Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that no applicant, other than a non-traditional student, is eligible for monetary award program consideration after receiving assistance for 4 academic years or, if a particular academic program requires more than 4 academic years to complete, the normal time it takes to complete the program.
Amends the Illinois Explosives Act and the Pyrotechnic Distributor and Operator Licensing Act. Provides that a person who is licensed under the Pyrotechnic Distributor and Operator Licensing Act is not required to have a license under the Illinois Explosives Act for the detonation, ignition, or deflagration of consumer fireworks or display fireworks.
Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2016, in addition to all other rates of tax imposed under the Acts, a tax of 3.75% is imposed on the selling price of D.O.T. Class C common fireworks. Provides that "D.O.T. Class C common fireworks" has the meaning ascribed to it in the Pyrotechnic Use Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2016, each month the Department shall pay into the Fire Prevention Fund 50% of the net revenue realized for the preceding month from the tax on the selling price of D.O.T. Class C common fireworks. Amends the Pyrotechnic Use Act. Provides that D.O.T. Class C common fireworks may only be purchased by individuals over the age of 18. Provides that the provision prohibiting the sale and use of fireworks does not apply to D.O.T. Class C common fireworks. Provides that fireworks may only be discharged by individuals over the age of 18. Effective immediately.
Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that the Board of Trustees of any fire protection district incorporated under this Act that is wholly located outside the counties of Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry, and Will, may declare abandoned structures located within the fire protection district as a public nuisance when the abandoned structure is a blighted structure. Provides that abandoned structures that are declared a public nuisance may be used by the fire protection district for firefighting training exercises and that the fire protection district shall not be liable for persons injured in any structure used for firefighting training exercises. Further provides that the abandoned structure shall be properly disposed of within 1 year of having been declared a public nuisance, regardless of whether or not it has yet been used for fire training purposes. Defines "blighted structure".
Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that if the respondent fails to appear on the date the court conducts an inquiry related to the discharge of a bond, the court may proceed with the inquiry and resolve any questions that arise.
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of possession of explosive substances. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she knowingly possesses triacetone triperoxide (TATP) or hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD). Provides that a violation is a Class 4 felony. Provides exemptions.
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency shall create a statewide directory of landfills, active or inactive, located within the State. Provides that the directory shall be posted to the Agency's website. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning resident bidders.
Amends the Department of Human Services Act. In a provision requiring the Department of Humans Services' Inspector General to adopt rules establishing minimum requirements for reporting abuse or neglect allegations involving individuals receiving services due to mental illness, developmental disability, or both, provides that, in addition to other specified requirements, such rules shall (i) establish a process that ensures agencies are regularly informed on the status of ongoing investigations; and (ii) ensure agencies are informed of the ability to have trained staff follow procedures to perform investigations. In a provision concerning training programs, requires the Inspector General to establish a comprehensive program to ensure that every person authorized to conduct investigations receives ongoing and consistent (rather than ongoing) training relative to investigation techniques, communication skills, community models of providing long-term services and supports to persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities or mental illnesses, and the appropriate means of interacting with persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities or mental illnesses who are receiving services in a community setting (rather than the appropriate means of interacting with persons receiving treatment for mental illness, developmental disability, or both mental illness and developmental disability). Requires the Office of the Inspector General to (i) indicate the date upon which an investigation has begun on all reports, including final investigative reports; (ii) take steps to ensure investigative reports are completed in a timely manner; and (iii) outline procedures aimed at streamlining the investigatory process. Effective immediately.
Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Requires each public university and community college district to accept for transferable credit those military courses listed on a Joint Services Transcript that a service member or veteran has completed and that have been evaluated by the American Council on Education for the subject areas, semester hours, and level of credit indicated on the Joint Services Transcript if those subject areas are equivalent to what the institution of higher education offers.
