Sen. Julie Morrison

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning downstate teachers.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the research and development credit applies on a permanent basis. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Repeals a provision providing for the collection of an annual commercial distribution fee on vehicles of the second division weighing more than 8,000 pounds. Makes conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2018.

Amends the Illinois Credit Union Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the fiscal year of credit unions.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Creates the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program. Provides for the implementation of and requirements for the Program. Provides for the State Treasurer's duties under the Program. Provides that the State Treasurer may adopt any rules that may be necessary to implement the Program. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Defines terms.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Provides that contributions to an ABLE account during the taxable year may be deducted from adjusted gross income as provided under a specified Section of the Illinois Income Tax Act. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. In a Section concerning base income, provides that the adjusted gross income shall be modified by adding a maximum amount of, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, $10,000 contributed in the taxable year to an ABLE account under a specified Section of the State Treasurer Act. Provides for an exemption from a Section concerning the sunset of exemptions, credits, and deductions under the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Provides for the election of the Chicago Board of Education starting with the 2019 consolidated election. Makes related changes. Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Provides that a person shall be a U.S. citizen and registered voter and shall have been a resident of the city and the electoral district for at least one year immediately preceding his or her election. Sets forth provisions concerning nominating petitions and ballots. Sets forth provisions providing that the City of Chicago shall be subdivided into 20 electoral districts by the General Assembly for seats on the Chicago Board of Education. Sets forth provisions providing that in the year following each decennial census, the General Assembly shall redistrict the electoral districts to reflect the results of each decennial census. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission Act. Provides that the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission shall be composed of 11 Commissioners (currently, members) that are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Requires at least 8 (currently, 6) commissioners of the Commission to be people who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing. Specifies the membership of the Commission. Modifies the qualifications and duties of the Director of the Commission. Provides that the added Director qualifications shall apply to anyone who becomes Director on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Establishes the Director as the chief executive officer of the Commission. Modifies a Section concerning the powers and duties of the Commission. Defines "commissioner".

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Exempts physicians from disciplinary action by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation based solely upon the licensee's recommendation or provision of a treatment method for Lyme disease or other tick-borne disease if specified criteria are met. Effective immediately.

Amends the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Minors and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Persons under 21 Years of Age and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products Act. Raises the age for whom tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and alternative nicotine products may be sold from at least 18 years of age to at least 21 years of age. Eliminates the penalty for possession of a cigar, cigarette, smokeless tobacco, or tobacco in any of its forms by persons under 18 years of age. Defines "electronic cigarette". Repeals the Smokeless Tobacco Limitation Act. Amends various other Acts to make conforming changes.