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SB 1246

SB 1246 - This act modifies provisions relating to the use of self-defense. SELF DEFENSE AND PRESUMPTION OF REASONABLENESS (Section 563.031) Under current law, the defendant has the burden to prove he or she reasonably believed physical or deadly force was necessary to protect him or herself or a third person. This act provides that there shall be a presumption of reasonableness that the defendant believed such force was necessary to defend him or herself or a third person. This provision is identical to a provision in SB 1055 (2026), HB 2176 (2026), SB 363 (2025), HB 363 (2025), SB 771 (2024), SB 43 (2023), SB 666 (2022), and SB 1104 (2022) and is similar to a provision in SB 1345 (2026), SB 147 (2025) and in SB 1117 (2024). IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY FOR SELF-DEFENSE (Section 563.085 and the Repeal of Section 563.016) This act provides that a person who uses or threatens to use force in self-defense is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force, unless such force was used against a law enforcement officer who was acting in the performance of his or her official duties and the person reasonably knew or should have known that the person was a law enforcement officer. Additionally, a law enforcement agency may use standard procedures for investigating the use or threatened use of force, but the agency may not arrest the person for using or threatening to use force unless the agency determines that there is probable cause that the force that was used or threatened was unlawful. This act provides that the defendant can raise a claim of self-defense during a pre-trial hearing in either a criminal or civil case which shall shift the burden on the party seeking to overcome the immunity by proof of clear and convincing evidence. Finally, this act repeals provisions relating to civil remedies that are unaffected by criminal provisions of self-defense law. These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 1055 (2026), SB 1345 (2026), SB 363 (2025), SB 147 (2025), SB 771 (2024), SB 1117 (2024), SB 43 (2023), SB 666 (2022), and SB 1104 (2022), and are similar to provisions in SB 2176 (2026), HB 363 (2025). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ben Brown

Illinois waives the standard vehicle registration fee for veterans with a VA service-connected disability on eligible vehicles.

Second Read and Referred S Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 1246

SB 1246 — Vehicle Registration Fee Waiver for Veterans with Service‑Connected Disabilities (Illinois)

Status: Introduced (104th General Assembly). Referred to Assignments; assigned to Appropriations — Public Safety & Infrastructure. Introduced Jan. 24, 2025 by Sen. Craig Wilcox.

Purpose / Intent

To waive the standard motor vehicle registration fee for Illinois vehicle owners who are military veterans and can present proof from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that they have a service‑connected disability.

Key provisions

  • Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/3‑806.7).
  • Adds a new subsection providing that, beginning with the first registration year after the bill’s effective date, the standard registration fee (the base fee under Section 3‑806) for:
    • passenger motor vehicles of the first division, and
    • motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds and registered under Section 3‑815, shall be waived for any vehicle owner who is a veteran and who presents proof from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of a service‑connected disability.
  • The waiver applies to the standard/base registration fee only; existing statutory language continues to exclude additional fees (for specialty, personalized, or vanity plates) from the waiver.

Who would be affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Illinois veterans who hold VA documentation showing a service‑connected disability and who own/are the registered owners of eligible passenger vehicles (first division and second division ≤ 8,000 lbs, registered under Sec. 3‑815).
  • State and local motor vehicle revenue streams: registration revenue collections would be reduced to the extent eligible veterans obtain the waiver.
  • Secretary of State/vehicle registration offices: administrative responsibility to verify VA documentation and apply the waiver at registration/renewal.

Eligibility / documentation

  • A vehicle owner must provide proof from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of a service‑connected disability. The bill does not specify additional verification steps beyond presentation of that VA proof.

Procedural / effective date

  • The change is written to take effect beginning with the first registration year that begins after the effective date of the amendatory act (i.e., implementation keyed to the next applicable registration year after enactment).
  • Current legislative status: introduced and referred to committee assignment (see top of summary). Further committee action and floor votes are required for enactment.

Fiscal considerations

  • The bill does not include a fiscal estimate in the text. Waiving the standard registration fee would reduce fee revenue collected by the state (and potentially local distribution depending on law), with the magnitude dependent on (a) the number of qualifying veterans who register eligible vehicles and (b) the amount of the standard registration fee for those vehicle classes. Administrative changes to implement verification procedures could create modest one‑time/ongoing workload for registration offices.

Context / related provisions

  • Section 3‑806.7 already includes other vehicle registration reductions/waivers for certain active duty members and returning service members; this bill adds service‑connected‑disability veterans as an additional category eligible for a waiver of the standard registration fee.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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