Sen. Tim Bivins

Amends the Wildlife Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Provides that, for purposes of determining the partisanship of any person who is appointed by the Governor to an office that either requires specific partisanship or limits the number of appointees from a single political party that may be appointed, the vote of that person in the 3 general primary elections immediately preceding the effective date of the appointment shall determine their partisanship for that person's term of office. Provides that a person who did not vote, or who voted but did not request a partisan ballot, in the 3 general primary elections immediately preceding the effective date of the appointment or who voted but requested partisan ballots for 2 or more different political parties in the 3 general primary elections immediately preceding the effective date of the appointment shall be deemed an independent for purposes of determining partisanship for that person's term of office.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person also commits unlawful use of body armor when he or she knowingly purchases, owns, or possesses body armor, if that person has been convicted of a felony that is a crime of violence. Establishes exceptions. Provides that a violation is a Class 4 felony.

Proposes to amend the Executive Article of the Illinois Constitution. Eliminates the office of Lieutenant Governor, beginning with the term of office otherwise commencing in 2019. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may issue Blue Star Banner plates to residents of Illinois that have a spouse, parent, sibling, or child actively serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that if an individual is authorized by the Department of Natural Resources to trap a wild bird or wild mammal that is known to be destroying property or causing a risk to human health or safety upon his or her land, then the location of the traps or snares shall be exempt from the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. Makes a corresponding change in the Freedom of Information Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act. Provides that the Byron Forest Preserve District may not incur indebtedness in excess of .6% of the assessed value of taxable property in the district.

Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Requires a person executing a small estate affidavit to list and classify the debts of the decedent. Provides that all valid claims against the decedent's estate must be paid before any distribution is made to any heir or legatee. Provides that the decedent's estate should pay all claims in the order set forth in the listed classifications, and if the decedent's estate is insufficient to pay the claims in any one class, the claims in that class shall be paid pro rata. Requires the affiant to describe his or her relationship to the decedent or decedent's estate. Requires the affiant to agree to indemnify and hold harmless persons and entities who incur any loss because of reliance on the affidavit, up to the amount lost because of any act or omission by the affiant. Requires the affiant to state that any person, corporation, or financial institution recovering under the new provisions shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees and the expenses of recovery. Provides that the small estate affidavit shall be notarized. Provides that parties that act in good faith reliance on a copy of a document purporting to be a small estate affidavit shall be fully protected and released upon fulfillment of requirements under such a document to the same extent as if the party had been complying with requests of the representative of the estate. Provides that distributions pursuant to an affidavit may be made to the affiant notwithstanding the disclosure of known unpaid debts. Provides that the affiant (instead of other specified persons) may in writing appoint one or more persons, or himself or herself, to access the safe deposit box of a decedent. Adds applicability language. Makes corresponding changes. Amends the Safety Deposit Box Opening Act. Provides that the lessor of a safety deposit box shall not open the box in accordance with the Act if the lessor has received a copy of a small estate affidavit. Provides that the lessor shall authorize a representative of a decedent's estate or a person designated in a small estate affidavit, upon presentation of letters of office, other applicable court order, or small estate affidavit, to open the box and examine and remove the contents.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act and the School Code. Creates the School Security and Standards Task Force within the State Board of Education to study the security of schools in this State, make recommendations, and draft minimum standards for use by schools to make them more secure and to provide a safer learning environment for the children of this State. Sets forth provisions concerning the membership of the Task Force, meetings of the Task Force, State Board support for the Task Force, and the duties of the Task Force. Provides that, on or before January 1, 2015, the Task Force shall submit a report to the General Assembly and the Governor on specific recommendations for changes to the current law or other legislative measures. Provides that, on or before January 1, 2015, the Task Force shall submit a report to the State Board on specific recommendations for model security plan policies for schools to access and use as a guideline, which report is exempt from inspection and copying under the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that the Task Force is abolished and these provisions are repealed on July 1, 2015. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Dolores M. McMillan of Williamsville.