Sen. Don DeWitte

Proposes to amend the Suffrage and Elections Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that every United States citizen who has attained the age of 18 or any other voting age required by the United States for voting (currently voting in State elections) and who has been a permanent resident of this State for at least 30 days next preceding any election shall have the right to vote at such election.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer is a Class 4 felony instead of a Class A misdemeanor and that a third or subsequent violation is a Class 3 felony instead of a Class 4 felony. Provides that aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer is a Class 3 felony instead of a Class 4 felony and that a second or subsequent violation is a Class 2 felony instead of a Class 3 felony. Effective immediately.

Amends the Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act. Removes provisions about the State Police Asset Forfeiture Section. Amends the State Finance Act. Changes the name of the State Police Revocation Enforcement Fund to the State Police Firearm Enforcement Fund (and makes conforming changes within the Act, the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, and the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act). Provides that the balance remaining in the State Police Training and Academy Fund shall be transferred to the State Police Law Enforcement Administration Fund, and dissolves the State Police Training and Academy Fund (amends the Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Act and the Illinois Insurance Code to make conforming changes). Makes changes concerning the uses of the State Police Law Enforcement Administration Fund. Amends the School Code. Includes provisions relating to reporting of verified incidents involving a firearm or drugs to the State Board of Education, the State Board of Education reporting data by school district on its website, and local law enforcement reporting specified data from the previous year to the Illinois State Police's Illinois Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Makes changes regarding applying for licensure and Fingerprinting. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 and the Drug Asset Forfeiture Procedure Act. In provisions concerning non-judicial forfeiture, provides that the director or the director's designee (instead of just the director) shall dispose of property forfeited in accordance with law. Amends the Arsonist Registration Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Arsonist Registry Act. Eliminates registration of arsonists (makes conforming changes in the Criminal Identification Act, the Unified Code of Corrections, and the Code of Civil Procedure). Provides that the Illinois State Police shall establish and maintain a Statewide Arsonist Database for the purpose of identifying arsonists and making that information available to law enforcement and the general public. Contains requirements for operation of the Database. Effective July 1, 2024.

Creates the Business Improvement District Law. Allows a municipality to create a business improvement district by ordinance. Sets forth requirements for an ordinance creating a business improvement district. Provides that a business improvement district may impose district charges on property owners whose real properties are located within the business improvement district. Provides that the board of directors of a business improvement district shall administer or implement activities and improvements specified in the district plan unless the board contracts with a district management association to do so. Contains provisions relating to district plans; formation of a district; district boundaries; terms and renewal of districts; amendment to district plans; governance of the district; reports of the board of directors of a business improvement district; contesting the validity of a business improvement district, district plan, or district charge; dissolution; and legislative purpose. Provides that the Act applies only to municipalities having a population exceeding 500,000. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the Transportation Cooperation Act of 1971, the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Bi-State Development Agency Act, and the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that a railroad passenger service, a Transportation Service Association, the Department of Transportation, the Regional Transportation Authority, the Chicago Transit Authority, and the Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority shall issue an annual report on or before December 31 of each year containing all rail safety recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board during the previous 12 months and the status of the entity's implementation of those recommendations. Provides that the Federal Railroad Corporation (also known as Amtrak) and the Bi-State Development Agency may issue a similar report. Provides that a report issued under the provisions shall be made publicly available on the website of the entity. Effective July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 220 is a technical amendment to the Citizen Participation Act that updates the bill's short title. This change does not alter the actual rules or procedures for citizen participation in government meetings. The legislation is intended solely to correct the official name of the existing law. No new policies or obligations are created by this bill.

Amends the Public Contract Fraud Act. Provides that the Attorney General need not approve the title for lands needed for public works or improvements if the consideration paid does not exceed $25,000 (currently, $10,000). Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act in Illinois to strengthen the information and support services provided to victims throughout the criminal justice process. It requires law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and corrections officials to notify victims about case status, court dates, plea negotiations, and the final outcomes of their cases. Additionally, the legislation mandates that victim advocates inform individuals about available social services, financial assistance, and their legal rights to have support persons or translators present at proceedings. The bill also ensures victims are informed about the potential release of defendants and how to access information regarding the defendant's imprisonment duration.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to update the short title of the Child Passenger Protection Act. It does not create new laws or change existing driver licensing requirements, such as testing frequencies or exam content. The primary change is a technical correction to the bill's official name, and if passed, it would take effect on January 1, 2025.

Creates the Public-Private Partnerships Act. Provides that the intent of the Act, among others, is to authorize responsible public entities to develop and enter into public-private partnership agreements for qualifying projects which result in the availability of such projects to the public in a more timely and less costly fashion, thereby serving the public safety, benefit, and welfare. Creates the Infrastructure Investment Commission, including its membership and duties. Establishes the qualifications and processes related to unsolicited proposals for projects that become public-private agreements for the building, upgrading, providing of services, operating, ownership or financing of facilities. Sets forth the procedures and standards for the formation of public-private agreements between public and private entities, including the powers of the entities and the provisions of the agreements. Establishes development and operation standards for projects. Includes provisions related to the taxation and financial arrangements related to public-private partnerships. Sets forth additional provisions related to: the acquisition of property; law enforcement; and additional powers of responsible public entities with respect to qualifying projects. Makes conforming changes in the Freedom of Information Act and the Public Funds Investment Act.