Sen. Jil Tracy

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that, if none of the parties joined in good faith as defendants in a civil case is a resident of the State, an action against those defendants may be commenced in the State only in the county in which the transaction out of which the cause of action arose, or some part of that transaction, occurred. Provides that a corporation organized under the laws of or authorized to do business in the State is a resident only of any county in which it has its registered office or other office (rather than being a resident of any county in which it does business). Makes similar changes regarding partnerships and voluntary unincorporated associations. Deletes language providing that an insurance company incorporated under the laws of or doing business in the State may be sued in any county in which one of the plaintiffs resides. Provides that, if none of the defendants in a civil action is a resident of the State, and no part of the transaction out of which the action arose occurred in the State, the action must be dismissed for lack of proper venue. Provides that the changes apply to actions filed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Makes other changes.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides limitations upon a nonexpert's opinion or inference testimony. Sets forth requirements regarding: qualifications, testimony, disclosure, and compensation of expert witnesses; bases of expert opinion testimony; limitations on expert testimony; pretrial hearings and disclosures concerning expert witnesses; precedents to be followed in interpreting the new provisions; interlocutory appeals of rulings on the admissibility of expert evidence; standards to be followed by reviewing courts in determining the admissibility of expert testimony; and severability. Provides that the new provisions apply to actions commenced on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act and pending actions in which a trial has not been scheduled or in which a trial has been scheduled more than 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes provisions requiring that applicants 75 years of age or older demonstrate the ability to exercise reasonable care and ordinary and reasonable control of the operation of a motor vehicle when applying for a driver's license.

Mourns the death of Michael Neil Smith.

Mourns the passing of Enoch "Nick" Scull Jr.

Opposes a progressive income tax in Illinois. Opposes the reconsideration by the Illinois General Assembly of any constitutional amendment intended to change the flat-rate income tax language of subsection (a) of Section 3 of Article IX of the Constitution of Illinois.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that buildings, structures, and improvements that are not permanently attached to the land are not considered property for the purposes of the Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is a public nuisance for a hotel, other business, or person to provide sleeping accommodations for hire or rent for transient occupancy by guests to rent or hire, or for any lessor of real property, whether by tenancy or contract for deed, to rent a dwelling unit that has a sleeping accommodation in which an infestation of any bed bugs is found or suspected or for any person to place, discard, or dispose of any bedding, clothing, or other materials infested with bed bugs on the public way or in a refuse container or dumpster located on the public way, except when such bedding, clothing, or other material is placed in or near the person's refuse container or dumpster for pick-up as trash and the bedding, clothing, or other material is totally enclosed in a plastic bag and labeled as being infested with bed bugs, or for any person to recycle any furnishing, bedding, clothing, or other material infested with bed bugs.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. In a provision concerning actions brought to recover damages for personal injury or wrongful death, changes the prejudgment interest rate to 5% per annum instead of 6% per annum. Effective immediately.

Declares the City of Quincy as "Veterans City" for 2023 and 2024. Resolves that military veterans are held in the highest regard for their service and their sacrifice in Quincy.