Rep. John A. Fritchey

Amends the Telecommunications Article of the Public Utilities Act. Provides that, on and after September 1, 2005, no telecommunications carrier may charge to any customer a fee for withholding the customer's name, address, or telephone number from either the published telephone directory or the electronic directory assistance database, unless the Illinois Commerce Commission finds that the fee is based on the actual cost to the carrier of withholding the information. Requires a telecommunications carrier to refund to the customer any fee imposed on or after September 1, 2005 for withholding the customer's name, address, or telephone number. Effective immediately.

Amends the Whistleblower Reward and Protection Act. Adds entities that may elect to adopt a referendum to the definition of "State". Grants any school district, public community college district, municipality, municipal corporation, or unit of local government the authority to pass, by initiative petition and referendum, a binding ordinance authorizing the adoption of provisions of the Act. Sets out requirements for passing an initiative petition.

Amends the Property Tax Code concerning tax deeds and procedures. Provides that a person commits the offense of tax sale fraud if he or she knowingly, within 90 days before the expiration of the period of redemption, solicits to acquire an ownership, nonownership, or beneficial interest in real property sold for taxes or for special assessments. Provides that the amount of redemption includes costs for title searches, not to exceed $150. Provides that the Notice Of The Expiration Of The Period Of Redemption may not be served more than 6 months (now, 5 months) before the date of the expiration of the period of redemption. In a Section requiring a purchaser to give Notice Of The Expiration Of The Period Of Redemption, provides that the purchaser must, not less than 3 months and 21 days and not more than 6 months before the expiration of the period of redemption, deliver the notice to the sheriff for service, and the sheriff must serve the notice not less than 3 months and not more than 6 months before the expiration of the period of redemption. In a Section requiring the clerk of the Circuit Court to promptly mail a Notice Of The Expiration Of The Period Of Redemption, provides that if the clerk fails to promptly mail the notice, then the notice is deemed timely if: (i) the purchaser or his or her assignee delivered the notice and costs of mailing to the clerk not less than 3 months and 14 days before the expiration of the period of redemption; and (ii) the clerk mailed the notice not less than 75 days before the expiration of the period of redemption. In a provision concerning grounds for contesting tax deeds: (i) provides that the tax deed may be contested upon proof that the tax deed had been procured by an intentional misrepresentation or intentional omission of a material fact (now, by fraud or deception) by the tax purchaser or his or her assignee; and (ii) defines "recorded ownership" or "recorded interest". Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Spyware Prevention Initiative Act. Prohibits a person or entity other than the authorized user of a computer from causing computer software to be copied onto the computer and using the software to: (1) take control of the computer; (2) modify certain settings related to the computer's access to or use of the Internet; (3) collect, through deceptive means, personally identifiable information; (4) prevent, without authorization, an authorized user's reasonable efforts to block the installation of or disable software; (5) misrepresent that the software will be uninstalled or disabled by an authorized user's action; or (6) through deceptive means, remove, disable, or render inoperative security, antispyware, or antivirus software installed on the computer. Prohibits a person or entity who is not an authorized user from inducing an authorized user to install a software component by misrepresenting that it is necessary for security or privacy or in order to open, view, or play a particular type of content. Prohibits a person or entity who is not an authorized user from deceptively causing the copying and execution on the computer of software components with the intent of causing an authorized user to use the components in a way that violates the Act. Makes a violation of the Act a Class B misdemeanor. Contains severability provisions.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a provision concerning Professional Sports Teams license plates.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Deletes provisions concerning the distribution and exhibition of harmful material to minors and replaces it with the following provisions: (i) provides that a person is guilty of distributing harmful material to a minor when he or she knowingly sells, lends, distributes, or gives away certain material knowing that the minor is a person under the age of 18 or failing to exercise reasonable care in ascertaining the person's true age, or he or she admits a minor to premises where there is exhibited or to be exhibited such harmful material, (ii) provides that distribution of harmful material to a minor is a Class A misdemeanor, and (iii) establishes several affirmative defenses. Makes other changes.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in provisions concerning venue.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to provide direct mail notice to all households and businesses within 2,500 feet of an area the Agency knows to be affected by certain circumstances related to the release or threat of release of a hazardous substance. Lists the circumstances when the Agency is required to give direct mail notice. States the form and content requirements for the direct mail notice. Requires the Agency to provide for the notification by newspaper under certain other circumstances related to the release or threat of release of a hazardous substance. Lists the events that require the Agency to give newspaper notification. States the form and content requirements for the newspaper notification. Provides that the Agency is not liable for the accuracy, availability, or use of the information provided by the Agency under this amendatory Act unless the Agency's act or omission constitutes willful and wanton misconduct. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act to impose revolving door restrictions on executive branch and legislative branch officers and employees. Amends the Secretary of State Act to give the Secretary of State Inspector General the authority to investigate lobbyist wrongdoing. Amends the General Assembly Staff Assistants Act concerning committee witness slips. Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act with respect to the following: the definition of "official"; lobbying entities; registration under the Act; serving on boards and commissions; reports; gifts; penalties; and other matters. Effective July 1, 2006.

Creates the Blind Vendors Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services, Bureau of Blind Services, shall operate and promote the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Sets forth that the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act and the regulations adopted pursuant to that Act shall serve as the minimum standards for the operation of the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Provides that under the Program: (1) blind vendors have priority in the operation of all vending facilities on State property; (2) vending machine income from all vending machines on State property shall be assigned to the blind vendor on the property or to the Blind Vendors Trust Fund; (3) no State agency may impose any commission, service charge, rent, or utility charge on a blind vendor operating on State property; (4) sales made at a blind vendor's vending facility are exempt from all occupation and use taxes; and (5) State agencies may not allow competition with a blind vendor. Sets forth that the Bureau Director for the Bureau of the Blind and the Committee of Blind Vendors shall jointly develop regulations to ensure that priority is given to blind vendors in the operation of vending facilities on State property. Provides that the Department may provide for set-asides of the net proceeds of vending operations under certain conditions. Requires set-aside funds to be deposited in the Blind Vendors Trust Fund, a separate account managed by the Department for the State's blind vendors. Sets forth provisions for the distribution of vending machine income from vending machines on State property. Provides certain conditions for the licensing of blind vendors. Creates the Committee of Blind Vendors to jointly participate in the development and implementation of all policies, plans, and major decisions affecting the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Sets forth provisions for the composition of the Committee. Provides certain procedures for the resolution of disputes arising within the Program. Provides for the promulgation of regulations relating to the operation of this Act. Requires the Department to make regular surveys and reports on State property and vending facilities. Sets forth conditions and information to be contained in the surveys and reports. Preempts home rule powers. Repeals the Blind Persons Operating Vending Facilities Act. Amends the Use Tax Act, Service Use Tax Act, Service Occupation Tax Act, and Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to provide that personal property purchased from a blind vendor's vending facility licensed by the Department of Human Services under the Blind Vendors Act is exempt from the taxes imposed by those Acts and that these exemptions are not subject to the sunset provisions of those Acts.