Rep. Lisa Hernandez

Mourns the death of Catalina Garcia of Cicero.

Congratulates the students of High School District 201 and Elementary School District 99 in the Cicero-Berwyn community for their outstanding letter-writing campaign to urge Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and Illinois Senate President Emil Jones to reinstate the member initiative funding cut from the State budget.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Makes a technical change in a Section defining "aged" or "senior citizen".

Creates the Green Governments Illinois Act. Provides for the creation of the Green Governments Coordinating Council and sets out the composition and responsibilities of the Council. Gives the Council the authority to solicit and receive grants to fulfill the Council's functions and to solicit, use, and publish advice and information to assist in the Council's duties. Provides that participation in the Green Governments Illinois program by units of State and local government and educational institutions is voluntary. Sets out responsibilities of State agencies under the Act. Provides that a member of the Lieutenant Governor's staff shall be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a Green Governments Illinois website with specified content. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a vision examination must be included as a part of the health examination required within one year prior to entering kindergarten or the first grade, whichever grade the child first enters, of any public, private, or parochial elementary school. Makes related changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective January 1, 2008.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that a prosecution for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, or aggravated criminal sexual abuse may be commenced at any time if the victim submitted to an evidentiary medical examination within 72 hours after the commission of the offense, and reported the offense to law enforcement authorities within 120 hours after the commission of the offense. Provides that evidentiary examinations performed under this provision, together with the preservation of evidence and information derived therefrom, shall be performed according to procedures and standards that the Department of State Police shall by rule create. Provides that the Director of State Police shall promulgate all rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this provision.

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Subject to appropriations, requires the Department to pay veterans service organizations for services provided by veterans service officers in processing claims and other benefits for veterans and their spouses or other beneficiaries residing in Illinois. Requires payment at the rate of $0.010 for each dollar of benefits obtained for veterans or their spouses or other beneficiaries. Sets forth criteria that a veterans service organization must meet.

Amends the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act. Provides that "crime victim" includes both parents, legal guardians, and foster parents of a child killed as a result of a violent crime perpetrated against the child or both parents, legal guardians, and foster parents of a child victim who is physically or mentally incapable of exercising rights under the Act. Provides that the Act applies to proceedings under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that a victim-witness specialist may be present at the court proceedings. Provides that support persons of the victim are subject to the admonition of the rules of confidentiality.

Creates the Veterans Assistance Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the sexual exploitation of children.