Sen. Tom Bennett

Amends the General Assembly Compensation Act. Establishes the fiscal year 2021 mileage reimbursement rate and allowance for lodging and meals. Amends the Compensation Review Act. Prohibits cost-of-living adjustments for or during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 for State government legislative and executive elected officers and appointees in positions for which the Compensation Review Board previously recommended or determined compensation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Provides that a member of the General Assembly, his or her spouse, and any immediate family member living with that member of the General Assembly shall not, for compensation, lobby any official of the executive or legislative branch of State government or any official of any unit of local government. Provides that a person who violates these provisions is guilty of official misconduct, a Class 3 felony. Defines terms. Repeals current provisions banning members of the General Assembly from lobbying, a Class A misdemeanor. Effective immediately.

Proposes to amend the Revenue Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that no moneys, including bond proceeds, derived from taxes, fees, excises, or licenses relating to licensing, carrying, or possession of firearms or firearm ammunition or related to the use of firearms or firearm ammunition shall be expended for purposes other than the following: the costs of administering and enforcing laws related to firearms and firearm ammunition; and, with respect to local governments, other firearm and firearm ammunition regulation purposes as authorized by law. Provides that the costs of administering laws related to firearms and firearm ammunition shall be limited to direct program expenses related to the following: the enforcement of firearm and firearm ammunition regulation laws; the safety of persons from unlawful use of firearms or firearm ammunition; or the regulation of the carrying of firearms. Provides that the limitations to the costs of administering laws related to firearms and firearm ammunition shall also include direct program expenses related to workers' compensation claims for death or injury of employees enforcing firearm and firearm ammunition laws and investigations for improving the safety of the employees enforcing those laws. Provides that none of the revenues described in these provisions shall, by transfer, offset, or otherwise, be diverted to any purpose other than those described in these provisions. Provides that investment income that is attributable to the investment of moneys in funds used for the regulation of firearms and firearm ammunition shall be retained in those funds for the uses specified in these provisions. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Police shall conduct a study on the impact of bright and LED lights on emergency vehicles. Provides that the Department shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by January 1, 2021. Effective immediately.

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Provides for registration under the Act of a person convicted of a battery when the court: (1) finds that the battery was sexually motivated as defined in the Sex Offender Management Board Act; and (2) in its discretion requires the person to register under the Act. Provides that the trial court, in its discretion, may require a person convicted of battery to register under the Act if: (1) the complaining witness is 17 years of age or younger; (2) the offender is 21 years of age or older; and (3) the court finds that the battery was sexually motivated as defined in the Sex Offender Management Board Act.

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 firearm. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Permits 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 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. Provides that the exemption only applies to correctional officers who have custody and control over inmates in an adult correctional facility. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Requires Voters Identification Cards for those who do not have an acceptable photo ID. 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 Public Aid Code. Provides that on and after January 1, 2021, electronic benefits transfer ("LINK") cards used to obtain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits or cash shall contain the name and photo of the primary cardholder and, at the option of the primary cardholder, the names of secondary holders who are authorized to use the card. Establishes that an individual may use the LINK card only if the photo on the card matches the user or he or she presents a current and valid photo identification that confirms he or she is a secondary user listed on the card. Provides that on the effective date of the amendatory Act the Department of Human Services shall begin the process of transitioning to the use of LINK cards which contain the name and photo of the primary cardholder and list the names of all authorized users of the card. Requires the transition to be completed no later than January 1, 2021. Effective immediately.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that in addition to a current or retired law enforcement officer who is authorized by law, a person who is the holder of a valid concealed carry license issued under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act is exempt from the provisions of the Code that prohibit the possession of those firearms.