Sen. Dale Fowler

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning an early childhood education block grant.

Declares May 4-8, 2020 as Teacher Appreciation Week in the State of Illinois.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education may create a telephone hotline to address complaints regarding the special education services or lack of special education services of the Chicago school district (rather than any school district). Provides that the Chicago school district (rather than any school district) may not use a measure that would prevent or delay an individualized education program team from adding a service to the program or create a time restriction in which a service is prohibited from being added to the program, build functions into its computer software that would remove any services from a student's individualized education program without the approval of the program team, or prohibit the program team from adding a service to the program. Makes changes concerning the provision to a parent or guardian of copies of all written material that will be considered by an individualized education program team at a meeting. Makes changes concerning the administration of related services and logs of those services. Specifies that nothing in provisions concerning the response to scientific, research-based intervention process shall be construed as an additional instructional mandate above and beyond what is required by the Code and applicable federal laws. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for the 2015 taxable year and thereafter, the exemption for veterans with disabilities also carries over to the surviving spouse of a veteran who was killed in the line of duty in the current taxable year or any preceding taxable year. Provides that, for the 2019 taxable year and thereafter, the exemption for veterans with disabilities also carries over to (i) the surviving spouse of a veteran who did not obtain the exemption before death, but who would have qualified for the exemption in the current taxable year if he or she had survived and (ii) the surviving spouse of a veteran whose death was determined to be service-connected and who is certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as being a current recipient of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. Provides that, in the case of a surviving spouse who is certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as being a current recipient of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, the property is exempt. Effective immediately.

Repeals the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Removes provisions providing that taxpayers who are granted a homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities must reapply on an annual basis. Effective January 1, 2021.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that owners of land and their children, parents, brothers, and sisters shall have the right to hunt upon their lands without procuring a State Habitat Stamp, but the hunting shall be done only during periods of time and with devices and by methods as are permitted by the Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Exempts sales of feed, including hay, for livestock, horses, and poultry from taxation under the Acts. Effective immediately.

Amends the Compensation Review Act. Provides that members of the General Assembly are prohibited from receiving and shall not receive any increase in compensation that would otherwise apply based on a cost of living adjustment for terms commencing on or after January 1, 2023, unless otherwise approved by law. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Public Health to establish safe place of business protocols on or before May 30, 2020 to regulate businesses that reopen following the expiration of the specified executive orders or disaster proclamations. Sets forth requirements for the protocols. Provides that businesses that comply with the protocols may reopen and rehire staff at their discretion as soon as is practical. Provides that the provisions are repealed on January 1, 2021. Contains other provisions. Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Provides that after an initial proclamation declaring that a disaster exists, the Governor may only extend that declaration or make further proclamations regarding the same disaster if the General Assembly passes a resolution within 5 calendar days that approves the extension or further proclamation. Provides that if, due to health or safety concerns, the General Assembly is unable to convene in either regular or special session to approve the extension or further proclamation, the extension or further proclamation may continue in effect until the General Assembly is able to convene in regular or special session if specified members of the General Assembly submit written certification to the Governor that the General Assembly is unable to convene to provide the necessary approval of the extension or further proclamation. Effective immediately.