Sen. Julie Morrison

Creates the Safe Gun Storage Act. Provides that a firearm owner shall not store or keep any firearm in any premises where the firearm owner knows or reasonably should know a minor without the lawful permission of the minor's parent, guardian, or person having charge of the minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person is likely to gain access to the firearm unless the firearm is secured in a locked container, properly engaged so as to render the firearm inaccessible or unusable to any person other than the owner or other lawfully authorized user. Provides that if the firearm is carried by or under the control of the owner or other lawfully authorized user, then the firearm is deemed lawfully stored or kept. Provides that a violation of the Act is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500, except (i) if any person knows or reasonably should know that a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person is likely to gain access to a firearm belonging to or under the control of that person, and a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person obtains the firearm, the civil penalty shall not exceed $1,000 and (ii) if a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person obtains a firearm and uses it to injure or cause the death of a person or uses the firearm in connection with a crime, the civil penalty shall not exceed $10,000. Provides that the court may order a person who is found in violation of the Act may be ordered by the court to perform community service or pay restitution in lieu of the civil penalties imposed under this Section if good cause is shown. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to preclude civil liabilities for violations of the Act. Provides that a violation of the Act is prima facie evidence of negligence per se in any civil proceeding if a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person obtains a firearm and causes personal injury to the death of oneself or another or uses the firearm in the commission of a crime. Provides that an action to collect a civil penalty under the Act may be brought by the Attorney General or the State's Attorney of the county in which the violation occurred. Provides that any money received from the collection of a civil penalty under the Act shall be deposited in the Mental Health Fund. Defines terms. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to make conforming changes.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the Internet-based system for determining the validity of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card shall include a written notice, in both English and Spanish, of a firearm owner's obligation to report to local law enforcement any lost or stolen firearm within 48 hours after the owner first discovers the loss or theft. Provides that upon the issuance and each renewal of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card, the Illinois State Police shall advise the applicant or holder in writing, in both English and Spanish, of his or her obligation to report to local law enforcement any lost or stolen firearm within 48 hours after he or she first discovers the loss or theft. Provides that a person is deemed to have discovered that a firearm was lost or stolen only when the person has received evidence indicating that a loss or theft has occurred. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that if a person who possesses a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card and who possesses or acquires a firearm thereafter loses the firearm, or if the firearm is stolen from the person, the person must report the loss or theft of any such firearm to the local law enforcement agency within 48 (rather than 72) hours after obtaining knowledge of the loss or theft. Provides that for a second or subsequent offense of failure to report the loss or theft of a firearm to the local law enforcement agency within 48 hours of the discovery of such loss or theft shall result in revocation of the person's Firearm Owner's Identification Card. Changes the elements of the offenses of firearms trafficking, possession of a stolen firearm, and aggravated possession of a stolen firearm. Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act and the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act to make conforming changes. Contains a severability provision. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires, beginning January 1, 2026, each designated seating position in any newly purchased or leased school bus to be equipped with a combination pelvic and upper torso seat safety belt system in good operating condition and meeting all applicable federal standards. Provides that the provisions do not apply to a school bus that is legally registered in another state and displaying valid registration plates of that state if the bus is not operated in Illinois on a regular basis and the bus is operated in Illinois in connection with a cultural, tourist, athletic, or other similar activity for students enrolled in a school located outside of Illinois. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Requires a public or private school, school district, transportation provider or contractor, or other entity operating a school bus to provide written or verbal instruction concerning the availability and correct use of seat safety belts to student passengers and their parents or legal guardians at least 2 times per calendar or school year. Requires a driver or aide to provide a verbal or posted reminder to all passengers to fasten their seat safety belts properly before the bus begins to move prior to the start of each trip. Provides that a public or private school, school district, transportation provider or contractor, or other entity operating a school bus shall not be liable for a passenger's failure to correctly adjust and fasten a seat safety belt or other restraint system. Provides that no public or private school, school district, transportation provider or contractor, or other entity operating a school bus shall be liable for damages for injury resulting solely from a passenger's use, misuse, or failure to use a seat safety belt installed on a school bus. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, if a school bus has one or more designated passenger seating positions equipped with a seat safety belt system, the seats shall be prioritized for use and the seat safety belt worn correctly by the passengers of the bus. Provides that a public or private school, school district, transportation provider or contractor, or other entity operating a school bus shall instruct passengers on the correct use of seat safety belt systems. Provides that when operating other vehicles not defined as a school bus, the public or private school, school district, transportation provider or contractor, or other entity transporting children must adhere to the occupant restraint requirements of the Child Passenger Protection Act. Provides that, under certain circumstances, a public or private school, school district, transportation provider or contractor, or other entity operating a school bus shall not be charged for a violation requiring a passenger to use a seat safety belt system if a passenger on the school bus fails to use or incorrectly uses the seat belt system. Effective immediately.

Amends the Animal Control Act. In a provision regarding an exemption for rabies inoculation if a licensed veterinarian determines in writing that a rabies inoculation would compromise an animal's health, provides that the determination is valid for one year but may be annually renewed thereafter by a licensed veterinarian.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates December 19, 2024, as Illinois ABLE Day to honor the tenth anniversary of the federal law that created savings accounts for people with disabilities. It directly affects Illinois residents with disabilities and their families by recognizing the state program that allows them to save money for qualified expenses like education, transportation, and assistive technology without losing federal benefits. The resolution does not change any laws or policies but serves as a commemorative gesture to highlight the program's success in helping over 6,500 account holders access more than $90 million in contributions. A copy of the resolution will be given to the State Treasurer's Office, which administers the Illinois ABLE account program.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to store or leave a firearm outside of that person's immediate possession or control unless the firearm is unloaded and secured in a lock box or container in a manner that renders it inaccessible to anyone but the owner or another lawfully authorized user. Eliminates provisions that the offense only is applicable if the person knows or has reason to believe that a minor under the age of 14 years who does not have a Firearm Owner's Identification Card is likely to gain access to the firearm without the lawful permission of the minor's parent, guardian, or person having charge of the minor, and the minor causes death or great bodily harm with the firearm. Eliminates that the provisions concerning storage of firearms do not apply: (1) if the minor under 14 years of age gains access to a firearm and uses it in a lawful act of self-defense or defense of another; or (2) to any firearm obtained by a minor under the age of 14 because of an unlawful entry of the premises by the minor or another person. Defines "immediate possession or control". Effective January 1, 2025.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a credit for certain small businesses in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 10% of the property taxes paid by the qualified small business during the taxable year for eligible real property or (ii) $1,500. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Defines terms. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2025, a retail establishment may not sell or distribute in this State a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam. Exempts specified entities from the prohibition until one year after the amendatory Act's effective date. Effective immediately.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act for a person to advertise, display, or offer a price for goods or services that does not include all mandatory fees and charges other than: (1) taxes or fees imposed by a unit of government on the transaction; and (2) postage or carriage charges that will be reasonably and actually incurred to ship the physical goods to the consumer. Provides that specified transactions are excluded from the provision.