Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant

Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Limits a person's service in the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, Minority Leader of the House, or Minority Leader of the Senate to 8 years in any one office. Effective upon being declared adopted and applies to service on or after the second Wednesday in January, 2017.

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education's appointment of a State Superintendent of Education is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning new certificates of title for rebuilt vehicles.

Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Provides for registration under the Act of a person convicted of a battery when the court: (1) finds that the battery was sexually motivated as defined in the Sex Offender Management Board Act; and (2) in its discretion requires the person to register under the Act.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a prosecution for financial exploitation of an elderly person or a person with a disability may be commenced within 7 years of the last act committed in furtherance of the offense.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that each taxpayer who employs a long-term unemployed person during the taxable year is entitled to an income tax credit of: (1) $500 in the taxable year in which the long-term unemployed person is initially hired by the taxpayer; (2) $750 in the first taxable year after the long-term unemployed person is initially hired by the taxpayer; and (3) $1,250 in the second taxable year after the long-term unemployed person is initially hired by the taxpayer. Provides that the taxpayer may receive a partial credit if the person is employed by the taxpayer for only part of a taxable year. Provides that the credit may be carried forward. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Adds Will County to a pilot project concerning regulation of new telecommunication facilities.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the credit for student assistance contributions sunsets on December 30, 2025 (instead of December 30, 2020). Provides that the credit for student-assistance contributions may not exceed $1,000 (currently, $500) per contributing employee per taxable year.

Amends the School Code. Provides that school districts need not comply with and may discharge any mandate or requirement placed on school districts by the Code or by administrative rules adopted by the State Board of Education that is unfunded; with exceptions. Provides that before a school district may lawfully discharge an unfunded mandate, it must hold a public hearing and referendum on the matter; sets forth requirements concerning the hearing and referendum. Requires a school board to report each unfunded mandate it has discharged to the State Board of Education, and requires the State Board to compile and report this information to the General Assembly each year. Repeals a Section of the Code concerning an unfunded mandates prohibition.

Amends the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013. Deletes a provision that provides that the emergency rules for provisional licensure shall be for a period of 3 years and shall not be extended beyond that date. Changes the commencement of the provisional license period from the adoption date of emergency rules establishing provisional licenses to the provisional license's date of issuance. Corrects an internal cross-reference. Effective immediately.