Sen. Darren Bailey

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a school bus owner may affix to the school bus a sign displaying the fines a driver may incur if the driver passes a school bus while: (i) the school bus is stopped and the stop signal arm is extended; or (ii) the school bus is stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging pupils. Provides that the sign may be affixed to the back of the school bus or to the stop arm signal.

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.

Declares October 23, 2021 as Hungarian Freedom Fighters Day and declares the month of October 2021 as Hungarian Freedom Month.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that the requirements for appointing a highway commissioner who is a non-resident or who has not resided in the district for one year also apply to the appointment of a district clerk. Removes the requirement that a township have a population of less than 500 residents for a board of trustees to appoint a non-resident or a person who has not resided in the district for one year.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board may allow the motto "In God We Trust" to be displayed in a conspicuous location inside or outside each school building.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the 7th day of August of each year is designated as Assyrian Martyrs Day to be observed as a day in recognition of the genocide and persecution of the Assyrian people, and to support the Assyrians of Illinois and commemorate all Assyrian American military veterans who served, and continue to serve, in the United States Armed Forces and the Illinois National Guard.

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to establish and administer a program in which the State Board shall issue a voucher to the parent or guardian of a student, upon request of the parent or guardian, if: (1) the student was enrolled in a school district for a particular school year; (2) during that school year, the school board decided not to provide an option for full-time, in-person instruction at school as the primary method of instruction to students; and (3) the parent or guardian withdrew the student from enrollment in the district because the school board decided not to provide an option for full-time, in-person instruction. Sets forth provisions concerning the voucher amount and its use. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Requires Voter 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. Effective immediately.

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.

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Provides limitations concerning lobbying by a member of the General Assembly or his or her spouse or any immediate family member living with that member of the General Assembly. Provides that no legislator may, during his or her term of office, negotiate for employment with a lobbying entity. Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides a revolving door prohibition on former members of the General Assembly lobbying the General Assembly within a specified period of time. Amends the Election Code. Provides for candidate political committee restrictions and makes related requirements. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Expands the definition of "predicate activity" to include bribery, official misconduct, solicitation misconduct (State government), solicitation misconduct (local government), and legislative misconduct. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Expands the authority of the State's Attorney to seek a court order authorizing the interception of a private communication under specified circumstances concerning activity under the Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Law. Amends the Statewide Grand Jury Act. Expands the authority of a Statewide Grand Jury to investigate and indict offenses involving the corruption of a public official, to include theft, fraud, extortion, or a violation of the Official Misconduct and Public Contracts Article of the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that venue for purposes of trial for any offense involving the corruption of a public official may be in any county in which any portion of the offense occurred. Makes conforming and other changes. Effective immediately.