Rep. Bob Rita

Amends the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act. Provides that no civil action shall be commenced against the Chicago Transit Authority by any person for any injury to his person unless it is commenced within 5 years (now, one year) from the date that the injury was received. Provides that, within 30 months (now, 10 months) from the date of the injury or the accrual of the cause of action, a person who is about to commence a civil action against the Authority for damages resulting from an injury must file a written statement with the Chicago Transit Board and the Authority.

Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning deposits of fees.

Amends the Illinois Commercial Transportation Law in the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that documents, records, or other writings that may be filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission may be filed electronically under rules to be adopted by the Commission. Provides that the new rules must comply with Article 25 of the Electronic Commerce Security Act. Provides that any correspondence from the Commission is considered to have been served at the time it is sent by electronic means.

Amends the Consumer Installment Loan Act. Provides that lenders that make loans based upon proof of the borrower's continuing employment or ownership of equity in a motor vehicle and the borrower's delivery to the lender of a postdated check in an amount sufficient to repay the loan must deem all fees charged for making the loan or renewing the loan to be interest for disclosure purposes. Requires that interest be disclosed in a manner consistent with the Truth in Lending Act. Limits rollovers of loans to 3 during any 12-month period. Effective immediately.

Amends the Agricultural Fair Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall annually increase the minimum reimbursement amount for funeral and burial expenses required under the Code by a percentage equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers during the preceding 12 months. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Removes a provision that requires a taxpayer to add to federal adjusted gross income, to arrive at base income for Illinois income tax purposes, distributions from a qualified tuition program under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code other than distributions from the College Savings Pool or the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Program to the extent those distributions were excluded from income in arriving at federal adjusted gross income. Amends the State Treasurer Act and further amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to allow an income tax deduction for moneys contributed in the taxable year to the College Savings Pool, the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Program, or to any other qualified tuition program under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code (now, deduction limited to College Savings Pool contributions). Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Labor Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Department of Labor.

Amends the School Code. Creates the Professional Teacher Standards Board consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor to administer the Article of the School Code governing the certification of teachers and other certificated school personnel and the approval of teacher and administrator preparation programs. Gives the Professional Teacher Standards Board all powers and duties currently exercised by the State Board of Education and the State Teacher Certification Board with respect to administration of the certification and program approval process, and abolishes the State Teacher Certification Board. Authorizes the Professional Teacher Standards Board to employ an Executive Director and such other staff members as are necessary to exercise its powers and duties and carry out its functions. Provides that a Standard Certificate may be renewed based on proof of professional development (instead of on proof of continuing education or professional development). Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides for immediate issuance of a new and different set of plates to a victim of domestic violence if specified conditions are met.