Rep. Kelly Cassidy

Amends the Illinois Fire Protection Training Act. Provides that the definition of "local governmental agency" includes the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Provides that if employees of the Office of the State Fire Marshal meet certain requirements, then they shall not be prohibited from receiving training certifications on the grounds that they are not employed or otherwise engaged by an organized Illinois fire department. Makes other changes.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that no county or municipality may prohibit a charitable organization from soliciting for charitable purposes, including solicitations taking place on public roadways from passing motorists, if certain requirements are met. Sets forth requirements regarding the groups involved, applications and liability insurance. Defines "local agency" to mean a municipality, county, special district, fire district, joint powers of authority, or other political subdivision of the State of Illinois. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Makes a technical change in a Section requiring the Department of Corrections to designate those institutions and facilities that are maintained for persons assigned as adults and as juveniles.

Amends the School Code in provisions concerning bullying prevention. Makes changes concerning the legislative findings. Provides that, on or before January 1, 2013, the State Board of Education shall develop a template for a model bullying prevention policy and sets forth requirements concerning the template. Sets forth and changes requirements, beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, for each school district and non-public, non-sectarian elementary or secondary school, as well as the State Board, concerning policies on bullying. Sets forth provisions concerning the collection, maintenance, and submission of data regarding allegations and incidences of bullying and rules. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that State's Attorneys shall be entitled to a $2 fee paid by the defendant on a judgment of guilty or grant of supervision for any violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code, as well as any felony, misdemeanor, or petty offense. Provides that the fees shall be used by the State's Attorney's office to establish and maintain automated record keeping systems, and requires that the fees be remitted to the county treasurer to deposit into a special fund.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Defines "short sale" as the sale of real estate that is subject to a mortgage for an amount that is less than the amount owed to the mortgagee on the outstanding mortgage loan. Provides that in a foreclosure of residential property, if the mortgagor presents to the mortgagee, which is a banking organization or corporation, a bona fide written offer from a third party to purchase the property in foreclosure which is for an amount that constitutes a short sale, and the mortgagor requests that the mortgagee approve the short sale, then the mortgagee must respond within 30 days and must agree to the short sale unless there is a reasonable justification to not do so. Provides that the fact that the proceeds of the short sale would be insufficient to satisfy the mortgage note does not constitute a reasonable justification. Provides that if the mortgagee approves the short sale, the mortgagee agrees as part of the closing of the short sale: to termination of the mortgagor's interest in the property and acceptance the sale proceeds in full satisfaction of the outstanding mortgage loan; to relieve from personal liability all persons who may owe payment or the performance of other obligations secured by the mortgage, including guarantors; and to waive all rights to a personal judgment for deficiency against the mortgagor and all other persons liable under the mortgage.

Congratulates the owners and employees of the S & C Electric Company on the occasion of the organization's 100th anniversary.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Redefines "mercury switch" to include a mercury-containing product or device that makes, breaks, or changes a connection in an electrical circuit. Provides that, beginning in 2015, dental amalgam may not be added, removed, or modified in the course of treating patients at a dental office unless the dental office has an amalgam separator system installed that removes dental amalgam from the dental office's wastewater before it is discharged into a sewer or septic system and unless other related requirements are met. Requires dental schools and vocational dental education programs to instruct students on the use of certain practices to minimize the presence of elemental mercury, unused amalgam, and waste amalgam in discharged wastewater and solid waste. Amends the Mercury Switch Removal Act. Requires vehicle recyclers, vehicle crushers, and scrap metal recyclers to remove all mercury switches from each end-of-life vehicle within a specified time. Amends the Mercury-Added Product Prohibition Act. Prohibits, except under certain circumstances, mercury-containing pressure transducers from being sold, offered for sale, or distributed in the State. Also makes technical changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Environmental Justice Act. Contains only a short title provision.

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