Rep. Mary Flowers

Congratulates the owners and staff of Vito and Nick's Pizzeria in Chicago.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that 2 or more acts or transactions in violation of certain provisions of the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act may be joined in a single count of an indictment, information, or complaint. Amends the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. Subject to appropriation, provides that the Department of Labor shall establish an administrative procedure to adjudicate claims or specific categories of claims. Establishes procedures for an employee who has not been paid the wage the employee is entitled by the Act to recover by filing a claim with the Department or in a civil action, but not both.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that the permanency plan shall include a finding by the court whether conditions that gave rise to a finding of parental abuse or neglect or of the minor's dependency have been remedied prior to returning the child home. Changes the conditions under which a motion to reinstate parental rights may be filed by the Department of Children and Family Services regarding any minor who is a ward of the court because of abuse, neglect, or dependency. Effective immediately.

Amends the Prenatal and Newborn Care Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall publish on its website certain specified information about the possible health complications associated with newborn infants who are born premature at less than 37 weeks gestational age and the proper care and support for these newborn infants. Provides that in determining what information is most beneficial to the public, the Department may consult with pediatric healthcare providers, community organizations, or other experts as the Department deems necessary. Provides that the Department shall ensure that the information is accessible to children's health providers, maternal care providers, hospitals, public health departments, and medical organizations. Requires the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to consult with statewide organizations focused on premature infant healthcare in order to accomplish certain goals. Requires data regarding the incidence and cause of re-hospitalization in the first 6 months of life for infants born premature at earlier than 37 weeks gestational age to be reported to the Director of Public Health. Effective immediately.

Creates the Commission to End Hunger Act. Provides that because it is the goal of the State that no man, woman, or child should ever be faced with hunger, the General Assembly authorizes the Department of Human Services to create the Commission to End Hunger. Provides that the purpose of the Commission shall be to develop an action plan every 2 years, review the progress of this plan, and ensure cross-collaboration among government entities and community partners toward the goal of ending hunger in Illinois. Further provides that the key duties of the Commission shall include identifying all funding sources which can be used toward ending hunger; identifying barriers to access, and developing sustainable polices and programs to address those barriers; and promoting and facilitating public-private partnerships. Provides that the Commission shall be composed of no more than 21 voting members, including 15 public members representing various community and public service organizations, who shall be appointed by the Governor and shall reflect the racial, gender, and geographic diversity of the State. Provides that the Secretary of Human Services, the State Superintendent of Education, the Director of Healthcare and Family Services, the Director of Children and Family Services, the Director of Aging, and the Director of Agriculture shall serve as ex-officio members of the Commission, and that subject to appropriation, the Office of the Governor and the Department of Human Services shall provide administrative support. Contains provisions on commission meetings and reporting requirements. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person commits crowding or threatening a bicyclist when a person driving a motor vehicle recklessly drives the motor vehicle unnecessarily close to, toward, or near a bicyclist. Provides that every person convicted of crowding or threatening a bicyclist shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor if the violation does not result in great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to another. Provides that if a crowding or threatening a bicyclist violation results in great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to another, the person shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony. Provides that a person commits projecting or throwing missiles at bicyclists, a Class A misdemeanor, when a person projects or throws any missile (defined as any object or substance) at or against a bicyclist. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Governor's submission of the State budget.

Mourns the death of Dorothy Irene Height and honors her for her many contributions to our nation and the civil rights movement.

Urges the Congress of the United States to authorize and fund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Comprehensive Plan for Flood Control in the Upper Mississippi River Valley.

Urges the U.S. Congress to pass the Social Security Fairness Act of 2009.