Rep. Bob Rita

Amends the Toll Highway Act. Makes a technical change in a definitions Section.

Amends the Appraisal Management Company Registration Act. Provides that no appraisal management company may require an appraiser to pay the national registry fee required by the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council for a person who is (i) on the appraisal panel of the appraisal management company and (ii) certified as an appraiser in this State.

Amends the Toll Highway Act. Makes a technical change in a definitions Section.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that, within 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the State Comptroller shall order transferred and the State Treasurer shall transfer from the listed funds moneys in the specific amounts for deposit into the Audit Expense Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to conduct at least one workshop and issue a report concerning how the development and construction of microgrids could strengthen and enhance the electric grid through reliance on the diverse supply options being connected to the grid by traditional suppliers and new market participants, such as the electric utilities' customers. Specifies objectives for the workshop and report. Defines "microgrid". Provides for repeal of the provisions on January 1, 2017. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Establishes the Appraisal Management Company Recovery Fund. Amends the Appraisal Management Company Registration Act. Provides that the Real Estate Appraisal Administration Disciplinary Board may charge a fee, not to exceed $800, to be paid at the time of submission of an original application and each renewal application, for a license as an appraisal management company. Provides that such fees shall be deposited in the Appraisal Management Company Recovery Fund. Provides that the Board shall administer the fund for the purpose of providing restitution to certified general and residential real estate appraisers who have suffered pecuniary loss due to appraisal management companies ceasing to be registered with the Board. Provides that the amount paid to an appraiser shall equal the actual amount of appraisal fees proven to be owed to the appraiser by the relevant appraisal management company, and any reasonable and appropriate court costs associated with determining the final judgment in favor of the appraiser. Provides that any monies remaining in the fund at the close of the fiscal year shall not lapse, but shall be carried forward into the succeeding fiscal year. Provides that the fund is not subject to sweeps, administrative charge-backs, or any other fiscal or budgetary maneuver that would transfer any amounts from the fund into any other fund of the State. Authorizes the Department of Financial and Professional Responsibility to adopt rules ensuring that the balance of the fund shall not fall below $900,000, and suspend imposing fees when the balance of the fund is $900,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Auction License Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning legislative intent.

Amends the Mail Order Contact Lens Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning violations and civil penalties.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax checkoff to allow taxpayers to make contributions to Special Olympics Illinois and Special Children's Charities. Effective immediately.