Sen. Brian W. Stewart

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that whenever the appearance in person in court is required of a minor held in a place of custody or confinement operated by the State, the court may permit the personal appearance of the minor to be made by means of two-way audio-visual communication, including closed circuit television or computerized video conference. Provides that the two-way audio-visual communication facilities must provide two-way audio-visual communication between the court and the place of custody or confinement, and must include a secure line over which the minor in custody and his or her counsel, may communicate.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax checkoff to allow taxpayers to make contributions to Special Olympics Illinois and Special Children's Charities. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a manufacturer of a vehicle equipped with a data recording device must disclose the presence of the data recording device and its functions in the owner's manual. Defines a data recording device as a device that: (1) records the vehicle's speed or direction of travel; (2) records the vehicle's location; (3) records steering performance; (4) records brake performance including, but not limited to, whether brakes were applied before an accident; (5) records the driver's seat belt status; or (6) has the ability to transmit information concerning an accident to a central communications system. Provides that data recorded by a data recording device may be accessed only: (1) with the owner's consent; (2) by court order; (3) for the purpose of researching motor vehicle safety provided the identity of the driver is not disclosed; (4) by a vehicle dealer or repairer for the purpose of diagnosing, servicing, or repairing the vehicle; or (5) according to a subscription service. Provides that these provisions apply only to vehicles manufactured or data recording devices installed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act.

Amends the Cigarette Machine Operators' Occupation Tax Act, the Cigarette Tax Act, the Cigarette Use Tax Act, the Tobacco Products Tax Act of 1995, the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act, the Live Adult Entertainment Facility Surcharge Act, the Illinois Hydraulic Fracturing Tax Act, the Gas Revenue Tax Act, the Public Utilities Revenue Act, the Telecommunications Excise Tax Act, the Electricity Excise tax Act, the Bingo License and Tax Act, the Illinois Pull Tabs and Jar Games Act, the Charitable Games Act, the Liquor Control Act of 1934, the Environmental Protection Act, the Environmental Impact Fee Law, and the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Act. Provides that, if a payment provided for under one of those Acts exceeds the taxpayer's liability under that Act, then the taxpayer may credit the excess payment against liability subsequently to be remitted to the Department of Revenue. Amends the Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Coal Resources Development Law of 1997 and the Energy Assistance Act to incorporate certain provisions of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that whenever the appearance in person in court, in either a detention or shelter care hearing, is required of a minor held in a place of custody or confinement operated by the State, the court may permit the personal appearance of the minor to be made by means of two-way audio-visual communication, including closed circuit television or computerized video conference. Provides that the two-way audio-visual communication facilities must provide two-way audio-visual communication between the court and the place of custody or confinement, and must include a secure line over which the minor in custody and his or her counsel, may communicate.

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

Amends the Cigarette Machine Operators' Occupation Tax Act, the Cigarette Tax Act, the Cigarette Use Tax Act, the Tobacco Products Tax Act of 1995, the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act, the Live Adult Entertainment Facility Surcharge Act, the Illinois Hydraulic Fracturing Tax Act, the Gas Revenue Tax Act, the Public Utilities Revenue Act, the Telecommunications Excise Tax Act, the Electricity Excise tax Act, the Bingo License and Tax Act, the Illinois Pull Tabs and Jar Games Act, the Charitable Games Act, the Liquor Control Act of 1934, the Environmental Protection Act, the Environmental Impact Fee Law, and the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Act. Provides that, if a payment provided for under one of those Acts exceeds the taxpayer's liability under that Act, then the taxpayer may credit the excess payment against liability subsequently to be remitted to the Department of Revenue. Amends the Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Coal Resources Development Law of 1997 and the Energy Assistance Act to incorporate certain provisions of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act.

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 Applicant’s application for Credit should or should not be accepted. Effective immediately.

Congratulates the Forreston High School Football Team, the Cardinals, on winning the 2016 Illinois High School Association Class 1A Football State Championship.

Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules for its FY 16 ordinary and contingent expenses.