Sen. Neil Anderson

Amends the Property Tax Code. Establishes a homestead exemption for qualified homestead property that has been continuously owned, used, and occupied as the primary residence by the qualified taxpayer for at least 30 years prior to January 1 of the taxable year for which the exemption would apply. Requires taxpayers who have been granted an exemption to reapply on an annual basis. Provides that the assessor or chief county assessment officer may determine the eligibility of residential property to receive the homestead exemption by application, visual inspection, questionnaire, or other reasonable methods. Sets forth provisions concerning the review of exemptions granted under the provisions. Defines "qualified homestead property" and "qualified taxpayer". Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a full-time, sworn, compensated fire fighter is permitted to carry a pistol, revolver, stun gun, taser, or other firearm on his or her person in public or in a vehicle, if the fire fighter has a valid concealed carry license, is carrying on duty, and has been approved to carry on duty by the mayor, city council, village president, town president, or village board of trustees.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person who operates a motorcycle without proper registration plates shall have the motorcycle seized and auctioned of to State or motorcycle programs to reduce the purchase of new motorcycles for any State or motorcycle program. Provides that any person who owns a business that profits from selling merchandise promoting illegal street racing shall be fined $500 for a first offense and, for a second offense, shall be charged with a Class 4 felony and, for a third offense, shall be charged with a Class 3 felony.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Permits the operation of recreational off-highway vehicles meeting certain criteria on any street, roadway, or highway in the State, unless the highway is an interstate system, is near a grade-separated portion of the highway, is within a municipality, or has a posted speed limit higher than 55 miles per hour. Provides that a recreational off-highway vehicle may be registered in the same manner as provided for snowmobiles and shall comply with the registration, fees, insurance, and other requirements for snowmobiles under the Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act. Provides for the distribution of registration fees. Outlines the vehicle equipment requirements for the operation of a recreational off-highway vehicle on a roadway.

Amends the General Assembly Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Restricts participation in the General Assembly Retirement System to persons who became participants before the effective date of the amendatory Act and provides that, beginning on that date, the System shall not accept any new participants. Makes related changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. In the definition of "professional judgment", removes language providing that situations in which an employing entity does not interfere with an employed physician's professional judgment includes reasonable referral restrictions that do not, in the reasonable professional judgment of the physician, adversely affect the health or welfare of the patient. Effective immediately.

Amends the Herptiles-Herps Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any administrative rule to the contrary, common snapping turtles may be taken by live trap, subject to the following conditions: (1) live traps must be checked every 24 hours; (2) live traps must be equipped with flotation equipment, adequate to have at least 2 inches of the containment area above the surface of the water; and (3) every live trap must be marked with the owner's name and address or Department of Natural Resources customer number (rather than notwithstanding any administrative rule to the contrary, snapping turtles may be taken by trap).

Creates the Weather Modification Act. Provides that no form of weather modification is allowed in the State, including the seeding of clouds by plane or ground notwithstanding any other provision of law. Defines "seeding" as a type of weather modification that aims to change the amount or type of precipitation that falls from clouds. Effective immediately.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that, if wild deer cause more than $500 in property damage on land in the State that is owned or leased by an Illinois resident, then the Department of Natural Resources shall compensate the Illinois resident for the actual property damages caused by the deer and incurred by the Illinois resident upon submittal by the Illinois resident of a claim in the form and manner prescribed by the Department by rule. Provides that a claim must be submitted within one year after the date that a claimant suffers damages and knows or has reason to know of the damages. Grants the Department rulemaking powers. Provides for a private cause of action in the Court of Claims if the Illinois resident has not been compensated within 180 days after submitting a claim in the form and manner prescribed by the Department.

Amends the Wildlife Code. In provisions regarding special deer, turkey, and combination hunting licenses, provides that the deer, turkey, or combination hunting permit issued without fee shall be valid on all farm lands year-round which the person to whom it is issued owns, leases, or rents, with other requirements. Provides that resident landowners shall be entitled to up to 5 resident deer archery either-sex permits and up to 5 resident deer either-sex firearm permits without charge.