Sen. Napoleon Harris

Creates the Veterans' and Military Discount Card Program Act. Provides that the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall establish and administer a Veterans' and Military Discount Card Program to issue a Veterans' and Military Discount Card to eligible active duty service members and veterans in the State for use at participating merchants who agree to honor the Veterans' and Military Discount Card by providing cardholders with a discount on goods and services, or another appropriate money-saving promotion of a merchant's choice. Provides that the Department shall use DD-214 military discharge records in conjunction with photo identification such as a driver's license, State ID card, federal military or Veterans Affairs ID, or passport to issue the Veterans' and Military Discount Card to eligible veterans; and that in the case of active duty service members, a valid military ID or other official government identification that denotes active duty service, and photo ID if needed, shall be used to determine eligibility. Requires the Department to develop and implement an outreach program to ensure that active duty service members and veterans in the State are made aware of the Veterans' and Military Discount Card Program and permits the Secretary of State to also assist in promoting and disseminating information on the Program. Grants the Department of Veterans' Affairs rulemaking authority. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Allows a person who earned a high school diploma, associate's degree, career certificate, vocational technical certification, or bachelor's degree, or passed the high school level Test of General Educational Development, during the period of his or her sentence, aftercare release, or mandatory supervised release, to petition for sealing before expiration of applicable waiting periods under the sealing law. The person cannot have completed the same educational goal previously. If the person's petition for sealing is denied, then the applicable waiting period under the sealing law shall apply to any subsequent petition for sealing by the person.

Amends the College and Career Success for All Students Act. Provides that a student who takes a College Board Advanced Placement examination and receives a score of 3 or higher on the examination is entitled to receive postsecondary level course credit at a public institution of higher education. Requires each public institution of higher education to comply with the same standard of awarding course credit to any student receiving a score of 3 or higher on a College Board Advanced Placement examination and applying the credit to meet a corresponding course requirement for degree completion at that institution of higher education. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act. Provides that whenever any application for an identification card is accompanied by a fee, and the application is refused or rejected prior to a review of the applicant's eligibility for the card, the fee shall be returned to the applicant. Provides for the expedited issuance of Illinois Identification Cards, and the fees to be charged by the Secretary of State for expedited issuance. Provides that the Secretary of State shall restrict the issuance of multiple Illinois Identification Cards and Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Cards to 3 per year and 10 total for the life of an individual, with discretion to grant exceptions to those limits. Provides for the expiration and renewal of Illinois Identification Cards and Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Cards. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides for the expiration of driver's licenses to non-U.S. citizens. Provides for the expedited issuance of driver's licenses, and the fees to be charged by the Secretary for expedited issuance. Provides that whenever any application for a driver's license or permit is accompanied by a fee, and the application is refused or rejected prior to a review of the applicant's eligibility for the license or permit, the fee shall be returned to the applicant. Effective January 1, 2016.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that local law enforcement, the State Board of Education, the Department of Human Services, and the Public Defender may designate representatives to serve on county juvenile justice councils. Provides that the Justice Advisory Council Director or his or her designee, or if the county has no Justice Advisory Council Director, the State's Attorney, shall serve as interim chairperson. Provides that the chairperson shall appoint additional members of the council which are representatives of local law enforcement, juvenile justice agencies, faith organizations, schools, businesses, and community organizations. Provides for the creation of Local Advisory Committees, and that 20% of the membership of these Committees must be local-justice involved youths aged 16-21. Provides that the duties and responsibilities of the Juvenile Justice Council includes facilitating community based collaboration and perspective on oversight, research, and evaluation of activities, programs, and policies directed towards and impacting the lives of juveniles.

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Exempts certain health care professionals licensed to practice in another state or country from State licensure requirements if the professional is practicing in the State while under contract to provide services to an athletic team. Defines "athletic team". Limits the services the health care professional may provide. Limits the licensing exemption period to 10 days per sporting event. Authorizes the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation to grant one 20-day extension to the exemption period. Provides that an exempt health care professional is not authorized to practice at a health care clinic or facility. Effective September 1, 2015.

Amends the Illinois Securities Law of 1953. Creates an exemption from certain filing and registration requirements under the Act for intrastate securities offerings that meet certain conditions, including that (1) the offering meets all of the requirements of the federal exemption for intrastate offerings provided under the Securities Act of 1933; (2) the aggregate purchase price of all securities sold by an issuer within any 12-month period does not exceed: (i) $3,000,000; or (ii) $5,000,000 if the issuer has undergone and made available certain financial statements to specified persons; and (3) the aggregate amount sold to any purchaser in an offering of securities made within any consecutive 12-month period does not exceed certain monetary limitations. Provides that an issuer may make an offering or sale of securities through the use of one or more qualified Internet portals, subject to certain requirements, including that (i) the Internet portal shall at all times be owned by a corporation or other legal entity which is either organized under the laws of, or is otherwise qualified to do business in, this State; (ii) the Internet portal shall establish and maintain commercially reasonable measures to limit access to any information concerning an offering or sale of the subject securities to residents of this State; and (iii) the Internet portal shall establish and maintain a secure method of communication through the Internet portal itself that will permit potential investors to communicate with one another and with representatives of the issuer about the offering. Requires the Secretary of State to collect a $100 fee for securities offered or sold under the exemption created under this amendatory Act; and a $300 fee for the registration and renewal of a qualified Internet portal. Defines terms.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Designates December 23 of each year as "Scott's Law Day" to honor public safety workers and to remind motorists to slow down, change lanes away from a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, and proceed with due regard to safety and traffic conditions.

Amends the School Code. With regard to recognition standards for student performance and school improvement, prohibits the State Board of Education from having separate performance standards for students based on race or ethnicity.

Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the purpose of the Act.