Sen. Rob Martwick

Provides for the ratification of the proposed equal rights amendment to the United States Constitution.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title and applicability of the Electric Service Customer Choice and Rate Relief Law of 1997.

Creates the Nursing Home Residents' Managed Care Rights Act. Contains a short title provision and a provision on findings. Effective immediately.

Amends the Budget Stabilization Act. Provides for transfers from the General Revenue Fund to the Pension Stabilization Fund according to a specified schedule beginning in FY 2016 and continuing until FY 2045 or until the retirement funds have achieved a 100% funding ratio, whichever is earlier. Amends the General Assembly, State Employee, State Universities and Downstate Teacher Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Changes the manner in which the annual required State contribution is calculated so that the affected systems are 100% funded by 2045. Provides that employee contributions to the retirement systems are increased an additional 1% on July 1, 2013 and 2% on July 1, 2014. Provides that the State is contractually obligated to each retirement plan participant and retiree to provide funding to the retirement systems according to the specified amortization schedule beginning in FY 2016 and continuing until FY 2045 or until the retirement funds have achieved a 100% funding ratio, whichever is earlier, in addition to the annual required State contribution certified by the Board for each fiscal year. Provides that each retirement system has the right to bring a mandamus action against the State to compel the State to make any installment of the annual required State contribution certified by the Board and the transfers required under the Budget Stabilization Act. Further provides that if a retirement system fails to bring a mandamus action against the State to compel the State to make any required installment, then any participant or retiree may bring such a mandamus action. Effective July 1, 2013.

Creates the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act. Establishes a retirement savings program in the form of an automatic enrollment payroll deduction IRA with the intent of promoting greater retirement savings for private-sector employees in a convenient, low-cost, and portable manner. Creates the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Fund consisting of moneys received from enrollees and participating employers. Sets forth the composition of the Board, the Board's duties, and provisions governing risk management, investment firms, and investment options. Provides for employee and employer information packets, as well as program implementation and enrollment. Provides that the State shall have no duty or liability to any party for the payment of any retirement savings benefits accrued by any individual under the Program. Requires annual reports and audits of the Program. Sets forth penalties. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that proof that a minor has a constellation of injuries is prima facie evidence of abuse. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the county officers electoral board shall hear and pass upon objections to nominations for municipal offices, for township offices, if the township is wholly located in one county, and for community college district offices. Provides that if a municipality, school district, or community college district is located in 2 or more counties, the county officers electoral board of the county in which the principal offices of the municipality, school district, or community college district are located shall hear and pass upon the objections. Deletes provisions concerning the municipal officers electoral board, the township officers electors board, and the education officers electors board.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning fees from foreign fire insurance companies.

Amends the Long-Term Care Provider Funding Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that beginning July 1, 2014 an additional assessment is imposed upon each long-term care provider in an amount equal to $1.00 times the number of occupied bed days due and payable each month, which shall be deposited into the Long Term Care Ombudsman Fund. Provides that these assessments shall each be construed as a tax, but shall not be billed or passed on to any resident of a nursing home operated by the nursing home provider (rather than this assessment shall be construed as a tax, but shall not be billed or passed on to any resident of a nursing home operated by the nursing home provider). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person that uses an electronic communication device while driving that causes the death of another person shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony, rather than a Class 4 felony, and unless the court determines that circumstances requiring probation or conditional discharge exist, a person found guilty under this Section shall be sentenced to not less than 3 years and not more than 14 years imprisonment if the violation resulted in the death of one person, or not less than 6 years and not more than 28 years imprisonment if the violation resulted in the death of 2 or more persons. Provides that a person that receives probation or a conditional discharge for a violation that results in the death of another person must perform a minimum 480 hours of community service or 10 days imprisonment as a condition of probation or conditional discharge in addition to any other criminal or administrative sanction.