Rep. Marlow H. Colvin

Creates the STAR Bonds Financing Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Honors "A Place For Me" Autism Learning Center in Chicago on the occasion of their second annual dinner for autism awareness.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Redefines a "public record" to include the portion of a settlement agreement entered into by or on behalf of a public body that shows the total amount of any moneys or total financial value of other agreements that resulted in a financial payment to or by the public body and the amount expended by or on behalf of the public body for the prosecution, defense, or settlement of any litigation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Capital Crimes Litigation Act. Provides that each provider of proposed capital litigation services must specify the best preliminary estimate that can be made in light of information received in the case at that point, and the provider must sign this estimate under the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure relating to verified statements made under the penalty of perjury. Provides that a provider of proposed services must also specify (1) his or her hourly rate; (2) the hourly rate of anyone else in his or her employ for whom reimbursement is sought; and (3) the hourly rate of any person or entity that may be subcontracted to perform these services. Provides that the court must certify reasonable and necessary expenses of the petitioner for travel and per diem (lodging, meals, and incidental expenses). Provides that these expenses must be paid at the rate as promulgated by the United States General Services Administration for these expenses for the date and location in which they were incurred, unless extraordinary reasons are shown for the difference. Provides that if the State Treasurer finds within 14 days of his or her receipt of a certification that the compensation and expenses to be paid are unreasonable, unnecessary, or inappropriate, he or she may return the certification to the court setting forth in detail the objection or objections with a request for the court to review the objection or objections before resubmitting the certification. Provides that the State Treasurer may only seek a review of a specific objection once. Provides that the claimant has 7 days from his or her receipt of the objections to file a response with the court. Provides that with or without further hearing, the court must promptly rule on the objections.

Amends the Gender-Neutral Statutes Commission Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Commission's duties.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that a notice of penalty sent to a facility must contain a detailed computation showing how the amount of the penalty was derived, including the number of days and the number of residents on which the penalty was based. Effective immediately.

Creates the Retail Sale and Distribution of Novelty Lighters Prohibition Act. Defines a "novelty lighter" as a mechanical or electrical device typically used for lighting cigarettes, cigars, or pipes that is designed to appear to be a toy, features a flashing light, or makes musical sounds. Prohibits the sale and distribution of novelty lighters. Sets forth exceptions to the prohibition. Imposes a petty offense of not to exceed $500 for each violation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. Provides that a person may not under any circumstances charge a fee to a claimant for assistance in completing an application form for a property tax relief grant or pharmaceutical assistance under the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Requires each school superintendent to create a program to ensure that students attending the schools that he or she manages cannot access those schools' grounds for at least 12 hours after those grounds are treated with a lawn care product. Requires each district superintendent to appoint a Lawn Care Coordinator whose duty it shall be (i) to implement that program, (ii) to supervise the provision of notice under subdivision (f)(2) of Section 3 of the Lawn Care Products Application and Notice Act, and (3) if the district adopts a pesticide-free turf care program, to supervise that program. Amends the Lawn Care Products Application and Notice Act. Requires applicators for hire to provide additional types of information to customers. Requires the owners or operators of day care centers to provide parents with one of two types of notice before applying pesticide or having pesticide applied to day center grounds (now, only school districts must provide that notice). Requires the Illinois Department of Public Health to inform school boards and the owners and operators of day care centers about these requirements. Requires the Illinois Department of Public Health to report violations to the Department of Agriculture for enforcement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Increases criminal penalties for certain activities related to the use of animals, except dogs, for sport fighting. Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Increases criminal penalties for certain activities related to dog fighting. Effective immediately.