Rep. Marlow H. Colvin

Amends the Property Tax Code. Includes disabled persons within the provisions granting an assessment freeze homestead exemption to senior citizens. Changes the name to the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (now Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption). Makes corresponding changes to a cross-reference to the exemption. Amends the States Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Changes the date of political party county conventions from the second Monday after the general primary election to the 29th day after that primary election. Changes the canvassing period for county canvassing boards to 21 days (now, 7) after an election. Changes the canvassing period for other canvassing boards to 31 days after an election (now, 20 days for the State Board of Elections and 7 for all others). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a provision regarding permit fees.

Amends the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois and amends the Public Community College Act. Requires public institutions of higher education to allow a currently enrolled student who is called to active military service to complete any unfinished courses at a later date at no additional charge, unless course credit has already been given. Provides that the student must be given priority over other students in reenrolling in the course or courses. Effective immediately.

Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Board of Directors.

Amends the Mosquito Abatement District Act. Provides that the board of trustees of any mosquito abatement district shall conduct routine surveillance of mosquitoes to detect the presence of mosquito-borne diseases. Contains provisions concerning the guidelines for surveillance. Provides that the district must report results of any positive mosquito samples infected with any and all arboviral infections to the director of environmental health of the local certified public health department, or his or her designee, within 24 hours of receiving the result. Provides that the report shall include the type of infection, number of mosquitoes collected, the type of trapping device used, and the type of laboratory testing used to confirm the infection. Provides that any mosquito abatement district, or designee, that fails to comply with the requirements of this Act is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor

Creates the Illinois Independent Forensic Science Act. Establishes the Illinois Independent Forensic Science Oversight Commission. Provides that this Commission shall adopt accreditation standards for all forensic laboratories; establish qualification standards and a code of ethics for all examiners, analysts, and scientists employed by any forensic laboratory; establish blind basis protocols for the examination of evidence; conduct initial and routine inspections of all forensic science laboratories; and conduct internal and external proficiency testing of personnel. Provides that accreditation of a forensic laboratory shall be revoked for making a misrepresentation to obtain accreditation; failing to disclose that a report contains work done at another laboratory; a pattern of excessive errors in performance of examination procedures; or failing to file a required report.

Amends the Assumed Business Name Act. Makes a stylistic change concerning the alphabetical index kept by each county clerk.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.