Sen. Tom Bennett

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person who has been issued a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card may transport in a vehicle an accessible rifle, shotgun, or other long gun without the weapon being broken down in a non-functioning state or without the weapon being enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container if the firearm is unloaded.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections, through its Illinois Correctional Industries division, may operate or contract with the private sector for substantial involvement in a correctional industries enhancement program. Sets forth requirements and rules for the correctional industries enhancement program. Provides that the Department may take limited deductions from wages of a committed person worker who participates in the correctional industries enhancement program.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that any member of the General Assembly who takes office on or after the second Wednesday of January 2019 shall not, within a 2-year period immediately following termination of the member's most recent term of office, register as a lobbyist and engage in lobbying with members of the General Assembly. Effective immediately.

Proposes to amend the Legislature and Finance Articles of the Illinois Constitution. Amends the Finance Article to provide that if a balanced budget has not been passed by June 30th of each year, the offices of Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate become vacant, and shall continue to become vacant every 90 days after the vacancies are filled until the General Assembly passes a balanced budget. Provides that within 30 days of the enactment of the law or laws comprising the State budget for a fiscal year, the Office of the Auditor General must certify whether the enacted budget will be balanced with expenses not exceeding funds estimated by the General Assembly to be available during that year. Provides that if the Office of the Auditor General certifies that the budget is not balanced, then the offices of Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate shall become vacant upon filing notice of such certification with the Secretary of State. Amends the Legislative Article to provide that within 5 days after the vacancy of the offices of Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate, the Secretary of State shall convene the House of Representatives to elect from its membership a Speaker of the House of Representatives as presiding officer, and the Governor shall convene the Senate to elect from its membership a President of the Senate as presiding officer. Provides that only members who have not previously served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the President of the Senate shall be eligible for election. Makes conforming changes. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits a licensee from carrying a firearm into an Interstate highway rest area.

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 (TANF) benefits. Provides 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, 2017.

Creates the Motor Vehicle Repair Fairness Act. Provides that motor vehicle manufacturers must make available to independent repair providers of parts manufactured by such motor vehicle manufacturer, diagnostic and repair documentation, including repair technical updates and updates and corrections to embedded software, in the same manner as the motor vehicle manufacturer makes such diagnostic and repair documentation, including repair technical updates and updates and corrections to embedded software, available to its authorized repair provider. Defines terms. Authorizes the imposition of a $500 civil penalty. Provides that the Attorney General may bring an action to recover the penalty.

Urges the Department of Juvenile Justice to amend administrative rules regarding Maximum Penalties for Youth.

Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a firefighter receiving a disability pension for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) shall not be required to undergo a medical examination to verify continuance of disability after attaining the age of 45 (rather than 50). 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.