Rep. Mark Batinick

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of kindling a fire on a public way. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she knowingly lights, kindles, or burns a fire on the surface of a road, street, or other public way. Provides exemptions. Provides that a violation is a petty offense for which a fine not exceeding $1,000 may be imposed.

Amends the Newborn Metabolic Screening Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to provide all newborns and infants within 12 months of birth with screening tests for the presence of spinal muscular atrophy. Provides that the testing shall begin within 12 months of the occurrence of specified events. Provides that the Department is authorized to implement an additional fee for the screening prior to beginning the testing in order to accumulate the resources for start-up and other costs associated with implementation of the screening and thereafter to support the costs associated with screening and follow-up programs for spinal muscular atrophy.

Amends the School Code. In provisions allowing a board of education to enter into a contract with a third party for non-instructional services currently performed by any employee or bargaining unit member, removes a provision that requires any third party that submits a bid to perform the non-instructional services to provide a benefits package for the third party's employees who will perform the non-instructional services comparable to the benefits package provided to school board employees who perform those services.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2017 levy year, the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law applies to all taxing districts, including home rule units. Provides that, beginning with the 2017 levy year, the extension limitation under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law is 0% or the rate of increase approved by the voters. Preempts home rule. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Repeals provisions concerning the use of soybean oil-based ink in contracts for printing services. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Modifies the definition of "public employee" or "employee" to exclude from bargaining unit status any employee of the Department of Human Services who is classified as or who holds the position of Public Service Administrator or Executive 2.

Proposes to amend the Finance Article of the Illinois Constitution relating to balanced budgets. Provides that the State budget shall be based on estimated revenue (now funds), defines "revenue". Provides that, except for deficiency or emergency appropriations, appropriations are expendable only during the fiscal year for which they were appropriated. Provides that the General Assembly by law may establish an extended period to pay lapsed appropriations, not to exceed six months beyond the end of the fiscal year.

Amends the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes downstate police and downstate firefighter pension funds to invest in commingled accounts of the Illinois Metropolitan Investment Funds. Provides that a pension fund's total investment in certain life insurance accounts managed by insurance companies and mutual funds managed through an investment adviser, in combination with certain other investments, shall not exceed 65% of the pension fund's net present assets. Requires contracts between an investment adviser and the board of trustees of a downstate police or downstate firefighter pension fund to include a requirement that the investment adviser make annual reports to the board concerning net returns. Repeals a provision specifying additional permitted investments for pension funds with net assets of $2,500,000 or more. Makes conforming and other changes.

Appropriates $14,189,699 to the Department of Natural Resources from the Abandoned Mined Lands Reclamation Council Federal Trust Fund for grants and contracts to conduct research, planning, and construction to eliminate hazards created by abandoned mines, and any other expenses necessary for emergency response. Effective July 1, 2017.