Sen. Tom Bennett

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State, at the option of the applicant, shall issue permanent registration plates for a one-time fee of $118 to the owner of a trailer having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less. Provides that a person who has been issued a permanent trailer plate is not required to pay the annual flat weight tax and registration fee. Lowers the annual flat weight tax and registration fee for trailers with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less from $118 to $18.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a credit in an amount equal to 10% of the stipend or salary paid by the taxpayer to up to (i) 5 qualified college interns or (ii) 5 qualified high school interns during the taxable year. Provides that no taxpayer may claim more than $5,000 in total credits under that Section for all taxable years combined. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that if, on the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Director of Central Management Services has procured fewer than 2 contracts that provide a program of group health benefits for annuitants or for TRS benefit recipients and their TRS dependent beneficiaries, then, as soon as possible after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Director shall procure additional contracts that provide a program of group health benefits for annuitants or for TRS benefit recipients and their TRS dependent beneficiaries so that there are at least 2 contracts that provide a program of group health benefits for the respective beneficiaries. Provides that thereafter, the Director shall ensure that there are at least 2 contracts procured that provide a program of group health benefits for annuitants and for TRS benefit recipients and their TRS dependent beneficiaries. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Defines "retired law enforcement officer qualified under federal law" for purposes of the Act to permit the carrying of a concealed weapon. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012, the Unified Code of Corrections, and the County Jail Act. Permits currently employed and qualified retired State correctional officers and county correctional officers to carry their own firearms off-duty without being in violation of the unlawful use of weapons and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon statutes if they meet certain training requirements. Provides that currently employed and qualified retired State correctional officers and county correctional officers shall carry a photographic identification and a valid annual firearm certificate while carrying their own firearms off-duty. Limited to correctional officers who have custody and control over inmates in an adult correctional facility. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit in an amount equal to the amount paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year for the purpose of purchasing acoustical materials, other materials, labor, and professional services to soundproof a residential home located at an eligible address against aircraft noise generated by an airport governed by the provisions of the Permanent Noise Monitoring Act. Provides that the credit may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero; however, the credit may be carried forward. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that moneys held in the State Police Firearm Services Fund, the Mental Health Reporting Fund, and the Firearm Dealer License Certification Fund for use by the Illinois State Police shall be neither used nor transferred to another fund for a purpose other than as specifically provided by law.

Amends the House Rules. Makes changes concerning Rule 37. Adds Rule 76.5.

Amends the Election Code. Provides for the issuance of Voter Identification Cards by the Secretary of State. Requires Voter Identification Cards for those who do not have an acceptable form of photo identification. Sets forth requirements and exemptions. Provides that any person desiring to vote shall present to the judges of election for verification of the person's identity a government-issued photo identification card or his or her Voter Identification Card.

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Provides that, for persons dying on or after January 1, 2023, the exclusion amount shall be the applicable exclusion amount calculated under Section 2010 of the Internal Revenue Code, including any deceased spousal unused exclusion amount (currently, the exclusion amount for Illinois estate tax purposes is $4,000,000). Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. By July 15 of each year, requires certain school boards to report, on their school district's website, a list of the learning materials and activities used for student instruction during the previous school year. Requires that the report also include any procedures that are in effect at each school for the documentation, review, or approval of the learning materials and activities used for student instruction. Specifies the minimum information that must be included in the report. Allows a school district to update the report on an ongoing basis and to utilize collaborative online document or spreadsheet software to update or make additions to the report. Sets forth other requirements. Effective July 1, 2022.