Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a non-expert's opinion or inference testimony is limited to opinions or inferences that are rationally based on his or her perception, helpful to a clear understanding of his or her testimony or the determination of a fact in issue, and not based on scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge. Sets forth requirements regarding: qualifications, testimony, disclosure, and compensation of expert witnesses; bases of expert opinion testimony; limitations on expert testimony; pre-trial hearings and disclosures concerning expert witnesses; precedents to be followed in interpreting the new provisions; interlocutory appeals of rulings on the admissibility of expert evidence; standards to be followed by reviewing courts in determining the admissibility of expert testimony; severability; and other matters. Applies to actions commenced on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act and pending actions in which a trial has not been scheduled or in which a trial has been scheduled more than 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Eliminates the provision that possession by the defendant of more than one of the same film, videotape or visual reproduction or depiction by computer in which child pornography is depicted shall raise a rebuttable presumption that the defendant possessed such materials with the intent to disseminate them. Provides that possession of more than one of the same film, videotape or visual reproduction or depiction by computer in which child pornography is depicted is a Class X felony for which the defendant shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 9 years and not more than 40 years.
Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. With respect to certain types of actions, provides that for any defendant whose fault is less than 25% of the total fault attributable to the plaintiff, the defendants sued by the plaintiff, and any third party defendant who could have been sued by the plaintiff (instead of any third party defendant except the plaintiff's employer), shall be severally liable for all other damages. Provides that for any defendant whose fault is 25% or greater of the total fault attributable to the plaintiff, the defendants sued by the plaintiff, and any third party defendants who could have been sued by the plaintiff (instead of any third party defendants except the plaintiff's employer), shall be jointly and severally liable for all other damages.
Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Central Management Services shall charge the employing State agency for workers' compensation payments for medical expenses and temporary total disability benefits (now, just for temporary total disability) paid to any employee (now, the Department shall charge the State agency only after the employee has received temporary total disability payments for 120 days if the employee's physician has issued a release to return to work but the employing State agency does not return the employee to work).
Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Code of Civil Procedure, and the Workers' Compensation Act. Makes numerous changes concerning the following in relation to workers' compensation: plans by the Department of Central Management Services for State employees, creation of the State Workers' Compensation Program Advisory Board, subpoenas, Commissioner and arbitrator standards of conduct, employee leasing companies, citations, construction employer collective bargaining, negotiated rate, wage differential, preferred provider programs, permanent partial disability, out-of-state fees, fee schedules, electronic claims, utilization review programs, employee intoxication, Commissioner qualifications, the Workers' Compensation Advisory Board, arbitrator appointments, prohibitions on gifts, claims brought by commission employees, carpal tunnel syndrome, fraud, sentencing, advisory premium rates, and insurance oversight. Makes other changes. Contains a severability provision. Effective immediately.
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a period of probation, a term of periodic imprisonment, or conditional discharge may not be imposed if the defendant is convicted of a Class 3 felony or higher violation of an offense involving the corruption of a public official when the offense consists of theft, fraud, extortion or a violation of the Official Misconduct, Deception Relating To Certification Of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, or Public Contracts Article of the Criminal Code of 1961 and either: (1) the defendant was an elected official at the time of the offense, or (2) the offense involved more than $10,000 in money or property, based on either the value of any payments or the value of the item that was the object of such offense. Provides that this provision does not apply if the prosecutor certifies to the court at the time of sentencing that the defendant has provided substantial assistance in the case or another prosecution of substantial public importance.
Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act by changing the criminal penalties for persons who knowingly and willfully violate certain reporting requirements and provisions concerning privileged communications. Provides that a first violation is a Class 4 felony (rather than a Class A misdemeanor) and a second or subsequent violation is a Class 3 felony (rather than a Class 4 felony), except that if the person acted as part of a plan or scheme having as its object the prevention of discovery of an abused or neglected child by lawful authorities for the purpose of protecting or insulating any person or entity from arrest or prosecution, a first violation is a Class 3 felony (rather than a Class 4 felony) and a second or subsequent violation is a Class 2 felony (rather than a Class 3 felony).
Amends the Limited Liability Company Act. Reduces the filing fees for a limited liability company filing articles of organization (domestic), application for admission (foreign), restated articles of organization (domestic), or an application for reinstatement (foreign or domestic) with the Secretary of State from $500 to $250. Effective immediately.
Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that an applicant who has been awarded a Credit under the Act may, in the applicant's sole discretion, opt to retain taxes withheld under the Illinois Income Tax Act in lieu of an income tax credit. Provides that the amount of withheld taxes retained by the applicant in a taxable year may not exceed the amount of the Credit awarded by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for that taxable year. Provides that each employee whose taxes were withheld by an employer who retains amounts under this subsection must receive credit for 100% of the taxes withheld from his or her pay. Requires the Department to report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on the progress of the incentive payment program. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make corresponding changes concerning tax withholding. Effective immediately.
Urges the President to take emergency action to ensure water levels do not fall below a level needed by commercial navigation on the Mississippi River and to direct the Army Corps of Engineers to avert potential economic disaster on this vital avenue. Urges the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite and fully implement alternative emergency measures to remedy this situation and to deviate from planned operations outlined in the Missouri River Master Water Control Manual and exercise its authority to address situations when appropriate.