Sen. Jason A. Barickman

Amends the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Deletes language that a prevailing party may recover damages against a private entity that negligently violates the Act for each violation of the Act. Provides instead that a prevailing party may recover liquidated damages of $1,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater, and that such damages for a negligent violation by a private entity shall be recovered only for a single collection of each aggrieved party's biometric identifier or biometric information.

Amends the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Changes the term of "written release" to "written consent". Provides that the written policy that is developed by a private entity in possession of biometric identifiers shall be made available to the person from whom biometric information is to be collected or was collected (rather than to the public). Provides that an action brought under the Act shall be commenced within one year after the cause of action accrued if, prior to initiating any action against a private entity, the aggrieved person provides a private entity 30 days' written notice identifying the specific provisions the aggrieved person alleges have been or are being violated. Provides that if within the 30 days the private entity actually cures the noticed violation and provides the aggrieved person an express written statement that the violation has been cured and that no further violations shall occur, no action for individual statutory damages or class-wide statutory damages may be initiated against the private entity. Provides that if a private entity continues to violate the Act in breach of the express written statement, the aggrieved person may initiate an action against the private entity to enforce the written statement and may pursue statutory damages for each breach of the express written statement and any other violation that postdates the written statement. Provides that a prevailing party may recover: against a private entity that negligently violates the Act, actual damages (rather than liquidated damages of $1,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater); or against a private entity that willfully (rather than intentionally or recklessly) violates the Act, actual damages plus liquidated damages up to the amount of actual damages (rather than liquidated damages of $5,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater). Provides that the Act does not apply to a private entity if the private entity's employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that provides for different policies regarding the retention, collection, disclosure, and destruction of biometric information. Makes other changes.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Authorizes class 1 brewers and class 2 brewers to manufacture and sell mead. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Changes the term of "written release" to "written consent". Provides that the written policy that is developed by a private entity in possession of biometric identifiers shall be made available to the person from whom biometric information is to be collected or was collected (rather than to the public). Deletes a provision regarding a right of action. Provides instead that any violation that results from the collection of biometric information by an employer for employment, human resources, fraud prevention, or security purposes is subject to the enforcement authority of the Department of Labor. Provides that an employee or former employee may file a complaint with the Department a violation by submitting a signed, completed complaint form. Provides that all complaints shall be filed with the Department within one year from the date of the violation. Provides that any other violation of the Act constitutes a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, with enforcement by the Attorney General or the appropriate State's Attorney. Provides that the Act does not apply to a private entity if the private entity's employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that provides for different policies regarding the retention, collection, disclosure, and destruction of biometric information. Makes other changes. Makes a conforming change in the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that an apprentice who is hired by the taxpayer through the United States Department of Defense SkillBridge internship program is considered a qualifying apprentice for the purpose of the apprenticeship education expense credit. Provides that, in the case of an employee participating in the SkillBridge program, the credit shall be equal to $3,500 per qualifying apprentice. Effective immediately.

Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Provides that specified provisions prohibiting advertisement of cannabis or cannabis-infused products do not apply to newspapers.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that each individual who serves as a volunteer firefighter or a volunteer EMS provider during the taxable year is entitled to a credit in an amount equal to $500. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Residential Real Property Transfer on Death Instrument Act. Renames the Act the "Real Property Transfer on Death Instrument Act". Changes the definitions of "owner" and "person". Deletes the definition of "residential real estate". Defines "real property". Changes references to "residential real estate property" to references to "real property". Permits the transfer of real property by a transfer on death instrument to a trustee of a trust under certain circumstances even if the trust is subject to amendment, modification, revocation, or termination. Provides that a transfer on death instrument may not be admitted to probate as the will of the owner or as a codicil thereto. Provides that a transfer on death instrument does not need to state consideration or the addresses of the beneficiaries. Provides that if the transfer on death instrument is not witnessed by at least 2 credible witnesses, it is void. Provides that if a beneficiary attests to the execution of the transfer on death instrument, the interest transferred to that beneficiary is void as to that beneficiary. Changes the rules under which real property that is subject to a transfer on death instrument is transferred. Provides that a transfer on death instrument may be renounced by the owner's surviving spouse regardless of whether the transfer on death instrument transfers an interest in real property for the benefit of the surviving spouse. Provides that a creditor may enforce the liability against the real property transferred at the owner's death by a transfer on death instrument and the beneficiaries. Makes other changes to provisions regarding: rights of creditors; limitations; and preparation of a transfer on death instrument or its revocation. Makes conforming changes.

Urges the State to redouble its efforts to work with the federal government, local governments, the private sector, civil society, schools, students, farmers, ranchers, fishing communities, and sportsmen to conserve the land, rivers, and lakes of Illinois for present and future generations to enjoy, taking into account a wide range of flexible and enduring conservation solutions that will improve access to nature for all people within Illinois, especially for communities that that have historically lacked access to natural spaces. Further urges the State to pursue this goal in a way that protects private property rights and traditional land uses and enables landowners to pass down the working land of those landowners to the next generation.

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to establish grade level endorsements to be added to the Professional Educator License in the categories of: (i) Elementary (grades K through 9); and (ii) Secondary (grades 6 through 12). Provides for the adoption of rules regarding requirements for obtaining grade level endorsements. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.