Sen. Chuck Weaver

Amends the Charter Schools Article of the School Code. Removes provisions providing that the total number of charter schools operating under this Article at any one time shall not exceed 120. Removes a provision limiting the number of charter schools to 70 in any city having a population exceeding 500,000. Removes a provision limiting the number of charter schools to 45 in the remainder of the State. Removes a provision providing that the State Board of Education shall assign a number to each charter submission it receives for its review and certification, based on the chronological order in which the submission is received by it.

Amends the Illinois False Claims Act. Provides that no court has jurisdiction over a civil action relating to or involving a false claim regarding certain tax acts administered by the Department of Revenue unless the action is brought by the Attorney General. Provides that the Department of Revenue has the sole authority to bring an administrative action and that the Attorney General has the sole authority to bring a judicial action under the Act for a false claim, statement, or record pertaining to certain taxes administered by the Department of Revenue. Contains provisions concerning reporting, investigative, and enforcement procedures for allegations of false claims pertaining to certain taxes. Contains provisions governing the payment of rewards to persons who provide information that leads to recovery of funds under the new provisions. Provides that the appeal of a determination regarding an award may be appealed exclusively to the Court of Claims and must be filed within 30 days of the determination of the award. Makes other changes, including a corresponding change in the Court of Claims Act. Effective January 1, 2020.

Amends the Downstate Police and Downstate Firefighter Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Beginning municipal fiscal year 2021, provides that the annual levy and contribution to the fund are equal to (1) the normal cost of the pension fund for the year involved, plus (2) an amount sufficient to bring the total assets of the pension fund up to 100% of the total actuarial liabilities of the pension fund over a 30-year rolling amortization period. Provides that each municipal fiscal year through 2031, the rolling amortization period shall be reduced by one year for each municipal fiscal year after 2021. Provides a 20-year rolling amortization period for municipal fiscal year 2031 and each year thereafter. Provides that in making these determinations, the required minimum employer contribution shall be calculated each year as a level dollar amount over the amortization period and shall be determined under the entry age normal actuarial cost method. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Creates the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. Provides that neither the State nor any of its subdivisions may authorize the use of, appropriate, or expend funds to pay for an abortion or to cover any part of the costs of a health plan that includes coverage of abortion or to provide or refer for an abortion, unless a woman who suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death if an abortion is not performed. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Excludes from the programs of health benefits and services authorized under those Acts coverage for elective abortions as provided in the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. Amends the Problem Pregnancy Health Services and Care Act. Permits the Department of Human Services to make grants to nonprofit agencies and organizations that do not use those grants to refer or counsel for, or perform, abortions. Contains provisions regarding applicability and preempts home rule. Effective June 1, 2019.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a credit in an amount equal to the investment made by the taxpayer during the taxable year in a Qualified Opportunity Fund. Provides that no such credit may be taken for any taxable year that begins prior to January 1, 2020. Provides that excess credits may be carried forward or back. Provides that the aggregate amount of the Qualified Opportunity Fund tax credit shall be limited to $100,000,000 per calendar year. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the General Assembly Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires the System to prepare and implement a Tier 3 plan by July 1, 2020 that aggregates State and employee contributions in individual participant accounts which are used for payouts after retirement. Provides that a person who becomes a participant on or after July 1, 2020 shall participate in the Tier 3 plan. Provides that a Tier 1 or Tier 2 participant may irrevocably elect to participate in the Tier 3 plan instead of the defined benefit plan; makes conforming changes. Authorizes a Tier 1 or Tier 2 participant who elects to participate in the Tier 3 plan to elect to terminate all participation in the defined benefit plan and to have a specified amount credited to his or her account under the Tier 3 plan. Requires the System to report on its progress in establishing the Tier 3 plan to the Governor and the General Assembly by January 15, 2020. Excludes the amendatory Act from the new benefit increase restrictions. Authorizes a participant to terminate his or her participation in the System. Makes related changes in the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act (Article 20 of the Code) and the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Provides that no legislator may negotiate for employment with a lobbying entity that engages in lobbying with members of the General Assembly during the legislator's term of office. Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that a member may not, within a period of one year immediately after termination of the member's most recent term of office, engage in lobbying with members of the General Assembly, if the member accepts compensation specifically attributable to that lobbying.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that when issuing a prescription for an opiate to a patient 18 years of age or older for outpatient use for the first time, a practitioner may not issue a prescription for more than a 7-day supply. Provides that a practitioner may not issue an opiate prescription to a person under 18 years of age for more than a 7-day supply at any time and shall discuss with the parent or guardian of the person under 18 years of age the risks associated with opiate use and the reasons why the prescription is necessary. Provides that notwithstanding this provision, if, in the professional medical judgment of a practitioner, more than a 7-day supply of an opiate is required to treat the patient's acute medical condition or is necessary for the treatment of chronic pain management, pain associated with a cancer diagnoses, or for palliative care, then the practitioner may issue a prescription for the quantity needed to treat that acute medical condition, chronic pain, pain associated with a cancer diagnosis, or pain experienced while the patient is in palliative care. Provides that the condition triggering the prescription of an opiate for more than a 7-day supply shall be documented in the patient's medical record and the practitioner shall indicate that a non-opiate alternative was not appropriate to address the medical condition. Provides that these provisions do not apply to medications designed for the treatment of substance abuse or opioid dependence. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that notwithstanding whether the laws of the state or territory where the non-resident resides related to firearm ownership, possession, and carrying are substantially similar to the requirements to obtain a license under this Act, the Department of State Police shall allow for a non-resident license application if the applicant is employed by the United States Military permanently assigned in Illinois on Permanent Change of Station or Permanent Change of Assignment orders and who is not a resident of Illinois but maintains an address in Illinois. Provides that a non-resident applicant shall submit with his or her application a photocopy of Permanent Change of Station or Permanent Change of Assignment orders to an assignment in this State and an affirmation that the applicant possesses a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card with the Firearm Owner's Identification Card number or notice that the applicant is applying for a Firearm Owner's Identification Card in conjunction with the license application. Provides that a non-resident licensee a shall notify the Department of State Police within 30 days of moving to an address outside of this State, a Permanent Change of Station or Permanent Change of Assignment to a duty station outside this State, or a separation or retirement from the United States Military in addition to the notification requirements of the Act. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois False Claims Act. Provides that no court has jurisdiction over a civil action relating to or involving a false claim regarding certain tax acts administered by the Department of Revenue unless the action is brought by the Attorney General. Provides that the Department of Revenue has the sole authority to bring an administrative action and that the Attorney General has the sole authority to bring a judicial action under the Act for a false claim, statement, or record pertaining to certain taxes administered by the Department of Revenue. Contains provisions concerning reporting, investigative, and enforcement procedures for allegations of false claims pertaining to certain taxes. Contains provisions governing the payment of rewards to persons who provide information that leads to recovery of funds under the new provisions. Provides that the appeal of a determination regarding an award may be appealed exclusively to the Court of Claims and must be filed within 30 days of the determination of the award. Makes other changes, including a corresponding change in the Court of Claims Act.