Rep. Daniel J. Burke

Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning deposits of fees.

Recognizes various programs as qualified to teach character development, and acknowledges that the Good Choices Program is one example of a program fully in compliance with provisions of the School Code concerning character education.

Creates the Protecting Our Student Athletes Act. Provides that the Act applies to all schools and park districts within this State that operate or sponsor athletic programs or extracurricular activities. Requires the State Board of Education and park districts to develop and disseminate guidelines on policies to inform and educate coaches and athletes and their parents or guardians of the nature and risk of concussions, criteria for removal from and return to play, and the risks of not reporting the injury and continuing to play. Requires each school and park district to develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the guidelines, as well as the identification and handling of suspected concussions in athletes. Sets forth what the policies must require. Contains provisions concerning liability and records of compliance. Effective July 1, 2011.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning bail bond.

Amends the Secretary of State Act. Provides that the Secretary of State shall provide on its web site a link to another web site or web resource, such as guidestar.org, where the Internal Revenue Service Form 990, or its equivalent, most recently filed by any Illinois not-for-profit organization may be accessed by the general public. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Repeals a provision providing for the collection of an annual commercial distribution fee on vehicles of the second division weighing more than 8,000 pounds. Effective July 1, 2012.

Amends the Illinois Oil and Gas Act. Provides that the Director of Natural Resources shall adopt rules that require, prior to such hydraulic fracturing, the owner or operator to perform a suitable mechanical integrity test of the casing or of the casing-tubing annulus or other mechanical integrity test methods using procedures that are established by administrative rule. Provides that each owner or operator that begins extracting natural gas from shale shall report to the Department specified information within 30 days after the completion of all stages of the hydraulic fracturing stimulation. Requires that the owner or operator shall post the chemical disclosure information on certain specified websites. Provides that the owner or operator shall provide information to the Director as to the amounts, handling, and, if necessary, disposal at an identified appropriate disposal facility, or reuse of the well stimulation fluid load recovered during flow back, swabbing, or recovery from production facility vessels. Provides that the storage of the well stimulation fluid load shall be protective of an underground source of drinking water by the use of either tanks or lined pits. Provides that nothing in the provision shall be construed to require or allow disclosure of trade secrets or commercial information that is exempt from inspection or copying when provided to the Department together with a claim made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act that such information is proprietary, privileged, or confidential and that disclosure may cause competitive harm to the person or business. Provides that the provision only applies to the extraction of natural gas from shale.

Amends the State Employees Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides a Deferred Retirement Option Plan to members of the State Employees' Retirement System of Illinois who are eligible to receive the alternative formula under which members effectively retire and have their retirement accumulate, after applicable taxes, in the System while they continue covered employment for up to 5 years. Effective immediately.

Amends the Chicago Park District Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2013, the fiscal year of the Park Employees' and Retirement Board Employees' Annuity and Benefit Fund will run from January 1 to December 31 (instead of July 1 to June 30). Makes corresponding changes in other provisions of the Article. Effective immediately.

Creates the Safe Driving with Pets Task Force and charges it with the duty to recommend legislation to the General Assembly that protects drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and animals without unduly burdening law enforcement or drivers with unnecessary regulation.