Rep. John Bradley

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department to study the feasibility of a partnership among Southern Illinois University and other State universities to develop methods of clean coal production and to use the bonding authority of the Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority to use those methods for the generation of clean, inexpensive energy. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act and the Public Utilities Act to provide that on the effective date of the amendatory Act, all powers and duties of the Illinois Commerce Commission under the Public Utilities Act shall be transferred to the Illinois Power Agency, and references in other Sections of the Public Utilities Act to the Illinois Commerce Commission shall be deemed to refer to the Illinois Power Agency. Provides that all rules, standards, and procedures adopted by the Illinois Commerce Commission under this Act shall continue in effect as the rules, standards, and procedures of the Illinois Power Agency, until they are modified or abolished by the Illinois Power Agency. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that with the consent of the defendant, the court may order that a defendant who has been convicted of a criminal offense and ordered to pay a fine perform community service in lieu of the payment of the fine. Provides that the court shall in such cases waive any fines imposed upon the defendant and a defendant who performs such community service shall not be considered in default of the payment of the fine.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning Medicaid rates for nursing homes, provides that for facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities, the support component of the rates taking effect on July 1, 2008 shall be computed using the most recent cost reports on file with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services no later than April 1, 2006, updated for inflation to January 1, 2007. Provides that facilities shall have the support component of their Medicaid rate computed every year using the most recent cost reports on file with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services no later than April 1, 2 years prior to the year in which the new rate takes effect, updated for inflation to January 1 of the year prior to the year in which the new rate takes effect. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that an officer of a fire department, in the performance of his or her official duties, has the authority to close to traffic a highway, or a lane or lanes of a highway, as necessary to protect the safety of persons or property.

Amends the Counties Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning jurisdiction over Lake Michigan.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that it is the public policy of the State of Illinois to encourage the pension funds, and any State agency investing funds on behalf of pension funds, to promote the economy of Illinois through the use of economic opportunity investments while managing their assets to the greatest extent feasible within the bounds of financial and fiduciary prudence. Provides that each pension fund, except pension funds created under the Downstate Police and Firefighters Articles of the Code, shall submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly by September 1 of each year that identifies the economic opportunity investments made by the fund, the primary location of the business or project, the percentage of the fund's assets in economic opportunity investments, and the actions that the fund has undertaken to increase the use of economic opportunity investments, including encouraging other investment managers to make economic opportunity investments through subcontractors. Requires certain pension funds, and any State agency investing funds on behalf of those pension funds, to make all reasonable efforts to invest a minimum of 5% of pension fund assets in economic opportunity investments. Effective immediately.

Amends the Recreational Use of Land and Water Areas Act. Changes the definition of "recreational or conservation purpose" to mean any activity undertaken for conservation, resource management, exercise, education, relaxation, or pleasure on land owned by another (now hunting, recreational shooting, both, or related activities).

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Defines the term "energy-related agribusiness" to include fuel processing and development facilities using agricultural commodities, vegetable oils, animal fats, or biomass feedstocks. Authorizes State Guarantees for loans to energy-related agribusinesses. Sets limits on these guarantees and provides for review and renewal.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Replaces the provisions concerning medical assistance payments for ambulance services. Provides that for ambulance services provided to a recipient of medical assistance on or after July 1, 2008, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reimburse ambulance service 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 rate calculated in accordance with the provisions set forth in the bill. Provides that the requirement of payment by the Department for ground ambulance services is deemed to be met if the services are provided pursuant to a request for evaluation, treatment, and transport from an individual with a condition of such a nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected that a delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to life or health. Effective immediately.