Sen. Tom Bennett

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Provides that, for persons dying on or after January 1, 2020, 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 Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall require a drug test to screen each individual who applies for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and that subject to federal approval, the Department shall require a drug test to screen each individual who applies for benefits under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Contains provisions concerning notice; persons required to comply with the drug testing requirements; persons exempt from the drug testing requirements; reimbursements for the cost of the drug testing; and other matters. Effective July 1, 2019.

Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes a board of trustees to designate a firefighter as a hero for work performed in connection with his or her service as a firefighter. Effective immediately.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that a person with a valid concealed carry license issued under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, or an off-duty law enforcement official or officer, may carry a handgun on or about his or her person while hunting. Effective immediately.

Amends the General Assembly Operations Act. Provides that no person may serve more than 10 consecutive years in any of the following leadership roles: Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and Minority Leader of the Senate. Provides that the limitations imposed by the amendatory Act apply to service beginning on and after January 13, 2021.

Amends the Payday Loan Reform Act. Limits interest on payday loans to an annual percentage rate of 36%. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that the limited immunity for a person who seeks or obtains emergency medical assistance for someone experiencing an overdose or for a person who is experiencing an overdose in a reasonably prudent manner (rather than in good faith) shall not be extended if law enforcement has reasonable suspicion or probable cause to detain, arrest, or search that person for criminal activity and the reasonable suspicion or probable cause is based on information obtained prior to or independent of the individual seeking or obtaining emergency medical assistance and not obtained as a direct result of the action of seeking or obtaining emergency medical assistance (rather than taking action to seek or obtain emergency medical assistance).

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that vehicles operated by a not-for-profit emergency management organization are not prohibited from using red or white oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights. Effective immediately.

States opposition to any measure that would allow the creation of a graduated income tax on Illinois residents.

Declares November 7, 2019 as Victims of Communism Memorial Day.