Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that an audit or investigation may examine the reasonableness, prudence, or efficiency of any aspect of the utility's operations, costs, management, decisions, or functions that may affect the adequacy, safety, efficiency, or reliability of utility service or the reasonableness or prudence of the costs underlying rates or charges including power procurement costs for utility service. Provides that every 3 years each electric utility that provides electric services shall file with the Illinois Commerce Commission an energy plan for its service territory consistent with certain planning objectives and requirements. Provides that the cost of new electric utility generating plants and significant additions to electric utility generating plants shall not be included in the rate base of any utility unless such cost is reasonable and prudently incurred. Provides that the Commission shall authorize a decrease of rates and charges based upon changes in the cost of purchased power if it determines that a utility's power procurement costs were not the lowest cost possible. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires that the Governor's submitted budget include information concerning the amount and description of overdue bills and invoices under the State Prompt Payment Act. Amends the Prompt Payment Act. Accelerates the payment period from 60 days after the bill is submitted to 30 days after the bill is submitted. Increases the interest penalty from 1% to 1.5% if the payment is not made within 60 days after the bill is submitted. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, unless some other speed restriction has been established under the Code, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for any vehicle is 65 miles per hour. Effective January 1, 2008.
Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning downstate teachers.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that local authorities may issue overweight permits for the hauling of divisible loads of agricultural products and livestock. Effective immediately.
Amends the Public Health Program Beneficiary Employer Disclosure Law. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Harassing and Obscene Communications Act relating to the offense of harassment through electronic communications. Provides that it is a Class 4 felony to use an electronic communication to engage in a course of conduct that consists of contact by a person at least 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the offense with a person under 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the offense in which the course of conduct demonstrates a knowing disregard for the health, safety, and welfare of the contacted person.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Allows an income tax credit for each individual taxpayer who is a teacher teaching in a school in Illinois. Provides that the amount of the credit is equal to 50% of the eligible classroom expenses made by the taxpayer during the taxable year, but the credit may not exceed $500. Defines "eligible classroom expenses" as the aggregate amount of nonreimbursed classroom expenses made by the taxpayer during the taxable year less $250. Provides that the credit may not be carried forward or back and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Effective immediately.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that it is unlawful for a child sex offender to knowingly reside in the same household where a child under 18 years of age resides without the explicit consent of the parents or legal guardian of that child. Provides that before a child sex offender may reside in the same household where a child under 18 years of age resides, the child sex offender must notify the local law enforcement agency of the jurisdiction in which the child sex offender intends to reside. The local law enforcement agency must notify the parents or legal guardian of the child or children in whose household the child sex offender intends to reside of the status of the child sex offender, including the information about the child sex offender contained in the Statewide Sex Offender Database. Provides that the parents or legal guardian of the child or children in whose household the child sex offender intends to reside may condition their consent to the child sex offender residing in their household to the child sex offender's participation in therapy or counseling. Provides that a violation is a Class 4 felony.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that a person who sells or gives any firearm to any person who has been convicted of a felony under the laws of this State or any other jurisdiction is guilty of a Class 3 (rather than a Class 4) felony. Creates the offense of use of a stolen firearm in the commission of an offense. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she knowingly uses a stolen firearm in the commission of any offense and the person knows that the firearm was stolen. Provides that a violation is a Class 2 felony.