Sen. Brian W. Stewart

Proposes to amend the Suffrage and Elections Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides for the recall of all State Executive Branch officers, legislative leaders, the Auditor General, members of the General Assembly, and local government officials. Makes changes to the procedures for the recall of the Governor. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the term "selling price" no longer includes the value of traded-in motor vehicles. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. In a Section concerning the use tax on motor vehicles, makes changes concerning the amount of the tax. Provides that the tax on motorcycles, motor driven cycles, and mopeds shall be the same as for all other motor vehicles. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Removes provisions from the introduced bill providing that the tax rate under the Illinois Vehicle Code for motorcycles, motor driven cycles, and mopeds shall be the same as for all other motor vehicles. Provides that the changes in the introduced bill apply 120 days (in the introduced bill, 30 days) after the effective date.

Urges the U.S. Congress to return the $200 million dollar fine to the ComEd ratepayers in Illinois.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that a craft distiller license and a craft distiller tasting permit license shall allow the sale and offering for sale at retail for use and consumption on the premises specified in the license any form of alcoholic liquor purchased from a licensed distributor or importing distributor. Provides that a craft distiller tasting permit license allows the licensee to sell and offer for sale at retail, but not for resale in any form, up to 5,000 gallons of transferred alcoholic liquor to the extent approved by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. Provides that upon approval from the State Commission, a craft distiller tasting permit license shall allow the licensee to sell and offer for sale at (i) the craft distiller's licensed premises and (ii) at up to 2 additional locations for use and consumption and not for resale. Provides that certain craft distillers may sell up to 10,000 gallons (instead of 2,500 gallons) of spirits to non-licensees. Creates a craft distiller warehouse permit. Provides that a craft distiller warehouse permit license may be issued to the holder of a craft distiller tasting permit license and shall allow the holder to store or warehouse up to 500,000 gallons of spirits manufactured by the holder of the permit. Establishes fees for a craft distiller warehouse permit. Makes other changes.

Amends the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act. Provides that the county treasurer or the treasurer of the unit of local government shall (rather than may) create the following funds, if not already in existence: the Court Automation Fund; the Document Storage Fund; the Circuit Clerk Operations and Administration Fund; the State's Attorney Records Automation Fund; the Public Defender Records Automation Fund; the Circuit Court Clerk Electronic Citation Fund; and, in each county where a Children's Advocacy Center provides services, the Child Advocacy Center Fund.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that certain penalties regarding the operation of an uninsured motor vehicle apply to any operator of a motor vehicle subject to registration under a law of another state that is similar to the Code.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a sheriff shall enter upon the duties of his or her office on the December 1 following his or her election (rather than on the first day in the month of December following his or her election on which the office of the sheriff is required, by statute or by action of the county board, to be open).

Amends the State Police Act. Provides that preference for the hiring of an Illinois State Police officer shall be given to the son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, grandson, granddaughter, brother, or sister of a law enforcement officer who was killed in the line of duty. Effective immediately.

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 2020. 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 Counties Code. Provides that a person is not eligible to be elected or appointed to the office of sheriff unless he or she has a certificate attesting to his or her successful completion of the Minimum Standards Basic Law Enforcement Officers Training Course as prescribed by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board or a substantially similar training program of another state or the federal government. Amends the Illinois Police Training Act making a conforming change.