Sen. Brian W. Stewart

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Declares March 7, 2019 as "Vending Day" in the State of Illinois.

Proposes to amend the Legislature and Revenue Articles of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that the General Assembly may increase the rate of an existing tax or impose a new tax only by a law approved by the vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house. Provides that the General Assembly may override the veto of the Governor of a bill to increase the rate of an existing tax or impose a new tax only by a record vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Designates U.S. Route 20 westbound, just west of Illinois Route 75 in Stephenson County, as the "Trooper Brooke Jones-Story Memorial Highway".

Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act of the Illinois Municipal Code. Creates a tax increment allocation financing extension for an ordinance adopted on April 10, 2002 by the Village of Durand. 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 2019. 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 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 2019. 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 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 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.