Rep. Julie Hamos

Proclaims October 23, 2006, as Hungarian Freedom Fighters Day in Illinois.

Congratulates Belle Greiman on the occasion of her 100th birthday.

Amends the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act. Provides that a "domestic living situation" includes an assisted living or shared housing establishment or a supportive living facility. Provides that an "eligible adult" includes one who neglects himself or herself, and adds a definition of "self-neglect". Provides for immunity from criminal or civil liability and from professional disciplinary action for a mandated reporter who does not make a report of self-neglect as required under the Act. Provides that face-to-face assessments, casework, and follow-up of reports of self-neglect by the provider agencies designated to receive reports of self-neglect shall be subject to sufficient appropriation for statewide implementation. Provides that the Department on Aging shall collaborate with representatives of regional administrative agencies and others to develop a protocol that outlines the procedure for referral of cases involving elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and self-neglect and other matters, and makes other changes in connection with investigations of reports under the Act. Provides for access to records by staff of the Chicago Department on Aging while that agency is designated as a regional administrative agency. Makes other changes.

Amends the Local Government Energy Conservation Act, the School Code, the Public University Energy Conservation Act, and the Public Community College Act. Defines "energy conservation measure" to include energy conservation measures that reduce energy consumption or reduce operating costs, including future labor costs, future costs for contracted services, and related capital expenditures. Defines "related capital expenditures". Provides that a unit of local government, public university, or public community college district may enter into a guaranteed energy savings contract if it finds that the amount it would spend on the energy conservation measures recommended in the proposal would not exceed the amount to be saved in either energy costs or operational costs, or both, within a 20-year period (now, a 10-year period) from the date of installation, if the recommendations in the proposal are followed. Makes corresponding changes. For purposes of the Local Government Energy Conservation Act, defines "unit of local government" to include park districts. Effective immediately.

Amends the IMRF Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Prohibits a person convicted of a felony relating to or arising out of or in connection with his or her service as an employee who is an employee of more than one employer that participates in the Fund from receiving benefits based on any of his or her service as an employee for all employers that participate in the Fund. Provides that, if, as a result of the felony, the employee is ordered by the court to pay restitution to the employer, then (i) the employer may apply for a refund of employee contributions on the employee's behalf and (ii) pursuant to appropriate documentation from the employer and the court, the Fund shall pay to the employer all or a portion of the refund in a sum sufficient to satisfy the court-ordered restitution. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code with respect to special education classes for children from orphanages, foster family homes, children's homes, or in-State housing units. In a provision that allows reimbursement for the costs of educating a disabled student who is placed residentially by a State agency or the courts for care or custody, welfare, medical or mental health treatment, rehabilitation, and protection, provides that it is the intent of that provision that school districts be reimbursed for the eligible costs of educating all students residentially placed by a State agency or the courts for any of the reasons listed whether such placement was made on, before, or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Toll Highway Act. Makes a technical change in a definitions Section.

Amends the Election Code. Abolishes local canvassing boards and provides that canvasses must be done by election authorities. Requires election authorities to transmit, by fax, e-mail, or other electronic means, a certificate of the results of the election to the State Board of Elections. Amends the Revised Cities and Villages Act of 1941. Provides that recounts for the office of alderman in the City of Chicago must be filed and conducted in accordance with the Election Code (instead of within 5 days after the election).

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that no later than July 1, 2007, subject to federal approval of a State Medicaid Plan amendment, which shall be sought by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services or its successor agency, persons who fail to qualify for basic maintenance under the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD) program on the basis of need because of excess income or assets, or both, may establish prospective eligibility for that basic maintenance by paying their monthly Medicaid spend-down amount to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services or by having a third party pay that amount to the Department.

Amends the Department of Employment Security Law. Requires the Department of Employment Security, through its Illinois Skills Match Program, to implement and administer a central clearinghouse for information and opportunities for those seeking employment in Illinois. Requires the Department to maintain a web site that allows job seekers easy access to employment opportunities that match the skills of the person seeking employment. Requires all executive branch State agencies to use the program. Allows, and encourages, units of local government, school districts, and other public and private employers to use the program. Provides that the Department may not charge any employer or any person seeking employment a fee for using the program. Authorizes the Department to adopt rules. Effective immediately.