Sen. Ira I. Silverstein

Amends the Public Building Commission Act. Makes a technical change to a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "mobile computing headset". Provides that a person may not operate a motor vehicle while wearing a mobile computing headset. Provides limited exceptions to this prohibition for (1) law enforcement officers or emergency vehicle operators in the performance of their official duties; (2) drivers using a mobile computing headset to communicate with emergency personnel; and (3) drivers that are parked on the shoulder of a roadway.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall garnish a tax refund payable to a judgment debtor and instead remit the refund to the judgment creditor. Adds provisions governing the procedure for garnishment of tax refunds. Directs the Department to adopt rules to implement these provisions. Provides that specified refund withholding requests take priority over a garnishment order. Makes a corresponding change in the Code of Civil Procedure. Effective January 1, 2016.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act to require coverage for hearing instruments and related services for all individuals when a hearing care professional prescribes a hearing instrument. Provides that an insurer shall provide coverage for up to $2,500 per hearing aid per insured's hearing impaired ear subject to certain restrictions. Provides that an insurer shall not be required to pay a claim if the insured filed such a claim 36 months prior to the date of filing the claim with the insurer and the claim was paid by any insurer. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Changes the penalty from a petty offense to a Class A misdemeanor for a first violation and from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent violation for a person who possesses a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card and who possesses or acquires a firearm and thereafter loses the firearm, or if the firearm is stolen from the person, and fails to report the loss or theft to the local law enforcement agency within 72 hours after obtaining knowledge of the loss or theft.

Amends the Use Tax Act, Service Use Tax Act, Service Occupation Tax Act, and Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Imposes an 18% surcharge on firearms and firearm ammunition. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Firearm Sales Tax Trust Fund. Requires the 18% surcharge to be deposited into the Fund. Subject to appropriation, authorizes the Department of Human Services to make grants to mental health services and crime victim services. Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act (FOID). Requires firearm safety training to apply for an FOID Card, but exempts anyone who had an FOID card on June 1, 1998 and certain others. Provides that any person who owns a firearm shall maintain a policy of liability insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000 specifically covering any damages resulting from negligent or willful acts involving the use of the firearm. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Prohibits multiple sales of firearms within a 30-day period. Creates the offense of unlawful acquisition of firearms. Provides exemptions and affirmative defenses. Penalty is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense. Increases the penalty for a second or subsequent unlawful use of weapons for possession of a firearm. Increases various penalties for the possession or use of a firearm or weapon in a school or public housing. Prohibits a person not a law enforcement officer from possessing an air rifle in a school or at a school-related activity without the written authorization of the board or officer in charge of the school. Penalty is a Class A misdemeanor. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board's concussion and head injury policy must require that a student athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game be removed from play at that time. Requires the policy to provide that a student athlete who has been removed from play may not return to play until the student athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and head injuries and the student athlete receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that if, upon seizure of the animal and the filing of charges, the person complained against refuses to relinquish an animal, the court having criminal jurisdiction over the alleged charges shall schedule a hearing on the disposition of the animal. Provides that the hearing shall be held within 30 days after the animal's seizure. Provides that at the hearing, the State's Attorney shall ask for permanent forfeiture of the companion animal seized. Provides that notice of the hearing shall be served on the impounding agency, the owner, and anyone claiming an interest in the animal. Provides that at the hearing for forfeiture prior to trial, the burden is on the prosecution to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the person arrested violated specified provisions of the Act, the Criminal Code of 1961, or the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that if the prosecution fails to meet this burden, the court shall order the owner to post security.

Creates the Firearm Dealer Licensing Act. Provides for the regulation of firearm dealers through licensure by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides that no person may sell or otherwise transfer, expose for sale or transfer, or have in his or her possession with the intent to sell or transfer any firearm without being licensed under the Act. Provides, however, that the prohibition does not apply to a person who makes occasional sales, exchanges, or purchases of firearms for the enhancement of a personal collection or as a hobby, or who sells all or part of his or her personal collection of firearms. Sets forth provisions concerning application, fees, duration of licensure, license retention requirements, submissions to the Department, penalties, revocation, and suspension. Grants rulemaking authority to the Department and provides that for the purpose of determining compliance with the Act, the Act may be enforced by any municipality in which a licensee is located or, if a licensee is not located in a municipality, by the county in which a licensee is located.

Supports the finding of the best long-term solution for peace and security in the Middle East and a nuclear-free Iran and calls upon Congress to oppose the current inadequate deal and press for a new deal that will prevent all of Iran's pathways to a nuclear bomb.