Sen. Craig Wilcox

Amends the State Mandates Act. Provides that any State mandate regarding any subject matter enacted on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act that necessitates additional expenditures from local government revenues shall be void and unenforceable unless the General Assembly makes necessary appropriations and reimbursements to implement that mandate. Provides that the failure of the General Assembly to make necessary appropriations and reimbursements shall relieve the local government of the obligation to implement any State mandate. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that a taxing district shall reduce its aggregate extension base for the purpose of lowering its limiting rate for future years upon referendum approval initiated by the submission of a petition by the voters of the district. Provides that the extension limitation shall be: (a) the lesser of 5% or the average percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the immediately preceding 10 years; or (b) the rate of increase approved by the voters. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases distributions into the Local Government Distributive Fund on and after August 1, 2022. Effective immediately.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Defines "public body official" as an elected or appointed officeholder of a public body. Provides that "public body official" does not include a private attorney or law firm appointed to represent the public body. Provides that a public body's freedom of information officer must be a public body official or employee of the public body.

Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Provides that after an initial proclamation declaring that a disaster exists, the Governor may only extend that declaration or make further proclamations regarding the same disaster if the General Assembly passes a resolution within 5 calendar days that approves the extension or further proclamation. Provides that if, due to health or safety concerns, the General Assembly is unable to convene in either regular or special session to approve the extension or further proclamation, the extension or further proclamation may continue in effect until the General Assembly is able to convene in regular or special session if the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives submit written certification to the Governor that the General Assembly is unable to convene to provide the necessary approval of the extension or further proclamation. Effective immediately.

Amends the University of Illinois Act, the Southern Illinois University Management Act, the Chicago State University Law, the Eastern Illinois University Law, the Governors State University Law, the Illinois State University Law, the Northeastern State University Law, the Northern Illinois University Law, and the Western Illinois University Law. Provides that, before any student fee is raised at a public university, a majority of the student body that is eligible to vote in student government elections must approve the fee increase. Includes requirements relating to the form of the question and notice to be given. Effective immediately.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that each public body shall designate one or more public body officials or employees (rather than officials or employees) to act as its Freedom of Information officer or officers. Provides that "public body officials" means elected or appointed office holders of the public body but does not include private attorneys or law firms appointed to represent the public body.

Amends the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning State policy.

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of the term "employment".

Amends the Township Code. In provisions regarding the ability of any group of registered voters to request an advisory question of public policy for consideration by the electors at the annual meeting, provides that the advisory question of public policy must be pertaining to the statutory duties of townships under the Annual Township Meeting Article of the Code.

Creates the Fuel Gas Detector Act. Provides that a building owner shall install, or cause to be installed, at least one fuel gas detector in every room containing an appliance fueled by propane, natural gas, or liquefied petroleum gas in specified buildings. Contains requirements for residential rental units occupied under the terms of a rental agreement or under a month-to-month tenancy. Provides that a person who, after January 1, 2024, acquires a specified building by sale or exchange shall install fuel gas detectors in the acquired building if fuel gas detectors are not already present. Contains penalties for violations of the Act. Provides that nothing in the Act gives rise to any action against an owner required to comply with the Act if the owner meets certain requirements. Provides that a person may not knowingly interfere with or make inoperative any fuel gas detector required by the Act except under specified circumstances. Contains other provisions. Effective January 1, 2024.