Sen. Kirk W. Dillard

Creates the Early Graduation Tuition Waiver Act. Provides that if a student graduates from grades 9 through 12 at a secondary school in this State that is recognized by the State Board of Education in less than 4 school years, then he or she is entitled to receive a tuition waiver to a public university in this State, with the length of the tuition waiver being equal to the difference between 8 semesters and the actual number of semesters the student was enrolled in grades 9 through 12. Provides that each year, the State Board shall receive and consider applications for these tuition waivers and award these tuition waivers to eligible applicants. Effective July 1, 2013.

Amends the Cannabis Control Act. Creates the offense of criminal cannabis conspiracy. Provides that a person commits the offense when, with the intent that an offense of knowing possession of more than 30 grams of cannabis, or the knowing manufacture, delivery, or possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver more than 10 grams of cannabis, or delivery of more than 2.5 grams of cannabis on school grounds or producing or possessing more than 5 cannabis sativa plants be committed, he or she agrees with another to the commission of that offense. Provides that a person may not be convicted of conspiracy to commit the offense unless an act in furtherance of the agreement is alleged and proved to have been committed by him or her or by a co-conspirator. Establishes penalties which are generally one penalty level higher than for the same offense under the General Conspiracy Statute. Effective immediately.

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

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the supervision of persons on parole or mandatory supervised release.

Directs the Auditor General to conduct an investigatory compliance audit of the hiring process at the Illinois Department of Corrections.

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

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that members of the General Assembly and Executive Officers shall receive a separate program of health benefits with benefits similar to those offered under the Silver Plan (Blue PPO Silver 004) of the Illinois Health Exchange. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. For the 5 State-funded retirement systems, requires the Board to follow the State Actuary's recommendations when making the final certification of the annual required State contribution. Changes the funding formula to achieve 100% funding in 30 years. Also makes technical changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act. Provides that a child welfare agency that is religiously based or owned by, operated by, or affiliated with a bona fide religious organization may decline an adoption or foster family home application, including any related licensure and placement, from a party to a civil union if acceptance of that application would constitute a violation of the organization's sincerely held religious beliefs and, if an agency declines an application, it must provide the applicant with information on how to contact the Department of Children and Family Services to obtain information concerning other regional licensed child welfare agencies. Effective immediately.

Amends the General Obligation Bond Act. Provides that the State may issue an additional $1,000,000,000 in bonded indebtedness for certain transportation and infrastructure purposes. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2015, the taxes on motor fuel and gasohol shall be imposed at the rate of 3.426%. Makes changes concerning the distribution of proceeds. Provides that, each month, the Department shall pay into the Distressed Roads and Bridges Fund the sum of $8,340,000 from the proceeds of the taxes collected under those Acts during the preceding month from the sale and use of motor fuel and gasohol. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Distressed Roads and Bridges Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used for the purpose of paying the principal and interest on bonded indebtedness incurred for transportation and infrastructure. Effective immediately.