Rep. David B. Reis

Amends the Election Code. Requires that a person seeking to vote in person on election day present a government-issued photo identification to the election judge. Requires each election authority to issue a photo identification card to each registered voter in its jurisdiction who cannot afford to obtain another government-issued photo identification. Makes failure to present a government-issued photo identification one of the reasons a person may vote a provisional ballot.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the unlawful sale of firearms.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorders to the extent that the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders are not already covered by the policy or plan. Provides that this coverage shall be subject to a maximum benefit of $36,000 per year, but shall not be subject to any limits on the number of visits to an autism service provider. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the creation of the Board.

Amends the Renewable Fuels Development Program Act. Increases the authorized annual aggregate grant amount from $20,000,000 to $25,000,000. Effective July 1, 2007.

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 a vehicle of the second division weighing 8,001 pounds or more is 60 (rather than 55) miles per hour. Provides that the Department of Transportation may not alter the speed limits on an access-controlled highway to exceed 60 (rather than 55) miles per hour for vehicles of the second division weighing 8,001 pounds or more. Effective January 1, 2009.

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act and the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act. Makes numerous changes as follows: provides that an injury by accident is compensable only if the accident was the prevailing factor in causing both the resulting medical condition and disability; makes changes regarding notice of accidents; makes changes in computation of compensation paid to certain employees who, before the accident for which an employee claims compensation, had sustained an injury; makes changes regarding review of awards; limits certain cumulative awards for partial disability; provides for certification of permanent partial or total disability by physicians; provides that no compensation is payable for certain injuries involving alcohol or drugs; changes qualifications for Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission commissioners and arbitrators; contains provisions regarding evidentiary matters and statutory construction; makes changes regarding the duties of the Workers' Compensation Advisory Board; requires performance audits of arbitrators; and provides that an employer and the exclusive representative of its employees may agree to establish binding obligations and procedures relating to workers' compensation. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Veterinary Loan Repayment Program Act. Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish the Veterinary Loan Repayment Program to increase the number of veterinarians practicing in designated veterinary resource shortage areas in the State by providing educational loan repayment assistance grants to veterinarians. Sets forth eligibility requirements under the Program and the service obligation required for assistance under the Program. Provides for the assessment of damages by the Department upon the failure of a recipient to fulfill the terms of the service obligation. Requires the Department to submit an annual report. Creates the Veterinary Loan Repayment Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Amends the State Finance Act to establish the Fund. Effective July 1, 2008.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that on the first day for filing candidate petitions, the entity with which petitions are filed may not file petitions on behalf of a candidate other than himself or herself.

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.