Sen. Brian W. Stewart

Amends the Counties Code. Reenacts a court services fee repealed by Public Act 100-987. Change the name of the fee to an assessment and provides that the assessment will be in addition to assessments in the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act. Removes references to repealed cross references. Makes a conforming change in the Code. Amends the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act making conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates the Lincoln-Douglas Historic Tax Credit. Provides that a taxpayer is entitled to a credit of up to 25% of the qualified expenditures incurred by the taxpayer for a qualified rehabilitation of a historic structure located in a Lincoln-Douglas debate community. Effective immediately.

Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Removes provisions concerning conditions that the Business Investment Committee shall determine exist in order for the Committee to make its recommendation that an application for credit should or should not be accepted. Effective immediately.

Amends the Community Mental Health Act. Provides that upon receipt of all the annual moneys collected from the tax levied under the Act, each governmental unit that levies that tax shall immediately deposit 20% of those moneys into a special fund directly controlled by the county sheriff to be used for mental health services within the county jail.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on and after January 1, 2021, electronic benefits transfer ("LINK") cards used to obtain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits or cash shall contain the name and photo of the primary cardholder and, at the option of the primary cardholder, the names of secondary holders who are authorized to use the card. Establishes that an individual may use the LINK card only if the photo on the card matches the user or he or she presents a current and valid photo identification that confirms he or she is a secondary user listed on the card. Provides that on the effective date of the amendatory Act the Department of Human Services shall begin the process of transitioning to the use of LINK cards which contain the name and photo of the primary cardholder and list the names of all authorized users of the card. Requires the transition to be completed no later than January 1, 2021. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that an apprentice who is hired by the taxpayer through the United States Department of Defense SkillBridge internship program is considered a qualifying apprentice for the purpose of the apprenticeship education expense credit. Provides that, in the case of an employee participating in the SkillBridge program, the credit shall be equal to $3,500 per qualifying apprentice. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that, as soon as possible after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the State Comptroller shall order transferred and the State Treasurer shall transfer the sum of $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Traffic and Criminal Conviction Surcharge Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that all imitation handguns shall be sold from behind the counter, in an age restricted area, or in a sealed display case. Provides that a violation is a Class B misdemeanor. Defines "imitation handgun" as an air gun, air pistol, B-B gun, paint ball gun, pellet gun, or any other implement that is not a firearm but is designed to resemble and has the appearance of a handgun whether or not the implement is capable of firing any shot, bullet, or other missile.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a county with a population of less than 3,000,000 does not have to comply with the changes made by Public Act 100-1 (the Bail Reform Act of 2017) if the county board adopts a resolution for that purpose on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person also commits aggravated battery when, in committing a battery, other than by the discharge of a firearm, he or she knowingly causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to an individual whom the person knows to be a Department of Children and Family Services employee: (1) performing his or her official duties; (2) battered to prevent performance of his or her official duties; or (3) battered in retaliation for performing his or her official duties. Provides that a violation is a Class 1 felony. Provides that a person also commits aggravated battery when, in committing a battery, other than by discharge of a firearm, he or she knows the individual battered to be a Department of Children and Family Services employee: (1) performing his or her official duties; (2) battered to prevent performance of his or her official duties; or (3) battered in retaliation for performing his or her official duties. Provides that a violation is a Class 2 felony.