Rep. Constance A. Howard

Congratulates Martha J. Barnes of Chicago on her retirement January 31, 2005.

Congratulates the honorees of the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council's 28th Annual Awards Dinner.

Amends provisions of the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that, for purposes of the Act, discrimination based on national origin includes discrimination based on the language spoken in the place in which a person or one of his or her ancestors was born. Effective January 1, 2005.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that a person who accepts credit cards for the transaction of business may not print more than the last 5 digits of the credit card account number or the expiration date upon any receipt provided to the cardholder. Provides that a violation is an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act. Applies only to receipts that are electronically printed and does not apply to transactions in which the sole means of recording the person's credit card number is by handwriting or by an imprint or copy of the credit card. Provides that the new provisions become operative on January 1, 2008, with respect to any cash register or other machine or device that electronically prints receipts for credit card transactions that is in use before January 1, 2005. Provides that the new provisions become operative on January 1, 2005, with respect to any cash register or other machine or device that electronically prints receipts for credit card transactions that is first put into use on or after January 1, 2005. Effective January 1, 2005.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act, the School Code, and the Promissory Note and Bank Holiday Act. Makes the date of the general election a legal and school holiday known as General Election Day. Rephrases the current authorization for banks to close on the date of the general election. Prohibits requiring officers and employees of the State, units of local government, and school districts to work on General Election Day except as necessary for the conduct of the election, for law enforcement, for fire protection, and for public health and safety. Requires courts to designate General Election Day as a court holiday. Preempts home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Amends the Election Code, the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Office of Banks and Real Estate Act, the Counties Code, and the Universities Civil Service Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Reduces the aggravating factors for which the death penalty may be imposed for first degree murder. Retains the death penalty for the murder of: (1) a peace officer, fireman, or correctional employee killed in the performance of his or her official duties, to prevent the performance of his or her official duties, or in retaliation for performance of his or her official duties; (2) an inmate of a correctional institution who was killed on the grounds of the institution or a person present in the correctional institution with the consent of the chief administrative officer of the institution; (3) 2 or more individuals; (4) an individual under 12 years of age if the death resulted from exceptionally brutal or heinous behavior indicative of wanton cruelty; (5) a witness or potential witness in a criminal prosecution; (6) an individual that was intentional and involved the infliction of torture; and (7) an individual in connection with or as a result of terrorism.

Amends the Alternative Health Care Delivery Act. Makes a technical change in the Section concerning definitions.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for an employer, employment agency, or labor organization to inquire into or to use the fact of an arrest as a basis to refuse to hire, to segregate, or to act with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, renewal of employment, selection for training or apprenticeship, discharge, discipline, tenure or terms, privileges, or conditions of employment if an individual has pleaded guilty to a crime, has received supervision, has complied with the supervision requirements, and has received a judgment dismissing the charges. Effective January 1, 2005.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides for submission of documents under the Act in electronic form pursuant to rules adopted by the Illinois Commerce Commission. In provisions concerning service of Commission orders, provides that service by electronic means shall constitute service without additional proof of a receipt of a copy of the order.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Creates the offense of computer impersonation. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she accesses a computer, computer system, or computer network and assumes the computer identity of another person. Provides that a violation is a Class 4 felony. Effective immediately.