Sen. Tom Bennett

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to create a new fund and establish a process for handling long-vacant, unsellable surplus real property owned by the state. It directs the State Property Administrator to assess these properties, which have been vacant for over five years, and produce a detailed report on their condition, costs, and potential actions. Once approved by the legislature, the state can use money from the newly created Sustainable Ownership and Surplus Property Environmental Cleanup Fund to demolish structures and clean up environmental hazards at these sites. The bill also requires the Administrator to submit annual reports to the Governor and the General Assembly by February of each even-numbered year.

Amends the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. Provides that all State agencies engaged in any development within a special flood hazard area shall comply with all requirements of applicable federal and State law. Requires additional specified requirements to apply to State agencies engaged in any development within a special flood hazard area. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall adopt an administrative rule setting forth a program to ensure certain requirements via the issuance of permits prior to any State agency development within a special flood hazard area. Provides that grants or loans administered by State agencies for financing a development within special flood hazard area shall inform participants in their programs of the existence and location of special flood hazard areas and of any State or local floodplain requirements that are in effect in such areas. Requires State agencies that are responsible for regulating or permitting a development within special flood hazard areas to inform participants in their programs of the existence and location of special flood hazard areas and of any State or local floodplain requirements that are in effect in such areas. Requires State agencies that are engaged in planning programs or programs for the promotion of development to inform participants in their programs of the existence and location of special flood hazard areas and of any State or local floodplain requirements that are in effect in such areas. Requires the Department to provide available flood hazard information to assist State agencies in complying with the established requirements.

Amends the Newborn Metabolic Screening Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to provide all newborns with screening tests for the presence of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Requires the testing to begin within 6 months following the occurrence of specified milestones. Allows the Department to require payment of an additional fee for the provision of Duchenne muscular dystrophy screening tests. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Secretary of State Act. Provides that the Secretary of State shall establish an electronic registry, to be known as the Advance Directive Registry, through which residents of the State of Illinois may deposit, with the Secretary of State, a completed Department of Public Health Uniform POLST form. Specifies that information in the Advance Directive Registry shall be made available to hospitals licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act and hospitals organized under the University of Illinois Hospital Act. Authorizes hospitals to rely on information obtained from the Advance Directive Registry as an accurate copy of the documents filed with the Advance Directive Registry. Directs the Secretary of State to adopt any rules necessary to implement the amendatory Act and to provide information on the Secretary of State's website regarding use of the Advance Directive Registry. Provides that, except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct, the Secretary of State and employees of the Secretary of State are immune from any civil or criminal liability in connection with the creation and maintenance of the Advance Directive Registry. Provides that a person who knowingly submits a document to the Advance Directive Registry without authorization or assists in such submission shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

Amends the Condominium Property Act. Provides that the board of managers of a condominium shall adopt a policy to reasonably accommodate a unit owner who is a person with a disability who requires an accessible parking space to ensure that person has access to the building. Provides that for an association that sells parking spaces, if an owner of an accessible parking space is unable to sell the accessible parking space to a qualified user, the board of managers shall purchase the parking space for fair market value and ensure that the space remains available to persons with disabilities who require an accessible parking space. Provides that a unit owner who is a person with a disability who requires an accessible parking space may bring a civil action against the board of managers to compel the board of managers to provide an accessible parking space. Provides that a prevailing unit owner is entitled to attorney's fees and court costs.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State to issue special registration plates designated as Sons of the American Legion plates to residents of this State who meet the eligibility requirements prescribed by the Secretary of State. Provides that the plates shall display the Sons of the American Legion logo. Provides that in all other respects, the design, color, and format of the plates shall be within the discretion of the Secretary of State.

Amends the School Construction Law. In provisions concerning grant award amounts and required local matches, provides that the required local match and grant award amount are calculated by multiplying the required local match percentage and the grant award percentage by the recognized project cost, provided that, for the first application in which an applicant is funded (instead of only during the first application cycle after June 30, 2022), the amounts may be adjusted. Provides that to receive an adjustment, a school district on the 2004, 2005, or 2006 School Construction Grant List must initially apply and be approved during the first 3 application cycles after June 30, 2024. Makes a conforming change. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Notary Public Act. Provides that an applicant to renew an appointment as a notary public or as an electronic notary public is not required to complete a course of study or pass an examination if the applicant is a licensed attorney or judge or employed by a licensed attorney or the court.

Creates the Portable Battery Stewardship Act. Requires those who sell or distribute covered batteries or battery-containing products in the State to implement and participate in a battery stewardship plan. Details the role of retailers in the State and stewardship plan components. States goals for the stewardship program. Provides for funding of the program. Provides requirements for the collection and management of batteries covered by this Act. Details the education and outreach requirements of the program. Outlines the Agency's role. Details the penalties for violations of the Act. Details requirements for the marking, disposal, and collection of batteries covered by this Act. Provides for the collection of batteries independent of a battery stewardship program. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the school report card, provides that a school district's expenditure of Base Funding Minimum and Evidence-Based Funding received from the State in the level of specificity required by the annual spending plans required by the Evidence-Based Funding provisions. In provisions concerning Evidence-Based funding, provides that Organizational Units shall also indicate in their submission of annual spending plans which stakeholder groups the Organizational Unit engaged with to inform annual spending plans. Provides that annual spending plans shall be integrated in annual school district budgets completed pursuant to specified provisions.