Sen. Craig Wilcox

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that violation of an order of protection is a Class 4 felony if the defendant has any prior conviction of violation of a civil no contact order, violation of a stalking no contact order, or any prior conviction under the law of another jurisdiction for an offense that could be charged in the State as violation of a civil no contact order or violation of a stalking no contact order. Provides that violation of a civil no contact order is a Class 4 felony if the defendant has any prior conviction for violation of an order of protection, violation of a civil no contact order, or violation of a stalking no contact order, or any prior conviction under the law of another jurisdiction for an offense that could be charged in the State as a violation of an order of protection, violation of a civil no contact order, or violation of a stalking no contact order. Provides that violation of a stalking no contact order is a Class 4 felony if the defendant has any prior conviction under the Code for a violation of an order of protection, violation of a stalking no contact order, or violation of a civil no contact order, or any prior conviction under the law of another jurisdiction for an offense that could be charged in the State as a violation of an order of protection, violation of a civil no contact order, or violation of a stalking no contact order.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Increases by one class, the penalties for trafficking in persons, involuntary servitude, and involuntary sexual servitude of a minor. Provides that if the penalty is a Class X felony, provides that the penalty is a Class X felony for which the person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 9 years and not exceeding 45 years.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person charged with involuntary sexual servitude of a minor or trafficking in persons if the victim is under 18 years of age shall not be permitted to plead down to lesser offenses. Provides that no person charged with grooming shall be permitted to plead down to lesser offenses. Provides that prosecutors are prohibited from offering plea bargains to lesser offenses to those individuals charged with grooming. Provides that it is a Class 4 felony for a child sex offender to knowingly operate, manage, be employed by, volunteer at, be associated with, or knowingly be present at any facility providing entertainment exclusively directed toward persons under the age of 18.

Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Provides that a registrable sex offense includes the offense of unauthorized video recording and live video transmission, when the victim is a person under 18 years of age, the defendant is not a parent of the victim, the offense was sexually motivated as defined in the Sex Offender Evaluation and Treatment Act, and the offense was committed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the $15 tax imposed on the privilege of using any motor vehicle acquired by gift, transfer, or purchase also applies to grandparents and grandchildren.

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Recreates the Veterans' Service-Related Ailments Task Force repealed by Public Act 102-417 and renames it the Veterans' Services Task Force. Requires the Veterans' Services Task Force to meet at least twice a year and at any other times it deems necessary. Requires the Task Force to submit a report of its findings and recommendations regarding veterans' service-related ailments not recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and other specified matters, to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2026. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved on December 31, 2027. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution congratulates the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County on its 100th anniversary. The bill does not change any laws or policies; it is a ceremonial measure that formally recognizes the commission's century of service. Copies of the resolution will be presented to the commission and its superintendent as a symbol of respect. The resolution acknowledges the commission's long history of providing support to veterans and their families through various assistance programs.

Maddy summarySB 3793 reenacts and makes permanent the Invest in Kids Act, allowing Illinois taxpayers to claim a state income tax credit for contributions to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). These SGOs provide scholarships to eligible students from Illinois households with income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level (initially) and 400% after receiving a scholarship, covering necessary school costs and fees at qualified non-public schools. The scholarships are available for students attending non-public schools, including technical academies with approved career and technical education programs. The bill amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to reflect these changes and takes effect immediately.

Amends the Military Veterans Assistance Act. Expands the Act to allow for the formation of multi-county Veterans Assistance Commissions. Provides that veteran service organizations located in 2 or more adjacent counties having a population of 60,000 or less may enter into an agreement to come together and jointly form a multi-county Veterans Assistance Commission to serve the adjacent counties in accordance with the Act. Provides that a multi-county Veterans Assistance Commission may also be formed under an agreement between an existing county Veterans Assistance Commission and a veteran service organization located in an adjacent county that is without a veterans assistance commission and has a population of 60,000 or less. Requires an agreement to form and maintain a multi-county Veterans Assistance Commission to set forth: (i) the distribution of funding with respect to each member county; (ii) the location of the Commission's office; (iii) the type of services provided; (iv) the superintendent selection or appointment process; (v) Commission rules and policies; and (vi) the composition of delegates and alternates on the Commission. Provides that multi-county Veterans Assistance Commissions shall have the same powers and duties under the Act as Veterans Assistance Commissions that serve one county. Makes corresponding changes in the Counties Code, the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Drug Court Treatment Act, the Veterans and Servicemembers Court Treatment Act, and the Mental Health Court Treatment Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Reducing Barriers to Start Act. Beginning January 1, 2026, this State shall encourage the elimination of all first-year business fees relating to any license or registration for any new business or person establishing a new business, including home-based businesses, whose principal place of business is in this State.