Sen. Tom Bennett

Amends the Counties Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning coroners.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Adds firefighter and paramedic to the list of persons who are authorized, after making a reasonable effort to locate the owner or person responsible for a companion animal, to enter a motor vehicle by any reasonable means if he or she has probable cause to believe that the animal's health or safety is at risk.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that resident and nonresident landowners shall complete a landowner permit application and submit proof of eligible land ownership to the Department of Natural Resources once every 5 years.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Reduces the trailer flat weight tax for maximum loads of 3,000 pounds and less from $118 to $18. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning transfer of an owner's interest in a vehicle.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board may allow the motto "In God We Trust" to be displayed in a conspicuous location inside or outside each school building.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Reduces the trailer flat weight tax for maximum loads of 3,000 pounds and less from $118 to $18. Provides that the Secretary of State shall issue a refund of $100, upon appropriation of money for refunds, to any person who paid a $118 flat weight tax for a Class TA trailer and applies for a refund in the manner specified by the Secretary. Effective immediately.

Amends the Statute on Statutes. Provides that a live child born as a result of an abortion shall be fully recognized as a human person and accorded immediate protection under the law. Removes language regarding interpretation of specified provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board and the Department of Public Health shall jointly develop and establish a program of certification of tactical paramedics for the purposes of aiding special law enforcement teams involved in, but not limited to, search and rescues, civil disturbances, bomb threat responses, tactical or special operations team deployments, hostage negotiations, HazMat responses, executive and dignitary protection, and counterterrorism, as assigned and directed by a law enforcement agency recognized by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board. Includes program requirements. Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that chiefs of police and sheriffs may employ tactical paramedics and provide tactical paramedic support to first responders. Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act making conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall issue distinctive registration plates for non-highway vehicles. Provides that the Secretary shall issue these plates only to non-highway vehicles that are insured and have brakes, a steering apparatus, tires, a rearview mirror, red reflectorized warning devices in the front and rear, a slow moving emblem on the rear, a headlight that emits a white light, a tail lamp that emits a red light, brake lights, and turn signals. Provides that every owner of a non-highway vehicle that drives upon a roadway with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less shall pay the Secretary an annual registration fee of $76. Provides that the registration fee shall be distributed as follows: $1 to the State Treasurer, for deposit into the State Police Service Fund; $30 to the State Treasurer, for deposit into the Road Fund; and $45 to the Treasurer of the county of residence of the owner of the non-highway vehicle, for deposit into the road fund of the county. Provides that vehicles with a registration plate may be operated on any street, highway, or roadway where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less or any county highway where the posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour or less and may make a direct crossing upon or across certain roads.