Rep. Edward J. Acevedo

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that in any action concerning a motor vehicle accident in which personal injury or property damage is alleged, a photographic or electronic image of a motor vehicle or other property is relevant and admissible through a lay or occurrence witness with personal knowledge that the image truly and accurately portrays what is purports to portray. Provides that it is not necessary that an expert or opinion witness testify to the image's relevance or to the correlation between the image and the claimed injury.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning Medicaid rates for nursing homes, provides that for facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities, the support component of the rates taking effect on July 1, 2008 shall be computed using the most recent cost reports on file with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services no later than April 1, 2006, updated for inflation to January 1, 2007. Provides that facilities shall have the support component of their Medicaid rate computed every year using the most recent cost reports on file with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services no later than April 1, 2 years prior to the year in which the new rate takes effect, updated for inflation to January 1 of the year prior to the year in which the new rate takes effect. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the prohibition against equipping a bicycle with a siren does not apply to a bicycle that is a police vehicle. Effective immediately.

Creates the Immigrant Family Preservation Act. Provides that the Department of Children and Family Services shall determine, at the time a decision to take protective custody of a minor is made, whether the minor has any Mexican lineage; provides that the Department shall inform any Mexican minor, and any parent or custodian of a Mexican or Mexican-American minor, of the rights afforded under certain international agreements. Requires the Department to notify the Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago of certain information in connection with Mexican minors. Provides for interviews with Mexican or Mexican-American minors by a Consular representative. Requires the Department to work with the Consulate to obtain necessary documentation in the case of minors eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Contains other provisions relating to Mexican and Mexican-American minors who have contact with the Department of Children and Family Services.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and the State Finance Act. Provides that the Secretary of State, in compliance with the federal REAL ID Act, may issue a driver's certificate that clearly states on its face that it may not be accepted by any federal agency for federal identification or any other official purpose. Provides that the driver's certificate must be distinguishable from a driver's license or permit. Provides that one of these driver's certificates may be issued to an applicant who is an immigrant residing in this State, is ineligible to obtain a social security number, and is ineligible to receive a driver's license. Establishes requirements for the application. Provides that an applicant for one of these certificates must pay an additional fee of not less than $50, to be set by the Secretary of State by rule, to be deposited into the Secretary of State Immigrant Driver's Certificate Fund. Creates the Secretary of State Immigrant Driver's Certificate Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that moneys deposited into the fund shall, subject to appropriation, be used by the Secretary of State to pay for the additional costs associated with immigrant applicants for driver's certificates. Provides that a person denied a driver's certificate may seek administrative review. Provides that a driver's certificate may not be used to obtain a Firearm Owner's Identification Card or a driver's license from another state. Provides that the Secretary of State shall, in conjunction with the Illinois State Police, establish administrative procedures for determining and identifying ineligible Firearm Owner's Identification Card applicants to ensure compliance with the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides for severability of the bill's provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the general purposes of the Code.

Amends the Eminent Domain Act. Provides that if a governmental entity requires the removal of a building or structure as a condition of the governmental entity granting a permit, license, or other approval, the removal requirement constitutes a compelled removal requiring compensation under the Act, unless the permit, license, or approval is requested for the construction of a building or structure that cannot be built without physically removing the building or structure. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the general purposes of the Code.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates the Public Adjusters Law. Repeals the Article of the Illinois Insurance Code concerning Public Insurance Adjusters and Registered Firms. Provides that a person shall not act or hold himself out as a public adjuster in this State unless licensed as a public adjuster. Sets forth the specific residency requirements for a public adjuster licensee. Provides that an individual applying for a public adjuster license must pass a written examination unless exempt pursuant to certain provisions. Provides for the creation of an optional apprentice public adjuster license. Provides that the Director of Insurance may place on probation, suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew a public adjuster's license or may levy a civil penalty or any combination of actions against a public adjuster licensee who violates the Act. Provides that an individual who holds a public adjuster license shall satisfactorily complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education courses. Sets forth certain standards of conduct for public adjusters. Provides that a public adjuster shall report to the Director any administrative action taken against the public adjuster in another jurisdiction or by another governmental agency in this State within 30 days of the final disposition of the matter. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to exempt from disclosure certain documents required under the Public Adjusters Law of the Illinois Insurance Code. Contains other provisions.