Sen. Dale Fowler

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that the prohibition by a licensee under the Act from carrying a firearm into any building, parking area, or portion of a building under the control of an officer of the executive or legislative branch of government does not apply to any rest areas under the control of the Department of Transportation or to buildings located in rest areas under the control of the Department of Transportation. Effective immediately.

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

Amends the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act. Provides that the Act does not apply to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity who has been given, and is currently in possession of, a valid Federal Firearms License, during all State approved activities held at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex. Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act and the Criminal Code of 2012 to make technical changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person also commits a hate crime when, by reason of the actual or perceived employment as a peace officer, correctional institution employee, probation officer, parole officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services personnel of another individual or group of individuals, regardless of the existence of any other motivating factor or factors, he or she commits assault, battery, aggravated assault, misdemeanor theft, criminal trespass to residence, misdemeanor criminal damage to property, criminal trespass to vehicle, criminal trespass to real property, mob action, disorderly conduct, harassment by telephone, or harassment through electronic communications.

Amends the General Assembly Operations Act. Provides that any member of the General Assembly who wishes to introduce a bill pertaining to a firearm must be able to produce proof, upon request, that he or she has completed: (1) the firearm training requirements under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004; (2) range safety officer training; and (3) a basic knowledge test of calibers and gauges of firearms.

Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Modifies the provisions of the Act to apply to veterans and veteran-owned businesses. Modifies a Section concerning the short title. Changes the title of the Act to the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, Veterans, and Persons with Disabilities Act, and makes conforming changes throughout various statutes referencing the title of the Act. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Removes a provision concerning procurement preferences for veterans and veteran-owned businesses. Applies administrative penalties for falsely certified businesses to minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and businesses owned by persons with a disability. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes in various statutes concerning minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and businesses owned by persons with a disability. Effective immediately.

Proposes to amend the Finance Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that if the General Assembly fails to pass a State budget setting forth appropriations for the ensuing fiscal year on or before May 31 of the year in which such budget is submitted, such existing appropriations provided for the previous fiscal year shall be in effect in the new fiscal year and all subsequent fiscal years until amended or eliminated by the General Assembly. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Reinstates an exemption for oil field exploration, drilling, and production equipment for the period beginning on July 1, 2017 and ending on June 30, 2022. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Oil and Gas Act and the Illinois Petroleum Education and Marketing Act. Transfers the administration of the Landowner Grant Program from the Department of Natural Resources to the Illinois Petroleum Resources Board. Provides that the Department has the power to transfer an amount not to exceed $250,000 per fiscal year from the Plugging and Restoration Fund to the Board for the sole purpose of implementing the Landowner Grant Program. Provides that the Board shall keep accurate records of all financial transactions regarding such funds. Establishes the Board's specific powers and duties in administering the Landowner Grant Program and utilizing the funds.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person also commits a hate crime when, by reason of the actual or perceived employment as a peace officer, correctional institution employee, probation officer, parole officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services personnel of another individual or group of individuals, regardless of the existence of any other motivating factor or factors, he or she commits assault, battery, aggravated assault, misdemeanor theft, criminal trespass to residence, misdemeanor criminal damage to property, criminal trespass to vehicle, criminal trespass to real property, mob action, disorderly conduct, harassment by telephone, or harassment through electronic communications.