Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that the Underground Storage Tank Fund is not subject to sweeps, administrative charges or charge-backs, or any other fiscal or budgetary maneuver that would in any way transfer any funds from the Underground Storage Tank Fund into any other fund of the State. Effective immediately.
Recognizes and offers our support for the citizens of Clinton County, Jefferson County, Marion County, and Washington County, in and around the municipalities of Centralia and Mount Vernon in the State of Illinois, in their ongoing effort to develop a plan to reroute train traffic and prevent delays due to train crossings in and around the towns of Centralia and Mt. Vernon and encourages the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois Commerce Commission, and the affected railroads to work with the citizens of these communities to find a timely solution to this issue.
Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Grandparents Custody Assistance Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be paid as grants to public or private non-profit agencies that provide pro bono legal assistance to a grandparent or other first-degree relative seeking (i) custody of a child or (ii) to intervene in a custody dispute involving that child. Authorizes the Attorney General to manage the Fund. Defines "first-degree relative". Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Provides that if the court finds that a party has violated a court order relating to custody, visitation, or joint parenting, the court shall fine the party $50 in addition to any other penalty imposed, unless the court decides to waive the fine because it would place an undue burden on another party who is not in violation of the court's order. Amends the Clerk of Courts Act. Provides that 90% of the fine imposed under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act must be transferred from the clerk to the Treasurer for deposit into the Grandparents Custody Assistance Fund and that the remaining 10% must be retained by the clerk to offset administrative costs.
Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Pet Overpopulation Control Fund. Prohibits certain transfers from the Pet Overpopulation Control Fund (rather than the Pet Population Control Fund). Repeals the Pet Population Control Fund. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Repeals the Pet Population Control Fund income tax checkoff. Amends the Animal Control Act. Requires certain fines and fees to be deposited into county animal control funds rather than the Pet Population Control Fund. Deletes a provision requiring animal control agencies to assist and share certain information with the Director of Public Health. Makes other technical changes. Amends the Illinois Public Health and Safety Animal Population Control Act to provide reimbursement only for certain claims made through June 30, 2010. Repeals the Pet Population Control Fund. Repeals the Act on July 1, 2010. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that certain portions of the pet friendly license plate registration and renewal fee must be paid into the Pet Overpopulation Control Fund rather than the Pet Population Control Fund. Requires all moneys in the Pet Overpopulation Control Fund to be paid, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and approval by the Director of Agriculture, as grants to certain humane societies for the humane sterilization of dogs and cats in the State. Requires the Director of Agriculture, when approving these grants, to consider the recommendations of a volunteer board appointed by the Director of Agriculture and consisting of 5 Illinois residents who are officers or directors of humane societies operating in different regions in Illinois. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Provides for the employment of assistant principals. Includes provisions concerning (1) their duties, (2) their contracts, (3) their reclassification, and (4) the development and submission of an evaluation plan. Removes language that provides that if a principal is absent due to extended illness or leave of absence, then an assistant principal may be assigned as acting principal for a period not to exceed 60 school days. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. In a Section authorizing the corporate authorities of a municipality to borrow money from any bank or other financial institution, adds to the definition of "financial institution" any regional planning commission or joint regional planning commission established in accordance with the Counties Code. Effective immediately.
Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Includes, in the definition of "sex offense", distributing harmful material to a minor.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on and after January 1, 2011, electronic benefits transfer cards ("LINK") used to obtain food stamp benefits or cash shall contain the name and photo of the primary cardholder and, at the option of the primary cardholder, the names of secondary holders who are authorized to use the card. Establishes that an individual may only use the LINK card if the photo on the card matches the user or he or she presents a current and valid photo identification that confirms he or she is a secondary user listed on the card. Provides that on the effective date of the amendatory Act the Department of Human Services shall begin the process of transitioning to the use of LINK cards which contain the name and photo of the primary cardholder and list the names of all authorized users of the card. Requires the transition to be completed no later than January 1, 2011. Effective immediately.
Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning truck operators.
Amends the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act. Provides that an area is separately qualified to become an enterprise zone if that area: (i) is located, wholly or partially, within a county that has a population that, according to the most-recent decennial census, is less than the population of the county according to the decennial census that occurred 40 years prior to the most recent decennial census; and (ii) satisfies any additional criteria established by rule of the Department consistent with the purposes of this Act. Effective immediately.
