Sen. Craig Wilcox

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that in addition to any other penalties provided by law, a person unlawfully selling or dispensing any scheduled drug containing a detectable amount of fentanyl is guilty of a Class X felony and shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 9 years and not more than 40 years or fined not more than $250,000, or both. Provides that it shall be a Class 1 felony for which a fine not to exceed $100,000 may be imposed for any person to knowingly use an electronic communication device in the furtherance of controlled substance trafficking involving a substance containing any amount of fentanyl. Provides that this penalty shall be in addition to any other penalties imposed by law. Defines "electronic communication device".

Amends the Limited Liability Company Act. Reduces various filing fees payable to the Secretary of State by 50%. Effective immediately.

Creates the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall develop and administer an annual Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program to enhance local food processing, aggregation, and distribution within the State. Establishes eligibility requirements for the grants. Provides that all grant funding must be used for the purchasing, leasing to own, renting, building, or installation of infrastructure that will increase market access of Illinois communities to Illinois agricultural products. Provides that the Department shall create an independent Local Food Infrastructure Steering Committee to guide the implementation and evaluation of the grant. Provides that the committee shall be selected by the Director. Provides that the committee shall include, but is not limited to, at least 3 farmers, including one specialty crop farmer, one livestock farmer, and one farmer of color; one representative from the local food processing industry, one representative from a non-profit organization serving farmers of color, one representative from a non-profit organization serving farmers at large, and one representative from the Department. Provides that the Director must file with the Governor and General Assembly, and publish publicly on or before March 1 of each year, a written report detailing the impact of the Local Food Infrastructure Grant for the previous calendar year. The report must include a complete list of (1) all applications for grants under the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program during the previous calendar year; (2) all persons that were awarded the Local Food Infrastructure Grant and the nature and amount of their awards in the previous calendar year; and (3) the economic impact of the grant from the previous calendar year, which may include jobs created, local food sales increases, and communities served. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately.

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code and the Wildlife Code. Provides that the current fees for a fishing license, sportsmen's combination license, and hunting license are annual fees. Allows a resident to obtain a 3-year fishing license (for a fee of $45), sportsmen's combination license (for a fee of $78.75), or hunting license (for a fee of $37.50). Provides that there is no fee for an annual or 3-year fishing license, sportsmen's combination license, or hunting license for a resident Gold Star Family member. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois State Police Act. Provides that the collegiate educational requirements for being appointed an Illinois State Police officer are met if the person: (1) has been honorably discharged by the United States Armed Forces and has been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), or Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, in addition to other specified medals; or (2) is an active member of the Illinois National Guard or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces and who has been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), or Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, in addition to other specified medals, as a result of honorable service during deployment on active duty. Provides that the collegiate educational requirements are satisfied by having at least 3 years of full active and continuous United States Armed Forces (rather than military) duty, which shall also include a period of active duty with the State of Illinois under Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code pursuant to an order of the President or the Governor of the State of Illinois, and receiving an honorable discharge before hiring.

Amends the State Property Control Act. Provides that the moneys in the State Police Vehicle Fund shall also be used by the Illinois State Police for the equipment of vehicles for the Illinois State Police. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Beginning with the 2024 registration year, changes the surcharge collected for deposit into the State Police Vehicle Fund from $1 to $2 for motor vehicles of the first division, autocycles, motorcycles, motor driven cycles, and pedalcycles and for vehicles of the second division registered in the 8,000 pounds and less flat weight plate category. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the portion of the property that is used by a business that is certified by the United States Small Business Administration as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) is not considered to be used for commercial purposes for the purposes of the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities. Effective immediately.

Creates the Dog Training Licensure Act. Defines terms. Creates the Dog Training Licensure Board. Provides for the authority and duties of the Board. Provides that no person shall practice, attempt to practice, or hold oneself out as being able to practice dog training in this State unless such person is licensed in accordance with the Act, holds a provisional permit in accordance with the Act, or is a licensed professional in a related field who holds and advanced degree or certification deemed by the Board to be equivalent to the certification in dog training issued by approved certification programs. Provides for: licensure requirements; provisional permits; license and permit duration, fees, and means of instruction; practice by out-of-state practitioners; complaints and discipline; restriction on liability, information handling; and penalties for unauthorized practice, fraud, and harm to animals. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the standard registration fee for passenger motor vehicles of the first division and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds shall be waived for any veteran who holds proof from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs of a service-connected disability.

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Allows specified actions to be performed by the designee of the Director of Veterans' Affairs. Provides that the Illinois Joining Forces Foundation shall (currently, may) be assisted in carrying out its functions by Department of Veterans' Affairs personnel, including legal professionals. Requires the Foundation's audit to be included in the Department's audit and to be prepared by the Department. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Deletes the term "no-wrong-door" in provisions regarding the system of support for service members, veterans, and their families. Removes provisions requiring the Illinois Joining Forces Foundation (Foundation) to utilize working groups when convening military and veteran support organizations and when providing policy recommendations that benefit service members, veterans, and their families. Removes provisions requiring the Foundation to facilitate the transfer of information and knowledge among Illinois Joining Forces member organizations. Makes changes to the definition of "veterans service organization". Provides that the Foundation may also include up to 18 additional voting members of the Board of Directors: 9 members to be nominated and approved by the Board of Directors according to the Foundation's bylaws, and 9 members to be nominated by the Director of Veterans' Affairs or the Director of Military Affairs. Provides that, to ensure parity, no additional nominees may be considered by the Board of Directors unless a like appointment is made by the Department of Veterans' Affairs or the Department of Military Affairs, and vice versa. Provides that, in consultation with the Foundation's Board of Directors, the Department of Veterans' Affairs or the Department of Military Affairs may adopt other rules deemed necessary to govern Foundation procedures (rather than the Department of Veterans' Affairs may adopt rules in consultation with the Department of Military Affairs). Permits the Foundation to receive administrative support including, but not limited to, legal professionals or additionally agreed upon support as needed or requested, from either the Department of Veterans' Affairs or the Department of Military Affairs. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 2805/37 Adds reference to: 55 ILCS 5/5-2006 from Ch. 34, par. 5-2006 330 ILCS 45/1 from Ch. 23, par. 3081 330 ILCS 45/2 from Ch. 23, par. 3082 330 ILCS 45/8 from Ch. 23, par. 3088 330 ILCS 45/9 from Ch. 23, par. 3089 330 ILCS 45/9.1 new 330 ILCS 45/9.2 new 330 ILCS 45/10 from Ch. 23, par. 3090 330 ILCS 45/12 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Military Veterans Assistance Act. Requires the commander, quartermaster, or commandant of any veteran service organization or the superintendent of any county Veterans Assistance Commission to annually report to the president or chairperson of the county board certain transactions of the veteran service organization or Veterans Assistance Commission. Provides that delegates and alternates selected and duly appointed to sit on a county's Veterans Assistance Commission shall begin their term of office with full voting rights and that once selected, delegates and alternates are bound by the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act. Provides that all undertakings of, or actions taken by, the Veterans Assistance Commission shall require a vote from a majority of the full commission membership. Provides that no superintendent or any other employee of the Veterans Assistance Commission may retain the position of delegate or alternate or any voting rights while employed by the Veterans Assistance Commission. Provides that the superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission is an at-will employee. Contains provisions concerning the annual evaluations of the superintendent; voting requirements to remove a superintendent; and other matters. Requires each Veterans Assistance Commission to establish and maintain bylaws, perform an annual audit, and other matters. Permits the Attorney General to conduct investigations and commence civil actions to enforce the Act. Sets forth provisions concerning recovery amounts and civil penalties. Contains provisions concerning superintendent vacancies; and county benefits and services for Veterans Assistance Commission employees. Limits home rule powers. Makes other changes. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a portion of the proceeds of any property tax levied by a county shall be used for the authorized reimbursement of any officer or employee of the Veterans Assistance Commission. Effective immediately.