Amends the Illinois State Police Act. Creates the Police K-9 Care Program within the Illinois State Police to provide a stable funding source for the veterinary care for retired police dogs. Provides that Illinois State Police shall contract with a nonprofit corporation organized under State law to administer and manage the Program and shall select the nonprofit corporation through a competitive grant award process. Provides that a handler or adopter of a retired police dog is eligible for a grant of up to $1,500 in veterinary care reimbursement for the retired police dog. Provides that the Program will be funded through grants from the Police K-9 Care Fund, which shall be funded by gifts, appropriations, and a percentage of monetary forfeitures due to criminal activity. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers relating to forfeitures. Provides requirements for the Program and the Fund. Requires the Illinois State Police to adopt rules necessary to implement the Police K-9 Care Program and the requirements of the Fund. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act. Some provisions take effect immediately and some provisions take effect one year after becoming law.
House Committee Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program Act. Creates the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program within the University of Illinois System to provide a stable funding source for the veterinary care of retired police dogs. Provides that the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois shall contract with a not-for-profit corporation to administer and manage the Program. Sets forth the required criteria a not-for-profit corporation must meet to be selected for a grant award. Subject to appropriation, requires the Board of Trustees to make grants to the not-for-profit corporation to be the disbursing authority for the Program. Provides that annual disbursements to a former handler or an adopter of a retired police dog to reimburse him or her for the cost of the retired police dog's veterinary care may not exceed $1,500 per dog. Requires the Board of Trustees to adopt rules to implement the Act. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that all moneys in the Illinois Police K-9 Memorial Fund shall be paid, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and distribution by the Secretary, for grants under the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program Act (rather than as grants to the Northern Illinois Police K-9 Memorial for the creation, operation, and maintenance of a police K-9 memorial monument). Provides that, if the Secretary of State has not received 2,000 plate applications to issue the special registration plates designated as Illinois Police K-9 Memorial license plates by January 1, 2028, then the Secretary of State's authority to issue the special plate is nullified and the plate shall not be issued.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 20 ILCS 2610/47, 20 ILCS 2610/48, 30 ILCS 105/5
Engrossed: 625 ILCS 5/3