Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the Governor shall appoint 5 (instead of 7) persons to the Board of Trustees of the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois who are not members of the System. Makes conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2022.
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a prisoner serving a sentence for bringing contraband into a penal institution committed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall receive no more than 4.5 days of sentence credit for each month of his or her sentence of imprisonment. Provides that on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a prisoner serving a sentence for bringing contraband into a penal institution shall receive no additional sentence credit under the Code. Provides that a prisoner serving a sentence for aggravated battery in which the victim was a peace officer committed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall receive no more than 4.5 days of sentence credit for each month of his or her sentence of imprisonment.
Honors the memory of all U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan, including the thirteen who died on August 26, 2021. Extends gratitude to all men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in Afghanistan. Urges the federal government to secure the safety and evacuation of any U.S. citizens still remaining in Afghanistan. Further urges the federal government to work with international, state, and local governments to assist displaced Afghan allies to resettle in safe communities. Further urges the federal government to somberly evaluate the failures of U.S. leadership that led to this grim denouement of Operation Enduring Freedom, to stand boldly against totalitarian regimes emboldened by this perceived American weakness, and to once again take up America's historic position as the leader of the free world and as a beacon of liberty across the globe.
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in a prosecution of a case involving the injury, health, or safety of a cat or dog, the court may, on its own motion or motion of any party, appoint a licensed attorney-at-law of the State or a law student as a special advocate to assist the court, as deemed appropriate by the court, and represent the interests of justice regarding the health or safety of the cat or dog. Provides that the advocate may: (1) monitor the case; (2) consult any person with information that could aid the court and review records relating to the condition of the cat or dog and the defendant's actions, including, but not limited to, records from animal control officers, veterinarians, and police officers; (3) attend hearings; and (4) present information or recommendations to the court pertinent to determinations that relate to the interests of justice, provided that information shall be based solely on the duties undertaken under this provision. Defines "law student". Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that a law student appointed as a special advocate shall be authorized to provide services under Supreme Court Rule 711. Deletes language relating to the definition of "law student".
Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority shall not charge a toll for a vehicle of the first division pulling a trailer with no more than 2 axles at a rate higher than an amount calculated by multiplying the toll charged to passenger vehicles using an I-PASS device by the total number of axles on the trailer. Provides that the toll rate applies to drivers who use an I-PASS device or use cash to pay a toll. Effective immediately.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Changes the definition of "public utility" to exclude commercial natural gas cooperatives. Provides that for a commercial natural gas cooperative to qualify and be recognized by the Illinois Commerce Commission, the properties that receive retail natural gas service from each commercial natural gas cooperative: (i) shall not have a public utility-owned natural gas transportation pipeline located within the properties at the time of commencement of service; (ii) shall comprise of not less than 500 acres and not more than 2,500 acres, which territory does not need to be contiguous; and (iii) shall be used exclusively for non-residential purposes. Effective July 1, 2021. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds a requirement that for a commercial natural gas cooperative to qualify and be recognized by the Illinois Commerce Commission, the properties that receive retail natural gas service from each commercial natural gas cooperative must be located in a county that has a population of not more than 300,000 people and that borders the Mississippi River or is contiguous to any such county and has a population of between 10,000 and 50,000 people.
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a person may not serve as a member of the Prisoner Review Board who has been convicted of a felony under the laws of this State, another state, or of the United States.
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person also commits aggravated battery when, in committing a battery, other than by the discharge of a firearm, he or she knowingly causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to an individual whom the person knows to be a Department of Children and Family Services employee: (1) performing his or her official duties; (2) battered to prevent performance of his or her official duties; or (3) battered in retaliation for performing his or her official duties. Provides that a violation is a Class 1 felony. Provides that a person also commits aggravated battery when, in committing a battery, other than by discharge of a firearm, he or she knows the individual battered to be a Department of Children and Family Services employee: (1) performing his or her official duties; (2) battered to prevent performance of his or her official duties; or (3) battered in retaliation for performing his or her official duties. Provides that a violation is a Class 2 felony.
Amends the Constitutional Revision Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that amendments to the Illinois Constitution (currently, Article IV of the Constitution only) may be proposed by a petition signed by a number of electors equal in number to at least eight percent of the total votes cast for candidates for Governor in the preceding gubernatorial election. Provides that the initiative process shall not be used for the proposal, modification, or repeal of any portion of the Bill of Rights of the Constitution or to modify the initiative process for proposing amendments to the Constitution. Makes conforming changes. Effective upon being declared adopted.
Amends the State Mandates Act. Provides that any State mandate regarding any subject matter enacted on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act that necessitates additional expenditures from local government revenues shall be void and unenforceable unless the General Assembly makes necessary appropriations and reimbursements to implement that mandate. Provides that the failure of the General Assembly to make necessary appropriations and reimbursements shall relieve the local government of the obligation to implement any State mandate. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that a taxing district shall reduce its aggregate extension base for the purpose of lowering its limiting rate for future years upon referendum approval initiated by the submission of a petition by the voters of the district. Provides that the extension limitation shall be: (a) the lesser of 5% or the average percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the immediately preceding 10 years; or (b) the rate of increase approved by the voters. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases distributions into the Local Government Distributive Fund on and after August 1, 2022. Effective immediately.
