Sen. Craig Wilcox

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person who sells or gives any firearm to any person who has been convicted of a felony under the laws of Illinois or any other jurisdiction is guilty of a Class X felony for which he or she shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years and not more than 30 years (rather than a Class 3 felony). Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a period of probation, a term of periodic imprisonment, or conditional discharge shall not be imposed for the offense.

Restores certain provisions of Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 to the form in which they existed before their amendment by Public Act 101-652 by amendment or reenactment. Retains provisions that crime victims shall be given notice by the State's Attorney's office of the preliminary hearing as required in the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act and shall be informed of their opportunity at this hearing to obtain an order of protection under the Protective Orders Article of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Amends the Statute on Statutes to provide that whenever there is a reference in any Act to the term "pretrial release", "denial of pretrial release", "conditions of pretrial release", or "violations of the conditions of pretrial release", the terms shall be construed to mean "bail", "denial of bail", "conditions of bail", or "forfeiture of bail" respectively. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, requires school boards to report, on their school district's website, a list of the learning materials and activities to be used for student instruction during the school year. Requires that the report also include any procedures that are in effect at each school for the documentation, review, or approval of the learning materials and activities used for student instruction. Specifies the minimum information that must be included in the report. Allows a school district to update the report on an ongoing basis, but requires the report to be updated by January 1 and August 1 of each year. Allows a school district to utilize collaborative online document or spreadsheet software to update or make additions to the report. Sets forth other requirements. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions creating the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities, provides that the term "surviving spouse" means any of the following: (i) the surviving spouse of a veteran who qualified for the exemption prior to his or her death; (ii) the surviving spouse of a veteran who was killed in the line of duty in the current taxable year or any preceding taxable year; or (iii) the surviving spouse of a veteran who did not obtain an exemption before death, but who would have qualified for the exemption in the current taxable year if he or she had survived. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State to issue special registration plates designated as United States Submarine Veterans plates to residents of this State who served in the United States Navy as a submariner.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person shall not knowingly display upon a vehicle a General Assembly registration plate unless the registration plate is issued for the vehicle or otherwise lawfully used thereon. Provides that a violation is a Class A misdemeanor. Effective immediately.

Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Modifies the provisions of the Act to apply to veterans and veteran-owned businesses. Modifies a Section concerning the short title. Changes the title of the Act to the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, Veterans, and Persons with Disabilities Act, and makes conforming changes throughout various statutes referencing the title of the Act. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Removes a provision concerning procurement preferences for veterans and veteran-owned businesses. Applies administrative penalties for falsely certified businesses to minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and businesses owned by persons with a disability. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes in various statutes concerning minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and businesses owned by persons with a disability. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Lowers the flat weight tax for Class C and D vehicles and Class VF farm trucks. Lowers the mileage weight tax for Class MD, ME, MF, and MG vehicles. Lowers the trailer flat weight tax for Class VDD, VDE, and VDG farm trailers. Lowers the flat weight trailer tax of Class TA, TB, TC, TD, and TE trailers.