Rep. Thomas Morrison

Amends the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides for a referendum to reject any Public Act by a petition signed by a number of electors. Provides signature and content requirements for the petition. Provides requirements for the validity and sufficiency of petitions. Provides that if a petition is valid and sufficient, the proposed referendum shall be submitted to the electors at the general election specified in the petition. Provides that if the voters in a specified election reject a Public Act, it shall cease to be in effect on the date specified in the referendum. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Reduces the trailer flat weight tax for maximum loads of 3,000 pounds and less from $118 to $18. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Reduces the trailer flat weight tax for maximum loads of 3,000 pounds and less from $118 to $18. Provides that the Secretary of State shall issue a refund of $100, upon appropriation of money for refunds, to any person who paid a $118 flat weight tax for a Class TA trailer and applies for a refund in the manner specified by the Secretary. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Deletes language that provides that no construction shall commence on any new nuclear power plant to be located within the State, and no certificate of public convenience and necessity or other authorization shall be issued therefor by the Illinois Commerce Commission, until the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency finds that the United States Government, through its authorized agency, has identified and approved a demonstrable technology or means for the disposal of high level nuclear waste, or until such construction has been specifically approved by a statute enacted by the General Assembly. Effective immediately.

States opposition to any additional excise taxes on Illinois businesses that produce beer, wine, or liquor or their related industries.

Amends the Downstate Teachers Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Prohibits an employer from making employee contributions on behalf of an employee, except for the sole purpose of allowing an employee to make pre-tax contributions. Provides that employment contracts or collective bargaining agreements in effect on the effective date of the amendatory Act are not subject to the prohibition, but any such contract or collective bargaining agreement that is subsequently modified, amended, or renewed or that is in effect 3 or more years after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall be subject to the prohibition. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to contract with a third-party vendor to conduct quarterly checks on the eligibility of persons receiving benefits under the State's Medical Assistance Program or under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Provides that at a minimum, the third-party vendor shall collect documentation of the person's identity, including, but not limited to, a copy of the person's Illinois driver's license, Illinois Identification Card, or any other form of identification as prescribed by the Department by rule. Provides that the third-party vendor shall also collect any other relevant information, as determined by the Department, that could affect a person's eligibility for medical assistance or SNAP benefits. Requires the Department to provide persons subject to the eligibility checks with written notice of the eligibility checks. Requires the Department to apply for any federal waiver or State Plan amendment, if required, to implement the provisions of the amendatory Act. Permits the Department to adopt rules.

Creates the COVID-19 Religious Exemption Act. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person, public or private institution, or public official to discriminate against any person in any manner because of such person's refusal to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination contrary to his or her belief. Requires all health care facilities to adopt written access to care and information protocols that are designed to ensure that belief-based objections do not cause impairment of patients' health and that explain how belief-based objections will be addressed in a timely manner to facilitate patient care. Provides that it is unlawful for any public or private employer, entity, agency, institution, official, or person to deny admission because of, to place any reference in its application form concerning, to orally question about, to impose any burdens in terms or conditions of employment on, or to otherwise discriminate against, any applicant, in terms of employment, admission to or participation in any programs for which the applicant is eligible, or to discriminate in relation thereto, in any other manner, on account of the applicant's refusal to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination that is against the applicant's beliefs. Provides that it is unlawful for any public official, guardian, agency, institution, or entity to deny any form of aid, assistance, or benefits, or to condition the reception in any way of any form of aid, assistance, or benefits, or in any other manner to coerce, disqualify, or discriminate against any person, otherwise entitled to such aid, assistance, or benefits, because that person refuses to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination contrary to the person's belief. Allows any person injured by any public or private person, association, agency, entity, or corporation by reason of any action prohibited by the Act to bring an action. Provides that a person who brings an action shall recover threefold the actual damages, the costs of the action, and reasonable attorney's fees, but in no case shall recovery for each violation be less than $2,500 plus costs of the action and reasonable attorney's fees. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Invest in Kids Act. Provides that the Invest in Kids credit applies permanently (currently, the credit applies for taxable years ending before January 1, 2023). Effective immediately.

Amends the General Assembly Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires the General Assembly Retirement System to establish a self-directed retirement plan. Provides that for persons who become participants on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, participation in the System shall be limited to participation in the self-directed retirement plan. Allows a Tier 1 or Tier 2 participant to make an irrevocable election to participate in the self-directed retirement plan instead of the defined benefit plan. Makes changes to the pensionable salary for active participants. Provides that upon a participant's first day of participation in the self-directed retirement plan, the participant becomes vested in his or her contributions to the self-directed retirement plan, the employer's contributions to the self-directed retirement plan, and the investment returns attributable to those contributions credited to his or her account. Makes other changes.