Sen. Andrew Chesney

Creates the Higher Education COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Prohibition Act. Provides that an institution of higher education may not require a person to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination or show a COVID-19 vaccine credential as a condition of enrollment at the institution of higher education or participation as a student in any of its programs. Defines terms. Amends the College Student Immunization Act to make a related change. Effective immediately.

Amends the Fireworks Regulation Act of Illinois. Provides that the storage, possession, sale, and use of nonfireworks shall be permitted at all times throughout the State. Requires regulation of nonfireworks, including their storage and sale, to be consistent with the standards set forth in the National Fire Protection Association's Code for the Manufacture, Transportation, Storage and Retail Sales of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles, 2006 edition. Provides that the amendatory provisions do not apply to the City of Chicago. Defines "nonfireworks". House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 425 ILCS 30/5 new Adds reference to: 425 ILCS 30/2 from Ch. 127 1/2, par. 102 425 ILCS 35/1 from Ch. 127 1/2, par. 127 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Fireworks Regulation Act of Illinois and the Pyrotechnic Use Act. Provides that "fireworks" and "consumer fireworks" do not include handheld or ground-based sparklers that are nonexplosive and nonaerial, sometimes producing a crackling or whistling effect, and containing 75 grams or fewer of pyrotechnic composition per tube or a total of 500 grams or fewer for multiple tubes (rather than only sparklers) or wood stick or wire sparklers containing not more than 100 grams of pyrotechnic mixture per item. Effective January 1, 2022.

Amends the Reproductive Health Act. Provides that except in the case of a medical emergency, a health care professional shall not knowingly perform, induce, or attempt to perform an abortion upon a pregnant woman when the probable gestational age of her unborn child has been determined to be at least 20 weeks. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Permits deer hunting with a rifle. Provides that current ammunition and caliber restrictions on handguns that may be used for hunting deer also apply to rifles. Provides that current restrictions limiting deer hunting to persons having a firearm deer hunting permit to taking deer only during the period from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset, and only during those days for which an open season is established for the taking of deer by use of shotgun, handgun, or bow and arrow also apply to the taking of deer with a rifle. Repeals a provision prohibiting the possession of a rifle while in the field during firearm deer season. Defines "rifle".

Opposes a graduated income tax law in Illinois. Oppose the reconsideration by the Illinois General Assembly of any constitutional measure intended to yet again reopen the flat-rate income tax language of subsection (a) of Section 3 of Article IX of the Constitution of Illinois.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 relating to first degree murder. Adds and eliminates aggravating factors for which the death penalty may be imposed. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Eliminates provision that abolishes the sentence of death. Enacts the Capital Crimes Litigation Act of 2021. Provides that all unobligated and unexpended moneys remaining in the Death Penalty Abolition Fund on the effective date of the amendatory Act shall be transferred into the Capital Litigation Trust Fund. Amends the State Appellate Defender Act. Provides that in cases in which a death sentence is an authorized disposition, the State Appellate Defender shall provide trial counsel with legal assistance and the assistance of expert witnesses, investigators, and mitigation specialists from funds appropriated to the State Appellate Defender specifically for that purpose by the General Assembly. Provides that the Office of State Appellate Defender shall not be appointed to serve as trial counsel in capital cases.

Amends the Legislative Commission Reorganization Act of 1984. Provides that any reference, image, photo, picture, stationary, insignia, label, inscription, statue, sign, or any other type of printing, art, or writing in respect to former Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Michael J. Madigan shall be removed from the property of the Illinois State Capitol Building, any legislative facilities, and any other State property or facility and no such materials are permitted on or in such State properties and facilities. Provides that the requirements shall not apply to any item that is official public record or otherwise required by law to remain in or attached to the specified State properties and facilities. Provides that the Architect of the Capitol, along with all relevant State agencies and departments, shall perform all necessary duties for the purposes of the specified requirements. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Auditor General to conduct a post audit of all accounts and transactions of the Department of Human Services to determine the total amount in public funds the Department has expended since January 1, 2018 (the effective date of Public Act 100-538) to cover the costs of elective abortions and related services. Provides that Department expenditures subject to examination under the audit include: any grant amounts awarded to nonprofit agencies and organizations in accordance with the Problem Pregnancy Health Services and Care Act to cover the costs of elective abortions and related services; and any funds used to cover the costs of elective abortions and related services provided under the Medical Assistance Program. Provides that the Auditor General may request the cooperation of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to assist in obtaining any information needed to complete the audit. Provides that upon completion of the post audit, the Auditor General shall issue a report in accordance with the Illinois State Auditing Act. Requires the report to be posted on the official website of the Department of Human Services. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Office of the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator, in consultation with the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board, shall revise any guidelines, rules, and standards governing the employment, training, certification, or testing necessary to classify public safety telecommunicators and emergency medical dispatchers as "first responders" and comparable in the State's occupational classification of emergency services personnel and public safety personnel. Amends various laws to include emergency medical dispatchers and public safety telecommunicators in references to first responders.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that if a person violates provisions requiring the exercise of due care when approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle displaying a warning signal and the violation results in a severe injury or death of a police animal, service animal, accelerant detection dog, or search and rescue dog, the person is guilty of a Class 4 felony.