Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that the Director may select up to 3 Deputy Medical Coordinators (instead of one). Provides that, in the event of the settlement of any claim or cause of action in favor of the claimant or the reduction to final judgment of any civil action in favor of the plaintiff, the claim, cause of action, or civil action being grounded on the allegation that a person licensed under the Act was negligent in providing care, the Department shall have an additional period of 2 years (instead of one year) from the date of notification to the Department of the settlement or final judgment in which to investigate and commence formal disciplinary proceedings. Provides that the Director shall employ not less than one full time investigation for every 3000 (instead of 5000) physicians licensed in the State. Provides that the Department shall expunge the records of any investigation concluded by dismissal or closure and any discipline solely for administrative matters 3 years after final disposition or after the statute of limitations has expired, whichever is greater. Provides that the person who is the subject of the report shall provide a copy of the applicable medical records. Amends the Health Care Arbitration Act. Provides that no health care arbitration agreement shall be valid after 10 years (instead of 2 years) from the date of its execution. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a reviewing health professional's report shall contain the name and address of the reviewing health profession and documentation of his or her compliance with the witness standards. Changes the standards that the court shall apply to determine if a witness qualifies as an expert witness as follows: (i) requires the court to determine whether the witness is board certified or board eligible in the same medical specialties as the defendant and is familiar with the same medical problems or the type of treatment administered in the case (instead of the same relationship of the medical specialties of the witness to the medical problem and the type of treatment in the case); (ii) requires the court to determine whether the witness has devoted 75% (instead of a substantial portion) of his or her working hours to the practice of medicine, teaching, or university-based research in relation to the medical care and type of treatment at issue; and (iii) requires the court to determine whether the witness is licensed by any state or the District of Columbia (instead of just licensed). Protects a physician's personal assets in healing art malpractice cases. Makes various other changes in other Acts concerning health care. Effective immediately.
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Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Increases the mandatory minimum fines and mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for sex offenders who commit certain sex offenses and fail to comply with the provisions of the Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the Telecommunications Article of the Public Utilities Act. Prohibits the Illinois Commerce Commission from imposing any regulatory burden upon the provision of broadband services and high speed internet access services provided by telecommunication carriers that does not apply to the provision of those services by other providers. Effective immediately.
Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Imposes a limit of $1.50 upon delinquent payment fees and a limit of $10 upon disconnection fees that may be charged by a community antenna television system.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning consolidated billing for certain customers.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title and applicability.
Amends the School Code. In a provision concerning teachers in school districts other than the Chicago school district, makes the probationary period 2 (instead of 4) consecutive school terms before the teacher enters upon contractual continued service. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may require certain individuals to attend and satisfactorily complete a defensive driving school program. Provides that the Secretary of State may suspend the driving license of any person who (i) fails to attend a required defensive driving school program or (ii) fails to satisfactorily complete a required defensive driving school program. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any court may suspend one-half of any applicable court cost for which a person is liable due to a traffic violation if the person enrolls in and completes a defensive driving school program conducted by the Department or a similar school conducted by an agency of the State or a unit of local government.
Amends the Recreational Trails of Illinois Act with respect to the Off-Highway Vehicle Trails Fund. Provides that not more than 5% of the moneys from the Fund may be used for administration, enforcement, planning, and implementation. Effective immediately.
Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that a retailers on premise consumption licensee is not liable for damages caused by an intoxicated person if the licensee meets certain conditions.