Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that domestic battery committed in the presence of a person under 18 years of age is a Class 4 felony for a first conviction (rather than a Class A misdemeanor) and a Class 3 felony for a second or subsequent conviction (rather than a Class 4 felony).
Amends the Sex Offender and Child Murderer Community Notification Law. Provides that a manager of a condominium or of an apartment building shall post in a conspicuous place in the common areas of the condominium or apartment building a notice as to how a unit owner or renter can obtain information about persons who are registered as sex offenders under the Sex Offender Registration Act, including how to access information maintained in the Statewide Sex Offender Database that is posted on the Department of State Police Web site. Effective immediately.
Urges the Governor and the Director of Corrections to keep FY05 operations on budget without decreasing front line security staff and to explore options to increase the number of front line correctional officers at Illinois correctional facilities.
Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In the provisions restricting the return to employment after receiving early retirement benefits, excludes elective office. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, after June 30, 2004, vehicles of the second division weighing more than 8,000 pounds do not have to pay a commercial distribution fee in addition to a weight tax. Effective immediately.
Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code regarding community antenna television systems. Requires community antenna television systems franchisees to submit to the franchising authority a detailed customer services plan. Requires franchisees to establish and maintain such business offices and customer service and call centers and provide personnel, telephone service, and other equipment, as necessary, to ensure the timely, efficient, and effective service to customers. Provides time limitations for franchisees to respond to telephone calls, installations, and service repairs. Requires franchisees to maintain records of customer complaints, service outages and interruptions, and customer service requests. Requires franchisees to inform customers of its products and services and of any construction in the customer's area. Requires employees of the franchisee to wear identification badges when entering private property or working on the public way. Provides that any person or organization adversely affected by a violation, or by a pattern and practice of violations, shall have the right to sue a franchisee in a court of competent jurisdiction for damages and for injunctive and other relief. Provides that any person who violates any of these provisions shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $750 for each offense. Provides a schedule of credits to customers for certain actions of the franchisee. Requires franchisees to mail to each customer a summary of the customer protections. Provides that these provisions supersede any contradictory or inconsistent provision of State or local law or any initial or renewal franchise agreement. Preempts home rule powers. Effective immediately.
Amends the Downstate Teachers Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Extends the deadline for application for early retirement without discount from June 30, 2005 to June 30, 2010; also reduces the required contribution for some members. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law to reduce the rate of tax from 19 cents to 9 cents per gallon for a period of 6 months beginning on the first day of the first month that begins at least 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the State Treasurer Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the State Treasurer's bond.
Amends the Telecommunications Article of the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a telecommunications carrier that offers basic local exchange service in the service territory of a an incumbent local exchange carrier subject to alternative rate regulation must offer basic local exchange service including local usage on a stand-alone basis at rates no higher that the rates charged by the incumbent local exchange carrier. Effective immediately.
