Sen. Seth Lewis

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of organized retail theft. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she does any of the following: (1) acts in concert with one or more persons to steal merchandise from one or more merchant's premises with the intent to deprive the merchant permanently of the possession, use or benefit of the merchandise without paying the full retail value of the merchandise or to sell, exchange, or return the merchandise for value; (2) acts in concert with 2 or more persons to receive, purchase, or possess merchandise described in item (1), knowing or believing it to have been stolen; (3) acts as an agent of another individual or group of individuals to steal merchandise from one or more merchant's premises as part of an organized plan to commit theft; or (4) recruits, coordinates, organizes, supervises, directs, manages, or finances another to undertake any of the acts described in item (1) or (2) or any other statute defining theft of merchandise. Provides penalties and establishes venue for organized retail theft.

Amends the Illinois Driver Licensing Law of the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a first-time applicant for a driver's license shall not be required to complete a road test if the Secretary of State is provided verification of the applicant's successful completion of a certified driver's education course offered by a public school, nonpublic school, or private training school.

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Director of Veterans' Affairs shall be a veteran who was honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces and has experience in either a medical profession, health care, or assisted living facility management.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the cents per gallon rate established by the Department of Revenue for the prepayment of tax by motor fuel retailers may not exceed $0.18 per gallon for motor fuel and 80% of that amount for gasohol and biodiesel blends. Provides that the rate of tax imposed under the Acts for motor fuel, gasohol, majority blended ethanol fuel, and biodiesel and biodiesel blends may not exceed that prepayment amount set by the Department of Revenue. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish and administer an annual program to award property tax relief grants to school districts in the State. Provides that, in exchange for receiving a grant, the school district's maximum aggregate property tax extension for the taxable year that begins on January 1 of the fiscal year for which the grant is awarded may not exceed a specified maximum aggregate property tax extension. Creates the Education Property Tax Relief Fund for the purpose of making appropriations for the grant program. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Affirms trust in the decision Illinoisans made when they rejected the path to taxing retirement income by prohibiting the "Fair Tax" from becoming enacted in the 2020 election.

Amends the Raffles and Poker Runs Act. Allows raffle licenses to be issued to fire protection agencies and associations that represent fire protection officials. Defines "fire protection agency" to mean a State, local government, or intergovernmental agency vested with the duty and authority to provide public fire suppression, rescue, or emergency medical services or an organization that provides support or assistance to such an agency. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 1605/20 from Ch. 120, par. 1170 30 ILCS 105/6z-77 230 ILCS 5/19.5 230 ILCS 5/21 from Ch. 8, par. 37-21 230 ILCS 5/31 from Ch. 8, par. 37-31 230 ILCS 10/4 from Ch. 120, par. 2404 230 ILCS 10/6 from Ch. 120, par. 2406 230 ILCS 10/7 from Ch. 120, par. 2407 230 ILCS 10/7.16 new 230 ILCS 10/8 from Ch. 120, par. 2408 230 ILCS 10/8.1 new 230 ILCS 10/13 from Ch. 120, par. 2413 230 ILCS 40/5 230 ILCS 40/25 230 ILCS 40/27 230 ILCS 40/30 230 ILCS 40/45 230 ILCS 40/65 230 ILCS 40/90 new 230 ILCS 45/25-10 230 ILCS 45/25-15 230 ILCS 45/25-25 230 ILCS 45/25-50 230 ILCS 45/25-90 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Provides the application process for the issuance of an organization license for the standardbred racetrack in Cook County. Changes the bond requirement for an applicant for an organization license. Makes changes to the qualifications for stallions for the Illinois Standardbred Breeders Fund. Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Requires applicants for an owners license to provide evidence of a labor peace agreement or intention to enter into a labor peace agreement that meets certain requirements with a bona fide labor organization. Provides that an applicant for a suppliers license under the Act that already holds a specified license issued by the Illinois Gaming Board is entitled to licensure as a supplier under the Act without additional Board investigation or approval, except by a vote of the Board. Provides that an initial suppliers license shall be issued for 4 years and may be renewed for additional 4-year periods. Provides that if a holder of a specified license issued by the Board is granted an additional license issued by the Board, the initial period of the new license shall expire at the earliest expiration date of any other specified licenses held by the licensee. Amends the Raffles and Poker Runs Act. Allows raffle licenses to be issued to fire protection agencies and associations that represent fire protection officials. Defines "fire protection agency" to mean a State, local government, or intergovernmental agency vested with the duty and authority to provide public fire suppression, rescue, or emergency medical services or an organization that provides support or assistance to such an agency. Amends the Video Gaming Act. Creates a sales agent and broker license to solicit or receive business from current or potential establishments licensed under the Act. Allows a qualified fraternal organization and a qualified veterans organization that derive their charters from a national organization to apply for a license allowing video gaming if the proposed establishment is located in a municipality having a population of not more than 1,000,000 that has enacted an ordinance prohibiting video gaming within the corporate limits or a county having a population of not more than 1,000,000 that has enacted an ordinance prohibiting video gaming within the unincorporated area of the county. Allows a qualified fraternal organization and a qualified veterans organization that derive their charters from a national organization to apply for a license allowing video gaming without a license under the Liquor Control Act of 1934 if the proposed establishment is located in a municipality having a population of not more than 1,000,000 or a county having a population of not more than 1,000,000. Provides that a non-home rule unit of government may not impose any fee for the operation of a video gaming terminal in excess of $250 (rather than $25). Removes language prohibiting the City of Rockford from imposing such a fee in excess of $250. Provides that a home rule municipality may not impose such a fee. Provides that the cost of any fee for the operation of a video gaming terminal shall be shared equally between the terminal operator and the applicable establishment authorized to conduct video gaming under the Act. Provides that the licensure, registration, regulation of video gaming, and the imposition of fees and other charges under the Act in connection with licensure, registration, and regulation, are exclusive powers and functions of the State. Provides that no home rule municipality or non-home rule unit may license, register, or otherwise regulate, or impose any type of fee or any other charge upon, a manufacturer, distributor, terminal operator, licensed technician, licensed terminal handler, licensed establishment, licensed veterans establishment, licensed truck stop establishment, licensed large truck stop establishment, or licensed fraternal establishment. Prohibits a home rule municipality or non-home rule unit from imposing any type of tax upon licensees, occupations, and other activities authorized under the Act. Provides that any home rule municipality that has adopted an ordinance imposing an amusement tax on persons who participate in the playing of video gaming terminals on or before June 1, 2021 may continue to impose such amusement tax pursuant to such ordinance but shall not increase, expand, or extend the tax or tax rate on such persons participating in playing video gaming terminals in excess of that tax or rate set forth in such ordinance and shall not otherwise impose any other tax upon any entity or person. Amends the Sports Wagering Act. Changes the renewal period for a supplier license from one year to 4 years. Provides that beginning 4 years after issuance of the initial supplier license, a holder of a supplier license shall pay a $150,000 annual license fee. Until July 1, 2023, allows tier 1 sports wagers that are not related to an individual athlete's performance and are made in person on Illinois collegiate teams. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Deletes reference to: 230 ILCS 10/4 from Ch. 120, par. 2404 230 ILCS 10/6 from Ch. 120, par. 2406 230 ILCS 10/7 from Ch. 120, par. 2407 230 ILCS 10/7.16 new Adds reference to: 230 ILCS 40/50 Removes provisions amending the Illinois Gambling Act that require applicants for an owners license to provide evidence of a labor peace agreement or intention to enter into a labor peace agreement that meets certain requirements with a bona fide labor organization. Adds provisions in the Video Gaming Act relating to distribution of license fees and fees on the operation of a video gaming terminal. Removes language in the Video Gaming Act that allows certain qualified fraternal organization and qualified veterans organizations to be eligible for a license as a licensed fraternal establishment or licensed veterans established without a license under the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Makes changes to provisions concerning fees imposed by non-home rule units of government. Makes changes to provisions concerning the State having exclusive regulation of video gaming. House Floor Amendment No. 4 In provisions amending the Video Gaming Act concerning regulation of video gaming by the State, adds language providing that restrictions on a home rule municipality or non-home rule unit imposing a tax on licensees and certain activities is a denial and limitation on home rule powers and functions under certain provisions of the Illinois Constitution.

Creates the Statewide 9-8-8 Trust Fund Act. Establishes the Statewide 9-8-8 Trust Fund in the State treasury. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used by the Department of Human Services for the purposes of creating and maintaining a statewide 9-8-8 suicide prevention and mental health crisis system pursuant to the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, the Federal Communication Commission's rules adopted on July 16, 2020, and national guidelines for crisis care. Provides that the Fund shall consist of: (1) appropriations by the General Assembly; (2) grants and gifts intended for deposit in the Fund; (3) interest, premiums, gains, or other earnings on the Fund; and (4) moneys from any other source that are deposited in or transferred to the Fund. Provides that moneys in the fund (1) do not revert at the end of any State fiscal year but remains available for the purposes of the Fund in subsequent State fiscal years; and (2) are not subject to transfer to any other fund or to transfer, assignment, or reassignment for any other use or purpose outside of those specified in the Act. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the Statewide 9-8-8 Trust Fund is a special fund in the State treasury.

Creates the Illinois Asian Indian American Advisory Council Act. Provides for the purpose of the Council. Provides for the appointment of members and ex officio members of the Council. Provides that members shall serve without compensation. Provides that the Office of the Governor shall provide administrative and technical support to the Council, including a staff member to serve as ethics officer. Provides for meetings of the Council. Provides that the Council shall issue semi-annual reports on its policy recommendations by June 30th and December 31st of each year to the Governor and the General Assembly. Provides for the focus of the content of the reports. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill and makes the following changes. Changes the name of the Illinois Asian Indian American Advisory Council to the Illinois Indian American Advisory Council. Throughout the Act, changes references to "Asian Indian" to "Indian". Provides that the 21 appointed members of the Council are voting members and the ex officio members of the Council are nonvoting members. Makes grammatical and typographical corrections.

Congratulates the Village of Roselle on its 100th anniversary.