Sen. Chapin Rose

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 analysis shall track firearm crimes over the past 5 years. Provides that the Authority shall report, on or before January 1, 2021, the following information in a report to the General Assembly: (1) of the people who were arrested for a firearm crime, how many of those people were convicted felons; and (2) the disposition of those cases.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall enter into an agreement with the Illinois State Police (ISP) to allow the Department's database of public aid recipients to cross-reference with ISP's database of outstanding criminal warrants. Further provides that public aid recipients who are found to have an outstanding criminal warrant shall be subject to an immediate suspension of their public aid benefits, including the immediate deactivation of their electronic benefits card or LINK card provided under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to establish a uniform admission process online, which must be used at all public institutions of higher education beginning with the 2021-2022 academic year; sets forth what components this admission process must include. Effective July 1, 2019.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes language stating that head lamps shall be lighted during the period from sunset to sunrise, at times when rain, snow, fog, or other atmospheric conditions require the use of windshield wipers, and at any other times when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1,000 feet. Effective January 1, 2020.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that notwithstanding any provision of the Code, the denial of bail is required if the person is a felon who is charged with a firearm offense.

Amends the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act. Creates the Mahomet Aquifer Council. Provides that 9 public members shall be appointed to the Council by the Governor, including 3 persons representing a nonprofit consortium dedicated to the sustainability of the Mahomet Aquifer, 5 persons representing local government bodies located over the Mahomet Aquifer, and one person from the University of Illinois Prairie Research Institute. Provides that the chairperson's term shall be for one year, and a Council member's term shall be for 3 years. Allows reimbursement to members for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, except that such reimbursement shall be limited to expenses associated with no more than 4 meetings per calendar year. Requires the Agency to provide the Council with such supporting services as are reasonable for the performance of the Council's duties. 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.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012, the Unified Code of Corrections, and the County Jail Act. Permits currently employed and retired State correctional officers and county correctional officers to carry their own firearms off duty without being in violation of the unlawful use of weapons and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon statutes if they meet certain training requirements.

Amends the Secretary of State Act. Provides that the Secretary of State shall adopt rules to provide for the electronic publication of public records maintained by the Secretary of State Index Department. Provides that the Index Department shall electronically publish public records within 2 business days after receipt of the records. Provides that the rules adopted by the Secretary may provide for the electronic submission of public records. Provides that the rules adopted by the Secretary shall only apply to public records submitted after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Defines "public records". Effective one year after becoming law.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act, the Public Community College Act, and the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Increases the membership of the Board of Higher Education and makes other changes to the Board's membership. Provides that the Board may require the elimination of any program of instruction, research, or public service at a public university that exhibits a trend of low performance. Provides that, in evaluating a programmatic expansion or new program at a public institution of higher education, the Board, prior to approving the expansion or program, shall make certain findings about the region and the higher education infrastructure in this State. Provides that all of the rights, powers, duties, and functions vested by law in the Illinois Community College Board and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission are transferred to the Board of Higher Education on January 1, 2020. Abolishes the Illinois Community College Board and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and provides for the transfer of personnel and property on that date.