Sen. Brian W. Stewart

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides for the issuance of Future Farmers of America license plate decals by the Department of Agriculture. Creates the Future Farmers of America Fund. Provides that all money in the Future Farmers of America Fund shall be paid as grants to the Illinois Association of Future Farmers of America. Makes a corresponding change in the State Finance Act.

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Removes provisions requiring a veteran who has served as an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the Illinois National Guard, or reserves of the United States Armed Forces to apply in person for a fishing license at a regional office of the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall establish by administrative rule the documentation that qualifies as acceptable verification of service; defines "acceptable verification" of service. Makes related changes to the Wildlife Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Police and Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a person may transfer to a fund established under the Downstate Police Article creditable service accumulated under IMRF for service as a county correctional officer upon payment to the police pension fund of a specified amount to be determined by the board. Provides that any person applying to transfer service under the provisions may reinstate credits and creditable service under IMRF that were terminated upon receipt of a separation benefit by paying to IMRF the amount of the separation benefit plus interest thereon at the actuarially assumed rate of interest to the date of payment. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a person may transfer to a fund established under the Downstate Police Article creditable service accumulated under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) for service as a person employed by a participating municipality to perform administrative duties related to law enforcement upon payment to the police pension fund of a specified amount to be determined by the board. Makes a conforming change.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that no registration fee for a Gold Star license plate shall be required from a child (in addition to a surviving widow, widower, or parent) of a person who served in the Armed Forces of the United States and lost his or her life while serving on active duty (instead of "while in service while in wartime"). House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall issue Gold Star license plates to any Illinois resident who is a surviving widow, widower, parent, child, stepchild, child through adoption, brother, half-brother, sister, or half-sister (rather than only a surviving widow, sibling, daughter, son, or parent) of a person who served in the Armed Forces of the United States and lost his or her life while serving in peacetime or war. Provides that no registration fee for a Gold Star license plate shall be required from children of persons who served in the Armed Forces of the United States and who lost their lives while serving during time-specified armed hostilities, military operations, and terrorist attacks (instead of "while in service while in wartime").

Amends the Electric Vehicle Act and the Electric Vehicle Rebate Act. Deletes language providing that "electric vehicle" does not include electric motorcycles. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 415 ILCS 120/27 In provisions amending the Electric Vehicle Act and the Electric Vehicle Rebate Act, provides that "electric vehicle" does not include electric mopeds or electric off-highway vehicles. Further amends the Electric Vehicle Rebate Act. Provides that only electric vehicles that are not an electric motorcycle qualify for specified rebates. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2022, each person shall be eligible to apply for a $1,500 rebate for the purchase of an electric vehicle that is an electric motorcycle. Provides that purchasers applying for a rebate must continue to reside in Illinois (rather than a covered area) for a minimum of 12 consecutive months immediately after the vehicle purchase date. Provides that rebates administered under the provisions shall be available for both new and used electric vehicles (rather than for new and used passenger electric vehicles). House Floor Amendment No. 2 In the Electric Vehicle Rebate Act, provides that beginning July 1, 2028, each person shall be eligible to apply for a $1,500 (rather than $1,000) rebate for the purchase of an electric vehicle that is not an electric motorcycle.

Amends the Property Assessed Clean Energy Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 50 ILCS 50/1 Adds reference to: 410 ILCS 535/25 from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 73-25 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Vital Records Act. Provides that upon receipt of a written request from any applicant entitled to such a search, a local registrar or county clerk shall search available files for the death certificate of an active duty or retired service member of the United States military. Provides that if the death certificate requested by the applicant is found, the local registrar or county clerk shall furnish the applicant with one certified copy of the death certificate, under the seal of the local registrar's or county clerk's office, at no cost to the applicant. Provides that a local registrar or county clerk shall not require a fee from the applicant of more than $6 for any subsequent copy of the service member's death certificate or certification attesting that the death certificate of the service member was not found. Contains other provisions.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person may not knowingly operate a vehicle in a manner that impedes, blocks, obstructs, or otherwise interferes with the movement of another driver or operator upon an expressway or controlled access highway. Provides that a person who violates the new provisions commits a Class A misdemeanor. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds a provision that knowingly operating a vehicle in a manner that impedes, blocks, obstructs, or otherwise interferes with the movement of another driver or operator upon an expressway or controlled access highway is an offense against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles. Adds an effective date of July 1, 2023. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 625 ILCS 5/11-711 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-711 Adds reference to: 625 ILCS 5/11-506 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that no person shall engage in street sideshows on any street or highway of the State. Provides that a person may not knowingly cause the movement of traffic to slow or stop for the purpose of facilitating street racing or a street sideshow. Provides that any person convicted of a violation of the new provisions is guilty of: a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and is subject to a minimum fine of $250; and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense and is subject to a minimum fine of $500. Makes conforming changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill, and makes the following changes: Relocates language providing that no person shall engage in a street sideshow on any street or highway of the State. Provides that a person may not knowingly interfere with or cause the movement of traffic to slow or stop for the purpose of facilitating street racing or a street sideshow (rather than a person may not knowingly cause the movement of traffic to slow or stop for the purpose of facilitating street racing or a street sideshow). Defines "motor vehicle stunt". Makes conforming changes. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 625 ILCS 5/3-117.5 new Provides that if a salvage dealer posts annually a bond in the amount of $100,000, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $100,000, with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State shall automatically process any properly submitted application by the salvage dealer for a salvage certificate or junking certificate and issue the appropriate salvage certificate or junking certificate. Authorizes the Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department to conduct random samplings of automatically processed applications to ensure that the salvage dealer's applications for salvage certificates or junking certificates are accurate. Specifies that applications for salvage or junking certificates submitted by a salvage dealer that are not accompanied by the most current certificate of title are not eligible for automatic processing. Establishes procedures for the suspension of a salvage dealer's right to automatic processing of applications for salvage or junking certificates. Provides that the bond shall be held by the Secretary of State to secure compensation for any owner of a vehicle when it has been determined that the salvage dealer caused the improper transfer of ownership without performing the required procedures. Establishes procedures for the determination of whether a certificate of title of a vehicle was improperly transferred out of an owner's name by a salvage dealer. Provides that if the salvage dealer does not agree to compensate the vehicle owner for the value of an improperly transferred certificate of title, the owner of the vehicle shall be able to seek reimbursement from the posted bond for the loss of the vehicle under a Court of Claims proceeding.

Amends the Military Veterans Assistance Act. Provides that the "overseer of military veterans assistance" shall be construed to mean the commanders of the various congressionally chartered veteran service organizations, or the Superintendent of a County Veterans Assistance Commission. Provides that funding for Veterans Assistance Commissions shall be derived from: (i) a tax levied under the Counties Code and the Illinois Public Aid Code; (ii) funds from the county general corporate fund; and (iii) State funds from the Department of Human Services. Provides that congressionally chartered veteran service organizations and county Veterans Assistance Commissions, if applicable (rather than military veterans organizations), shall undertake the assistance of military veterans and their families. Provides that in a county having 2 or more congressionally chartered veteran service organizations, the congressionally chartered veteran service organizations may come together to form a Veterans Assistance Commission that shall act as the central office for all veterans and their families and for the families of deceased veterans. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that in a county having a population of less than 3,000,000 in which there is created a County Veterans Assistance Commission, the county shall levy for assistance to military veterans and their families a tax of an amount which, when added to the unobligated balance available for such purpose at the close of the preceding fiscal year will equal .02% of the last known assessed value of the taxable property in the county. Requires County Veterans Assistance Commissions to be in charge of the administration of general assistance benefits and other public aid benefits provided under the Illinois Public Aid Code for military veterans and their families. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants that have a County Veterans Assistance Commission to levy for assistance to military veterans and their families a tax of an amount which, when added to the unobligated balance available for such purpose at the close of the preceding fiscal year, will equal .02% of the last known assessed value of the taxable property in the county, or will equal .03% of such assessed value if such higher amount is authorized by the electors of the county. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 305 ILCS 5/12-21.5 from Ch. 23, par. 12-21.5 305 ILCS 5/12-21.13 from Ch. 23, par. 12-21.13 Adds reference to: 330 ILCS 45/11 rep. Replaces everything after the enacting clause and reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with various changes. Eliminates Illinois Public Aid Code language that changed the placement of certain taxation provisions. Eliminates Counties Code language that added certain taxation provisions. Amends the Military Veterans Assistance Act. Changes the term "overseer of military veterans assistance" to "administrator of military veterans assistance". Deletes language concerning almshouses, orphan asylums, and facilities for indigent persons who are mentally ill. Deletes references to "military veterans organization". Makes changes concerning military discharges and other matters. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: Further amends the Counties Code. In a provision permitting a county with a Veterans Assistance Commission to impose a tax on all taxable property for the purpose of providing assistance to military veterans and their families, provides that the tax shall be separate from all other taxes which the county is authorized to levy. Provides that in counties where a Veterans Assistance Commission has been properly created, those County Veterans Assistance Commissions shall be in charge of the administration of the assistance provided under certain provisions of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Further amends the Military Veterans Assistance Act. Makes changes to the definition of "veteran service organization". Provides that it shall be the duty of the commander, quartermaster, or commandant (rather than the commander) of each veteran service organization to send the commander, quartermaster, or commandant (rather than the commander) of every other organization a written list of the names of all persons to whom assistance has been granted during the preceding month. Provides that in a county having 2 or more veteran service organizations, the Veterans Assistance Commission of such county may (rather than shall) act as the central service office for all veterans and their families and for the families of deceased veterans. Makes other changes.

Amends the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act. Provides that caseworkers employed by the Department of Children and Family Services are covered by the provisions of the Act. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act shall apply retroactively to one year before the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 820 ILCS 320/3 820 ILCS 320/10 820 ILCS 320/15 820 ILCS 320/17 820 ILCS 320/20 820 ILCS 320/25 new Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 375/3 from Ch. 127, par. 523 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that in the case of a survivor who is entitled to occupational death benefits pursuant to the deceased employee's applicable retirement system, and first becomes a survivor on or after January 1, 2022, the survivor is eligible for group health insurance benefits regardless of the deceased employee's minimum vesting requirements under the applicable retirement system, with a State contribution rate of 100%, until an unmarried child dependent reaches the age of 18, or age 22 if the dependent child is a full-time student, or the adult survivor becomes eligible for benefits under the federal Medicare health insurance program. Provides that in the case of a survivor currently receiving occupational death benefits pursuant to the deceased employee's applicable retirement system, and who first became a survivor prior to January 1, 2022, the survivor is eligible for group health insurance benefits regardless of the deceased employee's minimum vesting requirements under the applicable retirement system, with a State contribution rate of 100%, until an unmarried child dependent reaches the age of 18, or age 22 if the dependent child is a full-time student, or the adult survivor becomes eligible for benefits under the federal Medicare health insurance program. Provides that the changes for survivors who first became survivors prior to January 1, 2022 shall be applicable upon request of the survivor following the effective date of the amendatory Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Further amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that in the case of a survivor who is entitled to occupational death benefits pursuant to the deceased employee's applicable retirement system or death benefits pursuant to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act, and first becomes a survivor on or after January 1, 2022, the survivor is eligible for group health insurance benefits regardless of the deceased employee's minimum vesting requirements under the applicable retirement system, with a State contribution rate of 100%, until an unmarried child dependent reaches the age of 18, or age 22 if the dependent child is a full-time student, or the adult survivor becomes eligible for benefits under the federal Medicare health insurance program. Provides that in the case of a survivor currently receiving occupational death benefits pursuant to the deceased employee's applicable retirement system or death benefits pursuant to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act, and who first became a survivor prior to January 1, 2022, the survivor is eligible for group health insurance benefits regardless of the deceased employee's minimum vesting requirements under the applicable retirement system or death benefits pursuant to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act, with a State contribution rate of 100%, until an unmarried child dependent reaches the age of 18, or age 22 if the dependent child is a full-time student, or the adult survivor becomes eligible for benefits under the federal Medicare health insurance program. Makes conforming changes.

Designates the Rochelle State Route 251 overpass as the "Sen. John B. "Jack" Roe Overpass".