Sen. Jil Tracy

Creates the Full and Fair Noneconomic Damages Act. Provides that, in determining noneconomic damages, the fact finder may not consider: (i) evidence of a defendant's alleged wrongdoing, misconduct, or guilt; (ii) evidence of the defendant's wealth or financial resources; or (iii) any other evidence that is offered for the purpose of punishing the defendant, rather than offered for a compensatory purpose. Provides for bifurcated trials before the same jury in cases involving punitive damages, if requested by any defendant. Outlines the procedure for the bifurcated trials. Provides for court post-trial review of noneconomic damage awards pursuant to specified nonexclusive factors. Includes legislative findings, definitions, and applicability language. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Reinstates the exemption for the use or sale of tangible personal property purchased from an Illinois retailer by a taxpayer engaged in centralized purchasing activities in Illinois. Provides that the exemption sunsets on June 30, 2022 (currently, June 30, 2016). Effective immediately.

Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Provides that on and after January 1, 2020, a person required to be registered under the Act may not make any expenditures from a candidate political committee established on his or her behalf for the period of time he or she is registered as a lobbyist and for 2 years after the expiration of his or her registration under the Act. Defines "candidate political committee".

Amends the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Removes a provision requiring the State Superintendent of Education to limit each annual cohort of the Act's pilot program to (i) for the first 2 annual cohorts, no more than 12 school districts and (ii) for any subsequent annual cohort, no more than 15 school districts. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Repeals a Section allowing the owner of a motor vehicle of the first division or a motor vehicle of the second division weighing 8,000 pounds or less propelled by an electric engine and not utilizing motor fuel to register the vehicle for a fee not to exceed $35 for a 2-year registration period. Makes a corresponding change.

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall designate, in each State park and forest, native bee nesting habitat areas.

Amends various acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Provides that, no later than July 1, 2020, each university must develop an automated text message program for use by the university's office of admissions to notify individuals who have been granted admission into the university of any dates or deadlines that are critical to their enrollment and financial aid eligibility. Requires the program to include an automatic opt-out option for individuals who prefer to not receive automated text messages from the university. Repeals the provision on July 1, 2024. Effective July 1, 2019.

Amends the Use Tax Act and the Service Use Tax Act. Provides that the multistate exemption includes the return of property of an out-of-State lessor or purchaser to this State for storage, repair, or refurbishment, so long as the property is not used by a lessee or purchaser in this State. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that products purchased by an eligible apiarist for use in producing honey bee products for sale or for providing bee pollination services are exempt from the tax imposed under the Act.

Makes appropriations from the General Revenue Fund to the Supreme Court for probation reimbursements to the Knox County Mary Davis Detention Home. Effective immediately.