Rep. Bill Mitchell

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that in an effort to control the epidemic of childhood obesity, the Secretary of Human Services may seek a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture to allow the State to specify certain foods that may and may not be purchased in Illinois with the benefits funded by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly the Food Stamp Program). Requires the Secretary to consult with members of the General Assembly in developing the waiver and to obtain approval from the General Assembly before implementing the waiver.

Amends the Long-Term Care Provider Funding Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that specified assessments imposed on long-term care providers shall not be due and payable until after the Department of Healthcare and Family Services reimburses a long-term care provider for services rendered for the month of the required assessment. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, if a person has been granted a senior citizens homestead exemption, that person need not reapply for the exemption (now, the county board may provide that persons who are granted the exemption need not reapply). Effective immediately.

Amends the Budget Stabilization Act. Increases the amount transferred from the General Revenue Fund to the Pension Stabilization Fund to 100% (currently 10%) of the specified sums. Provides that the transferred amount is intended to represent all (currently one-tenth) of the annual savings to the State resulting from the enactment of Public Act 98-599.

Amends the Township Code. Provides that in addition to the supervisor, a co-signer shall be required on all township accounts, withdrawals, and deposits. Provides that the co-signer shall be designated by the township board by resolution. Effective immediately.

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

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that any director appointed by the city council must reside within the area served by the hospital throughout his or her term. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act and the State Property Control Act. Requires the Executive Ethics Commission to adopt rules for the use of and travel on State aircraft that supersede any such rules applicable to the executive branch of State government adopted by the State's various travel control boards or the Travel Regulation Council. Provides that 3 executive aircraft and 2 helicopters owned by the State and not designated for emergency use are surplus property and must be sold by a competitive sealed bid method (now, a transferable airplane may be disposed of only if (i) it is no longer needed, (ii) it will not be used as a trade-in, and (iii) a public university or college offering aviation-related instruction or training has not listed its need for an airplane). Requires that the sale proceeds be deposited into the General Revenue Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Eliminates provision that the Department of State Police shall charge applicants for a license to carry a concealed handgun a fee for conducting the criminal history records check not exceeding the actual cost of the records check. Changes various fees for new licenses and for renewal of licenses. Changes the distribution of the fees. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "recreational vehicle for hire" as a camping trailer, motor home, mini motor home, travel trailer, truck camper, or van camper owned by a commercial business and rented to individuals for personal recreational use. Provides that the owner of a recreational vehicle for hire may, upon payment of a the applicable fee, apply to the Secretary of State for and be issued vanity or personalized license plates.