Sen. Todd Sieben

Amends the State Finance Act. Changes the names of the Conservation 2000 Fund and Conservation 2000 Projects Fund to the Partners for Conservation Fund and the Partners for Conservation Projects Fund. Authorizes use of funds for planning, preservation, and water protection, to partner with private landowners, government, and not-for-profit organizations, and to pay personnel and other costs. Eliminates the Department of Transportation as authorized to use funds. Authorizes transfers from GRF to the Funds through 2021 (now, 2009).

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that the open deer hunting season shall be no longer than 16 days (now 14) and shall not begin until September 1st (now November 1st).

Creates the Energy Efficient Commercial Building Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Act. Requires that at least 10% of the appropriations for grants each fiscal year must be committed or expended with respect to land that is open for hunting.

Creates the Family and Personal Protection Act. Establishes statewide uniform standards for the issuance of permits to carry concealed firearms in this State. Vests in the county sheriff the authority to issue concealed firearms permits to qualified applicants. Requires an applicant to complete a training course in handgun use, safety, and marksmanship. Also requires instruction in the law relating to firearm use. Requires an applicant to be at least 21 years of age. Prohibits an applicant who has been convicted of a felony or has a history of mental illness, addiction, or habitual alcohol use from obtaining a permit. Creates the Citizen Safety and Self-Defense Trust Fund in each county administered by the sheriff. Provides that the moneys in the Fund shall be used to administer the Act. Establishes restrictions on carrying concealed firearms. Establishes standards for the training course and for certifying instructors. Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the Family and Personal Protection Act supersedes an ordinance of a unit of local government inconsistent with that Act. Prohibits a home rule unit from regulating the issuance of permits to carry concealed firearms. Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Exempts from an unlawful use of weapons and aggravated unlawful use of weapons violation persons who carry or possess firearms in accordance with the Family and Personal Protection Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that when the Department of State Police fails to act upon an application for a Firearm Owner's Identification Card within 30 days after receipt, or if the application was wrongfully denied, the applicant may seek relief from the circuit court in writing in the county of his or her residence. Provides that the applicant is entitled to recover any costs, attorney's fees, damages, and not less than $100 per day nor more than $500 per day for every day past the 30th day in which the Department failed to act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Permits deer hunters under age 18 to use crossbows during archery season (now, used only by handicapped persons).

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that if the receipt of a firearm does not violate federal or State law, the Department of State Police shall destroy all records of the dial up telephone system with respect to the call to the Department of State Police concerning whether a transferee of a firearm is eligible to acquire or possess a firearm, other than the identifying number and the date the number was assigned, and all records of the system relating to the person or the transfer within 30 days. Provides that if the transfer of a firearm is denied by the Department of State Police, the Department of State Police may keep the records of a denial until the denial is appealed and overturned, or as long as necessary for a criminal prosecution. Provides that the Department of State Police may not retain, copy, or distribute any information previously collected under the dial up system. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that if the receipt of a firearm does not violate federal or State law, the Department of State Police shall destroy all records of the dial up telephone system with respect to the call to the Department of State Police concerning whether a transferee of a firearm is eligible to acquire or possess a firearm, other than the identifying number and the date the number was assigned, and all records of the system relating to the person or the transfer within 60 days. Provides that if the transfer of a firearm is denied by the Department of State Police, the Department of State Police may keep the records of a denial until the denial is appealed and overturned, or as long as necessary for a criminal prosecution. Provides that the Department of State Police may not retain, copy, or distribute any information previously collected under the dial up system. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Requires a school district to report, on its salary and benefits survey form, the amount of compensation a certificated teacher who ends employment with the school district receives that is additional to the teacher's regular salary, excluding individual compensation resulting from extra-curricular duties and employment beyond the regular school year. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.