Sen. Kyle McCarter

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Deletes provision that the offense of unlawful sale or delivery of firearms includes the manufacture, sale, or delivery by a holder of a license as a dealer, importer, manufacturer, or pawnbroker under the federal Gun Control Act of 1968 to any unlicensed person a handgun having a barrel, slide, frame, or receiver which is a die casting of zinc alloy or any other nonhomogeneous metal which will melt or deform at a temperature of less than 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Effective immediately.

Creates the Religious Freedom Defense Act. Prohibits the State and local governments from taking discriminatory action against a person if the person believes or acts under a religious belief or moral conviction that marriage is only between one man and one woman, or that sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage. Allows a person to assert a claim or defense under the Act in a judicial or administrative proceeding for damages, injunctive relief, declaratory relief, or other appropriate relief against the State or local government. Also allows the Attorney General to seek enforcement of the Act. Defines "discriminatory action", "person", "State benefit program", and "State".

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Eliminates provision that a licensee under the Act shall not knowingly carry a firearm on any real property under the control of the Cook County Forest Preserve District. Effective immediately.

Amends the Project Labor Agreements Act. Prohibits the State Board of Education and the Capital Development Board from requiring a project labor agreement for any school construction project or grant. Authorizes a board of education to exempt any school construction project from the requirements of the Act. Amends the Downstate Teachers Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Incrementally shifts the System's normal costs to local school districts, but only if certain State mandates are funded by the State. Includes provisions concerning billing, review, and payment. Amends the School Code. Makes changes in provisions concerning mandates for public and private schools. Repeals the Driver Education Act. Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Prohibits school districts from entering into, amending, or renewing certain technology-related collective bargaining agreements. Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that a board of education may exempt school construction projects undertaken in the district from the Act. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that as a condition of initial eligibility for medical assistance benefits provided under the State's Medical Assistance program or, subject to federal approval, benefits provided under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), an applicant must pass a drug screening. Provides that as a condition of continued eligibility for such benefits, a recipient must pass random drug screenings as prescribed by the Department of Human Services. Requires the Department to (i) provide notice of drug testing to each applicant at the time of application; (ii) advise each applicant, before the test is conducted, that the applicant may, but shall not be required to, advise the agent administering the test of any prescription or over-the-counter medication the applicant is taking; (iii) ensure each applicant being tested a reasonable degree of dignity while producing and submitting a sample for drug testing, consistent with the need of the State to ensure the reliability of the sample; (iii) provide any applicant who tests positive with a list of licensed substance abuse treatment providers; and other matters. Provides that an applicant who tests positive and is denied medical assistance benefits or SNAP benefits as a result may reapply for those benefits after 6 months if the applicant verifies the successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program. Exempts persons with children in the assistance unit, persons with disabilities, persons who are 65 year of age or older, or persons who reside at a facility licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act or the ID/DD Community Care Act from the drug testing requirements.

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act and the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act. Provides that the arbitrator or the Commission may correct a clerical error or error in computation within 21 (instead of 15) days after the date of receipt of an award by the arbitrator or any decision on review of the Commission and may recall the original award on arbitration or decision on review and issue the corrected award or decision. Provides that the time within which a petition for judicial review must be filed begins to run upon receipt of a decision on motion to recall. Adds procedural provisions concerning motions to recall. Provides that judicial review is stayed pending the disposition of a motion to recall. Provides that claims against the State are not subject to judicial review. Specifies venue for court review. Establishes procedures for providing collateral or guarantee of payment of an award if court review is not successfully prosecuted. Adds provisions regarding review by the Appellate Court and the Supreme Court. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Public Trust in Funding Responsibility Act. Prohibits a State agency from contracting with or making a grant to an entity that performs abortions or maintains or operates a facility where abortions are performed that involves the expenditure of State funds. Defines "State funds" as funds obtained through State taxation, fees, or assessments and provides that "State funds" does not include funds obtained from the federal government, federal funds administered or granted through a State agency, or State funds the expenditure of which is required by federal law. Exempts from the prohibition funding to hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers licensed under State law. Provides that the Act only applies to contracts and grants entered into, and the renewal of contracts entered into, on or after the effective date of this Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Provides that no employer shall be required to pay temporary partial disability benefits to an employee who has been discharged for cause. Provides that, following a hearing, the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission may reinstate the temporary partial benefits and retroactively restore any benefits the employer should have paid if it finds the employer's discharge of the employee was not for cause. Makes technical changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that if the applicant for a concealed carry license is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is residing in the State, or a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States residing in the State for purposes of the Act, he or she is considered a resident of the State, except he or she is exempt from the license requirements of not having been convicted or found guilty in the State or in any other state of: (1) a misdemeanor involving the use or threat of physical force or violence to any person within the 5 years preceding the date of the license application; or (2) 2 or more violations related to driving while under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination thereof, within the 5 years preceding the date of the license application. Effective immediately.

Urges Governor Bruce Rauner and the members of the Illinois Senate to end any and all State funding of Planned Parenthood immediately. Urges the proper State agencies, including, but not limited to the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Police, to conduct a thorough investigation to determine if any Illinois taxpayer dollars are directly involved in the harvesting and selling of baby body parts by Planned Parenthood and associated agencies in Illinois.