Sen. Thomas Cullerton

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the Governor shall annually designate by official proclamation the day after Gold Star Mothers' Day as Gold Star Family Day to be observed throughout the State as a day to honor and commemorate the families of men and women who gave their lives while serving with the armed forces of the United States in time of war or during periods of hostilities. Effective immediately.

Creates the Police Dog Retirement Act. Provides that a police dog, which is deemed no longer fit for public service, may be offered by the county, municipality, or State law enforcement agency to the officer or employee who had custody and control of the animal during its service. If the officer or employee does not wish to keep the dog, it may be offered to another officer or employee in the agency, or to a non-profit organization or a no-kill animal shelter that may facilitate an appropriate adoption of the dog.

Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act. Requires a freestanding emergency center (FEC) to limits its participation in the EMS System strictly to receiving a limited number of ambulance runs by emergency medical vehicles as pre-approved by both the EMS Medical Director and the Department of Public Health and according to the FEC's 24-hour capabilities and protocols developed by the Resource Hospital within the FEC's designated EMS System. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that motorcycles may be equipped with a blue light or lights located on the rear of the motorcycle as a part of the motorcycle's rear stop lamp or lamps.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, on or before January 1, 2017, every county shall prepare a report for the General Assembly recommending units of local government (not including school districts and units of local government with elected boards) that may be consolidated or dissolved within the county. Repeals these provisions on January 1, 2018. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs, in consultation with the Human Rights Commission, to inform State residents who are veterans, members of the Armed Forces of the United States, members of the Illinois National Guard, or members of any reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States that any employer who refuses to hire a prospective employee on the basis of military status commits an act of unlawful discrimination in violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act and is subject to civil penalties as provided under that Act. Grants the Department rulemaking authority to implement this provision.

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Requires that any and all available minutes and verbatim recordings of meetings closed to the public prior to a newly elected official's term in a public body shall be available to that official for review, regardless of whether those minutes or verbatim recordings are confidential. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Sami Salaymeh.

Mourns the death of Leonard Szczesny of Villa Park.

Directs the Bilingual Advisory Task Force (created by House Joint Resolution 36) to study the feasibility of professional certification standards for foreign language educational interpreters in public schools; if the Task Force determines that certification standards are needed, directs it to recommend procedures for school districts pertaining to when and how to access a language interpreter. Adds two additional members to the Task Force. Extends the deadline for reporting its findings and recommendations to December 15, 2016.