Sen. Tom Bennett

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish and administer an annual program to award property tax relief to property taxpayers within school districts in the State. Provides that the State Board of Education shall work with county clerk's offices in the State to determine the amount given to each property taxpayer. Provides that moneys awarded to property taxpayers shall be distributed pro rata based on the amount the property taxpayer paid in tax in the previous fiscal year. Creates the Education Property Tax Relief Fund for the purpose of making appropriations for the grant program. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, requires a school board to allow a student who resides in the school district but attends a nonpublic school to participate in extracurricular athletic activities sponsored by the district without being required to enroll or complete coursework at a public school within the district if certain conditions are met. Effective immediately.

Amends the Business Assistance and Regulatory Reform Act. Modifies requirements concerning the Office of Business Permits and Regulatory Assistance. Provides that the Office shall implement reforms to improve interagency coordination and encourage expeditious permit issuance. Provides that the Office shall use information technology tools to track project schedules and metrics in order to improve transparency and accountability of the permitting process, reduce uncertainty and delays, and reduce costs and risks to taxpayers. Modifies and adds requirements concerning the expediting of permit reviews. Provides for the creation of an Interagency Permitting Advisory Committee. Provides additional requirements to improve the coordination of permit reviews. Defines terms. Makes other changes.

Creates the Illinois Regional Generation Reliability Task Force Act. Sets forth findings of the General Assembly. Creates the Illinois Regional Generation Reliability Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall monitor the reliability of the Illinois power grid. Contains provisions concerning: the membership of the Task Force; duties of the Task Force; administrative support; and an annual report. Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Provides that the Carbon Capture Infrastructure Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury and shall be administered by the Illinois Power Agency. Provides that $10,000,000 shall be transferred from the Illinois Power Agency Renewable Energy Resources Fund to the Carbon Capture Infrastructure Fund. Provides that the Agency shall award grants from the fund to carbon producing power plants for the construction of new carbon capture storage systems. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Carbon Capture Infrastructure Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code and the School Code. Provides for 5 new members of the State Board of Education to be elected at the general election in 2024 and every 4 years thereafter (now, the Board consists of 8 members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate). Provides that one member shall be elected from each judicial district. Provides that the 5 members shall be elected on a nonpartisan basis. Provides that each of these members shall serve for a term of 4 years. Specifies qualifications to be an elected member. Makes related changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code and the School Code. Provides for 5 new members of the State Board of Education to be elected at the general election in 2024 and every 4 years thereafter (now, the Board consists of 8 members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate). Provides that one member shall be elected from each judicial district. Provides that the 5 members shall be elected on a nonpartisan basis. Provides that a petition for nomination of a candidate for member of the Board shall be signed by at least 0.5% of the total number of registered voters in the judicial district. Provides that beginning on the date when the 5 members initially elected take office, a majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum. Makes related changes.

Amends the Legislative Commission Reorganization Act of 1984. Provides for the acquisition and placement of a statue depicting President Ronald W. Reagan. Provides that the Architect of the Capitol may provide for the design and fabrication of the statue, or may otherwise acquire, using funds collected for such purpose or through donation, a suitable statue for placement on the grounds of the State Capitol. Requires the Architect of the Capitol to take actions necessary to provide for the placement and unveiling of the statue within specified periods of time. Requires the Architect of the Capitol to issue a report to the Governor and General Assembly detailing actions taken to acquire and place the statue. Provides that the Capitol Restoration Trust Fund shall contain separate accounts for the deposit of funds donated for the payment of expenses associated with the placement of the statue. Provides that the separate accounts may accept deposits from any source, whether private or public, and may be appropriated only for use by the Architect of the Capitol for expenses associated with the acquisition, placement, and maintenance of the statue.

Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Provides that after an initial proclamation declaring that a disaster exists, the Governor may only extend that declaration or make further proclamations regarding the same disaster if the General Assembly passes a resolution within 5 calendar days that approves the extension or further proclamation. Provides that if, due to health or safety concerns, the General Assembly is unable to convene in either regular or special session to approve the extension or further proclamation, the extension or further proclamation may continue in effect until the General Assembly is able to convene in regular or special session if the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives submit written certification to the Governor that the General Assembly is unable to convene to provide the necessary approval of the extension or further proclamation. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the third full week of September of each year is designated as Illinois Prairie Week.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, beginning with the next registration year after the effective date, the Secretary of State shall issue one registration plate (instead of 2) for newly registered motor vehicles and the registration plate shall be attached to the rear (instead of front and rear) of the motor vehicle.