Sen. Dan McConchie

Proposes to amend the Legislature and Revenue Articles of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that the General Assembly may increase the rate of an existing tax or impose a new tax only by a law approved by the vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house. Provides that the General Assembly may override the veto of the Governor of a bill to increase the rate of an existing tax or impose a new tax only by a record vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Creates the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. Provides that neither the State nor any of its subdivisions may authorize the use of, appropriate, or expend funds to pay for an abortion or to cover any part of the costs of a health plan that includes coverage of abortion or to provide or refer for an abortion, unless a woman who suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death if an abortion is not performed. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Excludes from the programs of health benefits and services authorized under those Acts coverage for elective abortions as provided in the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. Amends the Problem Pregnancy Health Services and Care Act. Permits the Department of Human Services to make grants to nonprofit agencies and organizations that do not use those grants to refer or counsel for, or perform, abortions. Contains provisions regarding applicability and preempts home rule. Effective June 1, 2019.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. In the Downstate Police and Downstate Firefighter Articles, provides that the annual employer contribution shall include an amount sufficient to bring the total assets of the pension fund up to 80% (instead of 90%) of the total actuarial liabilities of the pension fund by the end of municipal fiscal year 2050 (instead of 2040). Makes a conforming change. In the General Provisions Article, requires the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability to conduct a study on the costs and benefits of consolidating all downstate police and downstate firefighter pension funds into a single pension fund and to submit its report on its findings to the General Assembly on or before December 1, 2020. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Extends the term for a driver's license to 6 years (from 4 years). Makes a corresponding change. Increases the fee for an original or renewal driver's license from $30 to $45. Effective January 1, 2022.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Merges all Article 3 police officers' pension funds and Article 4 firefighters' pension funds into the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) on January 1, 2021. Creates a Transition Board, which is responsible for planning, overseeing, and administering the consolidation. Authorizes the Transition Board to undertake numerous activities necessary for the consolidation, including making arrangements for the transfer of assets and liabilities and for making recommendations to IMRF for an appropriate system of determining, administering, receiving, and enforcing the required municipal contributions to the Fund. Makes conforming and other changes. Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) of the Property Tax Code to exclude from the definition of "aggregate extension" special purpose extensions made for contributions to IMRF for benefits under the Downstate Police and Downstate Firefighter Articles. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately, except that certain changes to the Illinois Pension Code and the Property Tax Code take effect January 1, 2021.

Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, beginning with the fiscal year 2021 budget, the budget submitted by the Governor shall include one or more line items appropriating moneys to a Board of Regents. Provides that all appropriations for public universities shall be made to the Board of Regents. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Creates the Board of Regents to allocate funds to public universities based on a funding formula recommended by the Board of Higher Education. Provides for the membership of the Board. Provides that the boards of trustees of public universities shall submit to the Board of Regents no later than the 15th day of November of each year their budget proposals for the operation and capital needs of the institutions under their governance or supervision for the ensuing fiscal year. Provides that the Board of Higher Education may require the elimination of any program of instruction, research, or public service at a public university that exhibits a trend of low performance or low enrollment. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall prepare a comprehensive statewide plan to increase efficiency and enrollment in public institutions of higher education. Specifies the plan requirements. Prohibits the Board of Regents from providing any funds to a public university that does not adhere to the plan.

Amends the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability Act. Provides that the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shall publish a quarterly report (currently, one report at the convening of each regular session of the General Assembly) on the estimated income of the State from all applicable revenue sources for the next ensuing fiscal year and of any other funds estimated to be available for such fiscal year. Provides that upon each report, the Commission shall issue a revised and updated set of revenue figures reflecting the latest available information. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that beginning January 1, 2020, the governing body of a municipality with a downstate police pension fund or downstate firefighter pension fund may require the pension fund to transfer its investment authority and assets to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) if its nets assets have surpassed a certain threshold. Provides that upon completion of the transfer, the investment authority of the board of trustees of the downstate police pension fund or downstate firefighter pension fund shall terminate. Contains other provisions concerning transfers to IMRF, rulemaking, transfer of investment authority, investments, and auditing. Requires the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability to conduct an analysis of the merits and feasibility of transitioning the investment authority of all boards of trustees of downstate police pension funds and downstate firefighter pension funds to IMRF. Makes changes to provisions concerning trustee training. Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law of the Property Tax Code. Beginning January 1, 2021, removes a provision that excludes special purpose extensions made for contributions to a downstate firefighter pension fund from the definition of "aggregate extension". Excludes from the definition of "aggregate extension" special purpose extensions made for contributions to a downstate police or downstate firefighter pension fund that transfers its investment authority to IMRF. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes the governing body of a municipality or instrumentality to provide an alternative retirement plan in lieu of or in addition to the existing plan under the Article. Provides that the alternative retirement plan may include a defined-benefit component, a defined contribution component, or both, and may include disability or survivor benefits and any other benefits that are permitted under federal law. Provides that the alternative retirement plan is not required to provide any minimum level of benefits and need not provide any benefits at all, other than mandatory Social Security coverage if applicable. Provides that service credit received under an alternative retirement plan may not be transferred to any other fund and may not be used under the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act (Article 20 of the Code).

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Merges all Article 3 police officers' pension funds and Article 4 firefighters' pension funds into the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) on January 1, 2021. Creates a Transition Board, which is responsible for planning, overseeing, and administering the consolidation. Authorizes the Transition Board to undertake numerous activities necessary for the consolidation, including making arrangements for the transfer of assets and liabilities and for making recommendations to IMRF for an appropriate system of determining, administering, receiving, and enforcing the required municipal contributions to the Fund. Makes conforming and other changes. Provides that a person first employed as a firefighter or police officer on or after January 1, 2021 shall participate and earn benefits in IMRF as an employee under the IMRF Article (rather than participating and earning benefits under the Downstate Police or Downstate Firefighter Articles). Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) of the Property Tax Code to exclude from the definition of "aggregate extension" special purpose extensions made for contributions to IMRF for benefits under the downstate police and downstate firefighter Articles. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately, except that certain changes to the Illinois Pension Code and the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law of the Property Tax Code take effect January 1, 2021.