Rep. Chad Hays

Mourns the death of Toni Leigh Elston of Springfield.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that if a defendant suffers from a mental disability and is placed in the custody of the Department of Human Services, the defendant will not be placed in a secure setting if the defendant is charged with a misdemeanor and the Department determines that the defendant could be appropriately placed in a non-secure setting. Effective immediately.

Amends the Personnel Code. Creates the Registered Nurse Registry Pilot Program to be administered by the Department of Central Management Services. Provides that the Department shall create and maintain an in-house registry of extra help employees for certain State operated facilities to improve staffing needs and to avoid the use of mandatory overtime. Provides that the in-house registry shall meet certain requirements. Provides that a State operated facility may appoint a Registered Nurse I or Correctional Nurse I as an extra help employee if certain conditions are met. Effective January 1, 2012.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that, following notification to and a period of consultation with the appropriate board of control, the Board of Higher Education is authorized to take action on the dissolution or reduce in scope any and all existing programs of instruction, research, or public service that the Board finds to lack educational or economical justification at the public universities and community colleges. Requires each public university and community college to submit its plan for capital improvements of non-instructional facilities to the Board for approval before final commitments are made only if the total cost of the project as approved by the institution's board of control is in excess of $2 million.

Creates the Renewable Energy Production District Act. Provides that any area within the boundaries of a single county may be incorporated as a renewable energy production district. Sets forth the procedure for establishing a renewable energy production district. Provides that a board of trustees shall govern a renewable energy production district. Sets forth the appointment, terms, and powers of the board members. Authorizes the board to sell the renewable energy produced by a renewable energy facility. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Employee Washroom Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Technology Development Act. Authorizes the State Treasurer to segregate up to 3% of the Treasurer's investment portfolio in the Technology Development Account IIa. Authorizes investments from the account to provide venture capital to help attract, assist, and retain quality technology businesses in Illinois. Provides that the Treasurer may solicit proposals from entities to manage and be the General Partner of Technology Development Account IIb, a separate fund consisting of investments from private sector investors that must invest, at the direction of the Treasurer, in tandem with TDA IIa. Sets restrictions and conditions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois State Collection Act of 1986. Exempts the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department of Human Services from the requirements of the Act in regard to financial aid or health care benefits debts. Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that upon entry of a judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction for repayment of any financial aid or health care benefits obtained by a person under the Code or under any Act administered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services or the Department of Human Services for which that person was not eligible to receive, the Departments shall have the sole authority to let contracts with persons specializing in debt collection for the collection of the judgment amount. Provides that contracts shall be awarded by competitive sealed bidding in accordance with the Illinois Procurement Code and shall be awarded with reasonable promptness by written notice to the responsible and responsive bidder who bids the lowest contingency fee percentage.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Prohibits a public service announcement on behalf of a State administered program that contains the proper name, image, or voice of a State executive branch constitutional officer or legislator from being displayed on a billboard or electronic message board. Effective immediately.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.