Rep. Bob Rita

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Increases the percentage of certain separate accounts and certain mutual funds in which a downstate police or downstate firefighter pension fund may invest. Makes changes in the types of mutual funds in which a downstate police or downstate firefighter pension fund may invest. Allows downstate police and downstate firefighter pension funds to invest a portion of their assets in exchange traded funds comprised of diversified portfolios of common or preferred stocks and bonds. Allows downstate police and downstate firefighter pension funds that have assets of at least $5,000,000 and have appointed an investment adviser to invest a portion of their assets in nonconvertible investment grade corporate bonds and American depository receipts.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Authorizes the Secretary of State to issue to a registered owner of a Corvette a special Corvette license plate to be displayed on that vehicle. Provides that only one rear license plate needs to be displayed on that vehicle.

Amends the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act. Adds a Section concerning licensure for roofers. Contains only a caption.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates an Article concerning custodial agreements and the use of clearing corporations. Provides definitions. Allows domestic insurance companies to deposit securities held or purchased for its general account in a clearing corporation. Allows certificates representing securities of the same class of the same issuer to be merged and held in bulk in the name of the nominee of the clearing corporation regardless of the ownership of the securities and for certificates representing smaller denominations to be merged into one or more certificates of larger denominations. Allows ownership and other interests in securities to be transferred by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of certificates. Authorizes the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation to adopt rules governing the deposit of securities in clearing corporations. Allows securities of domestic, foreign, and alien insurance companies required to be deposited with the Secretary as a condition of doing business in this State that meet deposit requirements to be deposited in clearing corporations. Prohibits the removal of these deposits by the insurance company without the approval of the Secretary. Requires the insurance company to provide evidence to the Secretary that the securities are recorded in the name of the custodian and that the securities are held subject to the order of the Secretary.

Creates the Motor Fuel Price Fairness Act. Provides that, if the Governor determines that there is a critical shortage of motor fuel in the State, then the Governor may, by executive order, declare a motor fuel emergency for that portion of the State that is affected by the shortage. Provides that, upon a declaration of a motor fuel emergency by the Governor, it is unlawful for any person to sell or offer to sell motor fuel at retail at an unconscionable price within the area for which the state of motor fuel emergency is declared. Provides that it is prima facie evidence that a price is unconscionable if: (1) the amount charged represents a gross disparity between the price at which the motor fuel was readily obtainable within the retailer's trade area during the 30 days immediately before the declaration of the motor fuel emergency; and (2) the increase in the amount charged is not attributable to cost factors to the retailer, including replacement costs, taxes, and transportation costs incurred by the retailer. Provides that a violation of this Act constitutes a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, but nothing in this Act creates a private cause of action in favor of any person damaged by a violation of this Act. Preempts home rule. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Toll Highway Act. Requires the Governor to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, an Inspector General for the Authority, and sets forth his or her powers and duties. Provides that the Office of the Inspector General shall be represented in all legal matters by the Attorney General. Places certain restrictions on directors of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority and their employees and agents concerning receiving financial benefit from their positions or employment with the Authority. Provides that the Authority shall, in a manner consistent with the law, ensure that disadvantaged businesses have access to the Authority's contract bidding process. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. 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, deletes provisions ending the alternative exemption after certain tax years. Provides that the $20,000 limit on the alternative exemption applies only for certain tax years. Sets forth requirements for ordinances by counties concerning the homestead exemption. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides for increased fines if a railroad causes the obstruction of a crossing for longer than 8 (rather than 10) minutes. Provides that $250 of any fine levied against and paid by a railroad for crossing obstruction shall be deposited into the Local Government Distributive Fund.

Amends the Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to pay an amount into a health care fund jointly administered by the Department and the exclusive representative under the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act or, if no such representative exists, the representatives of the individuals that perform those services. Sets forth that for fiscal year 2007, the amount must equal $1.33 for each hour of preventive services provided under this Section. Provides that the Department must use the moneys in the fund to provide comprehensive health care coverage for all individuals that perform more than 86 hours of preventative services per month. Sets forth that if such an individual has dependents, the comprehensive health care coverage provided by the Department under this Section must also extend to those dependents. Effective July 1, 2006.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Authorizes the Secretary of State to issue to a registered owner of a Corvette a special Corvette license plate to be displayed on that vehicle. Provides that only one rear license plate needs to be displayed on that vehicle.