Rep. Harry Osterman

Creates the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact Act. Ratifies and authorizes the Governor to enter into the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. Sets forth the language of the Compact. Requires the Department of Natural Resources and other State agencies to perform, at the direction of the Governor, the functions and duties required of Illinois under the Compact. Effective immediately.

Amends the Condominium Property Act. Provides as to a conversion condominium that a tenant who vacated a unit in a building within 18 months of the real estate becoming a conversion condominium and who did not receive a notice of intent to submit the real estate to the Act must be awarded damages of $10,000 plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Provides that a non-profit housing organization suing for an aggrieved party may also recover compensation for diversion of mission necessary for filing the action.

Creates the Condominium Advisory Council Act. Subject to appropriation, the Condominium Advisory Council is created in the Department of Revenue. Subject to appropriation, the Department shall provide administrative and financial support to the Council. Provides that the Council will be composed of 7 members, 4 appointed by the legislative leaders and 3 appointed by the Governor. Provides that the Council shall: (1) identify issues facing condominium owners, condominium associations, and other persons who have financial interests in condominiums; (2) study the Condominium Property Act and related Acts that affect condominium ownership and suggest legislation to the General Assembly to amend those Acts; and (3) report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by January 31, 2008. Provides that the Council shall be dissolved 30 days after it reports its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly. Effective immediately.

Creates the Employee Classification Act. Provides that an individual performing services for a contractor is deemed to be an employee of the employer. Provides that an individual performing services for a contractor is deemed to be an employee of the contractor unless it is shown that: (1) the individual has been and will continue to be free from control or direction over the performance of the service for the contractor, both under the individual's contract of service and in fact; (2) the service performed by the individual is outside the usual course of services performed by the contractor; and (3) the individual is engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession or business; or (4) the individual is deemed a legitimate sole proprietor or partnership. Provides that subcontractors or lower tiered contractors are subject to all provisions of the Act. Provides that he Department of Labor shall post a summary of the requirements of this Act in English, Spanish, and Polish on its official web site and on bulletin boards in each of its offices. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for an employer or entity not to designate an individual as an employee under the Act unless the employer or entity satisfies the provisions of the Act. Provides for civil remedies and civil penalties. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2008.

Creates the Smoke Free Illinois Act. Sets forth the findings of the General Assembly. Creates several definitions. Prohibits smoking in public places, places of employment, and governmental vehicles. Requires "No Smoking" signs to be posted in each public place and place of employment where smoking is prohibited. Requires ashtrays to be removed from any area where smoking is prohibited. Prohibits smoking in student dormitories, including, but not limited to, sleeping rooms, dining areas, restrooms, laundry areas, lobbies, and hallways, of a building used in whole or in part as a student dormitory that is owned and operated or otherwise utilized by a public or private institution of higher education. Provides that the Department of Public Health, State-certified local public health departments, and local law enforcement agencies shall enforce the provisions of the Act. Sets forth fines for violations of the Act. Provides that the Department, a State-certified local public health department, local law enforcement agency, or any individual personally affected by repeated violations may institute, in a circuit court, an action to enjoin violations of the Act. Prohibits discrimination against individuals who exercise their rights afforded by the Act. Provides that a home rule unit may regulate smoking in public places, but that regulation must be no less restrictive than the provisions in the Act. Prohibits smoking within a minimum distance of 15 feet from entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes that serve an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Repeals the Illinois Clean Indoor Air Act.

Creates the House Illinois Health Survey Task Force to study the feasibility of implementing an Illinois Health Survey (a survey of the health status, access to health services, and other health related issues of the Illinois population) and report by January 11, 2008.

Congratulates Tracy Fisher for receiving the 2007 Kohl McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Award.

Congratulates the American Institute of Architects on its 150th anniversary.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Authorizes the Department to charge tuition for training it furnishes to non-governmental entities, other than not for profit groups or organizations in Illinois with 50 employees or less. Authorizes the Department to provide its training at no cost to not for profit groups or organizations that have no more than 50 employees, Department employees, other State agencies and instrumentalities, and community organizations. Provides that the Department will make training available to any other non-governmental entities on a tuition basis. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Department of Human Rights Training and Development Fund. Provides that tuition received shall be paid into the Department of Human Rights Training and Development Fund. Effective January 1, 2008.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning teacher certification.