Rep. Robert S. Molaro

Amends the Chicago Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code to provide an increase in the retirement benefit formula. Changes the maximum annuity from 75% to 80% of average salary. Provides for 2.5% (rather than 2%) of average salary for each year of service beyond 20. Applies to persons withdrawing from service after December 31, 2003. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that if a person who had been in a coma for at least 10 days notifies a creditor or debt collector that the person has been in a coma, the creditor or debt collector shall grant the person a grace period for the making of payments of consumer debts beginning on the date the person became comatose and ending 15 days after the patient is no longer comatose. Prohibits a creditor or debt collector from taking specified actions against the person during the grace period. Provides that the creditor or debt collector shall reverse any adverse action already taken against the person during the grace period. Violation is an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that in cases involving reckless homicide in which the defendant was driving in a construction or maintenance zone at a speed in excess of the posted speed limit required when workers are present or in violation of any warning signs that indicate that workers are present and caused the death of one person in the construction or maintenance zone, the penalty is a Class 1 felony. Provides that driving in a construction or maintenance zone at a speed in excess of the posted speed limit required when workers are present or in violation of any warning signs that indicate that workers are present constitutes a reckless act.

Amends the Chicago Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides an alternative payment option, under which a qualifying member may convert up to 3 years of service credit into a lump sum payment at the time of retirement. Authorizes transfer of service credits earned for employment in the Office of the State Fire Marshal from the State Employee Retirement System to the Fund. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "33 1/3%".

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that for purposes of billing a call having a duration in excess of one minute, a provider of cellular phone service must round down to the next lowest full minute all usage of 29 seconds or less and round up to the next highest full minute all usage of 30 seconds or more.

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Exempts from the extension limitation those extensions made for contributions to the police pension fund, the firefighter's pension fund, the policemen's annuity and benefit fund, and the firemen's annuity and benefit fund. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Open Meetings Act to allow members of a public body to attend a meeting by electronic means, subject to certain limitations. Requires the physical presence of the person testifying in any contested case, as defined in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, unless all parties waive the requirement of physical presence. Requires minutes of all public bodies to reflect whether members were physically present or present by electronic means. Provides that a quorum of the members must be physically present for the public body to vote on the issuance of bonds. Allows a public body to adopt rules concerning attendance at meetings by electronic means. Prohibits electronic communication during the course of a meeting of a public body between members of the public body who are physically present at the meeting. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Financial Services Development Act. Provides that interest on outstanding unpaid indebtedness in a borrower's account may be subject to only one interest rate at any one time.

Amends the Animal Control Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning rabies inoculations.