Sen. Jil Tracy

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person who commits the offense of financial exploitation of an elderly person or a person with a disability may be tried in any county in which any part of the assets that the person obtained control over are held. Provides that a defense to aggravated battery of a person 60 years of age or older does not exist merely because the accused reasonably believed the victim to be less than 60 years of age. Enhances the penalties for theft and theft by deception if the victim is 60 years of age or older or a person with a disability or if the offense was committed in a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or a supportive living facility. Provides that theft, theft by deception, and financial exploitation of an elderly person or a person with a disability is a Class X felony if the value of the property stolen or illegally obtained exceeds $100,000 (rather than $1,000,000).

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person who sells or gives any firearm to any person who has been convicted of a felony under the laws of Illinois or any other jurisdiction is guilty of a Class X felony for which he or she shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years and not more than 30 years (rather than a Class 3 felony). Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a period of probation, a term of periodic imprisonment, or conditional discharge shall not be imposed for the offense.

Amends the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall perform an analysis of criminal justice data to track crimes concerning the use of a firearm as it relates to those criminal acts committed by a convicted felon and the sentences imposed. Provides that the analysis shall track crimes concerning the use of a firearm over the past 5 years prior to the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that the Authority shall report, on or before January 1, 2024, the following information in a report to the General Assembly: (1) the number of the people who were arrested for a firearm crime and how many of those people were convicted felons; and (2) the disposition of those cases.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Extends the repeal dates of the Telecommunications Article and the Cable and Video Competition Article from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2026. Provides that any cable service or video service authorization issued by the Illinois Commerce Commission will expire on December 31, 2029 (rather than December 31, 2024). Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Harvest to Homes Pilot Program Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture, with meaningful input from stakeholders, shall develop an Illinois Harvest to Homes Pilot Program for a period of 5 years under which eligible entities may receive funding to provide agricultural surplus to communities of need. Creates an advisory council to support the Program. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules to implement the program no later than 90 days after the effective date of the Act. Provides that aspects of the program that are eligible for funding may include: (1) reimbursement to growers for picking, packing, and processing agricultural surplus; (2) transportation to the food banks; (3) reimbursement to food banks for storage and distribution costs; (4) capacity building grants for food banks to invest in facility upgrades for processing agricultural surplus; (5) marketing and promotional activities related to the pilot program; and (6) program administration. Provides for reporting requirements. Effective immediately.

Creates the Transparency in Lawsuits Protection Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to ensure that any Act, regulatory or otherwise, enacted in this State shall not create a private right of action unless such a right is expressly stated in the Act. Provides that any Act enacted in this State creating a private right of action shall contain express language providing for such a right and that courts of this State shall not construe a statute to imply a private right of action in the absence of such express language. Applies to any action that has not yet been initiated or is pending on the effective date of the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that a taxing district shall reduce its aggregate extension base for the purpose of lowering its limiting rate for future years upon referendum approval initiated by the submission of a petition by the voters of the district. Provides that the extension limitation shall be: (a) the lesser of 5% or the average percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the 10 years immediately preceding the levy year for which the extension limitation is being calculated; or (b) the rate of increase approved by the voters. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is unlawful for a person who has been convicted of a felony to knowingly possess in any vehicle a weapon prohibited under the unlawful use of weapons statute or to knowingly possess firearm ammunition.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the additional standard exemption for taxpayers who have attained the age of 65 before the end of the taxable year and spouses of such taxpayers is $2,000 for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2022 (currently, $1,000). Effective immediately.

Creates the Endow Illinois Tax Credit Act and amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Requires the Department of Revenue to authorize an income tax credit to taxpayers who provide an endowment gift to a permanent endowment fund. Sets forth procedures and criteria for authorizing the credits. Provides that the aggregate amount of all credits that the Department of Revenue may authorize may not exceed $10,000,000 in 2022, $25,000,000 in 2023, or $50,000,000 in 2024 and each calendar year thereafter. Provides conditions for eligibility. Requires the Department of Revenue to make an annual report concerning the credits. Provides that the credit may be carried forward for 5 years. Exempts the credit from the Act's sunset provisions. Further amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to provide that provisions concerning the unrelated business taxable income of an exempt organization apply for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2021 (currently, January 1, 2019). Effective immediately.