Rep. Jay Hoffman

Amends the State Employee Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that certain individuals who represent or are employed as officers or employees of a statewide labor organization that represents members of the State Employees' Retirement System of Illinois may elect to participate in that System. Provides that certain persons who return to State employment after layoff may establish creditable service for the period of the layoff. Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Public Transportation Act. Provides that a municipality or local mass transit district serving a nonurbanized area and receiving federal rural public transportation assistance on or before December 31, 2003 (instead of June 30, 2002) is a "participant" for public transportation assistance. Beginning July 1, 2005, increases the amount paid by the Department of Revenue into the Downstate Public Transportation Fund each month to 3/32 (now 2/32) of 80% of the net revenue realized under certain State tax Acts within any municipality or county located within the boundaries of each participant in the Fund. Requires the Department of Revenue to allocate the entire amount paid into the Metro-East Public Transportation Fund to the District serving primarily the County of Madison (now, 55% is allocated to the District serving primarily the counties of Monroe and St. Clair and 45% is allocated to the District serving primarily the County of Madison). Provides that, beginning July 1, 2005, with respect to the District serving primarily the counties of Monroe and St. Clair: (i) the District is no longer included for new appropriation funding purposes as part of the Metro-East Public Transportation Fund and is instead included for new appropriation funding purposes as part of the Downstate Public Transportation Fund, provided that the District remains eligible for previously appropriated funds to which it would otherwise be entitled; (ii) the amount transferred from the General Revenue Fund to the Downstate Public Transportation Fund shall be 3/32 (now, 2/32) of 80% of the net revenue realized from within the boundaries of Monroe and St. Clair counties under certain State tax Acts; (iii) certain provisions with respect to allocations to Metro-East Mass Transit Districts of the amount paid into the Metro-East Public Transportation Fund do not apply to the District serving primarily the counties of Monroe and St. Clair with respect to fiscal year 2006 and succeeding fiscal years; and (iv) authorizes the District to file a request each fiscal year for a monthly payment of 1/12 of the amount appropriated for that fiscal year, except that the total amount of payments in a fiscal year shall not exceed the lesser of (i) 55% of the District's eligible operating expenses for that fiscal year or (ii) the total amount appropriated to the District for that fiscal year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Increases from $100 to $1,000 the fee for an identification card for an out-of-state salvage vehicle buyer. Increases from $50 to $500 the fee for the card if application is made after June 15 of any year. (The card expires on December 31, of the calendar year for which it is issued.)

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. In a provision regarding the removal of vehicles by towing or hauling away, provides that the owner of a vehicle relocated under the provision is not liable for any charges for storage of the vehicle prior to the date on which the owner is notified of the vehicle's location. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Makes a technical change to a Section concerning the Self-Insurers Advisory Board.

Amends the IMRF Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Makes county probation officers eligible for the sheriff's law enforcement employee (SLEP) formula; requires an affirmative resolution of the employer. Allows these probation officers to convert non-SLEP service as a probation officer into SLEP credit by paying the difference in employee contributions plus interest; waives the interest if payment is made within one year; requires an affirmative resolution by the employer. Effective immediately.

Directs the Auditor General to study the best practices of other states in implementing controls to ensure the proper disposal of confidential information.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning eavesdropping.

Amends the Downstate Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Allows payment of a survivor's pension to the surviving spouse and children of a marriage occurring after retirement, if the surviving spouse and the deceased police officer were married for at least one year immediately preceding the date of death. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.