Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Changes the composition of the veterans advisory council from 17 to 21 by adding one person appointed by the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, one person appointed by the Illinois Attorney General, one person appointed by the Illinois Secretary of State, and one person appointed by the Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Provides that one veteran or family member of a veteran (rather than one veteran) appointed by the commander or president of each veterans service organization or military family organization (rather than only each veterans service organization) that is chartered by the federal government and by the State of Illinois and elects to appoint a member shall sit on the council. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the returning veterans' homestead exemption, provides that the veteran may apply the exemption for the taxable year after he or she returns if (i) he or she first acquires a principal residence during the taxable year in which he or she returns, but after January 1 of that year, and (ii) if the property is owned and occupied as a principal residence by the veteran on January 1 of the next taxable year. Effective immediately.
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the supervision of persons on parole or mandatory supervised release.
Amends the Home Repair Fraud Act. Provides that a person commits the offense of aggravated home repair fraud when he commits home repair fraud in connection with a home repair project intended to assist a disabled person. Provides that aggravated home repair involving misrepresentation or deception is a Class 3 (instead of Class 4) felony when the amount of the contract or agreement is $500 or less and a Class 2 (instead of Class 3) felony for a second or subsequent offense when the amount of the contract or agreement is $500 or less. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Deletes language providing that before July 1, 2006 and after June 30, 2010, the State Board of Education shall provide the primary source of funding through appropriations for the grants for preschool educational program and the funds shall be distributed for the benefit of children who because of their home and community environment are subject to such language, cultural, economic and like disadvantages that they have been determined as a result of screening procedures to be at risk of academic failure. Deletes language that provides that screening procedures shall be based on criteria established by the State Board of Education. Removes the date restrictions of July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2010 on the requirement that the State Board of Education shall provide the primary source of funding through appropriations for the program. Effective immediately.
Urges the federal government to adopt legislation allowing merchant marines who served during World War II to receive benefits for their service.
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the Cook County Board of Commissioners may override a veto by the County Board President by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of its members (instead of four-fifths). Effective immediately.
Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that Veterans Day honors the victory in all wars of all United States Armed Forces (now, United States Army, Navy, and Air Force).
Amends the Deposit of State Moneys Act. Authorizes investment in repurchase agreements of government securities having the meaning set out in the Government Securities Act of 1986,"as now or hereafter amended or succeeded". Effective immediately.
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.