Chicago City Wire

Javier L. Cervantes introduced SB0107 in the Illinois Senate on Jan. 17, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Creates the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program Act. Provides that the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois shall contract with a not-for-profit corporation organized under the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986 to administer and manage the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program. Provides that the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois shall select the not-for-profit corporation through a competitive grant award process. Provides that from appropriations made by the General Assembly from the Illinois Police K-9 Memorial Fund to the University of Illinois for implementation of the Act, the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois shall make grants to the not-for-profit corporation contracted by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois to be the disbursing authority for the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that moneys from the Illinois Police K-9 Memorial Fund and for grants under the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program Act."

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill establishes the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program Act, directing the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois to contract with a not-for-profit corporation to manage the program. The corporation, chosen through a competitive grant process, will provide funding for the veterinary care of retired police dogs, including those injured in service. Annual reimbursement by former handlers or adopters is capped at $1,500, with the funds sourced from the Illinois Police K-9 Memorial Fund. The program stipulates that up to 10% of funds may cover administrative expenses. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended to include special Police K-9 Memorial license plates, with the fees supporting both the memorial fund and the retired dogs' care program. The Act ensures the program is subjected to review and audit oversight by the Auditor General.

Javier L. Cervantes has proposed another two bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Cervantes graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Javier L. Cervantes is currently serving in the Illinois State Senate, representing the state's 1st Senate District. He replaced previous state senator Antonio Munoz in 2023.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
SB0107	01/17/2025	Creates the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program Act. Provides that the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois shall contract with a not-for-profit corporation organized under the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986 to administer and manage the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program. Provides that the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois shall select the not-for-profit corporation through a competitive grant award process. Provides that from appropriations made by the General Assembly from the Illinois Police K-9 Memorial Fund to the University of Illinois for implementation of the Act, the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois shall make grants to the not-for-profit corporation contracted by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois to be the disbursing authority for the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that moneys from the Illinois Police K-9 Memorial Fund and for grants under the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program Act.
SB0106	01/17/2025	Amends the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act. Authorizes the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority to: (1) use the services of, and enter into necessary agreements with, outside entities for the purpose of evaluating grant applications and for the purpose of administering or monitoring compliance with grant agreements; (2) make grants to community-based organizations, local government agencies, non-profit organizations, or other eligible entities for specified criminal justice and public safety programs; and (3) adopt rules necessary to carry out the Authority's responsibilities under the Act. Effective immediately.
SB0108	01/17/2025	Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in the assessment waiver provisions, defines "assessments" to include assessments in a county having a population of more than 3,000,000. Deletes a provision that states the provision is inoperative on and after July 1, 2024 that provides that in a county having a population of more than 3,000,000, "assessments" means any costs imposed on a criminal defendant under the Assessment Schedules Article of the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act, including violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code assessments.
SB0124	01/17/2025	Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Motor Vehicle Insurance Fairness Act. Provides that no insurer shall refuse to issue or renew a policy of automobile insurance based in whole or in part on specified prohibited underwriting or rating factors. Sets forth factors that are prohibited with respect to underwriting and rating a policy of automobile insurance. Sets forth provisions concerning the use of territorial factors. Provides that every insurer selling a policy of automobile insurance in the State shall demonstrate that its marketing, underwriting, rating, claims handling, fraud investigations, and any algorithm or model used for those business practices do not disparately impact any group of customers based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, or gender expression. Provides that no rate shall be approved or remain in effect that is excessive, inadequate, unfairly discriminatory, or otherwise in violation of the provisions. Provides that every insurer that desires to change any rate shall file a complete rate application with the Director of Insurance. Provides that all information provided to the Director under the provisions shall be available for public inspection. Provides that any person may initiate or intervene in any proceeding permitted or established under the provisions and challenge any action of the Director under the provisions. Provides that the Department of Insurance shall adopt rules. Provides that all insurers subject to the provisions shall be assessed a fee of 0.05% of their total earned premium from the prior calendar year, and that the fee shall be payable to the Department no later than July 1 of each calendar year and shall be used by the Department to implement the provisions.