Rep. Harry Osterman

Amends the Property Tax Code. Includes disabled persons within the provisions granting an assessment freeze homestead exemption to senior citizens. Changes the name to the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (now Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption). Makes corresponding changes to a cross-reference to the exemption. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Salutes the Edgewater Historical Society, the Senn High School ROTC Color Guard, and the Rickover Naval Academy Band on the occasion of the ceremony and celebration commemorating the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Requires a person who is not a federally licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer and who desires to sell or transfer a firearm of a size that may be concealed upon the person to another person, who is not a federally licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer, to do so only at the place of business of a federally licensed firearm dealer. Provides that the federally licensed firearm dealer shall conduct a background check on the prospective recipient of the firearm and follow all other applicable federal, State, and local laws as if he were the seller of the firearm. Provides that the purchaser or transferee may be required by the federally licensed firearm dealer to pay a fee not to exceed $10 per firearm, plus any applicable fees. Makes exceptions for (i) the transfer of a firearm between spouses, a parent and child, or a grandparent and grandchild, (ii) transfers by persons acting pursuant to operation of law or a court order, or (iii) transfers on the grounds of a gun show. Imposes conditions on any rulemaking authority.

Creates the Midwifery Licensure Act. Provides for the licensure of midwives by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Grants rulemaking authority to the Department and provides that the rules shall include the establishment of criteria for licensure, professional conduct, and discipline. Creates the Illinois Midwifery Board. Sets forth provisions concerning informed consent, qualifications, licensure, title, continuing education, exemption from civil liability, and vicarious liability. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to set a repeal date for the new Act of January 1, 2018. Amends the Good Samaritan Act to provide for the exemption from civil liability.

Appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority for the Safe to Learn Program. Effective July 1, 2007.

Amends the Labor Dispute Act. Adds a new Section providing that: members and representatives of a recognized union within the State of Illinois may pass handbills on the property of retail stores; members and representatives of a recognized union within the State of Illinois may pass handbills in parking lots and outside entryways of retail stores, as long as they are not within 15 feet of the entrance of a retail store; and the new Section does not allow union members to pass handbills inside a retail store.

Amends the State Finance Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Budget Stabilization Fund.

Appropriates $500,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for grants to the Gilead Outreach and Referral Center. Effective July 1, 2007.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the president of a village or incorporated town.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Creates the offense of purchase of stolen scrap metal. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she purchases scrap metal knowing that the scrap metal has been stolen or converted. Provides that a violation is a Class C misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class B misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense.