Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Choose Life Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow for the issuance of decals by Illinois Choose Life, Inc. Provides for the original and renewal fees and fee distribution for Universal special license plates with decals issued by Illinois Choose Life, Inc.
Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Changes the schedule for examinations of pension funds established under the Downstate Police or Downstate Firefighter Article from every 3 years to a periodic basis, as determined by the Public Pension Division of the Department of Insurance. Provides that the examination may (instead of shall) include a review of certain information. Effective immediately.
Amends the State Universities and Downstate Teacher Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, for academic years beginning on or after July 1, 2017, if the amount of a participant's earnings for any academic year used to determine the final rate of earnings, determined on a full-time equivalent basis, exceeds the amount of his or her earnings with the same employer for the previous academic year, determined on a full-time equivalent basis, by more than the unadjusted percentage increase in the consumer price index-u for that year (rather than 6%), then the participant's employer shall pay to the applicable System, in addition to all other payments required and in accordance with guidelines established by that System, the present value of the increase in benefits resulting from the portion of the increase in earnings that is in excess of the unadjusted percentage increase in the consumer price index-u for that year (rather than the present value of the increase in benefits resulting from the portion of the increase in earnings that is in excess of 6%). Defines "consumer price index-u". Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Requires a school board to designate each pupil restroom, changing room, or overnight facility accessible by multiple pupils simultaneously, whether located in a public school building or located in a facility utilized by the school for a school-sponsored activity, for the exclusive use of pupils of only one sex. Defines "sex" as the physical condition of being male or female, as determined by an individual's chromosomes and identified at birth by that individual's anatomy. Provides that no member of the female sex may use a pupil restroom or changing room that has been designated by the school board for the exclusive use of the male sex and no member of the male sex may use a pupil restroom or changing room that has been designated by the school board for the exclusive use of the female sex, with exceptions. Authorizes a school board to provide reasonable accommodations to a pupil to use a single-occupancy restroom or changing room or the regulated use of a faculty restroom or changing room if the pupil, if the pupil is an adult or an emancipated minor, or the parent or guardian of a minor pupil submits to school officials, in writing, a request to receive such accommodations and the pupil is a member of the male sex but does not identify as a member of the male sex or the pupil is a member of the female sex but does not identify as a member of the female sex. Sets forth a complaint procedure.
Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Changes the schedule for examinations of pension funds established under the Downstate Police or Downstate Fire Article from every 3 years to a periodic basis, as determined by the Public Pension Division of the Department of Insurance. Provides that the examination may (instead of shall) include a review of certain information. Effective immediately.
Amends the Election Code. Provides that a vacancy in the office of State Senator or Representative in the General Assembly shall be filled at a special election if more than 6 months remain of the term of office and if the annual compensation for that office exceeds $21,000. Requires that the election be held 2 months after the vacancy occurs and that candidate petitions be filed within 30 days after the vacancy occurs.
Amends the Personnel Code. In a Section concerning disciplinary hearings, provides that, if the finding and decision of the Civil Service Commission is to remand the matter for the purpose of taking additional evidence or soliciting additional argument or for any other reason that will assist the Civil Service Commission in rendering its decision, that finding shall be rendered within 60 days after the receipt of the transcript of the proceedings. Provides that, if the finding and decision of the Civil Service Commission is a tie vote of the commissioners, then the finding of the officer or board appointed by the Civil Service Commission to conduct the investigation shall become the finding and decision of the Civil Service Commission. Effective immediately.
Creates the Illinois District Consolidation Commission Act. Creates the Illinois District Consolidation Commission for the purpose of recommending what school districts in the State to consolidate, with a goal of reducing the total number of school districts in the State by at least 60%. Requires all State agencies to assist the Commission as reasonably necessary, and provides that the State Board of Education shall provide administrative and other support. Sets forth requirements concerning membership and powers. Requires the Commission to issue a report concerning recommended consolidations by November 6, 2017. Requires the Commission to submit proposed legislation to the General Assembly enacting the proposed consolidations by November 6, 2017. Requires the General Assembly to vote on the legislation. Provides that the Commission shall spend no more than $1,000,000 on expenses. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois District Consolidation Commission Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Repeals the Act January 1, 2019. Contains a severability clause. Effective immediately.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall determine that proposed construction will promote the public convenience and necessity only if the utility demonstrates, among other requirements, that for construction serving a discrete area, existing customers will not be required to subsidize the cost of new facilities in excess of any refundable or nonrefundable payments by customers to be served by the new facilities. Provides that if any gas public utility connects an applicant or applicants to its gas distribution system, any costs associated with investments in plant addition in excess of any refundable payment or nonrefundable payment shall be excluded from any cost-recovery mechanism that allocates the excess cost among existing customers. Provides that no later than 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act, the Commission shall initiate a docketed investigation reviewing each gas public utility tariff that provides for gas main extensions without additional charge to new customers in excess of the default extensions without charge, and provides for other requirements pertaining to the investigation process. Provides that no later than 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act, the Commission shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding providing for rules establishing a uniform method by which natural gas public utilities determine the value of any gas main extensions provided to new customers without additional charge.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the registration period and fee for electric vehicles shall be the same as the registration period and fee for non-electric motor vehicles (rather than $35 for a 2-year registration period).
