Sen. Scott M. Bennett

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code and the Wildlife Code. Provides that an Illinois resident who is on active military duty and is stationed in Illinois may fish as permitted by the Fish and Aquatic Life Code without paying any fees required to obtain a fishing license. Provides that an Illinois resident who is on active military duty and is stationed in Illinois may hunt as permitted by the Wildlife Code without paying any fees required to obtain a hunting license.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Changes the circumstances under which a vehicle is required to be equipped with an ignition interlock device. Requires the use of an ignition interlock device by a person issued a restricted driving permit after having been convicted of driving under the influence or involuntary manslaughter or reckless homicide where the use of alcohol or other drugs is recited as an element of the offense. Provides that notwithstanding certain exemptions granted for employment-related driving, every person whose driver's license was revoked due to a second or subsequent offense of driving while under the influence shall install an ignition interlock device and maintain the ignition interlock device for 5 years before being considered for reinstatement.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides for the awarding of bilingual education teacher scholarships to persons meeting specified requirements. Requires the principal, or his or her designee, of an approved high school to certify to the Commission, for students who are Illinois residents and are completing an application for the scholarship, that the student ranked scholastically in the upper one-half of their graduating class at the end of the sixth semester. Provides teacher education program enrollment requirements. Provides post-scholarship teaching requirements and exemptions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2021 license year, resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have returned from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States shall be issued a fishing license, or a sportsmen's combination license, free of charge. Requires veterans to provide verification of their service to the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that the Department shall establish what constitutes suitable verification of service for the purpose of issuing a fishing license or a sportsmen's combination license free of charge to resident veterans. Effective January 1, 2021.

Declares March 31, 2020 as Pay Equity Day.

Declares February of 2020 as Career and Technical Education Month in the State of Illinois.

Creates the Traditional Asian Healing Therapist Licensing Act. Provides for the licensure of traditional Asian healing therapist, which specifically includes the practice of Asian bodywork therapy, clinical Qigong therapy, and Thai bodywork therapy, by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Creates the Traditional Asian Healing Therapist Licensing Board. Sets forth provisions concerning application, qualifications, grounds for disciplinary action, and administrative procedures. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to set a repeal date for the new Act of January 1, 2031. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 concerning the offense of financial exploitation of an elderly person or a person with a disability. Expands the scope of "person who stands in a position of trust and confidence" to include a friend or acquaintance of the elderly person or person with a disability who is in a position of trust.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires every voting member of the governing board of a public university to complete professional development leadership training covering, among other topics, equity and student success. Amends the Public Community College Act. Requires every voting member of the board of trustees of a community college to complete professional development leadership training covering, among other topics, equity and student success.

Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Removes the requirement for each Legislative District to be divided into 2 Representative Districts. Modifies provisions concerning legislative redistricting. Provides specified requirements for each Legislative District, Representative District, and Congressional District for redistricting purposes. Replaces the current method of legislative redistricting with a 17-member Commission, appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the most senior Supreme Court Justice of a different political party in accordance with specified criteria. Specifies requirements for the Commission concerning redistricting plans. Adds provisions concerning the membership of the Commission and budgetary matters related to the Commission. Provides the Supreme Court with original and exclusive jurisdiction over redistricting matters. Defines terms. Makes conforming and other changes. Effective upon being declared adopted and applicable to redistricting beginning in 2021 and to the election of General Assembly members beginning in 2022.