Rep. Constance A. Howard

Creates the Connect Illinois Act. Establishes the Illinois Broadband Development Authority to coordinate the spread of broadband telecommunications technology in Illinois in order to achieve competition, affordability, and universal broadband service and to secure the State's telecommunications and economic future. Repeals the Act and dissolves the Authority on January 1, 2012.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the amount of the earned income tax credit from 5% of the federal credit to: (i) 7.5% of the federal tax credit for taxable years ending in calendar year 2007; and (ii) 10% of the federal tax credit for taxable years ending in calendar year 2008 or thereafter. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that an offender's eligibility for a restricted driving permit depends on whether denial of all driving privileges would cause undue hardship, as defined by rules adopted by the Secretary of State. Provides that a person convicted of 4 or more offenses of driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident involving death or personal injury, or reckless homicide, or a combination of those offenses, is not eligible for a restricted driving permit. Provides that the Secretary shall revoke the driving privileges of any person under the age of 21 convicted of an out-of-state offense similar to DUI. Provides that a second suspension of a person's driving privileges for an out-of-state offense similar to DUI, or a single suspension of that type, if coupled with a summary suspension under the Code or a DUI or reckless homicide conviction, shall result in the person's being prohibited from driving a vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock device. Provides that a conviction of reckless homicide (as well as a conviction of DUI) increases the limitations that shall be imposed on a person's driving privileges.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that in determining whether an applicant for a certificate of good conduct has been rehabilitated, the Prisoner Review Board shall apply the same criteria used to determine whether a recommendation for executive clemency should be issued, and shall grant the certificate only if the applicant meets those standards. Provides that any court of this State may, in its discretion, issue a judicial pardon to an eligible offender for a conviction that occurred in such court. Specifies criteria that the court must evaluate before issuing a judicial pardon. Specifies offenses for which the court may not issue a judicial pardon. Authorizes the sealing of records of persons issued judicial pardons. Provides that upon approval of the county board, the clerk of the court may charge a fee equivalent to the cost associated with a probation officer's investigation and preparation of a report of an offender's eligibility for a judicial pardon. Effective June 1, 2007.

Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code. Under specified circumstances, allows for a maximum of 5 additional charter schools exclusively for truants or dropouts in Chicago if the limit on the number of charter schools that may operate at any one time in the rest of the State has not been reached. Provides that if any of the additional charter schools are not used exclusively for truants or dropouts, then the State Board of Education shall withhold and the charter school shall forfeit all State funding designated for that school.

Creates the Affordable and Clean Energy Standards (ACES) Act. Provides the findings of the General Assembly. Provides that electric utilities shall utilize cost-effective energy efficiency and load management investment in their energy resource portfolios according to specified guidelines. Provides that the Capital Development Board shall adopt the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code, without amendment, as the statewide residential building code for new home construction and significant additions or remodels of existing homes. Includes a severability clause. Preempts home rule. Effective immediately.

Amends the Payday Loan Reform Act. Changes the definition of "payday loan" to include any loan with a finance charge exceeding an annual percentage rate of 36% (instead of with a finance charge exceeding an annual percentage rate of 36% and with a term that does not exceed 120 days). Provides that no lender may make a payday loan with periodic payments unless the periodic payments are substantially equal term payments and, if paid as scheduled, result in full payment of the principal and interest owed on the loan at the end of the loan term. Requires the licensee, as part of the information that he or she must collect and maintain, to include the total number of lawsuits filed by the licensee or its agent against consumers to collect on payday loans from consumers during the preceding calendar year. Prohibits a licensee or a person making payday loans from evading the requirements and prohibitions of the Act by use of a device or subterfuge including, but not limited to, (i) disguising a payday loan as a different type of transaction, or (ii) characterizing a required fee as a purchase of a good or service in connection with a payday loan. Authorizes the Department to develop rules to determine if any person or entity seeks to evade the applicability of this Act by any device, subterfuge, or pretense. Effective immediately.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that if any minor is determined to need care away from home in foster care, shelter care, or detention, the court shall order, consistent with the health, safety, and best interests of the minor, the removal of the minor from his or her home because the minor's home cannot provide the quality of care and level of support and supervision the minor needs at the time. Provides that removal from the home is in the minor's and community's best interest for any of the following reasons: (i) the minor is without the care necessary for the minor's well being through no fault or lack of concern by a parent, guardian, custodian, or other person, (ii) the minor has no parent, guardian, custodian, or other person able to return the minor to the court when required, or (iii) for the protection of the minor. Provides that the court shall further find that reasonable efforts have been made or that, consistent with the health, safety, and best interests of the minor, no efforts reasonably can be made to prevent or eliminate the necessity of removal of the minor from his or her home. Provides that once the court finds that it is a matter of immediate and urgent necessity for the protection of the minor that the minor be placed in a shelter care facility, detention center, or foster care, the minor shall not be returned to the parent, custodian, or guardian until the court finds that such placement is no longer necessary for the protection of the minor. Effective immediately.

Amends the Data Security on State Computers Act. Provides that previously stored data must be overwritten at least one time (now, 10 times) before surplus electronic data processing equipment is prepared for sale, donation, or transfer. Effective immediately.

Creates the State Services Accountability Act. Provides that certain contractors and grantees with State contracts or grants or with contracts to perform public works shall certify that: they will not use State funds to promote, assist, or deter union organizing or to influence the decision of any of their employees to be represented or not represented by a labor organization; they will not require or prohibit the attendance of employees at a meeting related to union representation; they will not schedule or hold meetings related to union representation during an employee's work time or in work areas; and they will allow a labor organization the same opportunity to communicate with employees as is used by the contractor or the grantee. Provides that a labor organization may file a complaint with the Attorney General if it believes that a contractor or grantee is expending funds in violation of this Act and that the Attorney General shall then notify the contractor or grantee that it must provide an accounting with specified information. Provides for enforcement of the Act. Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that information concerning complaints filed under the State Services Accountability Act is exempt from inspection and copying. Effective immediately.