Traffic/DUI

(Biss, D-Skokie) provides that the following  cannot be mitigating factors in a first-degree murder case nor serious provocation in a second-degree murder case: a non-violent sexual advance, nor the discovery, knowledge, or perception of a person’s sex or sexual orientation, including under circumstances in which the defendant and victim dated or had a romantic or sexual relationship. The change to first-degree murder is only relevant if the State re-enacts the death penalty. It has just been introduced. 

(Hutchinson, D-Chicago Heights) provides that no person who is qualified and able to serve as a juror may be excluded from jury service in any court of this State on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, order of protection status, disability, military status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or unfavorable discharge from military service. It does not affect any current statutory exemptions. It has just been introduced. 

(McCann, R-Carlinville) allows the chief judge at his or her discretion to operate the Veterans and Servicemembers Court program in one or more counties in the circuit, and allow veteran and servicemember defendants from all counties within the circuit to participate. It has just been introduced

(Guzzardi, D-Chicago) provides that the Act applies to any law enforcement agency that seizes property alleged to have been used in or derived from the commission of a criminal offense. Provides that every law enforcement agency that seizes property shall report specified information on a monthly basis. Changes most forfeiture distributions from law enforcement agencies to the Asset Forfeiture Proceeds Fund to be administered by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. House Bill 689 was just introduced. 

(Hutchinson, D-Chicago Heights) creates the Business Opportunity Tax that imposes a tax on all entities that issue a Form W-2 or a Form 1099 to a resident of Illinois. It imposes a sliding scale of taxation based on the employer’s total Illinois payroll as follows. (1) if the taxpayer’s total Illinois payroll for the taxable year is less than $100,000, then the annual tax is $225; (2) if the taxpayer’s total Illinois payroll for the taxable year is $100,000 or more but less than $250,000, then the annual tax is $750; (3) if the taxpayer’s total Illinois payroll for the taxable year is $250,000 or more but less than $500,000, then the annual tax is $3,750; (4) if the taxpayer’s total Illinois payroll for the taxable year is $500,000 or more but less than $1,500,000, then the annual tax is $7,500; and (5) if the taxpayer’s total Illinois payroll for the taxable year is $1,500,000 or more, then the annual tax is $15,000.

The following are exempt from taxation under this Act: (1) governmental employers described in Section 707 of the Illinois Income Tax Act; and (2) not-for-profit corporations that are exempt from taxation under Sections 501(c) or 501(d) of the Internal Revenue Code or organized under the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986. Senate Amendment No. 2 becomes the bill and was just filed. It is part of the “grand bargain” being attempted by Senate leaders.

(Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria) changes current law for reporting of court supervision for a serious traffic violation under the Code or a similar provision in a local ordinance. Currently, a report of a disposition of court supervision for a serious traffic violation committed by a person under 21 years of age must be sent to the Secretary of State’s Office. This bill requires a reporting for all drivers regardless of their age. The second change affects the time for reporting to the Secretary of State a disposition of court supervision for any traffic violation (with some exceptions) under the Code. This bill requires immediate reporting instead of forwarding within five days after disposition. House Bill 221 has just been introduced.