Rep. Bob Rita

Amends the Public Private Agreements for the Illiana Expressway Act. Removes language providing that a public private agreement includes a provision stating that, in the event the contractor finds it necessary, proper, or desirable to enter into subcontracts with one or more design build entities, then it must follow a selection process that is, to the greatest extent possible, identical to the selection process contained in the Design Build Procurement Act. Provides that the Department of Transportation may acquire property for the Illiana Expressway project using the powers granted to it in the Eminent Domain Act. Provides that any bonds, debt, or other securities or other financing issued by or on behalf of a contractor for the purposes of a project undertaken pursuant to the Act shall not be deemed to constitute a debt of the State. Removes language providing that the Department may not exercise the power of quick take in connection with the Illiana Expressway project. Makes a corresponding change in the Eminent Domain Act. Effective immediately.

Congratulates Beulah E. Posten of Chicago on her centennial birthday.

Honors Boy Scout Troop 3707, of the Allen Metropolitan CME Church in Chicago, for their example.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person may not operate a vehicle if a device capable of displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business applications is operating and is located in the vehicle in a position where the moving images are visible to the driver while the vehicle is in motion.

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Authorizes the closure of meetings between internal or external auditors and governmental audit committees, finance committees, and their equivalents, when the discussion involves internal control weaknesses, identification of potential fraud risk areas, known or suspected frauds, and fraud interviews conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards of the United States of America.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "bus rapid transit vehicle" as a bus specifically authorized by the Department of Transportation to be operated upon highways and shoulders for bus rapid transit. Adds bus rapid transit vehicles to the list of vehicles exempted from prohibitions against driving on the shoulder. Creates the Bus Rapid Transit Pilot Program. Provides that commencing on the effective date of this Act, the Department, in cooperation with the Regional Transportation Authority and the Illinois State Police, shall establish a 5-year pilot program within the boundaries of the Regional Transportation Authority for bus rapid transit on highways and shoulders. Provides that the Department may adopt rules as necessary to implement the bus rapid transit pilot program, and that the Department shall present to the General Assembly a report on the effectiveness of bus rapid transit at the conclusion of the 5-year pilot program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Roseland Community Medical District Act. Creates the Roseland Community Medical District within a specified area located within Cook County to attract and retain academic centers of excellence, viable health care facilities, medical research facilities, emerging high technology enterprises, and other facilities. Provides that the District is governed by the Roseland Community Medical District Commission. Grants certain powers to the Commission, including the power to accept grants, loans, and appropriations, and to acquire and sell interests in property. Amends the Eminent Domain Act to make conforming changes. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Roseland Community Medical District Income Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code, the Toll Highway Act, and the Toll Bridge Act. Contains findings that electronic toll collection systems in Illinois should be standardized to promote safety, efficiency, and traveler convenience. Requires the Department of Transportation, counties, and municipalities to configure the electronic toll collection system on county toll bridges, municipal toll bridges, and municipal ferries (and, if electronic toll collection is used on any highways constructed or maintained by the Department, on those highways) to be compatible with the electronic toll collection system used by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. Authorizes intergovernmental agreements and cooperation among entities to standardize toll collection and toll violation and enforcement services. Effective immediately.

Amends the Technology Development Act. Authorizes the State Treasurer to segregate up to 3% of the Treasurer's investment portfolio in the Technology Development Account IIa. Authorizes investments from the account to provide venture capital to help attract, assist, and retain quality technology businesses in Illinois. Provides that the Treasurer may solicit proposals from entities to manage and be the General Partner of Technology Development Account IIb, a separate fund consisting of investments from private sector investors that must invest, at the direction of the Treasurer, in tandem with TDA IIa. Sets restrictions and conditions. Effective immediately.