Rep. Dan Reitz

Amends the Wildlife Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. Defines "pharmacist clinician", "prescriptive authority", and "appropriately trained". Provides that a pharmacist clinician shall have on file at his or her place of practice written guidelines and protocols authorizing prescriptive authority. Provides that the guidelines and protocols authorizing prescriptive authority shall include a statement (i) identifying the practitioner authorized to prescribe and the pharmacist clinician who is a party to the guidelines or protocol, (ii) of the types of decisions a pharmacist clinician is authorize to make, (iii) of the activities the pharmacist clinician is to follow in the course of exercising prescriptive authority, and (iv) that describes appropriate mechanisms for reporting to the practitioner monitoring activities and results. Provides that claims of professional superiority in filling prescriptions or in any manner implying professional superiority that may reduce the public confidence in the ability, character, or integrity of other pharmacies or pharmacists are unlawful. Provides restrictions in advertising. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Amends the Agricultural Areas Conservation and Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the State Finance Act. In a Section permitting the Governor to reduce the amount of funds appropriated for statutory mandates to accommodate budgetary limitations, provides that the Section does not apply to funds appropriated under the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides for payment for ground ambulance services under the medical assistance program. Provides that for ground ambulance services provided to a medical assistance recipient on or after July 1, 2011, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide payment to ground ambulance services providers for base charges and mileage charges based upon the lesser of the provider's charge, as reflected on the provider's claim form, or the Illinois Medicaid Ambulance Fee Schedule payment rates. Provides for establishment of the Illinois Medicaid Ambulance Fee Schedule, and provides for a 2-year phase-in of that Schedule. Provides that effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2011, the Department shall update the Illinois Medicaid Ambulance Fee Schedule payment rates to be in compliance with the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule payment rates for ground ambulance services in effect at the time of the update. Makes other changes in connection with medical assistance payments for ground ambulance services. Effective July 1, 2011.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. In a provision specifying the acceptable level of carcinogens that may be in uncontaminated soil used as fill material, establishes that the maximum exposure concentration is the Tier 1 exposure route value. Provides, however, (i) that the acceptable detection limit shall be deemed to be the Tier 1 exposure route value when the acceptable detection limit is less demanding than the Tier 1 exposure route value and (ii) that the lowest background concentration shall be deemed to be the Tier 1 exposure route value when the lowest background concentration is less demanding than the Tier 1 exposure route value. In provisions concerning clean construction or demolition debris fill operations and uncontaminated soil fill operations, provides that the term "other excavation" does not include holes, trenches, or similar earth removal created as part of normal construction, removal, or maintenance of a structure, utility, or transportation infrastructure. Exempts certain types of excavations, including excavations that comply with Department of Transportation specifications, from the provisions concerning clean construction or demolition debris fill operations and uncontaminated soil fill operations. Effective immediately.

Amends the Agricultural Areas Conservation and Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Strikes a clause preventing provisions of ordinances from being invalid when they impose greater restrictions or limitations on the acquisition, possession and transfer of firearms than are imposed by this Act. Provides that regulation of the ownership and possession of firearms and related items are the exclusive powers of the State. Provides that any existing or future local ordinances or resolutions imposing any restrictions or limitations on the ownership or possession of firearms and related items are invalid or void. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Fertilizer Act of 1961. Makes changes to the definitions. Provides for labeling requirements for fertilizers or custom blends. Provides that it shall be unlawful for misbranding or for the adulteration of a fertilizer within the State. Provides that the Director of the Department of Agriculture may refuse to register a fertilizer or cancel or suspend a fertilizer registration, custom blend, or fertilizer if certain specified claims are made. Permits the Director to issue and serve a written stop sale, stop use, or regulate removal upon an owner, operator, manager, or agent in charge of fertilizer. Creates the Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC) for the purpose of pursuing nutrient research and providing educational programs to ensure the adoption and implementation of practices that optimize nutrient use efficiency, ensure soil fertility, and address environmental concerns with regard to fertilizer use. Provides that the Department has the authority issue subpoenas, temporary restraining orders, preliminary or permanent injunctions against any person from violating or continuing to violate any provision of the Act. Provides for penalties based on type of violation. Makes other corresponding changes. Effective January 1, 2012.