Creates the Crossing of Railroad Right-of-way Act. Applies only to crossings of a railroad right-of-way that is owned by a land management company and not a registered rail carrier. Provides that public utilities that locate their facilities within the railroad right-of-way for a crossing shall pay the land management company a one-time standard crossing fee of $1,500 for each crossing. Provides special circumstances under which the standard crossing fee is not imposed. Provides that, if the parties cannot agree that special circumstances exist, the dispute shall be submitted to non-binding arbitration. Provides procedures for the non-binding arbitration and provides that, if the parties cannot resolve their dispute based on the arbitrator's recommendation within 30 days, either party may, upon the expiration of the 30-day period, give written notice to the other party of the commencement of a binding arbitration proceeding. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Authorizes the Department, on behalf of the State, to enter into public-private partnerships for the acquisition of equipment for Amtrak passenger rail service.
Creates the Blind Vendors Act. Creates the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind and provides that the Secretary of Human Services, through the Bureau Director of the Bureau for the Blind in the Department of Human Services, shall continue, maintain, and promote the Program. Provides that the Program must provide that: priority is given to blind vendors in the operation of vending facilities on State property; tie bid preference is given to blind vendors in the operation of cafeterias on State property unless the cafeteria operations are operated by employees of a State agency; vending machine income from all vending machines on State property is assigned as provided in the Act; no State agency may impose a commission, service charge, rent, or utility charge on a licensed blind vendor who is operating a vending facility on State property; and vending facilities operated by the Program use reasonable and necessary means and methods to maintain fair market pricing in relation to each facility's given demographic, geographic, and other circumstances. Contains provisions concerning: intent; compliance with federal law; rules; establishment of vending facilities on State property; other vending facilities; creation of a Blind Vendors Trust Fund as a separate account managed by the Department of Human Services for the State's blind vendors; set-aside funds; vending machine income; issuance of licenses; creation of a Committee of Blind Vendors to participate in the development and implementation of all policies, plans, program development, and major administrative and management decisions affecting the Program; hearings; arbitration; reports and surveys; and other matters. Repeals the Blind Persons Operating Vending Facilities Act.
Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to limit the right of persons licensed under the Act to delegate tasks or duties to licensed or unlicensed personnel who have the training or experience to perform the tasks or duties so delegated. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Establishes a time frame within which an initial agreement must be reached or conciliation and arbitration attempted.
Amends the Physical Fitness Facility Medical Emergency Preparedness Act. Provides that "physical fitness facility" does not include any outdoor facility that is owned or operated by a municipality or township. Effective immediately.
Amends the Tax Delinquency Amnesty Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning an amnesty program.
Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that the Authority is authorized to issue bonds or notes in an amount not to exceed $450,000 (now, $250,000). Provides that in any calendar year after 2007, the $450,000 amount shall be increased by an amount equal to such dollar amount multiplied by the inflation percentage determined under Section 305(c) of the federal Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1925) as of June 18, 2008. Provides that any increase must be rounded to the nearest multiple of $100. Effective immediately.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that for the purpose of determining the penalty for criminal defacement of property, the aggregate value of the properties defaced shall be added together when the offenses were committed as part of a single course of conduct. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging and the Board and Care Home Act. Provides that no person may establish, operate, maintain, or offer a facility operated as a participating project under the Comprehensive Care in Residential Settings Demonstration Project or as a board and care home until he or she obtains a valid license under the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, which remains unsuspended, unrevoked, and unexpired. Provides that no public official, agent, or employee may place any person in, or recommend that any person be placed in, or directly or indirectly cause any person to be placed in, any unlicensed facility that is required to be licensed under these provisions. Provides that no public official, agent, or employee may place the name of an unlicensed facility that is required to be licensed under these provisions on a list of programs. Provides that an entity that operates as a participating project under the Comprehensive Care in Residential Settings Demonstration Project or as a board and care home without a license is subject to the provisions, including penalties, of the Nursing Home Care Act. Effective immediately.