Sen. Martin A. Sandoval

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to delegate to the Region Engineer of any region which contains a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, the authority to control all phases of soil management on Department projects within the region. Provides that the Region Engineer shall provide recommendations to the Department's procurement officer regarding the use of prequalified environmental engineering firms within the region for the purpose of performing soil management work.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that the tax on diapers and baby wipes shall be imposed at the rate of 1%. Makes changes concerning the distribution of the proceeds from the tax imposed on diapers and baby wipes.

Creates the Innovations for Transportation Infrastructure Act. Provides that the Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority may evaluate and use alternative technical concepts proposed by bidders and proposers, and to use design-build and construction manager-general contractor project delivery methods. Contains provisions concerning the procurement process and terms of design-build and construction manager-general contractor contracts. Provides that the Department and the Authority have eminent domain and quick take powers under the Act. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Pension Code. By no later than December 31, 2017, requires every pension fund, except for a Downstate Police or Downstate Firefighter fund, to develop a climate change risk minimization policy. Provides that the policy shall consider the financial risk to the investments held by the pension fund in the event of different levels of climate change, as defined by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Requires the policy to explain what sources of data, which must include specified sources, were used to make certain projections. Requires the policy to consider the scope of the financial risk of climate-related events. Authorizes the pension fund to determine a policy for all corporate equities held by the pension fund on voting for shareholder resolutions and directors to advance corporate policies that minimize the long-term risk to the pension fund's assets from increased climate change. Requires the policy to be updated annually and published on the pension fund's website. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that certain police officers and firefighters who participate in IMRF may be granted Sheriff's Law Enforcement Employee (SLEP) status with the approval of the employing municipality. The approval resolution must specify that SLEP status shall be applied to employment occurring on or after January 1, 2017. Provides that the resolution is irrevocable, but shall automatically terminate upon the establishment of an Article 3 or 4 fund by the municipality. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall establish reimbursement rates which build toward livable wages for front line personnel in residential and day programs serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including but not limited to intermediate care facilities for persons with developmental disabilities, community integrated living arrangements, developmental training programs, employment, and other residential and day programs for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities supported by State funds or funding under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act. Provides that the Department shall increase rates and reimbursements so that direct support persons earn a base wage of not less than $15 per hour and so that other front line personnel earn a commensurate wage. Defines "front line personnel". Effective immediately.

Creates the Unclaimed Life Insurance Benefits Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to require all authorized insurers regulated by the Department of Insurance to undertake good faith efforts, as specified in the Act, to locate and pay beneficiaries' proceeds under unclaimed life insurance policies, annuity contracts, and retained asset accounts issued in the State or remit such proceeds as unclaimed property to the appropriate jurisdiction if the beneficiaries are unable to be located or paid. Requires insurers to implement the certain policies and procedures for performing a comparison of its policies, annuity contracts, and retained asset accounts against the United States Social Security Administration's Death Master File. Provides that failure to meet any requirement of the Act is an unfair trade practice under the Illinois Insurance Code, and amends the Illinois Insurance Code to make a corresponding change.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that if, prior to expiration of registration, the Secretary of State has not provided the registered owner of a vehicle with notice that his or her registration is about to expire, the vehicle owner shall have a 30-day period after the expiration of registration to file an application for registration renewal, and shall not be issued a citation for the expired registration or charged registration late fees during that period. Effective immediately.

Amends the Riverboat Gambling Act. Removes provisions concerning the distribution of certain funds into the Horse Racing Equity Fund.