Sen. Chapin Rose

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that park districts, and local recreation departments of any municipality, county, or township that operates a public recreation department, public recreation program, or public recreation facilities may receive grants to support activities promoting tourism. Amends the Counties Code, the Township Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the Park District Code, and the Chicago Park District Act making conforming changes.

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 Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that every owner of a watercraft for which no certificate of title has been issued shall make application to the Secretary of State for a certificate of title. Provides that the Secretary shall undertake all responsibilities related to the issuance and transfer of certificates of title, including rulemaking authority, for watercraft under the Boat Registration and Safety Act. Amends the Boat Registration and Safety Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Boat Registration and Safety Act, the Secretary of State shall issue all certificates of title and undertake all responsibilities related to the issuance and transfer of certificates of title, including rulemaking authority, for watercraft under that Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall not issue certificates of title or perform the responsibilities related to issuance or transfer of certificates of title.

Creates the Credit for Prior Learning Act. Requires each public university to submit its policies and procedures for students to earn credit for prior learning to the Board of Higher Education for review and approval and each community college to submit its policies and procedures for students to earn credit for prior learning to the Illinois Community College Board for review and approval. Provides that, at a minimum, these procedures shall include a listing of the types of documentation acceptable and the dates of inclusion for which prior learning is acceptable. Requires the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board to adopt rules to permit public higher education institutions to award credit for prior learning after the assessment of prior learning experiences for documented learning that demonstrates achievement of all terminal objectives for a specific course or courses.

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the conversion and formation of school districts.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that a person that is 16 years old or younger and is hunting during a regular bow hunting season may use a crossbow. Provides that a youth hunting with a crossbow under a specified provision may be granted one deer either sex permit and one antlerless-only permit.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides for the issuance of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm license plates to any Illinois resident who has earned the Southwest Asia Service Medal from the United States Armed Forces. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Howard D. Eskridge of Tuscola.

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.