Rep. Bob Rita

Amends the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004. Removes language allowing an owner of livestock and any of the owner's employees or the owner and employees of a service and care provider of livestock caring for and treating livestock belonging to the owner or under a provider's care to dock cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and swine. Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that no person may dock or hire any other person to dock the tail of any living member of the bovine species. Provides that any person who violates this provision is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and must pay a fine not to exceed $500. Authorizes licensed veterinarians to dock tails if doing so is necessary to protect the health of the animal. Defines "dock".

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the county officers electoral board shall also hear objector's petitions for candidates for offices in school or community college districts.

Amends the Chicago Teachers Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides for a one-time increase in certain retirement and survivor's annuities. Declares it to be the public policy of this State and the intention of the General Assembly to protect annuitants against significant decreases in the purchasing power of retirement and survivor's annuities. Directs the retirement system to review and report on significant changes in purchasing power. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a provision that reduced benefits for new hires does not apply to members of a fund created under the Chicago Teachers Article of the Code. In the Chicago Teachers Article, changes the Board of Education's required minimum contribution to the fund. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a retired teacher may be re-employed as a teacher on a temporary and non-annual basis or on an hourly basis without loss of pension, so long as the person does not accept more than $10,000 in gross compensation for that re-employment in a school year. Requires the pensioner to notify the Fund and the Board of Education of his or her intention to accept re-employment. Requires the Board of Education to certify the pensioner's status and compensation to the Fund. Requires the Board of the Fund to adopt rules for implementation. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Consumer Installment Loan Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning a license required to engage in the business of making loans of money in a principal amount not exceeding $40,000.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Extends the repeal date for the Home Inspector License Act to January 1, 2022 from January 1, 2012. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning telecommunications.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that Illinois residents who are members of the Armed Forces of the United States and are stationed outside of the country for 4 months (instead of 6) shall, after their return to the United States, be entitled to credit for the unused portion of a vehicle registration at registration renewal. Effective January 1, 2012.

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Increases various fees concerning licenses and renewal of licenses under the Act. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to extend the Medical Practice Act of 1987 from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2022.