Rep. Mary Flowers

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that when awarding grants for any economic development purpose, the Department must consider (i) reserving and targeting State business incentives to areas with high unemployment or low income and (ii) if the applicant seeking the grant is located in a metropolitan area, whether that metropolitan area meets location efficiency standards. Effective immediately.

Creates the Legislative Task Force on Drug Free Zones to study State laws that created drug free zones to determine the effectiveness of these laws, whether these laws have a desperate impact on African American communities, and whether these laws should be amended to more effectively deter drug activity that occurs within sight of schools and other protected locations and lessen the impact of mandatory sentencing on urban communities, thereby reducing racial disparities and to report its findings to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before November 1, 2007.

Creates the Smoke Free Illinois Act. Sets forth the findings of the General Assembly. Creates several definitions. Prohibits smoking in public places, places of employment, and governmental vehicles. Requires "No Smoking" signs to be posted in each public place and place of employment where smoking is prohibited. Requires ashtrays to be removed from any area where smoking is prohibited. Prohibits smoking in student dormitories, including, but not limited to, sleeping rooms, dining areas, restrooms, laundry areas, lobbies, and hallways, of a building used in whole or in part as a student dormitory that is owned and operated or otherwise utilized by a public or private institution of higher education. Provides that the Department of Public Health, State-certified local public health departments, and local law enforcement agencies shall enforce the provisions of the Act. Sets forth fines for violations of the Act. Provides that the Department, a State-certified local public health department, local law enforcement agency, or any individual personally affected by repeated violations may institute, in a circuit court, an action to enjoin violations of the Act. Prohibits discrimination against individuals who exercise their rights afforded by the Act. Provides that a home rule unit may regulate smoking in public places, but that regulation must be no less restrictive than the provisions in the Act. Prohibits smoking within a minimum distance of 15 feet from entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes that serve an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Repeals the Illinois Clean Indoor Air Act.

Reconstitutes the Commission to Study the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its Past and Present Effects on African-Americans created by SJR 31 of the 94th General Assembly.

Extends the Legislative Task Force on Employment of Persons with Past Criminal Convictions. Provides that the Task Force shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2007.

Urges the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to adopt guidelines for universal testing of hospital patients for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (M.R.S.A.).

Celebrates the life of John W. Stieren.

Congratulates Simeon on upsetting top-ranked Oak Hill in men's high school basketball.

Amends the IMRF Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the prohibition on return to service after accepting early retirement benefits applies only to (1) employment for which the person is required (or is allowed and has elected) to participate in the Fund and (2) contractual personal services which, if performed as an employee, would require the employee to participate in the Fund. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of John M. Hyland.