Rep. Kurt M. Granberg

Congratulates Carol Gorman on the occasion of her retirement.

Congratulates Walter and Aurelia Mauck on the occasion of their 60th anniversary.

Mourns the death of W. Harold Monken of Centralia.

Honors Central City Police Officer Matthew B. Dukes for his quick action in the line of duty, which led to a life being saved.

Recognizes the 45th anniversary of the Centralia Cultural Society.

Amends the IMRF Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Prohibits a person convicted of a felony relating to or arising out of or in connection with his or her service as an employee who is an employee of more than one employer that participates in the Fund from receiving benefits based on any of his or her service as an employee for all employers that participate in the Fund. Provides that, if, as a result of the felony, the employee is ordered by the court to pay restitution to the employer, then (i) the employer may apply for a refund of employee contributions on the employee's behalf and (ii) pursuant to appropriate documentation from the employer and the court, the Fund shall pay to the employer all or a portion of the refund in a sum sufficient to satisfy the court-ordered restitution. Effective immediately.

Amends the Statute on Statutes. Prohibits all takings under the power of eminent domain by the State or a unit of local government for private development unless the property is within an area that is a "blighted area" and the condemning authority has entered into a written agreement with a private person or entity that agrees to undertake a development project within the blighted area that specifically details the reasons for which the property or rights in the property are necessary for the success of the development project. Defines "private development". Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that in all eminent domain actions in which a property owner is displaced, the displacing entity must pay certain costs related to the relocation and displacement of the property owner's residence, business, or farm operation. Amends the Eminent Domain Article in the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that, in a condemnation proceeding in which the property has been designated by the condemning authority by ordinance as blighted, the condemning authority must demonstrate and prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the property is blighted property. Provides that the existence of an ordinance designating property as blighted is not prima facie evidence of blight. Provides that an ordinance designating property as "blighted property" shall not be presumed to be valid for purposes of the condemnation proceeding. Makes changes concerning the valuation of condemned property. Requires reimbursement of the property owner for certain relocation costs. Establishes guidelines for determining reasonable attorney's fees (i) if the court awards just compensation that exceeds the initial written offer of the condemning authority and (ii) if the court determines that the taking is not warranted. Preempts home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Acupuncture Practice Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning activities exempt from the application of the Act.

Creates the Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority Act. Establishes the Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority in Franklin, Perry, Randolph, Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Alexander, Pulaski, and Massac counties in order to promote economic development within those counties. Contains provisions concerning the powers and duties of the Authority. Allows the Authority to acquire, own, sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of interests in real property and to issue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness for certain purposes in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000,000. Provides that the Authority shall be governed by a 21-member board. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title and policy of the Act.