Sen. Emil Jones

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning resident bidders.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that municipal removal costs relating to dilapidated properties are also a lien against a specified parcel or parcels of private property owned by the owner of the dilapidated property (rather than providing that removal costs are liens only against the dilapidated property). Further provides that after obtaining a judgment on a lien for removal costs of dilapidated properties, a municipality may file a judgment lien against specified property owned by the owner of the dilapidated property.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Appropriates $25,000,000 from the Education Assistance Fund to the Board of Trustees of Chicago State University for ordinary and contingent expenses. Provides that the appropriation authority is valid for costs incurred from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Waterway Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning The Illinois Waterway.

Amends the Railroad Bridge Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning connection of railroads.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, when granting a leasehold exemption under the returning veterans' homestead exemption, the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities, the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities, the senior citizens homestead exemption, or the senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption, the chief county assessment officer may require the applicant to meet the conditions set forth in the Section concerning the general homestead exemption. Provides that the chief county assessment officer may not require payment of real estate taxes by the lessee to the county collector. Effective immediately.

Creates the College Admission Inquiries Act. Provides that during the admission decision-making process, a college (defined as an institution of higher education authorized to confer degrees in this State) may not inquire about arrests that did not result in a criminal conviction and criminal convictions that have been sealed or expunged or make any inquiry or consider information about any arrest or criminal accusation of an individual that was followed by a termination of that criminal action or proceeding in favor of the individual. Provides that a college may not make any inquiry or consider information about an individual's past criminal conviction or convictions at any time during the admission decision-making process. Provides that after an individual has been admitted as a student, a college may make inquiries about and consider information about the individual's past criminal conviction history for the purpose of offering support counseling and services. Provides that a college may also make inquiries about and consider information about the individual's past criminal conviction history for the purpose of making decisions about participation in activities and aspects of campus life associated with the individual's status as a student. Provides that a college may not use the information to rescind an offer of admission. Provides that a college is not required to make inquiries into or consider an individual's criminal conviction history for any reason. Effective immediately.

Amends the Attorneys Lien Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the creation of liens.

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