Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie

Mourns the death of Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf of Chicago.

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that when the two Houses adjourn on Thursday, March 22, 2007, they stand adjourned until Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 12:00 o'clock noon.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "taxing district".

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning charter schools.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption, under which an exemption from the property's value is granted for residential property that is owned and occupied as a residence by a veteran for the tax year in which the veteran returns from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. In a Section concerning the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, provides that in all counties (now, in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants), the county board may by resolution provide that if a person has been granted the homestead exemption, the person qualifying need not reapply for the exemption. In a Section concerning the alternative general homestead exemption, extends the alternative exemption by an additional 3 years. Provides that the maximum amount of the exemption is $60,000 if the general assessment year for the property is 2006 or later. Provides that the base year for counties other than Cook County is the 2005 or 2006 tax year. Provides that, to subject itself to the provisions of the alternative general homestead exemption, a county must adopt an ordinance to that effect within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Makes other changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Compensation Review Act. Changes the filing deadline for Compensation Review Board reports to March 1 (now, April 1) of each even-numbered year and provides that a report takes effect unless disapproved by resolution of the General Assembly by the earlier of (i) the expiration of 30 session days after each house convenes after the report is filed or (ii) June 30th after the report is filed (now, by the expiration of 30 session days after each house convenes after the report is filed). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that an offender's eligibility for a restricted driving permit depends on whether denial of all driving privileges would cause undue hardship, as defined by rules adopted by the Secretary of State. Provides that a person convicted of 4 or more offenses of driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident involving death or personal injury, or reckless homicide, or a combination of those offenses, is not eligible for a restricted driving permit. Provides that the Secretary shall revoke the driving privileges of any person under the age of 21 convicted of an out-of-state offense similar to DUI. Provides that a second suspension of a person's driving privileges for an out-of-state offense similar to DUI, or a single suspension of that type, if coupled with a summary suspension under the Code or a DUI or reckless homicide conviction, shall result in the person's being prohibited from driving a vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock device. Provides that a conviction of reckless homicide (as well as a conviction of DUI) increases the limitations that shall be imposed on a person's driving privileges.

Creates the Affordable and Clean Energy Standards (ACES) Act. Provides the findings of the General Assembly. Provides that electric utilities shall utilize cost-effective energy efficiency and load management investment in their energy resource portfolios according to specified guidelines. Provides that the Capital Development Board shall adopt the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code, without amendment, as the statewide residential building code for new home construction and significant additions or remodels of existing homes. Includes a severability clause. Preempts home rule. Effective immediately.

Amends the Payday Loan Reform Act. Changes the definition of "payday loan" to include any loan with a finance charge exceeding an annual percentage rate of 36% (instead of with a finance charge exceeding an annual percentage rate of 36% and with a term that does not exceed 120 days). Provides that no lender may make a payday loan with periodic payments unless the periodic payments are substantially equal term payments and, if paid as scheduled, result in full payment of the principal and interest owed on the loan at the end of the loan term. Requires the licensee, as part of the information that he or she must collect and maintain, to include the total number of lawsuits filed by the licensee or its agent against consumers to collect on payday loans from consumers during the preceding calendar year. Prohibits a licensee or a person making payday loans from evading the requirements and prohibitions of the Act by use of a device or subterfuge including, but not limited to, (i) disguising a payday loan as a different type of transaction, or (ii) characterizing a required fee as a purchase of a good or service in connection with a payday loan. Authorizes the Department to develop rules to determine if any person or entity seeks to evade the applicability of this Act by any device, subterfuge, or pretense. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to develop and administer a program of information and services for caregivers, particularly older caregivers, of children previously in Department custody, with respect to the future care and custody of those children. Effective immediately.