Sen. Paul Schimpf

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning rules.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. In the provision governing the graduation incentive grant program, removes the requirement that the Board of Higher Education annually submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a budgetary recommendation for the grants and the requirement that the Board notify applicants that the award of grants is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds.

Proposes to amend the Executive Article of the Illinois Constitution. Eliminates the office of Lieutenant Governor, beginning with the term of office otherwise commencing in 2023. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Flag Display Act. Provides that in lieu of notice being provided by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, any other State or federal entity, agency, or person holding such information may notify the Governor of the death by hostile fire of an Illinois resident member of the United States armed forces. Provides that if such notice is provided to the Governor by an entity, agency, or person other than the Department of Veterans' Affairs, then the obligation to notify the Governor of an Illinois resident soldier's death shall be considered fulfilled.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Allows a member to establish optional credit for up to 2 years of service as a teacher or administrator employed by a private school recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education, provided that the teacher (i) was certified under the law governing the certification of teachers at the time the service was rendered, (ii) applies in writing on or before June 30, 2020, (iii) supplies satisfactory evidence of the employment, (iv) completes at least 10 years of contributing service as a teacher, and (v) pays the required contribution. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the 72 hour waiting period before delivery of a concealable firearm after application for its purchase has been made does not apply to a person who has been issued a valid license to carry a concealed handgun under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Amends various Acts by correcting references to the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act and the Department of Veterans' Affairs and by eliminating references to the Illinois Veterans' Commission, which was the predecessor agency of the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Effective January 1, 2018.

Amends the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources under the Act.

Appropriates $3,600,000 from the State Parks Fund to the Department of Natural Resources, in coordination with the Capital Development Board, for the development of the World Shooting and Recreational Complex for construction and debt service expenses required to comply with this appropriation. Provides that to the extent that revenues are received for such purposes, the revenues shall come from non-State sources. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. In the statute concerning unlawful use of weapons that prohibits the knowing sale, manufacture, purchase, possession, or carrying of any rifle having one or more barrels less than 16 inches in length or a shotgun having one or more barrels less than 18 inches in length or any weapon made from a rifle or shotgun, deletes "whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise, if such a weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches". In the exemption statute, permits an active member of a bona fide, nationally recognized military re-enacting group to have a rifle with a barrel or barrels less than 16 inches in length if the modification is required and necessary to accurately portray the weapon for historical re-enactment purposes; and the re-enactor is in possession of a valid and current re-enacting group membership credential. Deletes that the overall length of the weapon as modified must be not less than 26 inches. Effective immediately.