Sen. Steve Stadelman

Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, provides that in all counties (now, in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants), the county board may by resolution provide that if a person has been granted a senior citizens homestead exemption, the person qualifying need not reapply for the exemption. Provides that the county recorder of deeds shall alert the assessor whenever the transfer of ownership of any property receiving a Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption has occurred. Provides that, if such a transfer occurs, the assessor shall remove the exemption and provide the new property owner with information concerning reapplication. Effective immediately.

Amends the Urban Weatherization Initiative Act. Provides that the efforts of the Urban Weatherization Initiative shall be coordinated with federal weatherization programs. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to administer the Initiative so as to qualify for federal grant or matching programs. Provides the salary of employees hired under the Initiative in accordance with the hourly wages associated with the federal prevailing wage rates for weatherization workers. Provides that the maximum per unit expenditure is limited to $10,000 (currently $6,500) and that a grant recipient may not be awarded grants totaling more than $2,000,000 (currently $500,000) per fiscal year. Provides that 2 voting members of the Weatherization Initiative Board must have experience in residential weatherization or energy efficiency and that one voting member must have experience in workforce development. Requires the Board's annual report to be filed by May 31 (instead of December 31).

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that if, prior to expiration of registration, the Secretary of State has not provided the registered owner of a vehicle with notice that his or her registration is about to expire, the vehicle owner shall have a 30-day period after the expiration of registration to file an application for registration renewal, and shall not be issued a citation for the expired registration or charged registration late fees during that period. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that if the defendant pleads guilty the plea shall not be accepted until the court shall have fully explained to the defendant the following: (1) the maximum and minimum penalty provided by law for the offense which may be imposed by the court (rather than the consequences of the plea and the maximum penalty provided by law for the offense which may be imposed by the court); (2) any possible increased sentence by reason of the fact of a prior conviction or future conviction and any possibility of the imposition of consecutive sentences; (3) any registration requirement that accompanies the plea and the restrictions associated with the registration; and (4) the consequences of the plea on a defendant's ability to: (A) retain or obtain housing in the public or private market; (B) acquire loans for educational or other purposes; (C) enroll in certain degree programs; (D) retain or obtain employment; (E) retain or obtain an occupational or driver's license; (F) possess a firearm; and (G) retain or obtain custody of a child.

Amends the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing Code, the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act, the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985, the Illinois Public Accounting Act, and the Real Estate License Act of 2000. Allows the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to consider an applicant's prior conviction or convictions, but provides that the conviction or convictions may not be the sole basis for refusing to issue a license unless the crime substantially and directly relates to the occupation for which the license is sought. Requires that if the conviction is used as a basis for rejection, the rejection must be in writing and specifically state the evidence presented and reasons for rejection, which must be substantially and directly related to the licensed activity. Provides specific considerations the Department must use in making its decision for rejection. Provides what the Department shall use as evidence of rehabilitation so that all license rights and privileges granted under the Act, under consideration for issuance or formerly revoked or suspended because of conviction of an offense, are automatically restored unless the Department finds that restoration is not in the public interest. Requires that the Department not consider non-conviction records, convictions that did not result in incarceration, or convictions unrelated to the capacity to serve the public. In provisions concerning grounds for discipline, makes changes concerning disqualifying criminal penalties and delinquent child support.

Amends the School Code. Establishes the State Global Scholar Certification Program to recognize public high school graduates who have attained global competence, sufficient for meaningful use in college and a career. Provides that school district participation in this certification is voluntary. Sets forth the purposes of certification. Requires the State Board of Education to adopt such rules as may be necessary to establish the criteria that students must achieve to earn certification, which shall minimally include attainment of units of credit in globally focused courses, service learning experiences, global collaboration and dialogue, and passage of a capstone project demonstrating global competency, as approved by the participating school district for this purpose. Sets forth the duties of the State Board and of participating school districts. Provides that no fee may be charged to a student. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision concerning the development of an employability plan for recipients of public aid who participate in the Department of Human Services' education, training, and employment program, requires the employability plan to include a description of Core and Non-Core activities the recipient will undertake to achieve his or her employment goal. Requires the Department to define, by rule, the hour requirements regarding Core and Non-Core activities. Provides that Core activities shall consist of employment, participation in the Work First program, vocational training, participation in an associate or bachelor's degree program, and other activities. Provides that Non-Core activities shall consist of job skills training related to employment and education directly related to employment, including, but not limited to: adult basic education and English as a Second Language classes. Provides that high school and high school equivalency programs shall constitute a Core activity for clients when they initially qualify for assistance; however, the Department may define, by rule, when high school and high school equivalency programs may constitute a Non-Core activity for clients who may not finish programs within the time limits of their eligibility.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. For the offenses of criminal damage to property, institutional vandalism, and criminal defacement of property, increases the threshold amount of the damage to property from exceeding $300 to exceeding $500 in which the offense is enhanced from a misdemeanor to a felony or in which the offense is enhanced to a higher class of felony.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that a peace officer taking cash bail or bail deposits shall accept payments made in the form of currency, and may accept other forms of payment as authorized by the sheriff. Defines "currency".

Requests the Illinois Secretary of State to produce a report on a study concerning the need and feasibility of a driver's license reinstatement fee payment program with the goal of allowing individuals who only have reinstatement fees preventing them from receiving their driver's licenses being allowed to pay a down payment and pay a monthly percentage until the fees are fully paid.