Rep. Bob Rita

Amends the Video Gaming Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

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 a senior citizens homestead exemption, the person qualifying need not reapply for the exemption. Provides that the county recorder of deeds shall alert the assessor whenever the transfer of ownership of any property receiving a Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption has occurred. Provides that, if such a transfer occurs, the assessor shall remove the exemption and provide the new property owner with information concerning reapplication. Effective immediately.

Amends the Real Estate License Act of 2000. In provisions regarding a statement that must be contained in a broker price opinion or comparative market analysis, provides that the broker price opinion or comparative market analysis was prepared by a licensed real estate broker or managing broker who was not acting as a State certified real estate appraiser (rather than a licensed real estate broker or managing broker, not by a State certified real estate appraiser). Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Adds involuntary sexual servitude of a minor to the offenses for which a health care worker license can be revoked. Provides that if a licensed health care worker has been convicted of a forcible felony, other than a forcible felony requiring registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act or involuntary sexual servitude of a minor that is a forcible felony, and the health care worker has had his or her license revoked, the health care worker may petition the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to restore his or her license. Establishes factors that the Department shall consider in determining whether a license shall be restored. Further provides that this process for petition and review by the Department shall apply to a person whose licensed is denied under these provisions.

Amends the Park District Code. Requires park districts to determine if an applicant for employment has been convicted of (rather than convicted of or adjudicated a delinquent minor for) specified criminal or drug offenses listed in the Section within 5 years of the application for employment, or convicted of a felony within 2 years (rather than 7 years) of the application for employment. Removes several offenses from the specified criminal or drug offenses listed in the Section. Amends the Chicago Park District Act making the same changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the general homestead exemption, provides that, in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, if a property is not occupied by its owner as a principal residence as of January 1 of the current tax year, then the property owner shall notify the chief county assessment officer by April 1 of the current tax year that the property was not occupied by the owner as a principal residence as of January 1 of the current tax year. Provides that, if such a notification is made and a general homestead exemption is granted for the property, that homestead exemption shall not be considered an erroneous homestead exemption. Effective immediately.

Amends the Real Estate License Act of 2000. Removes the restriction that managing brokers and brokers can earn no more than 6 hours of continuing education credit in one calendar day.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Includes highways on public school property in the classification of non-designated highways. Requires vehicles to stop before meeting or overtaking, from either direction, any school bus stopped on a public school highway.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning appeals by the State.

Creates the Child Bereavement Leave Act and amends the State Finance Act. Provides that an employee may use specified amounts of bereavement leave to grieve the death of the employee's child, attend services in relation to the death of the employee's child, or make arrangements necessitated by the death of the employee's child. Provides for enforcement by the Department of Labor. Provides for civil penalties. Authorizes the Attorney General to collect penalties. Creates the Child Bereavement Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately.