Sen. Chapin Rose

Proposes to amend the Legislature and Executive Articles of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that a person may not be elected to the office of State Senator for more than three terms or the office of State Representative for more than five terms, and that service in the General Assembly before the second Wednesday in January of 2021 shall not be considered in the calculation of a person's service. Provides that a person may not be elected to any Executive Branch office, or any combination of Executive Branch offices, for more than 2 terms, and that service in an Executive Branch office before the second Monday in January of 2023 shall not be considered in the calculation of a person's service.

Mourns the death of Gail E. Wolfe of Lovington.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, if a veteran with a surviving spouse was in the process of review to receive the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities, but the veteran died before the exemption was approved, then the application process shall continue and any subsequent approval granted to the veteran shall carry over to the spouse as long as the spouse meets the requirements for carry over. Effective immediately.

Amends the University of Illinois Act. Provides that notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the University may form one or more limited liability companies to own any current or future intellectual property attributable to the University pursuant to the Limited Liability Company Act. Requires the University to maintain a 51% ownership interest in any limited liability company formed. Allows the intellectual property to be held as a tenancy in common with all entities that hold an ownership interest in the company. Requires the payment of distributions.

Creates the High Speed Railway Commission Act. Prescribes the membership of the Commission. Provides that the Commission shall create a statewide plan for a high-speed rail line and feeder network connecting St. Louis, Missouri and Chicago, Illinois that includes current existing Amtrak and Metra services, connects the cities of Rockford, Moline, Peoria, and Decatur, and uses inter-city bus service to coordinate with the rail line. Provides that the Commission shall conduct a ridership study and shall make findings and recommendations concerning a governance structure, the frequency of service, and implementation of the plan. Provides that the Commission shall report to the General Assembly and the Government no later than December 31 of each year. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall provide administrative support to the Commission. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2025. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds a representative of the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District to the membership of the High Speed Railway Commission.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that 30 days after the effective date of the bill, the Department of Transportation shall conduct a study evaluating automated traffic law enforcement systems in this State. Provides that on or before December 31, 2019, the Department shall file a report with the General Assembly with the results from the study, including input from local law enforcement, and any recommendations the Department deems necessary. Effective immediately.

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 Arthur L. Leenerman of Mahomet.

Mourns the death of B. Don Rankin of Arcola.

Mourns the death of Leland Bishop "Lee" Miller Jr. of Mahomet.