operating, or maintaining a commercial solar energy system or a clean energy project. Provides that the lease shall be for a period not longer than 25 years. Provides that, if practical, the Department shall require that any land or property over which the Department has jurisdiction and that is used for the purpose of creating, operating, or maintaining a commercial solar energy system shall have implemented on it and maintained management practices that would qualify the land or property as a beneficial habitat under the Pollinator-Friendly Solar Site Act. Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Defines "clean energy". Provides that the Department may provide for at least one electric vehicle charging station, as defined in the Electric Vehicle Act, at any State park or other real property that is owned by the Department where electrical service will reasonably permit. Provides that the Department is authorized to charge user fees for the use of an electric vehicle charging station. Amends the State Parks Act to make conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Exempts certain expenditures by the Department of Natural Resources from the Code.

Creates the Government Contract Retainage Act. Defines terms, including that "retainage" means a portion of money withheld from the payment of a contract for a specified period of time to ensure that a contractor or subcontractor finishes a construction project completely and finishes in the manner specified in the contract. Provides that interest shall accrue monthly on the first day of each month on retainage withheld by a governmental unit at a specified rate set by the State Treasurer. Requires retainage withheld by a governmental unit to be paid not more than 60 days after being retained, including interest accrued, unless the retainage was withheld on the last pay period of a project shall, which shall be paid not more than 120 days after being retained. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Changes the names of the offenses of unlawful use of weapons, unlawful use of weapons by felons or persons in the custody of the Department of Corrections facilities, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, being an armed habitual criminal, unlawful use of firearm projectiles, and unlawful use of a firearm in the shape of a wireless telephone to unlawful possession of weapons, unlawful possession of weapons by felons or persons in the custody of the Department of Corrections facilities, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, persistent unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of firearm projectiles, and unlawful possession of a firearm in the shape of a wireless telephone. Provides that if any person before the effective date of the amendatory Act has been arrested, charged, prosecuted, convicted, or sentenced for unlawful use of weapons, unlawful use or possession of weapons by felons or persons in the custody of the Department of Corrections facilities, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, being an armed habitual criminal, unlawful use of firearm projectiles, or unlawful use of a firearm in the shape of a wireless telephone, the changes of the names and the defendants to unlawful possession of weapons, unlawful possession of weapons by felons or persons in the custody of the Department of Corrections facilities, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, persistent unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of firearm projectiles, and unlawful possession of a firearm in the shape of a wireless telephone, shall retroactively be made in any criminal background records maintained by the Illinois State Police, law enforcement agencies, clerks of the circuit court, and any other State agencies providing criminal background information to the public under specified timelines. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2025.

Appropriates $5,500,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority for a grant to Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, USA for program and operating expenses for youth-development based sports initiatives. Effective July 1, 2024.

Appropriates $9,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for continued funding to the Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. Effective July 1, 2024.