Sen. John Curran

Amends the Constitutional Revision Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that amendments to the Illinois Constitution (currently, Article IV of the Constitution only) may be proposed by a petition signed by a number of electors equal in number to at least eight percent of the total votes cast for candidates for Governor in the preceding gubernatorial election. Provides that the initiative process shall not be used for the proposal, modification, or repeal of any portion of the Bill of Rights of the Constitution or to modify the initiative process for proposing amendments to the Constitution. Makes conforming changes. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Firearms Restraining Order Act. Provides that in addition to the county where the respondent resides, a petition for a firearms restraining order may be filed in any county where an incident occurred that involved the respondent posing an immediate and present danger of causing personal injury to himself, herself, or another by having in his or her custody or control, or purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm.

Amends the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Abandoned Refrigerator Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that beginning with the budget prepared for fiscal year 2022, the rate of growth of general funds appropriations shall not exceed the rate of growth of the Illinois median household income. Defines "rate of growth of the Illinois median household income". Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person is guilty of aggravated driving under the influence (a Class 4 felony) if the person, in committing a violation of provisions prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, was involved in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in the severe injury or death of a police animal, service animal, accelerant detection dog, or search and rescue dog.

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Requires the Auditor General to conduct a performance audit of the management by the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Department of Public Health of the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans' Home. Provides that the performance audit shall include specified determinations. Provides that the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the Department of Public Health, and any other State agency or other entity or person that may have information relevant to the audit shall cooperate fully and promptly with the Auditor General in the audit. Requires the Auditor General to commence the audit as soon as practical and report its findings and recommendations upon completion in accordance with the Illinois State Auditing Act. Repeals the provisions on December 31, 2021. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Changes the age from under 14 years to under 16 years in the statute requiring a person to store or leave, within premises under his or her control, a firearm if the person knows or has reason to believe that a minor under that age who does not have a Firearm Owner's Identification Card is likely to gain access to the firearm without the lawful permission of the minor's parent, guardian, or person having charge of the minor, and the minor causes death or great bodily harm with the firearm.

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Provides limitations concerning lobbying by a member of the General Assembly or his or her spouse or any immediate family member living with that member of the General Assembly. Provides that no legislator may, during his or her term of office, negotiate for employment with a lobbying entity. Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides a revolving door prohibition on former members of the General Assembly lobbying the General Assembly within a specified period of time. Amends the Election Code. Provides for candidate political committee restrictions and makes related requirements. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Expands the definition of "predicate activity" to include bribery, official misconduct, solicitation misconduct (State government), solicitation misconduct (local government), and legislative misconduct. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Expands the authority of the State's Attorney to seek a court order authorizing the interception of a private communication under specified circumstances concerning activity under the Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Law. Amends the Statewide Grand Jury Act. Expands the authority of a Statewide Grand Jury to investigate and indict offenses involving the corruption of a public official, to include theft, fraud, extortion, or a violation of the Official Misconduct and Public Contracts Article of the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that venue for purposes of trial for any offense involving the corruption of a public official may be in any county in which any portion of the offense occurred. Makes conforming and other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2023 registration year, the Secretary of State, at the option of the applicant, shall issue permanent registration plates for a one-time fee of $118 to the owner of a trailer having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less. Provides that a person who has been issued a permanent trailer plate is not required to pay the annual flat weight tax and registration fee. Lowers the annual flat weight tax and registration fee for trailers with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less from $118 to $18.