Sen. Jil Tracy

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Deletes language providing for joint and several liability in actions on account of bodily injury or death or physical damage to property, based on negligence, or product liability based on strict tort liability. Adds language providing that in such actions in which recovery is predicated upon fault, each defendant found liable is liable for only that percentage of the plaintiff's damages that represents the contributory fault chargeable to that defendant in the comparison of the plaintiff's fault with the fault of all tortfeasors whose fault was a proximate cause of the death, injury, loss, or damage for which recovery is sought. Provides that except when the plaintiff is barred from recovering damages because the plaintiff's contributory fault is more than 50% of the proximate cause of the injury or damage for which recovery is sought, the plaintiff is barred from recovering damages from a defendant in excess of the amount of damages obtained by applying the percentage of contributing fault of that defendant to the amount of the plaintiff's damages. Provides that no defendant is jointly and severally liable for a plaintiff's damages. Amends the Joint Tortfeasor Contribution Act by deleting and repealing certain provisions regarding (i) contribution if the obligation of one or more of the joint tortfeasors is uncollectable and (ii) a plaintiff's right to recover the full amount of his or her judgment from any one or more defendants.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides limitations upon a non-expert'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. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the License to Work Act. Deletes language providing that all notices sent to a person involved in an administrative proceeding shall state that failure to satisfy any fine or penalty shall result in the Secretary of State suspending his or her driving privileges, vehicle registration, or both. Provides that the Secretary is authorized to cancel any license or permit if the holder failed to pay any fees owed to the Secretary for the license or permit (rather than failure to pay any fees, civil penalties owed to the Illinois Commerce Commission, or taxes due upon reasonable notice and demand). Provides that a person whose driver's license was canceled, suspended, or revoked under certain circumstances shall have his or her driving privileges reinstated. Deletes language providing that the reporting requirements for public officials shall apply to a truant minor in need of supervision, an addicted minor, or a delinquent minor whose driver's license has been suspended. Provides for the immediate revocation of the license, permit, or driving privileges of any driver if the driver was convicted of a misdemeanor relating to a motor vehicle if the person exercised actual physical control over the vehicle during the commission of the offense. Provides that the Secretary is authorized to suspend or revoke the driving privileges of any person without a preliminary hearing if the person has been convicted of criminal trespass to vehicle if the person exercised actual physical control over the vehicle during the commission of the offense. Provides that in order to be subject to suspension or revocation for violation of specific provisions of the Liquor Control Act of 1934, a person must also be an occupant of a motor vehicle at the time of the violation. Deletes language authorizing the Secretary to suspend or revoke the driving privileges of a person without a preliminary hearing for specific adjudications or violations. Deletes language providing that the owner of a registered vehicle that has failed to pay any fine or penalty due and owing as a result of 10 or more violations shall have his or her driving privileges suspended. Repeals Sections concerning the suspension of a driver's license for theft of motor fuel and suspension of driving privileges for failure to satisfy fines or penalties for toll violations or evasions. Effective July 1, 2020.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. With regard to the Monetary Award Program, provides that, beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year, an applicant who is otherwise eligible for grant assistance under the Program may receive grant assistance for an additional academic year after receiving a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent of 135 semester credit hours if he or she (i) enrolls in a State-approved educator preparation program and (ii) within 7 years after receiving a Professional Educator License, teaches in this State for a minimum of 5 years. Provides that if at any time a person fails to meet these requirements, he or she must repay the amount of additional assistance received to the Commission. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that, beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year through the 2024-2025 academic year (rather than beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year), an applicant who is otherwise eligible for grant assistance under the Monetary Award Program may receive grant assistance for an additional academic year after receiving a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent of 135 semester credit hours if he or she (i) enrolls in a State-approved educator preparation program and (ii) within 5 (rather than 7) years after receiving a Professional Educator License, teaches in this State for a minimum of 3 (rather than 5) years. Provides that if at any time a person fails to meet these requirements, he or she must repay the amount of additional assistance received to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, prorated according to the fraction of the teaching obligation not completed. Makes the amendatory provision inoperative on and after July 1, 2025. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of George Jacob Lewis of Quincy.

Mourns the death of L. Milton McClure of Springfield.

Thanks State Senator Toi Hutchinson for her service to the people of Illinois.

Amends the County Cooperative Extension Law. In order to provide matching funds, which shall not exceed an amount equal to 50% of the funds needed as provided herein, and funds for the purpose of general support to counties for Cooperative Extension programs the State will recognize those needs and shall (rather than may) make an annual appropriation from the Agricultural Premium Fund or any other source of funding available. Effective immediately.

Amends the Massage Licensing Act. Provides that the exemption from the Act for practitioners of Asian bodywork approaches applies until January 1, 2020. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the month of April of each year is designated as Healthy Pet Month to be observed throughout the State as a month in which all Illinois pet owners are encouraged to take time to review their pet's health needs and make arrangements with their veterinarians to have annual exams and evaluations performed to enhance and extend their pet's quality of life.