Rep. Daniel J. Burke

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the duties of the Department.

Creates the Judicial Campaign Reform Act and amends the Election Code, the State Finance Act, the Illinois Income Tax Act, and the Clerks of Courts Act. Creates a voluntary program of public financing of election campaigns for the offices of judges of the Illinois Supreme Court and Appellate Courts, administered by the State Board of Elections. Establishes funding mechanisms and provides penalties for violations. Sets mandatory contribution limits with respect to all judicial election campaigns. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2009.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and the State Finance Act. Provides that the Director of the Department of State Police shall provide for creation of an automated system for verification of automobile insurance coverage. Creates the Insurance Verification Fund in the State treasury. Provides that the Director of the Department of State Police shall use the moneys in the fund to establish, implement, and maintain the system. Makes corresponding changes in the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Director shall not approve any contract for this system that requires any additional cost to the State. Repeals provisions relating to issuance of insurance cards. Effective July 1, 2008.

Amends the State Finance Act, the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Act. Extends the duration and increases the amounts of deposits of certain use and occupation tax proceeds into the McCormick Place Expansion Project Fund. Increases certain bond authorization limits of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority from $2,107,000,000 to $2,457,000,000 and makes changes to the required maturity dates of the bonds. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that forgery of a property deed is a Class 2 (rather than a Class 3) felony. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mercury-added Product Prohibition Act. Provides that no person shall distribute or sell any cosmetics, toiletries, or fragrances containing mercury. Provides that any person who knowingly sells or distributes mercury-containing cosmetics, toiletries, or fragrances in this State commits a petty offense and shall be fined up to $500. Provides that a manufacturer that distributes cosmetics, toiletries, or fragrances containing mercury to persons in this State must disclose the level of mercury in its cosmetics, toiletries, or fragrances. A manufacturer who fails to disclose the level of mercury in its cosmetics, toiletries, or fragrances commits a business offense and shall be fined $10,000. Effective January 1, 2009.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. With respect to the Monetary Award Program, provides that the maximum grant amount must not exceed $5,468 for fiscal year 2009, $5,968 for fiscal year 2010, and $6,468 for fiscal year 2011 and each fiscal year thereafter (instead of $4,968). Provides that the maximum grant amount for students not subject to this provision must be increased by the same percentage as any increase made by law to such provision. Removes the provision that limits the grant amount to an amount that equals 2 semesters or 3 quarters tuition and fees. Effective July 1, 2008.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that if a defendant is accused of child pornography or aggravated child pornography or the defendant is accused of first degree murder or second degree murder when the commission of the offense involves sexual penetration or sexual conduct, evidence of the defendant's commission of another such offense or evidence to rebut that proof or an inference from that proof, may be admissible (if that evidence is otherwise admissible under the rules of evidence) and may be considered for its bearing on any matter to which it is relevant. Provides that (1) testimony by the victim of an out of court statement made by the victim that he or she complained of such act to another; and (2) testimony of an out of court statement made by the victim describing any complaint of such act or matter or detail pertaining to any act which is an element of an offense which is the subject of a prosecution for a sexual or physical act against that victim are admissible as exceptions to the hearsay rule in prosecutions for any sex offense as defined in the Sex Offender Registration Act.

Amends the School Code. Adds homeownership, including the basic process of obtaining a mortgage and the concepts of fixed and adjustable rate mortgages, subprime loans, and predatory lending, as part of the financial literacy component of consumer education.